How She Built a $1M Recruiting Firm in 23 Months (Sales + CEO Mindset)

1. Episode Hook

She was laid off five weeks postpartum…

23 months later, she crossed $1M in revenue building a recruiting firm her way.

2. Why This Episode Matters

Most recruiters are grinding harder every year and getting less predictable results.

This episode breaks that pattern—showing how to build revenue, clients, and freedom without burning out or chasing every shiny tactic.

If you want to close more deals, build a durable pipeline, and think like a true agency CEO, this conversation is required listening.

3. What You’ll Learn

• The warm-lead strategy Julia used to land her first clients—without cold pitching or spammy outreach
• How her LinkedIn content system turns posts into inbound sales conversations
• The exact Dripify + LinkedIn voice note combo driving response rates most recruiters never see
• Why only 3% of buyers are ready now—and how to stay top-of-mind until they are
• The CEO mindset shift that allowed her to scale revenue while working ~30 hours a week
• How to balance sales execution + personal boundaries without stalling growth
• The hidden reason most recruiters fail when they “know the tactics” but still don’t scale

4. About the Guest

Julia Arpag is the Founder & CEO of Aligned Recruitment. In under two years, she built a seven-figure recruiting business, scaled a full internal team, and now coaches founders on sales, mindset, and sustainable growth—all as a first-time agency owner.

5. Extended Value Tease

Imagine running your desk knowing exactly where your next clients are coming from.

Your outreach feels natural, your content works for you, and sales no longer depend on motivation or hustle cycles.

This episode isn’t about doing more—it’s about doing the right things consistently, with clarity and confidence.

The payoff isn’t just revenue—it’s control, leverage, and longevity in your recruiting career.

6. Listen Now CTA

🎧 Press play and learn how to build a recruiting firm that scales revenue and life—starting now.

7. Timestamp Highlights

• 00:02 – From zero to $1M: Julia’s origin story
• 00:07 – Why warm leads outperform cold outreach
• 00:10 – The LinkedIn post that triggered a client call
• 00:12 – Reach vs. conversion content (and why you need both)
• 00:16 – Dripify stats that shocked even seasoned recruiters
• 00:18 – How LinkedIn voice notes actually convert
• 00:20 – Daily KPI targets for sustainable sales execution
• 00:22 – Why tactics fail without the right mindset
• 00:24 – Affirmations, coaching, and mental conditioning
• 00:27 – Physical routines that protect performance
• 00:30 – Working 30 hours/week without stalling growth
• 00:33 – Boundaries, burnout, and long-term leadership
• 00:35 – Knowing your “why” as a recruiting founder

8. Sponsors

🚀 Atlas – AI-first ATS & CRM

Automates admin, syncs resumes/emails, and uses AI to build polished profiles and reports.

Try it free or book a demo → https://recruitwithatlas.com

9. Summit + Community

🎯 2026 Sales and BD Recruiter Summit

https://bd-sales-recruiter-2026.heysummit.com/

💼 Join the Elite Recruiter Community

(All summits, replays, Billers Club + split space)

https://elite-recruiters.circle.so/checkout/elite-recruiter-community

10. Tools & Links

Free Trial: PeopleGPT → https://juicebox.ai/?via=b6912d

Free Trial: Talin AI → https://app.talin.ai/signup?via=recruiter

Free Trial: Pin → https://www.pin.com/

Signup for emails → https://eliterecruiterpodcast.beehiiv.com/subscribe

YouTube: https://youtu.be/-Vl-isbZ_k8

Follow Guest on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/julia-arpag/

Host Benjamin Mena: http://www.selectsourcesolutions.com/

Benjamin LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/benjaminmena/

🔥 If you’re serious about recruiter training, business development, sales skills, and scaling a recruiting firm in the AI era—this episode belongs in your queue.