Holly Vaughan and Louise Dunn, cofounders of The Recruitment Duo, started an independent recruitment agency in October 2021 after decades of commercial recruitment experience across Solihull, Birmingham and Warwickshire. Today, they have built a substantial and successful business that works with nearly 50 local businesses and has found employment for nearly 200 individuals in permanent, temporary and fixed term roles nationally since their setup. They specialise in business support roles which typically cover HR, finance, customer service, sales support, marketing and administration. They pride themselves on making connections, creating opportunities and delivering results.
Before they launched the business, they carefully considered options available to them for funding and opted to apply for a Start Up Loan from the British Business Bank. It was offering the most competitive rate and term. There was a thorough application process which involved a review of their business plan and expected financials. During the process, they received guidance from their Loan Assessor, which resulted in a quick turnaround in 4 weeks after application whereby they successfully secured the loan.
Following a successful 12 months trading, the business evolved with the recruitment of their first employee in October 2022 as Holly and Louise worked through their six month roadmap to grow the business. The Recruitment Duo partners with businesses across different sectors, enabling them to grow by employing the right personnel at the right time. This intimate knowledge of how to manage growth enabled Holly and Louise to make the right moves for their own business.
In a seemingly impossible recruitment market Recruitment Duo helped us to increase our headcount by nearly 30% in a three month period to meet our significant growth challenges. They took the time to visit the business, talk to the team and not only understand our needs, but, more importantly, our culture – ensuring the candidates presented to us were an excellent fit. All of this when other recruiters could not find any candidates for us.
Steve Whitmarsh, managing director, Runyourfleet
Holly and Louise chose to partner with Metro Bank to help fund the growth of their business. The bank helped them use the right option at the right time to ensure growth was both affordable and cost effective. Each Metro Bank store has a local director and local business managers focused on delivering a personal touch to business customers.
Solihull Metro Bank Local Business Manager Vijay Jogia worked with The Recruitment Duo helping to fund business growth, initially with invoice factoring finance to support their growing temporary worker desk. More funding options have included overdraft facilities and Xero, the accounting software for managing cash flow. Local business managers have excellent networks and Vijay also introduced Holly and Louise to the Solihull Chambers of Commerce – another key resource for local business growth.
As busy mums with young families, we really appreciate the extended evening and weekend opening of our Metro Bank store. It enables both of us to have more flexibility about when we do our business banking and being able to meet Vijay in store at a time that best suits our family life is priceless”
Holly Vaughan
The Recruitment Duo has recently been shortlisted for “Outstanding Start Up Business” in the 2022 Solihull Chamber of Commerce awards and Louise is now on the Executive Committee of the Solihull Chambers of Commerce, giving back to the local business community.
