Let’s flip the script. If you’re building a team inside a local or regional brand without the flashy pitch deck or name recognition, you’re not at a disadvantage—you’re in a position of power. In this episode of Recruiting Conversations, I break down how to position yourself not in spite of your size, but because of it.

Top producers today aren’t just looking for big names—they’re looking for trust, access, authenticity, and vision. This is your blueprint for turning “small” into elite and building a boutique recruiting brand that wins.

[00:00] Introduction – The big question for small shops: How do I compete with the big brands for top talent?
[01:00] The False Belief – Why “smaller” doesn’t mean “weaker”—it means you have a unique recruiting edge.
[01:30] Own Your Positioning – Don’t apologize for being boutique—embrace it with posture and pride.
[02:00] Shift the Frame – You’re not small, you’re selective. Not under-resourced, but customized and high-touch.
[02:30] Lead with Vision, Not Features – Features don’t move people—vision, identity, and belief do.
[03:30] Sell the Why – Be the leader who shows up with clarity and conviction, not a generic pitch.
[04:00] Agility and Access – Big companies move slow. You move fast. Talk about your speed, flexibility, and personal touch.
[04:30] Customization Is King – You’re not templated. You co-create support and systems around each individual.
[05:00] The Greatest Asset: You – Your leadership, coaching, and mentorship are what sets you apart. Own it.
[06:00] Final Challenge – Audit your language. Are you playing underdog, or owning the boutique high-performance brand you are?

• Posture Matters – Stop competing on features. Compete with belief, vision, and leadership.

• You’re Not Small, You’re Specialized – Top talent wants voice, trust, and agility—not red tape.

• Build Around the Individual – Your advantage is flexibility. Co-create solutions, don’t cookie-cut them.

• Lead with Identity – Share your why. Share your leadership philosophy. That’s what people follow.

• Stay in Your Lane – Don’t try to out-tech or out-brand. Win with intimacy, access, and personal connection.

You don’t need a national name or a big checkbook to attract elite talent. You just need clarity on who you are, confidence in what you bring, and the courage to lead with conviction.

Want help crafting your boutique recruiting message? Subscribe to my weekly email at 4crecruiting.com or book a session with me at bookrichardnow.com. Let’s build something real—and worth following.

Let’s be real—there are seasons in leadership where things just don’t click. You’ve been putting in the work, the systems are in place, but the results are slow. Or maybe your team isn’t rowing in the same direction. It’s frustrating, and it can mess with your motivation to keep recruiting.

In this episode of Recruiting Conversations, I dive into what it takes to stay consistent even when growth feels stagnant or your team isn’t aligned. This isn’t about hype—it’s about discipline, clarity, and belief. I’ll share strategies to detach from your emotional state, lead yourself through tough seasons, and rebuild your recruiting rhythm with intentionality.

[00:00] Introduction – The emotional challenge of staying consistent when results are slow or your team feels out of sync.
[01:00] When the Fire Fades – Why hitting dry seasons in leadership is normal and part of the growth process.
[01:30] Growth Happens in Cycles – Most of the work happens underground before results show up.
[02:00] Detach Activity from Emotion – Why consistency can't depend on how you feel in the moment.
[02:30] Build a Daily Recruiting Rhythm – Your system needs to carry you when your emotions can’t.
[03:00] Reconnect with Your Why – Rewriting your vivid vision to reignite purpose and push through discouragement.
[03:30] What to Do When Team Alignment Is Off – Don’t let discouragement dictate your posture. Use it to raise your standard.
[04:00] Filter for Fit – Define and document your vision, values, and standards to attract the right recruits.
[05:00] Real Coaching Story – How one leader used a personal alignment scorecard to go from exhaustion to excitement.
[06:00] Final Challenge – Don’t ghost the process. Reset if you need to—but don’t disappear.

• Frustration Is Normal – Every great leader hits seasons of slow growth or team misalignment.

• Consistency > Emotion – Your recruiting rhythm has to run even when motivation is low.

• Reconnect with the Vision – Write the vivid picture of your dream team. Get clear on what you’re building.

• Don’t Recruit Warm Bodies – Filter for alignment. The right people are out there—and they’re worth waiting for.

• Stay in the Process – You don’t have to sprint every day, but don’t stop showing up. The seeds you're planting today will grow.

This isn’t just about recruiting more people—it’s about recruiting the right people and becoming the kind of leader they want to follow. If you’re in a dry season, this episode is your reminder to keep showing up.

Need help building a recruiting rhythm that keeps you consistent—even in the hard seasons? Subscribe to my weekly email at 4crecruiting.com or book a session at bookrichardnow.com. Let’s build your dream team the right way.

If you’ve ever traveled for a leadership meeting or a branch visit and found yourself thinking, “I should’ve made more of that trip,” this episode is for you. I’m breaking down the five-step playbook I coach to leaders who want to turn quick trips into serious recruiting momentum.

When you're only in town for 24, 48, or 72 hours, it's easy to let opportunity slip by. But with the right system in place, you can walk away with conversations that move the needle—and position you as a leader worth following.

[00:00] Introduction – Why most leaders miss recruiting opportunities when they travel.
[01:00] The Lazy Recruiter Trap – Just showing up without a recruiting plan is costing you big.
[01:30] Presence Is Power – Being face-to-face in a digital world gives you a massive edge.
[02:00] Step 1: Build a Hit List – Use data to identify the right people and sort them into three key buckets:

- Warm relationships

- Ideal profile leads

- Old conversations worth rekindling
[02:30] Step 2: Personalize the Outreach – Lead with affirmation and specificity. No templates.
[03:00] Step 3: Remove the Tension – Use one simple line to eliminate pressure and increase the yes rate.
[03:30] Step 4: Stack Meetings Like a Pro – Optimize your schedule, tighten your drive time, and create scarcity.
[04:30] Step 5: Follow Up with a System – The meeting opens the door. Follow-up builds trust.
[05:30] Bonus Move: Use the Trip as Positioning – Make people feel chosen, even if they can't meet this time.
[06:00] Final Challenge – Don’t treat it like a work trip—treat it like a recruiting sprint.

• A Trip Without a Plan Is a Missed Opportunity – Go in with a strategy, not vague intentions.

• Target the Right People – Use a segmented, intentional list to prioritize conversations.

• Affirm First, Recruit Later – Lead with value. Make it about relationship, not the ask.

• Create Efficiency and Scarcity – Stack your meetings, lock your schedule, and own your time.

• Follow-Up Is Where You Win – Thank-you notes, personalized check-ins, and consistent touches build the relationship.

Next time you travel, treat it like a recruiting sprint. Make the list. Send the outreach. Stack the day. Follow up with purpose. This is how you dominate a market—even if you’re only in town for 72 hours.

Want help putting this system in place? Subscribe to my weekly email at 4crecruiting.com or book a session with me at bookrichardnow.com. Let’s make your next trip count.