March 2, 2015
Meg Poulter, Dyanne Gerard Personnel
At a Glance
Click to visit: Website | Linkedin (Business) | Linkedin (Personal) | Facebook
Bio The path that led her to this point
I started my career as a Legal Secretary straight out of high school (whilst completing a secretarial course at Business college) and worked with some of Sydney’s major Law Firms over 4 years.
I reached a point where I felt that I had more to offer and decided to study Human Resources.
Throughout the course I was drawn to the recruitment process and was offered a trainee position with my mentor, Dyanne Gerard.
After only 1 year of employment (and at the tender age of 22), Dyanne decided it was time for her to retire and I was given the opportunity to buy the business from her.
8 years on and two kids later I have a successful boutique recruitment agency that is going from strength to strength.
The agency has been operating for 21 years and we have a range of clients from boutique to top-tier law firms and in-house organisations.
We have a great reputation within the industry and the majority of our clients and candidates are referred to us.
We offer a 360 degree service and cover all positions that a law firms requires; Solicitors, support staff, HR Management, Business Development, Marketing, Library Assistants, Corporate receptionists, accounts staff etc.
We are transparent in the way that we work and don't just match candidates to their skill sets but to their culture match to each firm we represent.
We don't have KPI's so there is no heavy handed recruitment approach and all of our candidates and clients respect the openness and friendliness of all of our consultants.
I am passionate about my role as a recruiter/advisor/mentor.
All the work that I do and the relationships I create aren't just about business.
I want people to be happy and their success is very important to me.
Q&A Insider advice & tips
What's been your greatest achievement to date?
Surviving the GFC when I had only owned the business for a year.
What's been your biggest challenge so far?
I would love to take my business to the next level and be recognised by the industry as a leader in legal recruitment. My children are quite young (1&3) so juggling work and home commitments can be challenging at times.
Best lesson you've learned along the way?
I am the one responsible for making my business a success.
For the first year of owning the company I had the wrong mentality of how the business should be run. I was only 22 and extremely naïve. I have learnt a lot in the last 8 years and am looking forward to learning more in the years to come!
A website, book or resource that has helped you in your business or inspired you and why?
The Penguin Small Business Guide by Nicholas Humphrey.
Which person or brand do you most admire and why?
My husband. We married when we were 20 years old so have done a lot of 'growing up' together. He has always pushed me to succeed and has given me the confidence and support that I've needed to push the boundaries and have success in everything that I put my mind to.
What advice would you give someone starting an independent business in your industry?
Research everything, seek advice from mentors, don't give up and stick to your values.
Finish this sentence
Everything changed for me when…
I had my two children. I realised that if I was going to leave my kids for 8 hours a day to go to the office I needed to really work!
I wasn't going to miss out on those little milestones for nothing and was determined to put 100% in to everything so that I had something to show for the time away.
I want my business to be a success so that I'm able to continue supporting my family and to be a good role model for my children.
Visit
WEBSITE
Tweet
Like