Brianna Rooney was initially hired as a recruiter, a career she knew nothing about, yet somehow she managed to thrive in it and even enjoyed every second of it. Two years later, she came to a point where she didn’t feel that the company she worked for was doing her justice. Eventually, she decided to walk out of her job with no plan whatsoever because she just knew she wanted to do better, more quality work – and that’s how Techees was born. Techees is a team of recruiters that collaborate well together and help connect companies and candidates.
Today she’s 34 years old, she owns her own company called Techees, she also has three houses, as well as a top 100 restaurant (www.mouthfuleatery.com). We recently caught up with Brianna to talk about her company and her entrepreneurial journey and here’s what went down:
Could you please tell our readers a brief background about yourself and how you started your business?
I am a bundle of energy! No coffee has ever entered my body unless you count Dreyers coffee ice cream. I played soccer, swam the butterfly and wrestled in high school. Wrestling was definitely my favorite. I am very competitive, I love playing games, I enjoy dancing crazy and I’m a huge Disney/Disneyland fan.
I was originally hired as a recruiter, which is something I knew nothing about. I thrived in it and enjoyed every second. Almost two years later, I came to a point where I didn’t think things at my current company were being handled the way they should’ve been. I realized how much lives we were changing by recruiting. Before, it just seemed like any sales job. Eventually, it hit me like a ton of bricks – it was so much more. So I walked out with no plan. I just knew I wanted to do better, more quality work. My boss at the time was going to fix the situation and reach out to me by the end of the day Tuesday. I woke up Wednesday morning, there was still no phone call. I was at a crossroads and I felt that I had nothing to lose. I decided to start Techees a couple of hours later. By noon on Wednesday, my old boss called with a solution. I told him it was too late and here I am.
Can you describe your journey to success?
It’s been a long road but it seems to have passed with a blink of an eye. I have made a ton of mistakes. Some financial, some employee hires, managerial issues and I have also been overwhelmed almost the entire time. When I say overwhelmed, I don’t mean that as a bad thing. I was never trained or prepared for my journey. Everything I do, I do with my gut and my instincts. If I misstep, I get back on track as fast as I can and don’t worry about the mess I made. 85% of the time I have been incredibly happy with how Techees has turned out. Most of the time I make decisions lightning speed. There have been a couple of times where took me too long and those are the ones that take up that 15%. I love what I do and I’m so lucky to be surrounded by the people I have in place. The journey to success is more fun than challenging. I think it’s all about how you look at things. You create your positive and everything will go your way, just sometimes you might have to intervene with some hard work.
When did you start?
I started recruiting when I was 22 years old, in 2007.
Did you ever imagine you would become this successful?
I always knew I’d be successful. I always assumed I’d be rich and famous. I don’t know if that’s just something all kids think. Either way, I didn’t only think it, I believed it. I think that’s how things happen. You need to believe you can, and then you will.
What is your main source of income?
My main income is from recruiting. It has been for the last 10 ½ years.
What are you currently doing to maintain/grow your business?
I make sure I always do quality work. That’s how you grow your business in recruiting. I have hired up to 8 people. I think that’s a perfect size. We collaborate well and there’s no voice that’s lost.
In the last year, I have been asked a few times to train in-house recruiters of clients I already work with. I have always known that recruiters as a whole, aren’t trained well. That’s why Techees always had the upper hand. I very much believe in the fundamentals. My colleagues, Emily Stellick, Ben Markowitz and I, all decided this was happening too often. It was good money and great exposure for us. However, we didn’t have enough time to do what we love; and that’s recruiting. We decided to make our training accessible to the masses and change an industry for the better. In about two weeks, our 3-hour e-course will be available for the World.
What social media platforms do you usually use to increase your brand’s awareness?
Recently I have been using Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook to get The Millionaire Recruiter name out there. That’s where we’re featuring the e-course, the book I wrote, articles I’m featured in, and other fun things.
What is your experience with paid advertising, like PPC or sponsored content campaigns? Does it work?
I actually haven’t done any paid advertising or content campaigns.
What is your main tactic when it comes to making more people aware of your brand and engaging your customers? How did your business stand out?
With Techees, our reputation has been through word of mouth. Really there is so much business out there for recruiters, we have never had a hard time. Either they find us, or we find them. When you do great work, especially within an industry that has an awful reputation. It seems to be fairly easy to stand out. We make sure to get recommendations on Linkedin and we have a nice client list we don’t mind sharing.
What form of marketing has worked well for your business throughout the years?
Again, we haven’t done any marketing. I know with The Millionaire Recruiter we will start that soon. With getting my name out there as The Millionaire Recruiter, that will surely get Techees name out there as well. Techees is the foundation The Millionaire Recruiter was built on.
How did your brand stand out from the rest of the other brands out there that is similar to your niche?
Techees doesn’t spam resumes, we don’t force companies down candidates throats and we make sure to keep in touch throughout the process on both sides. Techees is great at finding the specific candidates our clients are looking for. We don’t compromise quality with quantity. We’d rather send one amazing resume a week than 8 “just okay” resumes.
What is the toughest decision you had to make in the last few months?
The toughest decision I’ve had to make is the one to go forward with being an influencer. I’m putting myself out there, my work, my beliefs and so much more. I love my industry and I love what I do. I have developed a phenomenal company, fantastic employees and an overall great culture. I have industry “secrets” that I’ve kept close. Yet, now I’m releasing them. I have mixed feelings. At the end of the day, I want to give back to an industry that has treated me so well. I believe in what we do and I want to make an impact in the lives of current recruiters and in the lives of people that I will be getting into it.
What have you learned in the process of becoming wealthy that others can learn from?
I wish I lived somewhere in between the Brianna at 24 and the Brianna now, at 34. Each year I make more money, therefore, each year I spend more and more money. I do have 2 kids now so I blame them. I wish I saved like I didn’t have money. I know many people in my life that on paper, doesn’t do as well financially. Yet, I’m sure they have a lot more money saved. The problem is, I’ve always been a spender. Even when I didn’t have money to spend. So now that I have money to spend, sometimes I don’t make the best choices. However, I do believe in “living”. You only get one try, so you might as well go for it. You can’t take your money with you. My advice is, don’t live like you’re broke, but don’t live like you’re rich.
What new business would you love to start?
I have many businesses I’d love to start. I get itchy to do things. I would say right now, the one I really want to do is a Nerf Gun Play Place. My son is 4 and he loves nerf guns. It’s really fun. We set up forts, targets and also have drawing contests of the Nerf guns we want to invent. He gets really creative with all of it. I think it’s great for kids to be able to get wild, think strategy, and build teamwork in an environment that is safe. We’ve done the laser tag thing which is fun. Paintball is too dangerous and expensive. So the in-between for us, and I think ages 4-Adult, would be Nerf. Fun for the whole family. Plus, I’d be the coolest mom in the World.
If you could go back in a time machine to the time when you were just getting started, what would you do differently?
If I could have gone back in time, I wouldn’t have made my business partner a full partner. I also would have had a well thought out buyout agreement. We parted ways almost two years ago.
If you could go back in a time machine to the time when you were first making a name for yourself, what advice would you give yourself?
If I could go back in time, I would have branched out and made my name known earlier on. I would have met with more and more clients in person and gone to meetup groups. I was either shy, lazy or both. I never liked technology, even those it’s the industry I work in. Or I should say, I don’t like social media. Yet, social media is so powerful and I should have taken advantage of it a long time ago. Networking is crucial, and I wish I would have told myself that years ago.
Do you have any favorite business-related or personal development related books that you can recommend to other entrepreneurs?
I stumbled upon Grant Cardone’s “Millionaire Booklet”. It’s a quick, no BS read. I like how he addresses our society not being in favor of talking about money. Yet, that’s what makes the world go round. People think lower of you if you flaunt your money. Or want to dislike you if you’re super successful. Really, people just want to make themselves feel better for not reaching the success you did. I don’t know why people can’t just be happy and motivated by you. This booklet put a fire under my ass that I was very much needing. You go through your career in waves. This is my high tide and I’m ready.
What is the best advice you have ever been given?
My stepdad has had his own business for 30 years now. He always says, “What’s the worst thing that can happen? You can always make more money”.
What advice would you give to a newbie Entrepreneur setting up their first business?
Just do it! Don’t let fear get in the way. Channel that fear into the drive you need to get things done. Set your dreams/goals right away. Pick five things you want to accomplish this year and have laser focus. Write them down daily, put them on a post-it for you to see often. Repeat your life goal in your head over and over again. It’s all about making sure you yourself, believe in what you’re trying to accomplish. Never ever worry about making a mistake and failing. You will make many. Just make sure you learn and never make the same mistake twice. Last but perhaps the most important. Make sure you celebrate and acknowledge your accomplishments. If you don’t celebrate the highs, you won’t know what a low is.
