A former BMX pro who recruits for brands like Amiri and 100 Thieves
Discover more from The Elevator
A former BMX pro who recruits for brands like Amiri and 100 Thieves
+ The dreaded Zoom Loop
Welcome to The Elevator, a newsletter for founders to discover highly-recommended talent for hire. It’s written by me, David Sherry. I also post about personal growth happenings. Last week I recommended a pitch deck specialist who’s helped 80+ brands fundraise at higher valuations.
The Zoom Loop
COVID threw us right into a ZOOM LOOP that has been tough to get out of.
As soon as we went remote, booking more meetings became the answer to all of our problems...
People message you and say “Let’s just jump on a zoom with no purpose.” And you say ok!” And then have total regret.
Having a fully booked schedule of back-to-back meetings became normalized. My sister works for a high-growth tech company, and when I went to stay with her I’m pretty sure I fell out of my chair when she said she had 8 meetings back to back that day.
This last month or two I started instituting a 2-day week no-meeting rule.
So, don’t ask me about meeting on a Monday or Tuesday!
I haven’t kept it perfectly but I have to say I cannot recommend it highly enough. Waking up with absolute control of how you dedicate your focus to your work is bliss.
You can think of your calendar as a weather forecast of your future.
As you look ahead over the coming weeks… Does it look like good weather to you?
Does it reflect your true priorities? How much or how little?
I am more excited now about my entire week, because of the mix of different elements.
Some days booked some days free, and of course, booking some fun in between. I like having a dynamic week, not one that feels like Groundhog’s Day.
Clear your calendar of meetings for at least 1, ideally 2 days per week. Try it out and let me know how it feels.
Now, let’s get to The Elevator Recommendation…
THIS WEEK THE ELEVATOR RECOMMENDS: MICHAEL ARDELEAN
Michael is a Former BMX Pro turned top recruiter for brands like Amiri and 100 Thieves…
Michael is also a massive car enthusiast.
When we go for tea in West Hollywood he shows up in a different car every time. He even flips them. He specializes in recruiting for brands.
Here’s his pitch:
INTRO LIMITED IS A BOUTIQUE RECRUITING FIRM SERVING PREMIUM FASHION AND LIFESTYLE BRANDS.
Stuck on how to find top talent for your brand?
You fill out this short form = I pass along your email + interest to Michael.
Get to know Michael
You were a Pro BMXer at one point, how did you make the transition into doing what you do today?
BMX took me out of a small town, around the world, and taught me how to make friends. It also taught me toughness and gave me an obsession with cool products. I quit BMX while my body was still in one piece, and worked with that recipe for 10 years (in a variety of functions within the fashion/product space). Then decided I wanted to organize people, and build a firm around that.
What is the most underrated skill you need to be a great recruiter?
Curiosity.
What do you believe about the recruiting industry/process that most don’t?
Hard to pinpoint a single thing. Everything we are is a direct contradiction of the type of recruiting I grew up experiencing.
What was the main thing you wanted to teach people with your book “Art for Money?”
There's a behavior change that can remove the frustration of brokeness from your life. And it does not come at the cost of creative expression.
What’s your favorite car at the moment, why do you love it, and can you include a pic?
Aston Martin V8 Vantage. 14 years old. So understated it's almost nondescript if you don't know what you're looking at. I like to drive fast and it's hard to get away with that in a flashy sportscar.
In this, I'm invisible.
Highly Recommended by…
"10/10. BEST RECRUITER I’VE WORKED WITH."
- NOAH RAF, COFOUNDER, MADHAPPY
"COULDN'T BE HAPPIER WITH OUR DECISION TO PARTNER WITH INTRO LIMITED. THEY DILIGENTLY LISTENED TO OUR FEEDBACK AND CALIBRATED UNTIL WE HAD OUR PERFECT CANDIDATE."
- JULIE VAN, VICE PRESIDENT OF PEOPLE 100 THIEVES
INTRO IS DIFFERENT. CONVERSATIONS WITH MICHAEL ARE MUTUALLY BENEFICIAL AND GENUINE. THIS HAS NOT JUST BEEN MY EXPERIENCE, BUT THAT OF COUNTLESS DEAR FRIENDS AND COLLEAGUES WHOM I HAVE REFERRED TO INTRO WITH FULL TRUST.
JT AKERS, DIRECTOR OF ADIDAS ORIGINALS ACCESSORIES
How are you liking this letter? Hit reply and let me know what you think.
Thanks for being here,
xx David
Shout outs:
Last Crumb (a client of mine) has some killer press this month. Including being on The Today Show, Kim Kardashian’s IG stories, and Dave Portnoy.