Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Naftuly Kraus. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Naftuly, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Talk to us about building your team? What was it like? What were some of the key challenges and what was your process like?

When I first started Blackbird Recruiting in 2021, it was just me—hands-on, grinding out every detail. It was definitely a “wear all the hats” kind of situation. But I knew from the beginning that in order to scale, I would need to build a solid team, and that’s where things got interesting.

Finding my first few team members wasn’t your typical recruiting process. I was looking for people who not only had the right skill sets but who were also flexible, driven, and could thrive in a fast-paced, startup environment. I turned to my network and had a lot of personal outreach. The interview process was casual but thorough, focused on cultural fit, problem-solving abilities, and whether they could embrace the hustle of growing a business from the ground up.

I didn’t have a formal training program in place early on—things were more “learn as we go.” That said, I made sure to provide ample mentorship. Each team member had the chance to take ownership of projects, and I was always available for feedback and guidance. This hands-on, collaborative approach worked well in the early stages.

Looking back, I wouldn’t change anything about how we started. The organic, personal approach to recruiting was key to building a strong team and culture. We learned a lot along the way, and each step has helped shape the business into what it is today.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

For a long time, my partner, David, had been encouraging me to get into the recruiting industry, but I didn’t take him seriously. I ended up taking a job elsewhere, but after being fired five months in, I called David and asked if we could give recruiting a shot. He said, “I would’ve loved it if your back wasn’t against the wall, but let’s give it a try.” Within my first month or two, I had already closed three placements, which is incredible and unheard of for someone with zero experience in recruiting.

At Blackbird Recruiting, we provide high-quality recruiting services—nothing less. We’re a very transparent agency, and one of the things that sets us apart is our strong internal collaboration. Our recruiters work together to make placements happen. If one recruiter has a client and another has a great candidate, we pull together to make the deal happen, something that many other recruiting agencies don’t do or don’t do effectively.

The problem we solve for our clients is cutting through the noise. A lot of companies post job ads on platforms like Indeed and end up with hundreds of resumes, many of which are not even close to the right fit. We bring them targeted, ideal candidates that meet their needs, saving them a ton of time and effort.

I’m most proud of the reputation we’ve built. We’ve become known for providing excellent service and building strong, lasting relationships with our clients. They trust us to help them find the right people, and that’s what makes all the difference. What I want people to know about us is that we are transparent, ethical, and committed to working internally together to help our clients build amazing teams.

Any insights you can share with us about how you built up your social media presence?

I’ve always loved LinkedIn, and it’s been a huge part of my journey. My mentor, Brian Wallace, CEO of Nowsourcing, encouraged me to start building my personal brand, even though I wasn’t in sales or running my own business at the time. I had a regular job back then, but I figured that if I ever got fired, having a strong LinkedIn network would help me get a new job much faster.

When I eventually transitioned into sales and started Blackbird Recruiting, LinkedIn became even more powerful for me. Over time, I’ve used it not only to share insights and connect with others in the recruiting industry but to build relationships with potential clients and candidates. In fact, LinkedIn has probably generated over $1 million in revenue for my business.

For those just starting to build their social media presence, my advice would be: start sharing your authentic self and provide value to your audience. It’s not about being salesy—it’s about offering something that people can use or learn from. Consistency is key, and remember, it’s not just about what you post, but who you engage with. Take time to build relationships, and over time, your network will become a valuable asset.

How’d you build such a strong reputation within your market?

Building a strong reputation in the recruiting market really came down to a few key principles: transparency, collaboration, and a relentless focus on delivering results. From day one, I made it a priority to always be open and honest with both clients and candidates. This built trust, which is absolutely crucial in recruitment.

Another major factor was the culture of internal collaboration we’ve fostered at Blackbird Recruiting. Many recruiting agencies operate more competitively internally, but we’ve created an environment where recruiters work together to find the best candidates for the right clients. This collaborative approach is unique, and it’s one of the things our clients really appreciate about us.

But at the end of the day, it’s the results that speak for themselves. We’ve helped businesses scale by building strong teams, and candidates trust us to place them in roles where they can truly thrive. The reputation we’ve built is a direct result of putting our clients’ and candidates’ needs first, staying committed to ethical practices, and constantly refining our processes to make hiring easier and more effective.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.blackbirdrecruiting.com/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tuli-kraus/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCyLGMD3dsKkbwa5yclSv8wQ