6 years in business - highlights, lessons learned, and hopes for the future
October 08, 2021
Sasha Jaypalan, founder of Grace May, IT and Digital Recruitment business shares his experience from the last 6 years, starting and growing a recruitment business in London and Aberdeen.
Sasha originally came to Aberdeen in 2007 as a helicopter pilot but a change in market conditions led him to make a career change which would see him start his own business in 2015.
What attracted you to the recruitment industry as a career?
I didn’t start off with a career in recruitment in mind, it really found me. I originally came to Aberdeen as a helicopter pilot and previously I had worked in banking. Walking into a recruitment company looking for help was the start of my journey.
I’ve always loved meeting new people and understanding what “makes them tick”. In recruitment I found a profession where I can use my passion to help people develop their careers, and businesses to build great teams.
It was a humble beginning and that has really molded the approach to how we work at Grace May. It was definitely not a planned route but it was one of the best decisions I have made.
What prompted you to start your own business?
Again, things just seemed to happen. I’m privileged to have learnt from some great recruitment leaders. It was a case of naturally taking that next step and a desire to do things the way I felt was right.
What have been the biggest highlights/accomplishments over the last 6 years?
The fact we are here six years on and that each year the business has grown is a great achievement and testament to everyone we have worked with.
The business has grown organically through recommendations and people like our approach. I’m proud that our focus is very much on relationship building and caring about the individuals and businesses with whom we work. Each candidate and client we help is success for us.
It’s also been great to be involved in several digital transformation projects, supporting businesses build great teams in a thriving Tech sector which continues to grow and expand.
What challenges have you faced?
I relocated my family to London and started the company in a new location with no clients or candidates, working from my kitchen table. The first 6 months were extremely challenging, absolute madness looking back! I had to make it work, there was no plan B.
Having an understanding wife really helped!
What advice would you give to others starting/running their own business?
• Cultivate trust by providing a great service
• Be consistent
• Don’t overcomplicate things
• Know your numbers
• Have good mentors around you
• Remember that you will never stop learning
What is your hope for the future?
My hope for the future is that the business continues to thrive, staying true to our values to help people achieve great things in their careers and lives.
I set the business objectives to reach and one of the main ones is developing the people within Grace May and encouraging them to flourish.