Season 8 | Ep15 From doubt to £1M in 2yrs: How Hemish Ilangaratne built RX Group

The RAG Podcast - Recruitment Agency Growth Podcast

On this week's episode of The RAG Podcast, I am joined by Hemish Ilangaratne, founder of RX Group, a specialist life sciences recruitment agency.

In this candid episode, Hemish sheds light on his inspiring journey:

• From 11 years at S3 Group (where he didn’t close a single deal in the last seven years) to launching RX Group in 2023.
• Exceeding his modest first-year goal of £150k and reaching nearly £1M in revenue within two years.
• How self-doubt and perseverance shaped his decision to become an entrepreneur.
• Building a successful life sciences recruitment business serving clients across the US.
• The role of personal branding, LinkedIn, and a supportive partner in his rapid growth.
• Insights on leadership, team-building, and creating a positive impact in a niche market.

Hemish’s story is a testament to resilience, strategy, and the power of believing in yourself – even when doubt creeps in.

If you’re considering launching your own business or want to learn how to thrive in 2025, this episode is for you!

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Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Hemish Ilangaratne and RX Group

06:49 Career development at S3

12:26 Transitioning to management roles

17:58 Challenges in leadership and team management

21:01 The decision to start RX Group

25:19 Navigating family expectations and career choices

29:49 Transitioning to entrepreneurship

32:38 Starting the journey

34:04 Building a personal brand

35:58 Leveraging LinkedIn for success

37:30 Quantifying revenue growth

39:54 The importance of leadership

41:21 Balancing work and personal life

43:17 Enjoying independence in business

45:29 Future growth plans

47:53 Hiring strategies and team dynamics

49:19 Creating a meaningful impact

51:54 The bigger picture of business goals

53:27 Attracting talent in a niche market

55:31 Building confidence before quitting

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Episode Sponsor: Beyond the Founder.

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Episode Sponsor: Untapped

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