🎙️ From Failing a Personality Test to Building a National Staffing Franchise: Cary Daniel's Journey with Nextstaff
In this deeply inspiring episode, Cary Daniel, co-founder and CEO of Nextstaff, shares his remarkable journey from being rejected as a recruiter (after failing a Gallup personality profile) to building a staffing franchise that's earned recognition as an Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year finalist and placements on the Inc 500 and Franchise 500 lists. Through candid stories about opening 10 locations in four cities by age 30, selling that company only to pivot into franchising, and overcoming the devastating loss of his 17-year-old son, Cary reveals how gratitude transformed his leadership approach—and how his X-Factor recruitment process is solving the $117 billion problem of poor quality hires by using science-based assessment tools that are twice as predictive as traditional interviews.
✨ Key Insights You'll Learn:
Career launched after failing recruiter personality test but passing management assessment
Built first staffing company from scratch: 10 locations across 4 cities within 3 years
Sold company at age 31 with valuation 20% higher than goal, listed and sold within 90 days
Pivoted to PEO/payroll during 2009 recession: grew to $100 million by 2015
Relaunched Nextstaff franchise model in 2017: now 25 locations with 6 in development
Three core verticals: commercial, healthcare, and technology staffing solutions
X-Factor recruitment process: science-based assessment combining structured interviews, cognitive tests, work samples
Structured interviews are twice as predictive as unstructured conversations
Work sample testing dramatically reduces turnover for specialized roles
AI tools handling 500+ applications weekly through intelligent texting workflows
Staffing industry as leading economic indicator: 34-month decline reversed in August 2024
Return on investment: $120K-$150K franchise investment with potential seven-figure business value within years
🌟 Cary's Key Mentors:
Co-founder James: Brought operational expertise and recruiting systems, complementing Cary's sales and business development strengths
First Female Recruiter Hire: Eliminated "purple squirrel" job orders, focused sales efforts on fillable positions, doubled business in 30 days
Two Accounting Friends (Big Six Firms): Provided initial funding and financial backing when $25,000 work comp deposit blindsided the founders
Gary Zukoff (Author, "Seat of the Soul"): Taught conscious versus unconscious decision-making through transformational reading experience
Michael Singer (Author, "The Untethered Soul"): Provided spiritual framework for processing grief and finding gratitude
👉 Don't miss this powerful conversation about building businesses through collaboration, using science to predict quality hires, and how shifting from loss to gratitude can transform both personal healing and professional leadership.
🔗 Connect with Cary Daniel:
LinkedIn: Cary Daniel
Franchise Opportunity: nextstaff-franchise.com
Staffing Services: nextstaff.com
📄 Transcript Available: Building a Seven-Figure Franchise for Six Figures: Cary Daniel's Nextaff Opportunity
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📄 Special Thanks to Anthony Codispoti & AddBack Benefits Agency: AddBack Benefits Agency - Providing innovative employee benefits solutions that improve employee well-being while optimizing your bottom line Website: addbackbenefits.com