Jon Bartos and Tony Santiago break down why true growth comes from mastering a niche and how doubling down on specialization can set you apart in any market. They dive into the power of market expertise, the competitive edge of investing in technology, the importance of financial discipline, and why your people are your greatest asset when navigating shifting economic conditions.

Mentioned in this episode:

Episode 1.02: The importance of market mastery vs being a generalist in Vitamins or Aspirin? With Jeff Kaye

About

For nearly 40 years, Tony Santiago has been at the forefront of building and transforming corporate tax leadership. As founder and president of TaxSearch, TaxForce, and TaxTalent, he helps global companies solve their most critical tax talent challenges — from executive search and interim staffing to career development and industry insights. His practice centers on filling Chief Tax Officer and Head of Tax roles, where he serves as a global super-connector between senior tax and finance executives. Along the way, Tony has pioneered several firsts for the profession:

· Launching the first on-demand global tax consulting firm (TaxForce)

· Developing the first online tax career and leadership portal (TaxTalent)

· Creating the first predictive workforce analytics and trend forecasting for the tax profession

Also a contributing author to TaxNotes’ TaxPulse column, Tony shares data-driven insights on the trends shaping tax leadership worldwide. His mission: To optimize tax careers and corporate tax departments by delivering relevant, accurate, and timely solutions.

Connect with Tony on LinkedIn

Check out the TaxSearch website

About Jon Bartos

"Starting my own search firm in 1999 was both the most challenging and rewarding decision of my career. It gave me the freedom to build a business on my own terms, while still being present for my family, a balance that changed my life.

Today, as CEO of Dimensional Search, I’m proud to lead a platform that empowers entrepreneurs to experience that same freedom and success. With global resources, proven systems, and a network of like-minded owners, we provide the support you need to build, grow, and scale a thriving search firm."

— Jon Bartos, Chief Executive Officer, Dimensional Search
Chief Investment Officer, Starfish Partners
Senior Partner, Sanford Rose Associates
Senior Partner, Next Level Exchange

Connect with Jon on LinkedIn

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Learn how to break past the artificial ceilings in your executive search firm to Grow, Build & Scale your executive search business.

What happens when strong culture, family values, and market mastery collide? Jon Bartos and Scott Chadbourne share the inside story of how the GESG team navigated economic uncertainty in September 2001, built unstoppable momentum, and scaled to $10 million with purpose and precision.

Mentioned:

Vitamins or Aspirin? with Jeff Kaye

Memorable moments:

“Hire, hire hire. Invest, invest, invest…
Continue to invest. Continue to try new things.”
- Scott Chadbourne

“Make sure that you’re not the one limiting your growth.”
- Scott Chadbourne

About:

Scott Chadbourne is a Founder and President of GESG (Global Executive Solutions Group), the leading executive search and recruitment firm specializing in transportation, logistics, and supply chain management.

Scott co-founded the firm in 2001 and built his career as a highly successful executive recruiter before transitioning into firmwide leadership. Today, he oversees GESG’s internal operations and leads relationships with the firm’s partners and strategic suppliers, ensuring the organization operates with precision, innovation, and scale.

His first-hand recruiting experience gives Scott a deeply customer-focused perspective and a relentless commitment to equipping GESG’s consultants with best-in-class technology, research tools, and systems. He works closely with partner firms and solution providers to continuously enhance the firm’s platforms, market intelligence, and infrastructure—so GESG teams can deliver exceptional outcomes for clients, candidates, and associates.

Under Scott’s leadership, GESG has grown into a nationally recognized search partner for organizations seeking executive and senior-level talent across freight, logistics services, manufacturing, and supply chain organizations.

Connect with Scott on LinkedIn

Email: scott@gesg.com

Phone: 330.664.9400 x 116

About Jon Bartos

"Starting my own search firm in 1999 was both the most challenging and rewarding decision of my career. It gave me the freedom to build a business on my own terms, while still being present for my family, a balance that changed my life.

Today, as CEO of Dimensional Search, I’m proud to lead a platform that empowers entrepreneurs to experience that same freedom and success. With global resources, proven systems, and a network of like-minded owners, we provide the support you need to build, grow, and scale a thriving search firm."

— Jon Bartos, Chief Executive Officer, Dimensional Search
Chief Investment Officer, Starfish Partners
Senior Partner, Sanford Rose Associates
Senior Partner, Next Level Exchange

Connect with Jon on LinkedIn

Follow Grow Build & Scale on LinkedIn

Learn how to break past the artificial ceilings in your executive search firm to Grow, Build & Scale your executive search business.

In this episode of Grow, Build & Scale, Jon Bartos brings in the inimitable Jeff Kaye, one of the most respected and experienced experts and advisors in the recruiting industry, offering advice on scaling your executive search firm to the next level by asking the question: when do you need vitamins (proactive tools) and when do you need aspirin (to address the growing pains?)

About

Jeff Kaye serves as the Co-Chief Executive Officer of Kaye/Bassman International, Next Level Exchange, Starfish Partners, and Sanford Rose Associates International. Under his leadership, these organizations foster a culture of servant leadership, have achieved extraordinary retention rates, with a third of their 200 associates having over a decade of tenure. Jeff played a pivotal role in the growth of Next Level Exchange, now the world’s largest training and consulting firm for the search and staffing industry.

In 2012, Jeff spearheaded the acquisition of Sanford Rose Associates, leading to a remarkable 15X growth in network revenue in less than a decade. Additionally, he helped facilitate the merger of Kaye/Bassman with Direct Recruiters in 2022, forming Starfish Partners, and in 2023, he played a key role in establishing Dimensional Search, which quickly became the fastest-growing search network in the country for new startup firms.

He has received numerous industry awards both personally and for his organizations.

About Jon Bartos

"Starting my own search firm in 1999 was both the most challenging and rewarding decision of my career. It gave me the freedom to build a business on my own terms, while still being present for my family, a balance that changed my life.

Today, as CEO of Dimensional Search, I’m proud to lead a platform that empowers entrepreneurs to experience that same freedom and success. With global resources, proven systems, and a network of like-minded owners, we provide the support you need to build, grow, and scale a thriving search firm."

— Jon Bartos, Chief Executive Officer, Dimensional Search
Chief Investment Officer, Starfish Partners
Senior Partner, Sanford Rose Associates
Senior Partner, Next Level Exchange

Connect with Jon on LinkedIn

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In this episode, Jon Bartos of Starfish Partners and Dan Charney, President & CEO of Direct Recruiters, Inc go over what it takes for you to take your recruiting firm to the $20 million revenue marker - and beyond!

Memorable Quotes:

“Learn your lessons, keep grinding – don’t quit – this is the best business in the world – but don’t quit because the first three years… it’s rough.”

- Dan Charney

"The Grow Build and Scale podcast is here for you to help you get the information you need as a search firm owner to help you achieve not only your business vision, but your life vision."

- Jon Bartos

“When you finally get a little bit profitable, I think it’s really important to ride that momentum and invest.”

- Dan Charney

About Dan Charney

As President and CEO of Direct Recruiters (DRI) and Managing Director and Board Member of Starfish Partners, Dan Charney has been a pivotal figure in elevating both organizations to new heights. Under his guidance, DRI and Starfish have burgeoned into a globally acclaimed, award-winning search firm and investment platform. Today, these entities boast a dynamic team of over 250 colleagues and manage hundreds of franchises worldwide.

With a career spanning over 25 years at Direct Recruiters, Dan’s journey through various roles within the company has equipped him with invaluable hands-on experience. This deep insight into the intricacies of executive search and talent management has been instrumental in shaping his strategic vision and operational excellence.

In 2013, Dan was rightfully recognized as a part of the prestigious “Forty Under Forty” by Crain’s Cleveland Business Magazine, celebrating his significant contributions to the business community in Cleveland. His expertise is not only recognized in publications but also valued in professional circles where he is often invited to share his knowledge and strategies with other executive search firms nationwide, helping to elevate industry standards.

Dan holds a Bachelor’s degree from The Ohio State University, reflecting his strong academic grounding which has supported his professional endeavors. Beyond his corporate responsibilities, he is actively involved in the community, serving on several nonprofit boards. This commitment underscores his dedication not just to business success but also to societal betterment.

Dan Charney remains a formidable leader in the executive search industry, continuously driving innovation and excellence.

About Jon Bartos

"Starting my own search firm in 1999 was both the most challenging and rewarding decision of my career. It gave me the freedom to build a business on my own terms, while still being present for my family, a balance that changed my life. Today, as CEO of Dimensional Search, I’m proud to lead a platform that empowers entrepreneurs to experience that same freedom and success. With global resources, proven systems, and a network of like-minded owners, we provide the support you need to build, grow, and scale a thriving search firm."
— Jon Bartos, Chief Executive Officer, Dimensional Search
Chief Investment Officer, Starfish Partners
Senior Partner, Sanford Rose Associates
Seinior Partner, Next Level Exchange

Connect with Jon Bartos on LinkedIn

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