Welcome to The Engine - Founders' Stories Podcast. Host Donna Owen chats with Holly Langley, founder of RE:STACK, a company helping recruiters get more from their tech. Holly shares how she went from nannying to leading a niche CRM consultancy. She talks about the power of saying no, building a strong team, and learning cash flow the hard way. With honesty and humor, Holly shares her journey, her lessons, and what it really takes to grow a business in a space few people understand.

Holly isn’t just a founder; she’s focused on making tech work better for recruiters. Her path from childcare to leading a CRM consultancy shows how passion and logic can build strong tools. Her belief in finding a niche and leading with purpose is helping change recruitment tech.

Holly worked in ops at a recruitment agency before starting RE:STACK, a firm that helps agencies use their tech better. At RE:STACK, she focuses on automation and smart tools to improve systems. She uses her real-world experience to solve common tech problems in recruitment.

Key Takeaways:

• Starting RE:STACK: Holly shares why she built a tech-focused consultancy.
• Saying No Pays Off: How turning down work helped her grow faster.
• Cash Flow Lessons: Learning the hard way about managing money.
• Team Growth: Building a strong, fun team with clear roles.
• Content That Works: Why adding value helped grow her brand.

Additional Insights:

• Niche Tech Help: Holly explains how RE:STACK supports Bullhorn users.
• Startup Truths: The highs and lows of growing with little money.
• Learning Fast: Mistakes that taught her to lead and plan better.
• Leading with Heart: How her energy and belief shape her team.
• Big Goals Ahead: Why she’s thinking bigger for RE:STACK’s future.

• “Find a niche, own that niche, and stick with it.” – Holly
• “Running a business is the best and hardest thing I’ve done.” – Holly
• “Add value first, even if they don’t need you yet.” – Holly

Episode Highlights

[00:00] - Teaser

[01:33] - Meet Holly Langley: Founder of RE:STACK and CRM Expert

[02:45] - What RE:STACK Does: Helping Bullhorn Users with Tech

[03:45] - Saying No to Stay Focused: Why It Pays Off

[04:50] - From Head of Ops to Automation Lover: The Bullhorn Story

[06:29] - School Days to Startup Drive: Holly’s Early Years

[09:33] - First Career as a Nanny: Building People Skills

[14:19] - From Nanny to Recruitment: The Office Leap

[18:48] - Leaving the Job: Starting RE:STACK with No Plan B

[22:13] - Startup Struggles: The Fish & Chips Cash Flow Story

[24:45] - Too Many Clients: Fixing Internal Systems and Planning

[26:41] - Leadership Style: Fun, Equality, and Team Building

[29:58] - Office Culture: Mice Phobia and Bridesmaid Dresses

[32:42] - Funny Moments: Glastonbury and Bullhorn Merch

[34:09] - Content Strategy: Why Giving Value Built the Brand

[39:39] - Looking Ahead: RE:STACK’s Team and Training Plans

[42:13] - Big Vision: Agency Acquisitions and System Success

[44:08] - Advice to Founders: Niche, Belief, and Cash Flow Planning

FOLLOW THE GUEST:

LinkedIn Accounts:

• Holly Langley: https://www.linkedin.com/in/holly-langley/
• RE:STACK: https://www.linkedin.com/company/re-stack/

• RE:STACK: https://www.restack.uk/
• RE:STACK TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@holly.langley
• RE:STACK YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@time.to.restack

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/donnalowen/
• Company LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-engine-growth/
• Website: https://www.theengine.uk/
• Email: [email protected]

• Apple podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-engine-founders-stories/id1815726599
• Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4pl28fSOqvj2nOvWnDXvfn