Today we’d like to introduce you to Anya Tsirklin.
Anya, before we jump into specific questions, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
My story as an entrepreneur started writing itself when I decided to part ways with an employer, without a backup plan. I have always thought about building and running my own business but the timing was “never right.” Blazing my own path and creating something have always motivated me, and I have never really fit the mold of a 9-5 job. Well, the timing to start something was never better, bacause I had jumped and needed to figure out how to fly.
Prior to this role, I had spent a generous amount of time in the staffing and recruitment space, where I have gotten acquainted with a multitude of industries and have developed long-lasting partnerships with many clients and candidates. I’d like to think it was a mix of serendipity and credibility, because shortly after I had left, my former employer reached out to me to help them find a sales leader for their growing team. The wheels started spinning and they ended up being my first client! The challenge that I faced was that with previous companies that I worked for, I was equipped with the tools and resources in order to get my job done. Here, I had nothing, and quickly had to ramp up and create a plan on how I was going to deliver what I promised my new client. This was terrifying and exciting all at once! That process taught me that I absolutely love building from scratch, solving problems and learning as I go, all on my own terms.
What started as a business based on executive recruitment, now focuses on building and managing hiring programs for smaller and growing companies that don’t have recruitment resources internally. The past two years of being in business have taught me a lot, but I am constantly reminded to be strong, trust the unknown and say yes, even if you don’t know how you’re going to do it.
I came up with the name GiGuru because of my ability to connect, guide and teach people along the way. I am a yoga instructor in my spare time, so that had something to do with it. GiGuru perfectly embodies who I am and what I do; I connect amazing candidates with fulfilling opportunities with very special companies. Culture, collaboration and passion are weighted very heavily when I decide to take on a client. This is not just another business transaction, but rather a long-lasting partnership. I look for the same traits in the candidates that I speak with; a resume is such a small data point, and “passion” is usually not written at the top. Putting my needs list aside, clients also have to decide if they’re prepared to spend serious amounts of time with me, and that could be through a beverage or a meal and definitely with laughs included, that part is a MUST!
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
A smooth road is boring! It is more fun to hit the bumps, twists and turns and get those butterflies, right? This is what I like to tell myself when I am riding the roller-coaster of being an entrepreneur. All jokes aside, there have been many peaks and valleys on the way, and I expect to continue to navigate through those as I continue to grow and evolve as a business owner.
Being an entrepreneur can be very isolating and it’s hard not to attach yourself emotionally to the state of your business. The highs can be high, and the lows can be super low, but one thing to keep in mind is that everything is cyclical. Be grateful for the clients that continue to work with you, but never take them for granted. Be present during the times that are slow, they are not permanent, and they truly make you appreciate the tiny wins that get you back on your feet. Maybe I am nuts, but I love the thrill of not knowing where the next paycheck will come from. It really opens your mind and allows you to see the world and its opportunities from a different angle.
Please tell us about GiGuru.
I work with smaller, growing companies that typically don’t have a recruitment resource on-site. I fill that gap by building out their recruitment infrastructure from end to end: Applicant Tracking System implementation, hiring process creation, employer branding, and candidate management. Clients can choose to have the program built out and then train an internal resource to run it, or I can manage it, and own the process from start to finish.
A big part of what I do requires client collaboration because hiring is such an important aspect that can’t just be outsourced and forgotten about. A lack of a sound, collaborative and intuitive hiring process can lead to many issues now and down the road. I focus on improving the hiring journey for the candidates and hiring managers alike. Posting a job is the easy part, finding a candidate that will leave a mark is an art, and it takes time, effort and expertise. I also recognize that there isn’t a one-size-fits-all approach, and that’s why it’s important to understand my clients inside and out; their strengths, weaknesses, fears and accomplishments. I am passionate about the growth of my clients as I grow alongside with them. As you can see, I am very relationship-driven. I believe that you can do anything when there is trust between both parties.
Often it feels as if the media, by and large, is only focused on the obstacles faced by women, but we feel it’s important to also look for the opportunities. In your view, are there opportunities that you see that women are particularly well positioned for?
I am constantly inspired by so many women blazing their paths and conquering a multitude of industries. This might sound ignorant, but I don’t want to pigeon-hole them for opportunities that they’re well positioned for. Now more than ever there is a high level of collaboration, opportunity, empowerment, confidence and drive, we are unstoppable, and it all starts from within.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.giguru.net
- Phone: 858.523.8026
- Email: anya@giguru.net
- Other: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anyatsirklin/
Image Credit:
Robin Dayley – dayleyphotography.com
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