Episode 240
Justin Dixon: From Corporate Recruiter to Entrepreneur – Building Hire Tomorrow
Stuck in a corporate job and wondering if you can make the leap to entrepreneurship?
Most professionals dream about freedom—working for themselves, building a business, and living life on their terms—but fear and finances keep them locked into the 9-to-5.
Justin Dixon made the jump.
After 18 years in corporate recruiting (including roles at Comcast and startups), he and his wife slashed their expenses, built passive income, and took the leap into entrepreneurship—launching Hire Tomorrow, a recruiting firm serving startups and private equity-backed companies.
In this episode, Justin shares how he built a lean, profitable recruiting business, leveraged community during the pandemic, and uses AI to streamline hiring—while designing a life that moves him closer to Freedom Day.
Key Takeaways:
• How reading Rich Dad Poor Dad sparked Justin’s shift from employee to entrepreneur
• Why cutting expenses and building passive income was key to taking the leap
• The power of collaboration with competitors during tough times
• How AI is changing recruitment—and why Justin stays cautious
• The three levels of financial freedom Justin uses to plan his life
• How small businesses can win top talent without massive budgets
About the Guest:
Justin Dixon is a visionary talent strategist and the founder of Hire Tomorrow, a cutting-edge recruiting firm that helps high-growth startups and Private Equity-backed companies build world-class teams.
From scrappy startups to Fortune 500 powerhouses, Justin has led recruitment efforts across diverse sectors such as Finance, Technology, Sales, Marketing, and Executive Leadership. His breadth of experience allows him to quickly understand a client’s unique hiring landscape and deliver talent solutions that drive growth, culture, and competitive advantage.
Launching a business on the eve of a global pandemic might seem risky to most—but for Justin, it was a catalyst. Fueled by grit and guided by vision, he turned uncertainty into opportunity, building Hire Tomorrow into a go-to partner for companies that need to scale fast without compromising on quality or culture.
Links:
Fast Five Questions:
1. If you woke up and your business was gone, you have $500, a laptop, a place to live, and food, what would you do first? “I’d go for a run and start thinking creatively. I’d tap my network to see what I could build—no rush back to W-2 life.”
2. What is the biggest mistake that you have made in business? “Starting Hire Tomorrow in January 2020… right before COVID. Also, jumping into multifamily investing during the 2021 frenzy—rookie mistake chasing trends.”
3. What is a book that you would recommend? "Who Not How by Dan Sullivan – “Don’t ask how you can do more, ask who can do it with or for you.”
4. What is a tool that you use every day that you would recommend? “A customized tracker inspired by EOS. It keeps me and my team accountable, focused, and executing—no wasted meetings.”
5. What is your definition of freedom? “There are three levels. Level 1: your basic bills are covered. Level 2: your lifestyle is covered. Level 3: full F-you money—you wake up and do what you want, with who you want, where you want.”
About Jeff:
Jeff spent the early part of his career working for others. Jeff had started 5 businesses that failed before he had his first success. Since that time he has learned the principles of a successful business and has been able to build and grow multiple seven-figure businesses. Jeff lives in the Austin area and is actively working in his community and supporting the growth of small businesses. He is a board member of the Incubator.Edu program at Vista Ridge High School and is on the board of directors of the Leander Educational Excellence Foundation
Connect with the Freedom Nation podcast at https://freedom-nation-podcast.captivate.fm/
Connect with Jeff:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/freedomnationpodcast/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/JeffKikel
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeffkikel/
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