ITTH E19 - People First: The Heartbeat Behind Hiring with Nick Ford

In this episode of In The Treehouse, Coach Mike Conner sits down with Nick Ford, founder of Transparent Staffing, to explore the winding path from college baseball dreams to launching a business built on integrity. 

Nick shares how a cold call turned into his first big break, the business lessons passed down from his grandfather, and why being upfront with both clients and candidates has become the cornerstone of his success.

With a mix of humility, hustle, and a refreshing take on modern entrepreneurship, Nick opens up about the challenges of scaling, the power of delegation, and his vision for building a business that actually means something.

• Baseball Built the Foundation:
   

Playing college baseball taught Nick time management, discipline, and teamwork skills that later shaped his approach to leadership and business.

• The Internship That Changed Everything:
   

A bold cold call to Jackson Healthcare landed him an internship and launched his career in recruiting proving that opportunity often rewards those who ask.

• Grandfatherly Wisdom:
   

Nick's grandfather, a former CEO, advised him to understand all parts of a business not just his own role. That advice shaped Nick’s ability to lead effectively today.

• What Transparency Really Means:
   

At Transparent Staffing, Nick refuses to oversell jobs or candidates. This honesty has led to long-term placements and trust from both sides of the hiring table.

• Scaling Through Delegation:
   

Learning to delegate and accept that others might do things differently has helped Nick grow from a solo operator into a business builder with a team and vision for the future.

 Nick Ford’s journey is a reminder that the most meaningful businesses often grow from personal values clarity, trust, and hard-earned wisdom. From baseball fields to boardrooms, his story shows us that doing the right thing, even when it’s harder, pays off in deeper relationships and lasting impact. 

If you're building something from the ground up, don’t just aim for success aim for honesty. That’s where the real magic happens.