How CEO Turned Passion into Thriving Recruiting Business

Kathy Dawson, President & Founder
Dawson & Dawson National Search & Staffing

For many successful entrepreneurs, their journey begins with a spark of inspiration in the most unexpected places. For Kathy Dawson, her path towards founding a successful recruiting company started with a childhood hobby—matchmaking. In honor of American Business Women Day, we dive into her story, exploring how her passion evolved, the lessons she’s learned, and the legacy she’ll leave behind as an American business woman herself.

The Beginnings: A Natural Talent for Matchmaking

Kathy’s childhood interest in matchmaking evolved into this natural ability to connect people. She noticed her friends were often unhappy in their jobs, and she started helping them find better opportunities. “I wanted to stop the complaining,” she says. “I started showing them how to find better jobs, and that was the start of it all.”

She soon realized that helping people improve their careers could be more than just a favor—it could be a career in itself. More than that, she saw how mindset plays a critical role in success. “It’s all about attitude in life—if you can believe it, it can be true,” she explains. This understanding became the foundation for what is now Dawson & Dawson.

The Role of Mentorship in Success

Like many successful business leaders, she too had a mentor her along the way. One of her most influential mentors was Sharon Jordan, a Regional Vice President at SOS Staffing, who taught her the value of people skills. Little did Kathy know, Sharon had chosen her to be her successor. Through hard work and focus, she eventually stepped into Sharon’s role as Regional Vice President when she retired.

This experience solidified her belief in the power of mentorship. “Making connections in your work life makes your pathway to success easier to achieve, with someone rooting you on,” she says. Throughout her career, she’s had four mentors who have guided her, and she remains close to them today. She credits these relationships with helping her achieve her success. These relationships were so impactful that she carries with them today, mentoring others in the same way she was guided.

A Pivotal Moment: Founding Dawson & Dawson

The decision to start Dawson & Dawson came at a turning point in her career. She had been working in a leadership role at another recruiting firm when she realized the company’s leadership had lost its focus. “I really, really liked working with and for others,” she reflects. “But when I saw the wrong vision with the right person leading, I knew it was time to move on.”

After these events at her work occurred, her husband, Dawson & Dawson’s current CFO, Larry Dawson, encouraged her to start her own business. That’s when Dawson & Dawson was born. She wanted to create a company where clients received hands-on, personalized service—where they could count on integrity and commitment to excellence. Today, our company helps clients find top talent nationwide, thanks to her vision.

The Future: Advice for the Next Generation of Female Entrepreneurs

For young women aspiring to start their own businesses, our CEO’s advice is clear: learn from the best, and never stop working toward mastery. “Become the expert you desire to be,” she says, emphasizing the importance of putting in the time and effort to truly understand your industry. She encourages aspiring entrepreneurs to follow the 10,000-hour rule, popularized by athletes like Kobe Bryant, who dedicated years of practice to mastering their craft.

Leaving a Legacy for Women

Looking ahead, Kathy is focused on leaving a lasting legacy that empowers other women in business. Her ultimate goal is to inspire and mentor the next generation of women business leaders. “Hard work, honesty, integrity, and a plan are the kays for success,” she says. By sharing her story and helping others along their journeys, she hopes to pave the way for more women to step into leadership roles and build successful businesses of their own.

We are proud to be led by a Kathy Dawson whose passion and drive have shaped who we are today. Her story serves as a reminder that with the right mindset, dedication, and support, anything is possible. Through her work, she continues to inspire and uplift others, proving that the sky is the limit for women in business.

If you’d like to know more about Dawson & Dawson or if we can help you in anyway, click here.