Why service and human connection will outlast AI with Brigitta Warren

Brigitta Warren is the founder of Recruit Net, a Hamilton-based recruitment agency built on long-term relationships, trust, and deep industry knowledge. Moving to New Zealand from South Africa at 18, Brigitta studied science before taking an unexpected turn into recruitment while working in a London research lab. After spending 13.5 years helping scale a major firm and managing their Waikato branch, she took a leap of courage on a summer walk along the beach and decided to build a business that reflected her own core values.In this conversation, Claire and Brigitta delve into what it really takes to hire and retain great people in small-to-medium businesses, why setting up proper onboarding matters more than relying on trial periods, and how human service and relationship-building will actually become more critical in the age of AI. They also chat about wealth creation, managing rent-by-the-room property investments, governance, and how protecting your own time and energy makes you a better version of yourself for everyone around you.Warm, intentional, and full of practical wisdom for business owners, parents, and leaders alike.In This EpisodeFrom science lab to recruitment: Brigitta’s journey from South Africa to the WaikatoWhy large agency templates didn't align with her long-term visionSlowing down the hiring process: how SMEs should evaluate open roles, job descriptions, and team dynamicsWhy onboarding is non-negotiable (and how not to set new staff up to fail)Authenticity in business: why human trust and active listening beat AI efficiency every timeProperty investment strategies: running rent-by-the-room townhouses to secure financial security for the next generationGovernance and giving back: serving on school proprietary boards and mentoring through the Wahine CollectiveRecharging boundaries: balancing family, fitness, Opito Bay retreats, and knowing when to protect your time Timestamped Chapters00:00 – Welcome to Growing Kiwis00:35 – Meet Brigitta Warren: Growing up in South Africa & moving to NZ02:11 – From London research lab to discovering recruitment03:35 – The 13-year journey before taking the leap to launch Recruit Net06:07 – Serving SMEs: Being a strategic advisor vs. "bums on seats"09:16 – Advice for business owners: Slowing down the recruitment process10:26 – Culture, onboarding, and setting new hires up for success13:14 – Growing up, resilience, and lessons learned from family17:08 – Goal-setting, internal competition, and half-Ironmans21:06 – Work-life balance: Non-negotiables for looking after yourself23:23 – Upskilling for clients & stepping into board governance27:02 – Property investment: Rent-by-the-room strategies & passing on financial literacy31:22 – Maintaining lifelong friendships across the globe34:06 – Why authentic service matters more than ever in the age of AI38:58 – Brigitta’s "Special Sauce": Curiosity, hard work, and compounded relationships42:04 – Being intentional with networking and setting boundaries47:23 – Recharging as an introvert: Opito Bay, reading crime, and gardening54:00 – Don't hold on to things that don't serve you: Looking after number one56:09 – Travel bucket lists and legacy for the next generation01:01:36 – Final thoughts and wrapping up Links & ResourcesRecruit Net: recruitnet.co.nzConnect with Brigitta on LinkedIn: Brigitta Warren