How these small businesses are growing their teams – even with rising costs

Hiring a new employee is always a big step for a small business. And when employment costs are rising, that step can feel even bigger.

But for some forward-thinking founders, building a team is essential for growth, not optional.

This month, as National Insurance increases come into effect and many businesses think twice about recruiting, a handful of ambitious small businesses are doing the opposite – they're hiring.

And they're using Talent Hub, a free support service from Enterprise Nation and partners Indeed, Unibeez and Employment Hero, to help make the process easier, more affordable and more successful.

Here's how four very different small businesses are growing – and how others can follow their lead.

Secret Halo: Going live on TikTok means going live with hiring

Lizzie Heyes, founder of Secret Halo, knows the power of live content – and she's betting her business's growth on it.

The Colchester-based jewellery entrepreneur is embracing TikTok Shop live streaming to reach new audiences and drive sales.

To make the most of the opportunity, she's taking a bold step: hiring her very first employee – a TikTok Live presenter.

Lizzie explains:

"I advertised the role to marketing students at the University of Essex. But it's actually really hard to find people with presenting, live streaming and selling skills.

"It's a very specific niche role as you've got to be able to sell and present the brand live."

To meet this challenge, Lizzie turned to Talent Hub to help craft the right job description and attract candidates with the skills she needs.

She's now ready to bring someone on board to take her live content to the next level, saying:

"Yes, it's a risk. I hope I'll be able to see a direct correlation between what can offer me by going live and getting sales. It's a no brainer. I need to do it."

Takeaway: Hiring your first team member can be daunting – especially when the role is highly specialised. But with the right support, you can find candidates who match with your business's niche needs.

Voxblock: Growing a screen-free brand with strategic hires

In Edinburgh, children's audiobook company Voxblock is also expanding its team – with strategy at the heart of every decision.

Commercial director Wis Jantarasorn says the business, which creates screen-free audiobooks for kids, has already achieved strong growth and is preparing for another "breakout year".

Wis says:

"We hit a lot of our growth targets last year. And to hit some of those numbers for this year, we need to fulfil the demand that we're going to create for ourselves. That means taking on some new employees."

With a solid five-year plan, Voxblock is balancing growth with caution. While rising employment costs are a concern, Wis says building a strong operational team is critical for sustaining momentum.

"We are giving this a lot of heavy consideration. Obviously, we have to take account of external factors like employment costs.

"But we also have to plan strategically, and for us to hit our milestones we need a solid foundational operational base to work from."

Voxblock is using Talent Hub to find candidates with the right blend of creativity and operational skills, so the company can grow without losing its unique identity.

Takeaway: A long-term vision helps small businesses weigh the risks and rewards of hiring. With careful planning and support, you can grow your team without losing sight of your goals.

Airmec Essential Services: Responding to regulation with recruitment

In Bristol, compliance and safety business Airmec Essential Services is scaling up to meet surging demand.

As government regulations tighten and public-sector investment rises, Airmec's work in fire safety and air hygiene is more in demand than ever. The business plans to grow its 52-strong team by 10% to 15% this year – despite cost increases.

Commercial manager Aaron Yeo explains:

"We do a lot of work for the public sector, and the government is increasing capital expenditure, particularly in prisons.

"Fire safety has become a top priority with the release of the Building Safety Act 2022, with authorities ensuring that their buildings meet the highest compliance standards.

"This demand is creating substantial growth opportunities for us, enabling us to expand our workforce."

Some services previously outsourced will now be brought in-house, meaning Airmec can offer a full, end-to-end solution. To support recruitment, it's turning to Talent Hub to connect with experienced specialists.

Takeaway: Regulation can be a catalyst for growth. If your sector is changing, hiring now could put you ahead of the curve – and with support from Talent Hub, you don't have to do it alone.

CMD Recruitment: Scaling smarter with strategy and tech

For Wiltshire-based recruitment firm CMD Recruitment, growth doesn't always mean hiring more people. Sometimes, it's about getting smarter with the resources you already have.

Founded in 2004 by twin brothers Dan and Tim Barfoot, CMD Recruitment has grown to a team of 18 employees across three sites, supporting up to 300 full-time and temporary workers at any one time.

While the business won't be adding new hires this year, it's already taken on five new team members in 2024 – and invested heavily in AI tools and training to boost productivity.

Dan says:

"We've streamlined very well and structured the business to maintain a sustainable pipeline of contracts. We've built in the capacity we need through smarter operations."

CMD is also preparing for a wave of regional growth, with major projects like a Tesla battery factory and new housing developments expected to boost the local economy.

Dan adds:

"Our region is on an upwards trajectory and our strategic planning means we're in a good position to handle all future growth."

CMD's use of technology to automate admin-heavy tasks frees up staff to focus on high-value client work – and it's an approach other small businesses can learn from.

Takeaway: Growth doesn't always mean more people – it can also mean more efficiency. With the right structure, tools and forward planning, small businesses can expand their impact without increasing their overheads.

What is Talent Hub and how can it help your business?

Talent Hub is a free digital resource created by Enterprise Nation in partnership with:

• Indeed: The global hiring platform known for smart, fast candidate matching.

• Unibeez: A talent network helping students and graduates access flexible paid work.

• Employment Hero: An all-in-one HR, payroll and benefits platform offering real-time insights into employment trends.

Together, they provide practical tools, templates and expert advice to help small businesses hire confidently – whether it's your first hire or your fiftieth.

As Emma Jones CBE, founder of Enterprise Nation, puts it:

"Building a solid team is one of the most important things any business can do – and it needs to be reimagined. Talent Hub is here to do exactly that." 

Find, attract, recruit and train talent to fuel your company's growth

Want to know when and how to hire people into your business?

Sign up to Talent Hub for free support with hiring staff, and recommendations on your next steps. Join now