From zero outbound and two clients to 5 new client relationships, 84 qualified leads, and a growing book of business.
| 84
Qualified leads generated |
1,370
New network connections |
| 324
Replies received |
25%
Reply-to-lead rate |
| 5
Net-new client relationships |
6
Active open roles (proposals sent) |
| $185K
Estimated pipeline revenue (7 months) |
7 months
Duration of engagement |
Challenge
When Emory Stevens founded Abrazo, an independent executive recruiting firm, his entire business ran on referrals. Two clients, both from his days as an in-house recruiter at a well-known audio brand.
He started receiving cold outreach from lead generation companies. Most felt fly-by-night. None came across as proficient. Then he got a DM from Pursuitz. The website made sense. The case study made sense. When he got on a call, the conversation felt different, not transactional, but collaborative.
| “When I saw the website, the funnel made sense. And once we got on a call, it wasn’t just ‘this is what it is.’ It was, we want to grow with you. That connection made all the difference.”
— Emory Stevens, Founder, Abrazo |
Solution
Pursuitz built Abrazo’s outbound engine from scratch, starting with the ICP, the messaging, and the infrastructure.
Early on, the focus had been on tech. But the market was crowded. Pursuitz identified a more strategic opportunity: construction and infrastructure. Site superintendents. Project directors. Structural engineers. Wastewater superintendents. A sector actively hiring, with decision-makers receptive to a specialized recruiter.
Alongside outbound, Pursuitz advised Emory on his professional brand, updating his LinkedIn profile, redesigning his logo, tightening his positioning. The result was a cohesive presence that converted attention into conversations.
Bi-weekly check-ins became a cornerstone of the partnership, not just reporting on metrics, but refining strategy, sharing market signals, and adjusting direction in real time.
| “I feel like I’m your only client. I know you have others, but when we talk, you’re only focused on Abrazo. Not everyone can do that.”
— Emory Stevens, Founder, Abrazo |
Results
In 7 months, Abrazo went from a two-client referral shop to an active outbound business with a real pipeline across five new client relationships.
| 84 Leads | Positive leads generated, interested prospects, referrals, meetings booked, and active pipeline opportunities |
| 324 Replies | Replies from 1,370 new connections, 25% reply-to-lead conversion rate |
| 5 Clients | Net-new client relationships opened across construction, infrastructure, and tech sectors |
| 6 Open Roles | Active roles across proposals sent to new clients in 7 months |
| $185K | Estimated pipeline revenue
Projected value had all 6 roles across 5 new clients been filled. Built in 7 months, from zero. |
These aren’t roles that came from an existing network. They came from a new market, with new clients, in a sector Abrazo had never worked in before. Pursuitz opened the door — Emory walked through it.
| “What you see out there now is a culmination of all the conversations we’ve had. Not just what I’ve done on my own — I was inspired by what you recommended. I would have never thought about construction.”
— Emory Stevens, Founder, Abrazo |
