Rich Camacho, a combat veteran, has taken his military experience and channeled it into creating BlueRecruit, a marketplace connecting skilled tradespeople with companies looking to hire them. As founder and CEO, Camacho focuses on simplifying the process for job seekers and employers alike, making it easier for both parties to find the perfect match.
Camacho’s journey began after his military service when he started working for a recruiting company that helped military personnel transition into civilian jobs. It was during this time that he recognized a gap in the market for skilled trade jobs. Camacho recalls, “My father-in-law was trying to hire someone and he went to Indeed. He and got a lot of responses from house painters.”
Realizing that traditional job boards didn’t cater well to those seeking skilled trade jobs, Camacho set out to create BlueRecruit. His first objective was to prove that people were willing to pay for his service. “Build a minimum viable product,” he advises, “and get people to pay for it.”
One of the key factors that have contributed to the success of BlueRecruit is the emphasis on military values. Camacho says, “From the beginning, it was important to lay down the mission, what’s the vision, and what are core values that are going to help you stay on track to hit that mission and vision.” By staying true to these principles, Camacho believes his company is on pace to become one of the most used platforms for skilled trade job seekers and employers within five years.
Despite facing challenges such as the pandemic, inflation, recession, and global events, Camacho has remained steadfast in his approach. “We don’t focus on our competition. We listen to our customers; if we can make them happy, then we are good to go,” he explains. His combat experience has also played a crucial role in his ability to adapt and stay resilient. “When things go bad, you can take a step [back]… 100% failure is not an option,” he emphasizes.
When asked about his best advice for fellow veterans transitioning into civilian life, Camacho cautions against a sense of entitlement. “We are a culture that really supports its veterans, but often veterans get an idea that they are owed something… You need to go where the team is and [be willing to learn],” he advises.