Shaun Henry - Co-Founder of Floats

This week, we spotlight Shaun Henry, originally from Tyrone (Ireland’s best county 😀). Shaun is the Founder of Floats.ai, a rising star in the tech recruitment sector. He is a serial founder who has run Cloud Recruit, a successful recruitment agency focused on Cloud Development, Data, and blockchain.

With over a decade of experience in the industry, Shaun's journey began with studying ICT in Belfast and exploring the vibrant tech scenes of New York and Europe. His decision to move to Sydney, where his sisters resided, marked the beginning of his Founder journey.

Shaun shares his insights on the challenges and triumphs of building Floats.ai from the ground up, driven by the lack of business-generating technology for recruiters.

From navigating the complexities of starting a business abroad to harnessing the support of mentors and communities, Shaun's story is one of perseverance and innovation. Join us as Shaun reflects on his journey as an Irish founder abroad, offering valuable advice and inspiring anecdotes. 🚀

Here’s a quick 30-second preview of what to expect:

Enjoy Shaun’s incredible story 👏

Can you tell me a bit about yourself? Where are you from originally? What were you doing before moving abroad? Why did you decide to move to Australia?

Before moving abroad, I studied ICT in Belfast and spent summers travelling to New York or Europe. My two sisters were living in Sydney, and during my final year, I visited them for Christmas and fell in love with the city. I decided to stay, finish my studies remotely, and move permanently to Sydney. I've been here for over ten years, and it feels like home.

Tell me a bit about your journey with Floats. What motivated you to launch that, and what are some things you are most proud of?

I've been in tech recruitment for about ten years, initially specialising in cloud and cybersecurity. I quickly noticed the incredibly high turnover in the industry and the need for better support for newcomers. This led me to Co-Found Floats alongside two incredible Co-Founders and engineers, Scott Anderson and Rhys May, who come from a recruitment engineering background.

Our goal is to assist recruiters in getting their candidates in front of relevant companies by utilising our AI tool, which transforms boring CVs into interactive profiles, saving time and improving engagement during this outreach process. Floats’ backend also provides insights on how these campaigns are performing.

Building Floats has been a rewarding journey so far. If I had to choose one thing I’m most proud of, it’s seeing how it helps bridge the gap for new recruiters who are getting to grips with how outbound recruitment is done.

Where would you like to see Floats in the next five years?

In the next five years, we truly envision Floats becoming a major player in the industry, competing with established names like SourceWhale. The key to achieving this aim will be expanding our reach beyond technical recruitment into broader markets like finance and banking. We aspire to make a significant impact on how businesses approach talent acquisition.

Conversely, what were the biggest challenges in starting a business abroad after emigrating from Ireland?

Moving abroad posed several challenges, particularly the absence of a safety net and the pressure to make things work in a new, expensive city like Sydney. However, this does have the added benefit of motivating me to work harder.

Deciding to bootstrap multiple startups adds to the complexity even more, but embracing these challenges has made me more resilient and driven.

Who are some of the people/organizations who helped you on your Australian Entrepreneurial journey?

Throughout my entrepreneurial journey in Australia, I've received support from various individuals and organisations, many of whom were fellow Irish people willing to bet on me, for which I will forever be thankful.

For example, the first person who sponsored me was Jeremy Davidson, who is from Cookstown in Tyrone. He helped me understand recruitment. Then, at my next company, one of the founders was from Belfast (Russell Gallagher), alongside Sean McCartan, with whom I worked very closely. They had a significant impact on my understanding of running a recruitment business.

More recently, since setting up Floats, people like Brian O'Farrell have generously shared their knowledge and networks, facilitating our growth. It’s hugely appreciated. I’ve been taken aback by how much everyone has wanted to help, whether through strategic advice or making introductions to their network.

What's one bit of advice you wish you could tell yourself when you first emigrated?

If I could advise my younger self upon emigrating, I'd emphasise the importance of networking and building relationships from the outset. Being open to different opportunities and supporting others can significantly impact your journey. I’ve found that it compounds over time as you keep doing this.

What advice would you give an Irish person considering starting a business abroad?

For fellow Irish entrepreneurs considering starting a business abroad, I'd encourage them to leverage the strong sense of community and support within the Irish diaspora I’ve just mentioned. Embrace the challenges, stay resilient, and keep exploring new opportunities.

What Does it Mean to be an Irish Founder Abroad?

As an Irish founder abroad, I've found that our cultural traits, such as authenticity, resilience, and a strong work ethic, resonate well in the entrepreneurial ecosystem in Australia. I also think we have a natural bullshit reader, which can be very helpful in some situations.

Overall, there's an incredible sense of camaraderie within the Irish community abroad, with people genuinely eager to help and see each other succeed.

What's one thing you miss about home?

One thing I miss about home is spending time with family, especially my nieces, whom I've watched grow from afar. While Sydney offers many opportunities, having family nearby would make the experience even more fulfilling. However, I'm grateful for the support of my loved ones and cherish the moments when we can reunite, like my dad's upcoming visit.

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