Leaving behind the comfort of a stable corporate career to start from scratch in a new country isn’t easy—but for Tiarna McCormack, it was the only way forward. The founder of TRM Connects, Tiarna is reshaping senior-level recruitment by blending courage, human connection, and global expertise. With her background in managing large teams and a bold leap into entrepreneurship, she now specializes in placing top-tier recruitment professionals across Europe and the UK. At Humans of Fuzia, we are proud to spotlight Tiarna’s inspiring story of resilience, risk-taking, and redefining success on her own terms.
Tiarna, how would you describe yourself to leaders reading this?
I launched TRM Connects just four months ago, so I’m very new to the entrepreneurial space. My journey has been slightly different from most—I worked in large corporate environments, then at 31, I completely changed careers and stepped into recruitment. Within two years, I launched my own business. Friends often describe me as courageous and gutsy because I took the risk of walking away from a comfortable salary to reinvent myself entirely.
I’m deeply passionate about people, building connections, and managing relationships. From leading large teams to now operating solo as a founder, my goal is to eventually grow TRM Connects into a thriving business. I’d also describe myself as personable, energetic, and—like most entrepreneurs—a bit of a risk-taker. Anyone who leaves the 9-to-5 to launch a business in a new country needs a little bit of crazy courage!
Tell us more about TRM Connects and your vision.
TRM Connects specializes in senior-level recruitment, specifically within the recruitment industry itself. I work with experienced recruiters—typically those with 10 to 15 years in the industry—and place them into leadership roles with recruitment agencies across the UK and Europe.
My focus areas include HR, tech, finance, and private equity, with HR being my strongest market. I help clients identify the top 5 to 10% of talent and facilitate their next big career move. But beyond just placements, my business is built on relationships. I travel regularly—back to the UK, to Amsterdam—meeting clients and candidates face-to-face. I believe true connections come from human interaction, not just virtual exchanges. My network is growing organically through referrals, personal branding, and word-of-mouth.
What industries or groups do you specifically target?
I exclusively work with experienced recruiters in the search-to-search space, meaning I place senior recruiters, directors, and leaders into new roles within recruitment agencies. My candidates typically operate in HR, finance, tech, or private equity. My biggest success has been within the HR recruitment market, but all my work revolves around building relationships, knowing who the best people are, and placing them in the right roles at the right time.
How do people discover your services?
It’s mostly through word of mouth and referrals. Recruitment is all about reputation and relationships. I rely heavily on my personal LinkedIn profile, where I connect with people, share my journey, and build credibility. Interestingly, I haven’t even launched my business LinkedIn page yet—that’s still on my to-do list. But my personal network and reputation are what drive my business right now.
What challenges are you currently facing in your business?
The biggest challenge is the global climate—economically and politically. Recruitment reflects the state of the world; when industries slow down or companies face financial pressure, hiring freezes or budgets get cut. I might work with a client planning to hire 10 people, but external events reduce that to one. It’s also a competitive industry—finding the best talent and creating opportunities that genuinely improve someone’s career can be tough.
What are your short-term goals for this year and beyond?
My immediate goal is to grow my business by working with the best recruitment agencies internationally and sourcing top-tier candidates. I’m traveling to Amsterdam next week and then to London for face-to-face meetings—building relationships that will set me up for success in the second half of 2024 and beyond. I’m also co-hosting a podcast with a fellow leader from my industry, using that platform to amplify my personal brand and connect with more professionals globally.
What motivational message would you share with women professionals and entrepreneurs?
If you have a dream, follow it. So many of us sit in silence, thinking about what we want to do but letting fear or doubt hold us back. The biggest mindset shift I’ve made is focusing on opportunities, not obstacles. Whether you want to start a business, turn a passion into a career, or travel the world—surround yourself with people who can help you get there. Don’t let fear dictate your choices. Think about what’s possible, not what could go wrong.
“Courage isn’t the absence of fear—it’s deciding to act in spite of it. That’s where growth happens.”
Connect with Tiarna McCormack:
Website: www.trmconnects.com
LinkedIn: Tiarna McCormack
Want to be featured?
If you’d like to be part of the Humans of Fuzia series, email us at fuziatalent@fuzia.com.
