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his episode is a beautiful look at what happens when purpose, grit and genuine care collide.
James Clendining, co-founder of Firefly HR, shares how he and his wife Barbi built a niche recruitment and training business in the OSHC and early learning space — one grounded in child-safeguarding, community, and deep sector knowledge.
From Barbi’s personal story that shaped the heart of their mission, to James’ jump from the ASX into the unknown, this conversation covers the pivots, the pressures, and the power of backing yourself even when the path gets messy.
You’ll hear how Firefly HR built authority through webinars and education, what it really costs to build an app (spoiler: a lot), how the pandemic forced a full business reset, and the practical ways James maintains strong relationships with centres and educators.
This episode is especially powerful for founders who are juggling growth, purpose, and burnout — and anyone needing a reminder to trust themselves a little more.
In this episode, James shares:
The childhood event that inspired Barbi to dedicate her life to helping kids feel safe and seen
Why OSHC is one of the most misunderstood (and undervalued) sectors in education
The leap from the ASX into small-business life — and why timing matters less than passion
How COVID completely wiped their revenue and forced a pivot into education and webinars
The real cost (and complexity) of building an app-based recruitment platform
Why reputation and genuine care still matter more than aggressive sales tactics
Practical ways he builds and maintains centre relationships (hint: pick up the phone)
The one piece of advice he wishes he took earlier in his business journey
How to tune out the noise of too many mentors and trust your own expertise
👉 Join the Buddez community to access James’ workshop and get the latest insights from real small biz owners doing big things.
CREDITS:
🔗 Guest: James Clendining
🏢 Business: Firefly HR — Recruitment + Consulting for ECE & OSHC
📍 Based in: Australia
🌐 Website: www.fireflyhr.com.au
👥 Co-founded with wife, Barbi
📘 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fireflyhrOSHC/
💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/fireflyhr
▶️ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCbq6P2fQ3N8FNXsKA_HTG7w
