Becker Business Podcast Episode Summary

Episode: Building ONWARD with Travis Guerra (Sept 5, 2025)
Host: Scott Becker
Guest: Travis Guerra, Founder of Onward Headhunting

Overview

In this engaging episode, Scott Becker interviews Travis Guerra, founder of Onward Headhunting, a boutique executive recruitment firm specializing in healthcare for private equity clients. The conversation explores Travis's entrepreneurial journey, the evolution of talent acquisition in healthcare, market and economic trends, job-hopping amongst professionals, advice for leaders and founders, and Onward’s growth story.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Introducing Onward Headhunting & Travis Guerra

• Travis shares Onward’s mission:
  • Boutique, healthcare-only retained search firm in Nashville.
  • Serves private equity funds and their portfolio companies.
  • Focuses on C-level & director talent in corporate development, M&A, strategic/corporate finance, and operations.
  • “We exclusively serve private equity funds... by headhunting C-level and director-level talent in really three specific verticals.” (01:05 — Travis)

2. Travis’s Background & Starting Onward

• Began at Advisory Board Company in Nashville, moved into healthcare consulting.
• Experienced the transition during Optum’s acquisition before moving into recruiting.
• Identified a niche: executive search focused strictly on healthcare, leveraging former colleagues and healthcare connections.
• Emphasized the value of early-career relationships:
  • “You never know who in your early career you'll cross paths with later and be able to do business together and help each other win, which has been really, really special.” (02:40 — Travis)

3. Macro and Industry Trends in Healthcare Talent

• Year-over-year, overall white-collar hiring is down 8% (per LinkedIn), but healthcare is the least affected.
• Shift from broad hiring to more strategic, focused executive and director hires.
• Ongoing high demand for quality C-suite and vice president roles, even as back-office hiring slows:
  • “When they think... could they do it without a CFO? Definitely not.” (04:44 — Travis)
• Onward’s story mirrors the market: doubled revenue year-over-year since launch (~2023), thanks to niche focus and relationship-building.

4. Job-Hopping vs. Tenure – Adviser’s Perspective

• Concerns about candidates with frequent job changes (<18 months at each role).
• Importance of investigating reasons for short tenures—layoffs vs. restlessness.
• Strong preference for candidates who show commitment (2-5 years ideally).
  • “You really need to stay where you land next or... you’re not going to be able to be represented by somebody like myself or somebody at Onward to one of our clients because you look like a flight risk.” (08:35 — Travis)
• Advises direct feedback and strategic job searches: find fit, plan to stay, and build value.

5. Looking Ahead: Market & Company Goals (2025-2026)

• Healthcare market has stabilized:
  • Fewer mass layoffs, more equilibrium in headcount.
  • Reduced ambiguity in policy and macroeconomic factors.
  • “Businesses are no longer slashing headcount... I think we’ve reached a pretty strong equilibrium.” (09:45 — Travis)
• Travis predicts increased M&A activity and executive searches in 2026.
• Onward’s growth: intent to hire another full-time recruiter, leverage remote/offshore assistants for operational support.

6. Advice for Emerging Leaders & Founders

• For founders:

  • Entrepreneurship is harder and longer than expected, especially financially:
    • “It’s going to be longer, it’s going to be harder and you’re going to make less money than you anticipate... but very, very much so worth it.” (11:55 — Travis)

• For emerging leaders:

  • Find mentors who pull people up, not push people out.
  • Value perseverance and tenure—most growth comes after working through tough moments.
  • Seek internal mobility first before searching externally.
    • “Stay the course, find an organization, find a leader... who is known for pulling people up not pushing people out.” (12:10 — Travis)

• For founders and networkers:

  • Reach out to those ahead in your industry—they’re often willing to help if you’re respectful of their time.
    • “You will never find somebody who’s further along than you that’s not willing to [help]...” (14:07 — Travis)

7. How to Connect with Onward & Travis

• LinkedIn is Travis’ primary platform for engagement (search “Travis Guerra”).
• Onward's company page and onwardheadhunting.com for company info and inquiries.
  • “Best place to find me is on LinkedIn... and also our website, onwardheadhunting.com.” (15:49 — Travis)

Memorable Quotes & Notable Moments

• “The worst thing for your business is for, for nobody to know that you exist.” — Travis, quoting Alex Hormozi (05:24)
• “I have no problem telling somebody... you really need to stay where you land next or you’re not going to be able to be represented...” (08:38)
• “Find a leader who is known for pulling people up not pushing people out.” (12:13)
• “Looking for individuals who really believe in pulling people up... there’s nothing better... than generosity, whether that’s dollars or time.” (14:23)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Intro & Onward’s Mission: 00:31 – 01:33
• Entrepreneurship in Nashville & Healthcare Focus: 01:33 – 03:44
• Healthcare Hiring Trends: 04:08 – 06:36
• On Job-Hopping vs. Tenure: 07:04 – 09:26
• Looking Ahead (2025-2026): 09:41 – 11:38
• Advice for Leaders & Founders: 11:49 – 15:08
• How to Connect with Travis/Onward: 15:49 – 16:17

Final Thoughts

This episode offers a wealth of practical advice for executive talent, founders, and HR leaders, especially in healthcare and private equity. Travis Guerra’s forthright, energetic approach, his warnings about “flight risk” job-hopping, and his insights into market stabilization and networking make this a valuable listen for anyone interested in talent, business building, or leadership.