By Brian Mitchell, Managing Partner & CEO.
This December marks my 20-year anniversary of deciding to launch a recruiting firm and February will mark 20 years since I incorporated GM Ryan. Saying that out loud feels surreal. When I first started, I didn’t know what I didn’t know, and I couldn’t have imagined the road ahead—or how much it would shape me, both professionally and personally.
The early days were lean. Resources were limited, the hours were long, and the pressure was real. I had left a pretty big corporate leadership role to start a small business with a lot of risk…and still had a mortgage and private school tuition, etc. There were moments of uncertainty where progress felt slow and the path forward anything but clear. Back then, I didn’t always recognize the learning or growth happening in real time. I was focused on doing the work, solving the next problem, and figuring out how to keep moving forward. Only in hindsight do you realize that those seasons of struggle were quietly building skills, resilience, and perspective that no smooth stretch ever could.
Over the years, I’ve learned more than I ever expected about people, business, relationships, and influence. I’ve learned that growth isn’t linear, that setbacks often precede breakthroughs, and that meaningful accomplishments usually come after periods of discomfort. I’ve also learned that you don’t do any of this alone.
I’m deeply grateful to the clients who trusted me and GM Ryan—especially early on, when we were still proving ourselves. Your confidence pushed us to raise our standards and deliver results even when the stakes were high. And I’m incredibly appreciative that so many professional relationships have evolved into such quality friendships.
I’m equally thankful for the employees who have worked so hard on behalf of our clients. Your commitment, professionalism, and willingness to push through challenges have been the backbone of our success. The progress we’ve made was built day by day through your effort and integrity.
And to the many advocates, partners, and mentors along the way: your encouragement, advice, and belief made a difference, especially during times when it was hard to see just how far we were actually moving forward.
Twenty years in, and we’ve enjoyed incredible success. I’m grateful for the ups and the downs. The struggles, the lessons, and the growth all matter. Sometimes you can’t see the progress while you’re in the middle of it—but time has a way of revealing just how meaningful those moments really were.
Thank you to everyone who has been part of this journey. I’m proud of what we’ve built, and grateful for the road that got us here.
Happy holidays and a prosperous 2026!