executive search candidate fit
January 28, 2026

Inside the Search: The Candidate Who Wasn’t the Obvious Choice

Every recruiter knows that moment: the uneasy pause after sending the first slate of candidates to a new client. You wait, hopeful, because you know there’s strong talent in the mix. But then comes the call. Purple Squirrel Advisors had a new client who was searching for an Operational Leader. We sent the initial slate…

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Guiding a Family Business Through a Generational Transition
January 21, 2026

Inside the Search: Guiding a Family Business Through a Generational Transition

Some searches go beyond finding the right leader. They help a company move forward without losing sight of where it came from. A few years ago, a second-generation leader of a Michigan-based family-owned business approached Purple Squirrel Advisors with a challenge. They were preparing to take on greater leadership responsibility but were struggling to do…

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January 14, 2026

Inside the Search: When One Hire Needs to Bridge Years of Gaps

What happens when a business grows for years without building a true leadership bench, and suddenly needs one? That was the challenge facing a small, founder-led manufacturing company recently acquired by a private equity firm. The owner was still managing daily operations, but there was a widening gap between him and the rest of the…

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January 7, 2026

Inside the Search: Rebuilding Trust in the Hiring Process

Some searches begin with hesitation. When a company has experienced turnover, frustration, and disappointing results, trusting a recruiter again can feel like a risk. That was the case when a Michigan-based property management company partnered with Purple Squirrel Advisors to stabilize its accounting team. The department had been a revolving door for years, and multiple…

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December 10, 2025

Inside The Search: When the Right Hire Becomes the Future Leader

Every search has a turning point: the moment when the right candidate not only fits the role but ultimately transforms it. When a Michigan-based manufacturing company partnered with Purple Squirrel Advisors to hire a Controller, the leadership team was clear that they were ready for change. They wanted a forward-thinking financial leader who could modernize…

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