How StorIQ Hired a Lead Strategist in 27 Days
StorIQ, a fast-growing digital agency in the self-storage niche, was scaling faster than its internal systems could handle.
The CEO was still leading all SEO strategy while juggling 40+ clients, a setup that wasn’t sustainable.
After two failed hires, he turned to SEO for Hire, referred by industry leader Nick Eubanks, to find a process-driven SEO leader who could take ownership, build scalable SOPs, and lead the agency’s next phase of growth.
Where Speed Meets Quality
Speed to Hire
Senior SEO hire secured in record time.
Quality Pipeline
Top-tier SEOs vetted with 4 finalists sent through to the team.
Impact
Systems built, allowing Founder freedom, and agency scaling to take place.
StorIQ, a fast-growing SEO and paid media agency in the self-storage industry, was scaling fast, but their CEO was still handling most of the SEO strategy himself.
After two failed hires and mounting client demand, the CEO realised he needed a senior SEO leader who could take over client strategy, build systems, and free him to focus on growth.
Referred by industry veteran Nick Eubanks, StorIQ’s CEO turned to SEO for Hire to find the right leader, someone process-driven, skilled in local SEO, and capable of building scalable SOPs across a highly productised model.
StorIQ's Hiring Challenges
StorIQ’s biggest bottleneck wasn’t growth, it was capacity.
They had more leads than they could handle, but repeated mis-hires were draining time and trust.
Two previous hires had failed within weeks, leaving the CEO and COO back in the weeds, managing SEO delivery and client calls.
The core challenges:
- Role clarity: balancing strategy, implementation, and leadership in a repeatable, productised environment.
- Culture fit: finding someone proactive, communicative, and aligned with StorIQ’s light, fast-paced culture.
- Consistency: they needed a leader who could build repeatable frameworks for local SEO across 40+ clients — not just execute tasks.
Our Strategic Hiring Solution
When StorIQ partnered with SEO for Hire, we worked hand-in-hand with John and Christine to define the perfect hire profile, one that combined deep technical expertise with operational discipline.
Our process:
- Discovery & Diagnostic Call
In our kickoff call with the CEO and COO, we unpacked previous hiring challenges, refined the role scope, and identified three core traits their next hire must embody: attitude, aptitude, and ambition. - Golden Recruitment Formula
We built a bespoke hiring campaign showcasing StorIQ’s unique culture, niche focus, and growth trajectory, attracting senior SEOs who value systems, leadership, and scalability. - Candidate Mapping & Headhunting
Leveraging our CRM of 52,000+ SEOs, we identified 38 qualified candidates globally with multi-location SEO and process-driven experience. - Vetting & AI-Scored Interviews
Each candidate was evaluated across 13 skill pillars including local SEO, client communication, and SOP creation, using a combination of expert interviews and an AI-driven scorecard. - Shortlist Delivery
Within 27 days, we presented a shortlist of four final candidates, all senior SEOs with 10+ years’ experience, strong leadership, and proven ability to systematize delivery.
“When agencies get stuck in delivery mode, the right strategic hire changes everythig.
That’s exactly what happened here.”
Josh Peacock
Founder & CEO of SEO for Hire
Results Summary
- Time to Hire: 27 days from project kickoff to signed offer
- Total Candidates Identified: 38
- Final Shortlist: 4 senior SEOs
- Hired Role: Lead SEO Strategist (10+ years’ experience, local SEO expert, process builder)
StorIQ’s new hire now leads SEO strategy and operations across 40+ clients, creating repeatable systems, building out scalable local SEO SOPs, and enabling the leadership team to focus on growth and new service lines.
“Our shortlist came down to leaders who thrive in productised environments and understand the power of process.”
Daris Benallal
Head of Recruitment
Takeaways for Agency Founders
- System Builders Multiply Scale
Hiring leaders who can document and improve processes frees founders to focus on growth rather than firefighting. - Cultural Fit Is Non-Negotiable
StorIQ’s success came from finding someone who fit their humor-driven, flexible, but performance-oriented culture. - Specialised Headhunting Delivers Speed + Precision
Generalist recruiters struggled for months; SEO for Hire filled the role in under four weeks by targeting proven local SEO specialists.
FAQs
How Does SEO For Hire Find the top 1% of SEO talent?
We’ve built the largest global network of SEOs—over 52,000 strong—curated through events, content funnels, and referrals. Our vetting process tests real-world skills, communication, and adaptability.
What Roles can SEO For Hire Help Fill?
We recruit across the SEO spectrum—from Junior SEOs to VP and even CEO, covering technical SEO, content strategy, and SEO product management.
How Fast can You Fill a Role?
95% of our roles are filled within 28 days. We often deliver pre-vetted candidates for urgent roles in under 10 days.
What Makes Your Candidates Stick Around?
We ensure long-term alignment on values, goals, and team fit—leading to a 30% boost in retention. All placements include a one-year satisfaction guarantee.
Do You Work with Startups or Large Enterprises?
Both. From nimble startup teams to global SEO operations, we tailor our approach to suit your scale and culture.