Celebrating Curamoir’s 4-Year Anniversary

​Four years ago, in 2021, Curamoir was founded by Donnchadh Lawlor (CEO) with a simple but powerful vision: to build a healthcare recruitment agency that truly makes a difference.

From day one, Curamoir has been driven by a deep respect for the hardworking professionals who dedicate their lives to caring for others. Our journey so far has been shaped by the incredible healthcare professionals we work with and the clients who put their trust in Curamoir.

To proudly celebrate our company’s fourth anniversary, we’ve taken time out to reflect on the road we’ve travelled, the lessons we’ve learned, and the exciting future ahead for Curamoir!

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What inspired you to start Curamoir?

Donnchadh:

I always wanted to be my own boss and put my unique stamp on a business with team I’ve hand-picked. My goal was to build a brand known for an exceptional experience for candidates and clients across the healthcare and community services sector. Empathy, integrity and compassion are central to people working in these sectors and I wanted Curamoir to reflect those values.

At the time we founded the business, Covid-19 was spreading around the world, leading many businesses to downsize and put their growth plans on hold. It was important that I could create a business that would genuinely help healthcare employers and professionals through thick and thin. So, I opted to launch a brand which could genuinely work in partnership with clients within the healthcare sector at a time when this help was most needed.

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What were the biggest challenges in the early days?

Donnchadh:

Before Curamoir, I worked for a larger, established recruitment company with a team of approximately 15-20 consultants and admin people reporting to me. The change of environment from corporate to start-up was significant, to say the least.

Starting your own business comes with a whole different level of stress. You are straight back on the tools, whilst responsible for systems, marketing, cashflow, building your own team, business development, and lots more. All while navigating your non-compete clauses!

The phone doesn’t ring in a start-up; you’re under pressure to make things happen fast. You turn on the laptop on day one and realise you’re automatically in the red, wondering where the next sale will come from! Such challenges are not for the faint-hearted. In a nutshell, the early days involved 70-hour weeks, lots sacrifices, hard work and sleepless nights!

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What has changed the most since starting Curamoir?

Ryan:

When I joined two years ago, Curamoir was already growing beyond its beginnings, what started four years ago as just Donnchadh, a laptop and a phone, focused on recruiting for Community Services providers in Sydney and NSW, had quickly expanded nationwide.

Through his dedication and strong relationships, Donn built a strong presence across NSW, grew the team, and took our services further across the country.

Since coming onboard, I’ve driven the diversification of our services, setting us up to provide on-hired workers, expanding into Allied Health and Nursing, and opening our Perth office. Today, we’re a team of 13 (and counting!), with offices in Perth and Sydney, proudly connecting healthcare professionals with roles across Australia.

Donnchadh:

Fast forward four years, and Curamoir has grown into a strong, dedicated team placing people in Nursing Jobs, Community Services jobs, and Allied Health roles, both temporary and permanent. With offices in Sydney and Perth, we’ve built solid systems, streamlined processes, and invested in the right technology. Now, we’re primed and ready to scale as a healthcare recruitment agency.

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How did bringing Ryan into the business as MD impact growth?

Donnchadh:

Ryan and I go way back – we worked together for six years before Curamoir, and we’ve always balanced each other out. He brings calm and discipline to people, data, systems, technology, compliance, and processes. I’m all about hitting the phones, driving business development, and bringing energy and belief to the team. You need both to build a strong, sustainable recruitment brand – you can’t have a Ryan without a Donny! Haha!

Perth and Western Australia are massive healthcare markets, especially for nursing jobs. Having a physical presence there has been a game-changer for client relationships and allows us to respond quickly to employer and candidate needs in that time zone. Ryan has lived in Perth for the past eight years and is incredibly well-connected, so having him lead Curamoir Perth was always a no-brainer!

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What are you most proud of?

Donnchadh:

• Scaling the team to a double-digit headcount in just three and a half years. I recently read that around 80% of recruitment agencies in Australia never reach that milestone, so achieving it so quickly and sustainably is something I’m incredibly proud of.

• I’ll never forget my first placement, seven weeks in, placing an Alcohol and Other Drugs Social Worker in Wagga Wagga, NSW. That moment made it all real!

•  Winning three industry awards at the Tiara Recruitment Awards has also been a huge highlight:

• The Xeople Best New Recruitment Company 2023

• The RecruitOnline Client Service Award 2024

• The Xeople Growth Recruitment Company of the Year 2024

These awards mean so much because they’re backed by client references, case studies, financial results, and are judged by some of the biggest names in recruitment and talent acquisition. Looking back, it’s amazing to see how far we’ve come!

​Ryan:

We’ve hit some incredible milestones since I joined two years ago – placing our first temp worker, opening our Perth office, and, of course, taking home three Tiara Recruitment Awards. But what makes me the proudest is seeing our team grow, develop, and seize opportunities to progress their careers. Watching them take on new challenges and thrive is what it’s all about!

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What sets Curamoir apart?

Ryan:

Most agencies will say this, but at the end of the day, it really does come down to the people. We hire passionate recruiters, invest in their training, reward them with a great commission structure, and equip them with the latest tech. That combination allows our team to deliver outstanding results for both candidates and clients.

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Where do you see Curamoir in 4 years?

Ryan:

More of the same - providing a great service to clients and candidates across Allied Health, Community Services and Nursing. We’ll be working hard on growing our teams and cementing ourselves as the most trusted healthcare recruitment agency Australia.

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What is the best feedback you’ve received?

Ryan:

There are so many examples of good feedback it would be hard to choose one. The positive reviews are rewarding, but it's often the constructive feedback which is the most valuable. Those moments push us to reflect and make improvements that lead to even better outcomes for our clients and candidates.

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How has running Curamoir changed you as leaders, both professionally and personally?

Donnchadh:

Apart from ageing 10 years? Honestly, I don’t think I’ve changed that much! I was lucky to work under some incredible recruitment leaders who instilled in me the importance of integrity, ethics, resilience, customer experience, and pure hard work. Those values have always been at the core of how I operate. Building my own brand has given me the chance to take what I’ve learned and shape it in my own way, which has been immensely enjoyable.

That said, running your own business definitely comes with sacrifices. Your personal and social life can take a hit, and annual leave doesn’t really mean “switching off” anymore. I wouldn’t swap it for anything though. I’m having a right laugh and lots of fun in the hotseat! 😊

Ryan:

Working alongside Donnchadh to build a business that truly reflects our values has been an incredible experience.

Owning a business has taught me a lot about accountability and adaptability. Every decision carries weight, and being able to pivot when needed is essential. But one of the biggest lessons has been the importance of stepping back and taking time to recharge. Finding that balance makes all the difference in the long run!

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Access Our Healthcare Recruitment Expertise

We hope you found our thoughts illuminating and inspiring, and perhaps a little entertaining!

As we reflect on the past four years, it’s clear that we’ve grown, we’ve learned, and we’ve embraced every challenge along the way. With a dedicated healthcare recruitment team and a clear vision for the future, we’re excited for what’s to come.

Here’s to the next chapter in our journey – and we’d love to have you along with us! Whether you’re searing for your next role or need support in hiring a healthcare professional, we’re here to help. Get in touch with our friendly team today!