How Staffing Agencies Mark Up Global Hires by 30% (and How to Avoid It)

Get started with Paired to hire top global talent directly, skip the 30 percent agency markup, and save on payroll here: https://www.paired.so/startupwise In this video, I go over how staffing agencies mark up global hires by 30 percent in 2025 and why most startup founders are losing thousands of dollars without realizing it. You will learn what a staffing agency actually does, how the hidden markup works in practice, and why it is such a problem for startups trying to protect their runway. I will also walk you through a smarter way to hire global talent directly so you can save costs, build stronger relationships with your team, and still stay compliant. Our favorite business must-haves: 💳 Best business credit cards: https://startupwise.com/creditcards 🏦 Novo (best business bank): https://startupwise.com/novo 🖥️ Best AI website builder ($3/month using code STARTUPWISE): https://startupwise.com/hostinger/ ⚙️ Northwest (best $39 LLC formation service): https://startupwise.com/northwestLLC 💰 Payroll with Gusto (get 2 months free!): https://startupwise.com/gusto 👨💼 Best overseas staffing agency (save 80% on payroll): https://paired.so/startupwise Be sure to watch this video until the end because I will show you how to compare the real cost of hiring through a staffing agency with the direct hire model. Many founders believe agencies are the fastest or safest option, but the truth is you end up overpaying while losing control of your team relationship. Instead of paying inflated rates and hidden fees, I will explain how platforms like Paired give you transparency, direct contracts, and specialized talent without the 30 percent markup. I have seen countless founders struggle with cash flow and wasted payroll because they did not know about these hidden costs, and this is why I am sharing the exact framework I use with startups today. The system works because it focuses on three essential pillars: cost transparency, direct relationships, and a repeatable global hiring process. If you apply these three steps in your own business, you will protect your runway, build a stronger culture, and hire the right people without unnecessary markups. Model this process, and you will scale smarter in 2025. If you found this video helpful, be sure to check out our other videos on: Upwork Review: Is This the BEST Platform for Hiring Freelancers?: https://youtu.be/xN5LPAWaqQc The Ultimate Guide to Hiring Interns for Your Business: https://youtu.be/MNRlsYwulEs Request New Videos Here: https://forms.gle/k9TtfauggkEpAWNQA More tutorials on our website: https://www.startupwise.com Thanks for watching! I hope you have a wonderful day! – Erin #GlobalHiring #HiringTips #StaffingAgency Timeline: 0:00 - Introduction 0:27 - How staffing agencies actually work 1:01 - What a 30 percent staffing agency markup looks like 1:34 - Why staffing agencies add hidden fees 2:08 - Why staffing agency costs hurt startups 2:48 - How to hire globally without staffing agencies 3:38 - Easy steps to get started with direct hiring 4:07 - Common founder questions about global hiring 5:27 - Hiring tips every new startup should know 6:03 - Checklist to spot staffing agency markups 6:27 - Total cost of hiring explained for beginners 7:07 - How to build a global hiring system for your startup 7:47 - Staying compliant when hiring international employees 8:40 - Final thoughts and Conclusion Disclaimer: Some of the links above may be affiliate links, meaning I may receive a small commission if you click on them. The commission is paid by the retailers at no cost to you, and this helps to support our channel and keep our videos free. Thank you! All info from our videos is compiled from online sources and our own experience, and we encourage you to do your due diligence. We appreciate your viewership! In addition, we are not financial advisors. StartupWise does not provide tax, legal, or accounting advice. The ideas presented in this video are for entertainment purposes only. Please do your due diligence before making any financial decisions.