An increasing number of recruitment professionals are realising hidden potential by setting up their own businesses which are enabling them to enjoy the benefits of being their own boss.

Many of these individuals are sharing their experience of setting up a recruitment firm on peer-to-peer forum LinkedIn, highlighting the successes and pitfalls of such a move.

Susan Forman recently wrote about how she started her own firm, explaining that she took the big leap and launched a company that she ran from her home with £5,000 to start with.

"After four months I hired my first rep, and after three more months we moved into our first tiny office and now we have grown into a large office with five representatives," she said.

"Having a niche business does help to set you apart from other recruiters, and truthfully almost four years later we have found the key to success."

To give such a business a bigger fighting chance, owners can outsource their back office requirements, leaving them to concentrate on building their company.