When Culture Comes First: The CEO Who Rebranded Himself Before His Company
Company culture isn’t a buzzword—it’s a business strategy. And for Jeremy Jenson, it started with a breakdown, not a boardroom.
Before Encore Search Partners became one of Houston’s top executive recruiting firms, its CEO Jeremy Jenson was sleeping on an air mattress, quietly unraveling behind the façade of professional success. The business was thriving, but he wasn’t.
That personal low became the unlikely launchpad for one of the more compelling culture-first business transformations we’ve seen in the talent space. Jenson didn’t just pivot the company—he rewired himself. And in doing so, he created a firm where clarity, performance, and personal responsibility drive results.
The Wake-Up Call
In 2021, Encore Search was setting revenue records. Jenson, by all external measures, was a success story. But privately, his life was in disarray—disconnected from loved ones, leaning on vices, and chasing validation through social media and material wins.
“I took the easy way out,” Jenson admits. “I bought into the illusion of success rather than building a life that was truly fulfilling.”
Rather than collapse quietly, he hit pause. Jenson hired an executive life coach—not to fix his business, but to fix himself. That move became the spark that eventually overhauled his entire organization.
Culture Is a Leadership Decision
What followed wasn’t a brand campaign or a motivational poster initiative. Jenson began repairing the eight most important relationships in his life—including those with his executive team, family, and, crucially, himself. He replaced distraction with discipline.
Then he made the bold move to bring that same support into the company. Encore Search hired an on-site performance and mindset coach, giving every employee access to the same level of development Jenson experienced himself.
Paired with the Entrepreneurial Operating System (EOS), a framework that helps businesses run on accountability and structure, Encore Search’s cultural overhaul began producing measurable results: higher engagement, better alignment, and a 40-person team that punches well above its weight in the executive recruiting arena.
Clarity Over Chaos
What sets Encore Search apart isn’t headcount or budget—it’s intentional leadership. In a time when burnout, disengagement, and talent churn are major threats to every company, Encore’s strategy is deceptively simple: give your people the tools to grow, and hold them to high standards with high support.
It’s a leadership model rooted in humility, not hype. Jenson’s story underscores a broader trend: CEOs are increasingly embracing personal development as a business driver. And while leadership coaches used to be reserved for crisis moments, many forward-thinking founders are bringing them in proactively.
This isn’t about meditation apps or corporate wellness week. It’s about developing resilient, self-aware teams—starting at the top.
Encore Search Partners was recently named one of Houston Business Journal’s Largest Executive Recruiting Firms—a notable feat for a boutique agency. But Jenson is most proud of the firm’s internal transformation. His team now runs on values, not vibes.
And perhaps more importantly, he no longer needs the external applause.
“The biggest sign of change,” Jenson says, “is the peace that comes when you no longer need to post every win online.”
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