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29m 41s

Uplift: He owns an executive search firm...

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About this episode

Two-time Emmy and Three-time NAACP Image Award-winning, television Executive Producer Rushion McDonald interviewed Ken Taunton.

Founder and president of The Royster Group, a nationally recognized, certified Black-owned professional staffing firm. Here's a breakdown of the key themes and takeaways:


🎯 Key Highlights from the Interview 🏢 About The Royster Group

  • Founded in 2001, the firm specializes in:
    • Executive Search (C-suite to Director level)
    • Healthcare Staffing (physicians, nurses, ancillary staff)
  • Operates nationally, serving both public and private sectors.

💼 Executive Search Insights

  • Royster is a retained executive search firm, meaning they are hired by companies to find top-tier talent.
  • Focuses on diverse, seasoned professionals with 7–10+ years of experience.
  • Clients include major corporations like Home Depot, Merck, and Pfizer.
  • Emphasizes the importance of diversity in leadership and actively includes women and people of color in candidate pools.

🏥 Healthcare Staffing

  • Healthcare remains a high-demand field due to an aging population and workforce shortages.
  • Royster recruits nationally and advertises through their website, conferences, and referrals.
  • There’s a growing need for diverse healthcare professionals to reflect the population they serve.

🧾 Resume & Job Search Tips

  • Resumes should be keyword-optimized to match job descriptions.
  • Candidates should reach out to recruiters, follow up, and apply through multiple channels.
  • Avoid vague resumes—include specific achievements and metrics.

🏆 Business Philosophy & Certification

  • Thornton emphasizes the value of being a certified Black-owned business, not as a crutch but as a strategic advantage to gain access to opportunities.
  • He acknowledges the challenges and scrutiny minority businesses face and the importance of capacity and execution.
  • Advocates for mentorship, SBA resources, and relationship-building as keys to success.

📈 Entrepreneurial Journey

  • Thornton transitioned from pharmaceutical sales and HR to founding his own firm after noticing a lack of diversity in executive placements.
  • Started Royster with a bootstrap model—a desk, a phone, and determination.
  • Now leads a $20M+ company and was named Small Business Person of the Year in Georgia.

 

#STRAW

#BEST

#SHMS

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