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...
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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