Uplift: He advocates for mentorship, SBA resources, and relationship-building as keys to success.

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 #SHMSSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.