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:

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🎯 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.

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#STRAW

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