We had the good fortune of connecting with Ebony McKnight and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Ebony, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?

In 2016, the entrepreneurial spirit was born during my time as an HR Business Partner at Payscout. The leadership team was dynamic and thrived based on the hearts and minds of its operational results-driven talent. Throughout my experience with Payscout, the CEO would always tell me to “Run my business”…it was his way of letting me know that I had full autonomy and trust from the team to lead the way as their new HR leader. Those 3 words quickly resonated with me and let me know that he was relying on my expertise to build out the HR department to effectively support the team…globally…little did I know at the time, the seed was planted.

Fast forward to 2021 I wanted to take some much-needed time off from spending almost 2 decades working in the corporate HR space…I wanted to spend the summer with nothing but relaxation. The second I entertained that idea a past leader ironically reached out to me. He expressed that I would be a perfect resource for an organization called ‘Catch-A-Fire”…a nonprofit that connects professionals with other nonprofits to volunteer their expertise and services to their business. It was perfect timing for me to lend my resources. I partnered with 3 nonprofits to help with their HR needs and simultaneously landed my very 1st paid HR client…and as they say, “The rest is history.”

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?

McKnight Resource Solutions is a human resources consulting company. While supporting businesses nationally, we primarily focus on identifying solutions that benefit both the business and its employees.

Our services cater to small businesses, start-ups, and nonprofit organizations. Services are also positioned to provide one-on-one individual support too. We understand that when clients seek our services, they rely on our expertise to develop strategies and solutions that align with their professional & operational business HR needs.

Although our primary services are HR related, we also pride ourselves on being able to successfully connect clients to resources beyond the HR spectrum. Our strong community partnerships with other resources makes it easy to connect clients to trusted partners should they have needs that may be unrelated to HR.

Living out the humane parts of human resources allows a great deal of ease when it comes to operating the business.  Every one of us in this world lives life. Tapping into the human element and being conscious of the ebbs and flows of what life may bring makes it quite easy to anticipate the needs of clients and provide the support our business brings. Things only become difficult if we loose sight of the human aspect while serving our clients.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?

There’s so much do to in Cali!

As a foodie, we would do a little restaurant hopping…we would try out everything from the vegan eats (Sun Cafe, Studio City) to some rooftop sightseeing (Castaway, Burbank). We’d enjoy some refreshing oceanside views (Gladstones, Santa Monica), a little night life dining (Tao, Hollywood). Oh and let’s not forget all the restaurants up and down Ventura Blvd where there are lots of neighborhood boutique and mom & pop shops of enjoyment too (& Waffles and Aroma Coffee & Tea).

We’d also get in a lot of physical activity to include walking and biking from Marina del Rey to Venice to Santa Monica and back…a little hiking would be included too…Vasquez Rocks and Switzer Falls.

If time permits, we’d hop on the train for a fun San Diego trip which would also include crossing the border for an adventurous Tijuana visit.  Taking the ferry to Catalina Island would be delightful and would serve as a nice way for us to wind us down the visit.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?

I’d like to dedicate my shoutout to my parents…although they decided to live life separately, the combination of their respective heart and mind helped to shape me.

Dad serves as the inspiration behind the business name. He was serious about his work ethic, something that is very much instilled in me. After 37 years and 8 months he retired from The City of Columbus and spent the rest of his days managing his health until is recent passing. While sorting through his belongings I came across multiple performance appraisals and service recognitions highlighting his skill-set and achievements. Dad spent a great deal of his life raising my brothers and I. He taught us what he knew best to take care of us. He was very particular, meticulous, analytical, disciplined and structured…I now understand as an adult that his ways were all in an effort to groom us for life and keep us on the right track…through it all he taught me the power of structure and discipline. I’ll be forever grateful to dad for giving me the best parts of him as it was his strong work ethic that shaped me into who I am today, most especially as it relates to his business sense…Thank you dad.

Mom on the other hand, embodies what it truly means to love despite what the world may bring. She taught me to love all the multifaceted parts of me and to never hide what makes me Ebony.  Her kind, loving, supportive, creative and adventurous spirit gives so much inspiration of how to live life authentically.  Most importantly, I always watch how she engages with others and I have witnessed nothing short of the generosity she intentionally and consistently extends.  Mom serves as a sweet reminder that everything I need lives inside of me and that I have what it takes to fulfill all of my dreams and to have fun throughout the journey…Thank you mom.

Website: https://mcknightresourcesolutions.com/

Instagram: @mcknight_resource_solutions

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ebony-a-mcknight-sphr-shrm-cp-6a28a27b/

Other: https://www.linkedin.com/company/100488152/admin/feed/posts/

Image Credits
-Headshot: @guyviauheadshots (Guy Viau) -Website & Logo: Kito Design (James Davis)

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