Meet Kevandre “Dre” Thompson

We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Kevandre “Dre” Thompson a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Kevandre “Dre”, looking forward to learning from your journey. You’ve got an amazing story and before we dive into that, let’s start with an important building block. Where do you get your work ethic from?

I come from a family of entrepreneurship and educators. My grandfather is one of the hardest working men I know. He retired from General Motors after 27 years, and owned his tax preperation service and real estate agency, while being employed the entire time. In addition to this he rented out properties, was an advocate of his community, all while being a married husband and raising his six children with his wife. Originally from Columbus, GA he relocated to Detroit,MI and planted roots here when the automobile industry began to boom. I consider him one of my greatest influences and had the pleasure to be mentored study under him in my youth.

Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?

I’m Dre Thompson, a talent strategist, professional speaker, and founder of Talent Solutions Now, a minority-owned staffing firm dedicated to transforming how organizations attract, retain, and develop talent. By day, I lead full-cycle recruitment for one of the largest industrial manufacturers in the world, placing technical and non-technical talent in engineering, automotive, and skilled trade sectors. By night (and sometimes weekends), I’m on stage or online helping people and companies shift from “vacant roles” to “value-driven hires’, to increase the bottom line.

What excites me most is helping people see the bigger picture; Whether that’s job seekers realizing their story is their brand through my S.T.A.R. Framework , or companies learning to build purpose-driven pipelines instead of chasing quick fixes. I don’t just match résumés to roles, I match people to purpose!

Right now, I’m especially excited about a few big moves. I’m speaking at DisruptHR Ann Arbor and DisruptHR Kalamazo this summer, sharing my “Hire Me? No. Follow Me.”, as well as my S.T.A.R. framework; A bold take on personal branding and storytelling in today’s job market.

Everything I do, whether it’s staffing, speaking, or consulting, is rooted in one belief: you don’t have to fit the mold to be successful; sometimes, you have to break it and build your own.

To learn more or connect, visit www.drethompson.com or check out my work at www.tsnhub.com.

Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?

Looking back, the three qualities that shaped my journey the most are: networking with intention, listening to others (being coachable), and learning to be a great follower before trying to lead.

Networking wasn’t just about handing out business cards, it was about building authentic relationships. Every major opportunity I’ve had, whether in corporate recruiting, launching my staffing/consulting firm, or getting on a speaker stage, came through someone who believed in me. For anyone early in their career: show up, follow up, and stay in the room. Don’t just collect contacts, learn to cultivate community.

Listening and being coachable took me further than any degree ever could. Early on, I learned to quiet my ego and absorb game from people who had already walked the path. Even now, I still ask for feedback like I’m just getting started. If you’re at the beginning of your journey, seek mentors, ask better questions, and apply what you learn without getting defensive.

And maybe the most underrated trait? Being a good follower. There’s power in learning how to support someone else’s vision, show up with consistency, and serve before you lead. I used to think leadership was about being out front—but some of the best moves I’ve made came from observing, learning, and waiting for my moment. As Napoleon Hill said, “Most great leaders started out as followers.”

If you’re just starting out, remember: you don’t have to skip steps. Build the basics first, and the impact will follow.

Tell us what your ideal client would be like?

My ideal client is an organization that understands people are not just a cost, they’re an investment. Whether you’re a business leader, HR professional, or association executive, I work best with those who are ready to stop reacting and start building purpose-driven workforce strategies that actually stick.

I thrive partnering with manufacturers, associations, higher education institutions, and industries facing vast skill shortages, especially in industrial sectors and workforce development. These are often organizations that are tired of attrition draining their culture and killing their bottom line, and who want more than just a warm body in a role. They’re looking to build pipelines, not revolving doors.

In staffing, my ideal clients are committed to building pathways for early career professionals and job seekers, not just hiring for today, but planning for tomorrow. They understand the value of creating on-ramps for future talent while aligning current hiring with long-term retention and leadership development.

On the speaking and consulting side, I love working with organizations that want bold, real-world insight not just fluff. If you’re looking for a speaker who blends transformational storytelling with real strategies to improve retention, employer branding, and pipeline planning, I’m your guy.

If you’re facing workforce challenges that go deeper than just hiring, and you’re ready for a partner who brings both experience and energy, we’ll probably work really well together.

Contact Info:

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