Meet Rae Michelle Bullard

 

We recently connected with Rae Michelle Bullard and have shared our conversation below.

Rae Michelle, thank you so much for making time for us. We’ve always admired your ability to take risks and so maybe we can kick things off with a discussion around how you developed your ability to take and bear risk?

After being laid off from a corporate position, I took a significant risk by starting my own company, MyHRLane just a week later, despite having no prior experience in running a business. With nearly 20 years of HR experience, I ventured into entrepreneurship with limited knowledge but a strong determination to succeed. Shortly after, I secured a C-Suite position, but my passion for business ownership drove me to take another bold step. I informed the CEO about my newly founded company and proposed an opportunity for my company to handle their HR services for several years. This was a substantial risk, as the company could have easily declined my proposal. However, the CEO recognized my expertise, experience, and passion for transformation, leading to a successful partnership.

The next major risk involved relocating my company from Florida to Georgia, where I had minimal professional relationships. I quickly immersed myself in the local community, actively networking, offering free services, and building a brand from the ground up in a new city. Leaving a six-figure C-Suite position to become a full-time entrepreneur was daunting, but the experience proved to be immensely rewarding. Through perseverance and strategic risk-taking, I transformed challenges into opportunities and established a thriving business in a new market.

Overall, my risk-taking skills were honed through a combination of professional growth, personal resilience, and a proactive approach to embracing and navigating uncertainty. Each risk I took built upon previous experiences, leading to the development of a strong risk-taking aptitude that has been integral to my success as an entrepreneur.

Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?

We are passionate about our clients. We intentionally design our customer service experience to ensure every client feels like our top priority. We specialize in supporting clients who may not know how to handle their day-to-day HR operations or prefer not to. Our goal is to fill the gaps where needed, leveraging our expertise in compliance, recruiting top talent, and developing employee skill sets. By focusing on people, we enable our clients to concentrate on their core business.
Last year, we were named one of the Top 10 Strategic Planning Services Providers, by Manage HR Magazine. In 2024, we are committed to expanding our small-medium business division and government contracting. We aim to partner with smaller municipalities that need HR expertise but operate on limited budgets. Additionally, we are launching “The Daily Habits,” a training program dedicated to fostering healthy habits that enhance leadership and soft skills for employees. The training program will be offered through onsite and virtual methods.

At MyHRLane, we prioritize employee development because we understand that well-developed employees are key to successful business operations. Furthermore, our staff offers free career advice through our Career Compass podcast for students at American InterContinental University, California Southern University, and Trident University International. We also work closely with high school students, helping them prepare for the job market with proper resume writing and interview skills.

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?

Reflecting on my journey to start MyHRLane, the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful were:

1. Resilience and Adaptability:
Being laid off from a corporate position was a significant challenge, but it also provided an opportunity to pivot and pursue entrepreneurship. The ability to adapt to new circumstances and bounce back from setbacks was crucial in establishing and growing my business.
2. Strategic Networking and Relationship Building:
Relocating my business to a new state where I had minimal connections required proactive networking and relationship building. Establishing a presence in the community and creating meaningful connections was vital for business growth.
3. Innovative Problem-Solving and Strategic Thinking:
Proposing a partnership with the CEO and identifying gaps in the market required innovative problem-solving and strategic thinking. These skills enabled me to create unique solutions and capitalize on opportunities.

Lastly, I continue to sharpen my skills through continuous learning, leaning heavily on multiple mentors, and practicing patience with a commitment to my goals.

Tell us what your ideal client would be like?

My ideal client is a small to medium-sized business or agency that recognizes the importance of effective HR management but may lack the resources or expertise to handle it internally. For businesses who are in growth model, and looking to expand, we manage the increasing number of employees and how compliance may change based on the company’s growth goals. Other ideal clients are those companies who may lack the HR expertise needed to handle the daily operations and strategic initiatives. Because we are an all-inclusive firm, we can support workforce needs from startups who need full HR support to large enterprises who may be focused on singular projects.
Overall, MyHRLane can provide tailored HR solutions that address their specific challenges and help them achieve their business objectives.

Contact Info:

Image Credits

Brookhaven, GA Chief of Police Brandon Gurley
ChildNet Executive Team
Hawque Protection Group Leadership Team
Top 10 Strategic Planning Services Provider Award
Brookhaven, GA Chamber of Commerce
MarshMcLennan President & CEO John Q. Doyle
The Daily Habits of Leaders Training Program

 

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