Mi McKeown

I co-founded a recruiting business with my partner, and we are deeply committed to making every placement meaningful and special. We don't just place candidates and move on - we check in with our clients to make sure they're doing well, and we check in with our candidates to ensure they're thriving in their new roles. Every time somebody gets placed, our candidate receives Tiff's Treats cookies on their first day. I always send them cookies and tell them it's sugar-free and protein packed. When clients reach out to thank us and say 'oh my gosh, you've found some amazing candidates, I can't believe you did this,' it reminds me why we do what we do. I grew up in the foster system my whole entire life, and I've made it my mission not to let my trauma define me. Instead, I've turned that experience into something positive by doing extensive volunteer work with foster girls. I mentor them and teach them that life is what you make it - you decide how you want your life to be. I want them to see how I grew up in an awful situation and then made it into something, showing them that you don't have to have your life be sucky your whole entire life. You can change it. I teach them about grit and persistence and determination. I do pageants for them to build their confidence and show them what's possible. I'm also doing speaking engagements - I have one coming up in Midland in September where I'll be speaking to 24 troubled teams about my life story, how I came up with the business, and how they can create the life they want. I'm actually writing a book about my experiences. I always say that if I can change one kid's life, then I did something good in my life. I will never know if I have, but I'm hoping that in the past I did change somebody's life and they're successful.