Meet SC Biz News’ inaugural Best Woman-Owned Businesses honorees
Rhiannon Poore, Founder & CEO of Forge Search + Consulting
October 14, 2024
“In the Lead: Best Women-Owned Businesses” is a new recognition from SC Biz News that celebrates businesses that are owned by a woman or women and demonstrate success across many areas.
In this feature you’ll read about what it means to be a women-owned business from the perspective of those on the front lines, the challenges women face in male-dominated industries and how female executives and leaders support other women.
To be named one of the Best Women-Owned Businesses, a company must be entirely or substantially based in South Carolina.
These companies:
Demonstrate success in the market through growth in revenues or employees.
Have been a trailblazer in a sector traditionally dominated by male-owned companies.
Have been recognized as a best workplace because of employee support programs.
Show a high level of employee morale.
Are able to demonstrate strong and consistent community engagement.
Are recognized within its industry as a leader or as an up-andcoming player.
Are responsible for a product breakthrough or some other innovation.
Congratulations to all the “In the Lead: Best Women-Owned Businesses” honorees, and for continuing to crash through that glass ceiling.
Forge Search + Consulting
About: Forge Search + Consulting is a professional recruiting firm built on partnerships and powered by relationships. We specialize in recruiting mid- to executive-level talent.
Top female executive: Rhiannon Poore, Founder & CEO
What does it mean to you to be a women-owned business?
My daily focus is on being the very best recruiting firm that we can be, regardless of gender. That being said, I am proud and grateful for what we have accomplished in 3.5 years as an entrepreneurial small business! We have clients across the globe, and are working to identify top talent both here in the Carolinas and across the nation. We operate with excellence and empathy, which brings us back to our core mission of helping people thrive.
What challenges have you faced as a women-owned business?
I feel very fortunate that we have wonderful clients who treat us as a true partner to the business, with respect and transparency. The Greenville business community has been incredibly welcoming and supportive. The challenges we face are the same ones our clients face: growing at the right pace, balancing excellence and empathy, and responding to challenges in the marketplace with clarity and confidence. On the personal side, there are always sacrifices that come with any worthy endeavor. My husband and children are my biggest cheerleaders; and for that I am eternally grateful.
How do you support women in your business and community?
As a woman-owned company, Forge has created a team that is heavily comprised of women with different backgrounds. Some are mothers, some are not. Some have worked their entire career; others are returning to the workforce after staying at home for some time. We understand the difficulty of juggling a career and being a mom. We provide opportunities to learn and grow, and when we don’t have the answer internally, we bring in other experts. Forge is also intentionally invested in the Greenville philanthropic community. We support Soteria, which is a non-profit helping men and women return to the workforce after incarceration. We also support United Way of Greenville Country, and I serve on the United Way board. I work to mentor women looking to advance their career.
What recent accomplishments are you most proud of?
I am the most proud of our team. Watching these recruiters develop professionally and personally is incredibly meaningful to me. The opportunity to help fuel their dreams brings deep satisfaction. From the company standpoint, we are on track for 40% growth over last year and most of that revenue is contributed by our team. Being able to work at a strategic, consultative level with our clients has been especially meaningful. I’m proud of my kids for starting new schools and doing hard things. Yes, there have been awards and such, but I’m the most proud of all the intangibles along the way.
You can view the article in its original entirety on SC Biz News.