From corporate America to coworking

She used to source parts, now she sources people.

Geneva Taylor was a purchasing executive primarily for both Navistar and Rolls Royce for more than 25 years. In 2016, she started looking for something different and heard about recruiting.

“I did a lot of things I liked to do and I still get to do,” Taylor said. “Throughout my career, I’ve mentored people and helped them with careers. It felt really natural that instead of sourcing parts, I source people.”

Taylor bought an MRI Network franchise and started Tellis Executive Search, named after her maiden name. Tellis provides recruitment and staffing services focused on engineering, manufacturing and supply chain roles along with IT positions.

“It was the first time I’ve learned something new in a long time,” Taylor said.

Along with learning new things, Taylor is working at new places. And thanks to fellow zWORKer, Paul McCoy, she discovered zWORKS.

Through the various zWORKS’ partnerships, she has become somewhat of a coworking guru. zWORKS, Speakeasy and Platform 24 are her main base of operations. On occasion, she tosses in some time at Skyline Club in the OneAmerica building downtown.

On any given day, Taylor might be looking down at Monument Circle, eating lunch on Zionsville’s Main Street, calling clients from Platform 24 or meeting new people at Speakeasy.

“The biggest opportunity I’ve had since leaving corporate America is just meeting such a diverse group of people from all kinds of industries,” Taylor said.

In her opinion, the two most important things at a coworking space are a good internet connection and relevant networking opportunities.

“Everybody for the most part is really friendly and has helped me meet more people and get more connections,” Taylor said.

Making those connections for her clients is why she enjoys what she does.

“What makes me feel good is when I hear back from a candidate or client,” she said. “They might say, ‘I can’t believe the person you brought to us. They’re working out so great. I could see them being a leader in our business.’”

Taylor said her main goal is to act like she’s hiring the job seeker to work for her.

“I was taught to put myself in somebody else’s shoes and I live my life like that, so that’s how I recruit,” she added.

For more information about Tellis or to contact Geneva, email geneva@tellissearch.com or call 317-449-2538.

Getting to know Geneva:

• Paul McCoy’s nickname for Geneva is “Rocky” after hearing one of her phone conversations with a troublesome supplier while they were both working for Rolls-Royce.
• In 2010, she helped restart the Soroptimist Club in Indy that helps women and girls in their local communities.