From Homelessness to Human Resources: A Story of Service and Resilience
Michael didn’t follow a traditional path into business ownership—or even into HR. After being discharged from the Air Force due to colorblindness, he was homeless and working third shift at Walmart when he joined the Army. Offered a choice between three job paths, he chose HR, hoping it would serve him well in civilian life.
And it did—eventually. Despite facing pushback due to military stereotypes and a male-dominated perception in an industry largely populated by women, Michael climbed the ranks in corporate HR. After nearly a decade and multiple promotions, he became a Chief Human Resource Officer. But it didn’t feel right.
“I realized HR was always treated like the red tape—the ‘no’ person,” he told me. “I wanted to be on the side of solutions.”
The Rebirth of PeopleOps Advisors
In June 2023, Michael launched People Ops Advisors. But due to personal circumstances involving a custody situation, he had to pause operations. The time away gave him a chance to reflect—and when he relaunched in Spartanburg in January 2025, he did so with clearer purpose and strategy.
Gone was the vague slogan and one-size-fits-all approach. In its place was a sharp new brand: Veteran Precision HR Excellence. His first-quarter focus wasn’t sales—it was education, networking, and building real trust in the community. Every one-on-one meeting ended with him connecting that person to at least two more contacts.
“It wasn’t about what I could get,” Michael explained. “It was about what I could give.”
Practical, Protective HR for the People Who Need It Most
What does Michael actually do? In his words, he builds tailored HR systems for small businesses that don’t yet have the processes in place to protect themselves.
From hiring paperwork to SOPs, from unemployment documentation to compliance audits—People Ops Advisors helps owners avoid costly mistakes before they happen. His clients tend to be blue-collar companies with 3 to 25 full-time employees—contractors, field services, trades, logistics, and more.
“Most of these businesses are started by doers—not planners,” Michael says. “They’re good at the work but haven’t set up the infrastructure. That’s where I come in.”
His HR systems help reduce miscommunication, improve employee accountability, and let owners focus on growing the business—not answering the same questions every day.
Changing the Conversation Around HR
One of Michael’s biggest challenges is helping small business owners shift from reactive to proactive HR thinking. Most of his clients come to him after a crisis: a termination gone wrong, an unemployment claim, a surprise OSHA audit.
“By that point, you’re not just paying the penalty—you’re also paying me to rush in and fix it fast. It’s way more expensive than it needed to be,” he said.
His mission is to change that pattern through education, community conversations, and steady content on social media. With thousands of followers across Facebook and LinkedIn, he’s building awareness every day—one post, one connection at a time.
Work-Life Balance, By Design
Michael’s business is about more than revenue—it’s about autonomy. As a veteran, a father, and the fiancé of a collegiate basketball coach who travels frequently, he’s designed PeopleOps Advisors to be mobile and flexible. He often travels alongside his fiancée, working from hotels, scouting networking opportunities, and connecting with businesses in new cities.
“For me, success isn’t about numbers,” he told us. “It’s about being at my son’s graduation at 10 a.m. on a Friday without asking anyone’s permission.”
That value—freedom of time and presence—is baked into his business model.
Every Interaction Is an Opportunity
Michael said something in our interview that stuck with me:
“Every interaction is an opportunity. It might not always be about business—but it’s always a chance to grow, learn, or help someone.”
That mindset is reflected in the way he networks, builds relationships, and approaches business: with generosity, purpose, and a focus on real human connection.