Haley McNeal of College Park, GA on Life, Lessons & Legacy

We’re looking forward to introducing you to Haley McNeal. Check out our conversation below.

Good morning Haley, we’re so happy to have you here with us and we’d love to explore your story and how you think about life and legacy and so much more. So let’s start with a question we often ask: What is a normal day like for you right now?
A normal day for me at Thrive Consulting Firm LLC is anything but ordinary — it’s a constant balancing act between leadership, client service, and motherhood. My workday typically kicks off with a flurry of Slack messages, Zoom chats, and emails that need attention before any caffeine. Between back-to-back client calls and internal team meetings, I’m fielding texts and putting out small fires that pop up throughout the day — all while keeping a running mental and written checklist of a never-ending to-do list.

Client strategy sessions and HR problem-solving fill much of my calendar, often layered between surprise calls or urgent messages that require a quick pivot. Some days it feels like I’m communicating across five different platforms at once, to keep everything moving forward with intention and clarity.

Outside of work, the rhythm doesn’t slow down — it just shifts. I’m a single mother of two amazing girls, ages 15 and 10, and being present for them is non-negotiable. One is deep in the world of competitive cheer, which means late practices, weekend competitions, and unwavering support from the sidelines. The other is learning to drive and actively involved in JROTC, which comes with its own schedule, milestones, and commitment.

Making time for them — even when my workday runs long — is a priority I fiercely protect now, being aware that the first 3 years of my business I wasn’t there as much and struggled with work/life balance. Whether it’s carpooling to cheer practice, practicing those new driving skills, or just being a sounding board for their day, I make sure they know I’m in their corner, fully.

My days are intense, layered, long and full — but they are also meaningful. I lead a firm with an amazing team of 6 women – some of which are single mothers as well, raise two incredible girls, and somehow keep everything moving. There’s no perfect balance, but there is purpose in the chaos — and that’s what drives me.

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Hi, I’m Haley McNeal, founder of Thrive Consulting Firm LLC, based in Atlanta, GA. At Thrive, we specialize in human resources strategy and operational integration for businesses that are scaling and evolving. We’re not your typical HR firm — we go beyond policy and paperwork to embed ourselves into the heart of each client’s business, aligning people, process, and purpose to drive real results. For our clients we are their outsourced HR department and integrate seamlessly as an internal support system.

What makes Thrive unique is our hands-on, people-first approach. We bring clarity and structure to complex people challenges, while also supporting companies with global ties, particularly in Latin America and Europe, as they navigate U.S.-based operations. We’ve also expanded our national visibility and have locations in New York, South Carolina, Nevada and Texas.

My story is deeply rooted in humble beginnings and resilience. I’ve built Thrive while balancing motherhood, client demands, establishing a team of HR professionals and a commitment to showing up fully — both at home and in business. Right now, we’re expanding our service reach and working on new partnerships that allow us to support even more entrepreneurs and executives through transformative people strategy. We recently launched our updated website and I invite you to take a peek at www.mythriveconsulting.com.

At Thrive Consulting Firm LLC, we believe the right HR support doesn’t just solve problems — it creates confidence, support and momentum.

Great, so let’s dive into your journey a bit more. Who taught you the most about work?
The people who taught me the most about work were the men who built my foundation — my maternal grandfather, my father, and my stepfather. All entrepreneurs at one time or another, they instilled structure, purpose, and a relentless drive in me from an early age. Their expectations were high, and at times it felt like I wasn’t living up to what I thought was reasonable — but now I realize they were calling me to rise into my full potential, not settle for what was comfortable and pushing me towards MY purpose.

Some of my earliest memories are of being in my grandfather’s print shop on Cotton Avenue or in my stepfather’s print shop on Houston Avenue, both located in Macon, Georgia where I was raised. I remember watching them work hard, hands-on, and fully committed. They didn’t just let me observe — they taught me how to typeset, print, bind, and even make t-shirts and signs for local businesses. That exposure lit a fire in me that’s never gone out, even if at times it seemed to briefly dim. It taught me not just how to work, but how to build — and how to want more.

My father, too, played a major role in shaping my work ethic. Watching him be an expert in operating heavy equipment — and seeing how people depended on his knowledge and precision — showed me the value of being truly skilled at something. I even accompanied him once or twice as a little girl, sitting right beside him in the cab of a machine that seemed larger than life. That quiet confidence he carried, and continues to carry, in his work left a lasting impression.

All of these experiences grounded me in the belief that greatness isn’t given — it’s built. And today, as the founder of Thrive Consulting Firm, I carry those early lessons with me in everything I do.

What did suffering teach you that success never could?
Suffering taught me resilience and determination in a way success never could.

There was a time when I was a struggling single mother of one, facing the kind of hardship that humbles you to your core. I sought after financial relief and was approved for public housing — a moment that could have offered relief. Although I was grateful for the assistance I was seeking, I thought it was best for me to respectfully decline in that moment, before signing the lease, because I knew I had to fight. I needed to show my daughter that even when life feels impossible, we don’t give up — we rise.

Those years were hard. For five long years, I stretched every dollar. I hustled to make extra money by bookkeeping, outside of my corporate job. I rationed food for myself — surviving most days on eggs, grits, and turkey bacon — just to make sure my daughter had formula and baby food. I learned how to move quietly but intentionally, and how to endure without losing hope.

That struggle shaped me in ways no success ever could. It taught me discipline, grit, resourcefulness, and self-respect. And when I moved to Atlanta, I carried all of that with me. I poured myself into growth — chasing education, chasing stability, chasing purpose. And I found it.

I look back on that version of me with pride — because she didn’t give up. She laid the foundation for everything I am today.

Next, maybe we can discuss some of your foundational philosophies and views? Is the public version of you the real you?
Yes — the public version of me is the real me.

I focus on authenticity in every aspect of my life, whether I’m showing up for my clients, leading my team, or navigating personal relationships. What you see is what you get. I don’t believe in putting on a professional mask or creating a version of myself that only fits certain rooms. I’ve learned that true connection — in business and in life — comes from being honest, grounded, and unapologetically real. That’s how I lead, that’s how I live, and that’s what I expect in return.

Okay, so before we go, let’s tackle one more area. Could you give everything your best, even if no one ever praised you for it?
Yes — I can give everything my best, even if no one ever praises me for it.

Most of my life, I wasn’t praised for doing what was expected. But I don’t see that as a bad thing — I was loved, and with that love came high expectations. In my world, doing “good” was the standard. To be praised, you had to go beyond — to do something truly extraordinary.

That mindset shaped who I am. It pushed me to aim higher, work harder, and never wait for validation to move forward. I was the first high school graduate in my immediate family — and I went on to pursue higher education, eventually earning my master’s degree. For me, and for my family, that in itself is extraordinary.

But what’s even more extraordinary is what I choose to do every single day — showing up. For my team. For my children. For my family. Even when it’s hard. Even when it feels impossible. I lead, I parent, I build — and I do it with the same drive whether or not anyone’s watching or applauding.

I know what I’ve built matters. I’ve changed the trajectory of my life and my children’s lives. That’s the kind of success that speaks for itself — whether or not it ever gets a round of applause.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.mythriveconsulting.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mythriveconsulting/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/thrive-consulting-firm/?viewAsMember=true
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/mythriveconsulting/100072151745701/#
• Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@mythriveconsulting?_t=ZT-8xfvad4sQAA&_r=1

Image Credits
Nathan Pearcy, NP Photography