Meet TaJuanna M. Taylor... Principal Consultant & CEO of Bootstrap Dreams LLC.
Aug 13, 2020
Interview with TaJuanna M. Taylor
About TaJuanna
TaJuanna M. Taylor is a serial optimist and serves as the Principal Consultant of her small business Bootstrap Dreams, LLC. Prior to making the big leap into full-time entrepreneurship she thoroughly enjoyed serving as a practitioner of Project Management for more than 15 years. Small business and State Government were here industries and human services was her focus. It was during the course of all those years where TaJuanna found her niche delivering highly focused learning and tactical experiences that laser in on how to achieve desired results. Through this work she was awarded over 9xs in the areas of leadership, social impact, implementation, contribution, and exemplary service.
TaJuanna earned her Bachelor's Degree in Business Marketing from Valdosta State University and proceeded with completing her Master Degree in Project Management from American InterContinental University. TaJuanna is credentialed as a globally certified Project Management Professional (PMP®), a Lean Six Sigma Green Belt, Train-the-Trainer, Process & Quality Improvement Manager among other things.
What kind of work do you do?
Simply put, business is my jam. More specifically, I help Business & Creatives take action on new ideas & projects, ditch disorganization, & utilize processes to achieve desired results. And yes, even if they are bootstrapped (hello!) and don't have all the fluff to start. As a fellow woman in business put it, I specialize in "moving people from no to go!"
What inspired you to get started as an entrepreneur?
If I'm being honest, my first journey into entrepreneurship was totally accidental. I was facing what felt like a relentless period of time with unemployment and started handcrafting jewelry to keep my sanity. Without any "rhyme or reason, not even a grand vision", I ran that handcrafted jewelry business for 8 years where my jewelry received features in notable publications. Totally shocked me and grew my perspective to the limitlessness that abides in serving others through my own business. That hobby turned business lit my fire for entrepreneurship and I've been ignited to encourage, inform, and help others launch their visions ever since.
What was your biggest struggle to get things going for your online business?
The biggest struggle to get things going in my business was converting to online networking. Working remotely wasn't unusual as that's super common in the world of Project Management. The challenge was learning how to sell and offer service for my own company. As a Project Specialist, all the "sales" were done for me. I was appointed everything from the team to the software we were using. I did have a heavy role in getting buy-in and uplifting employees, yet I didn't see that as a sales activity. So, when it came time for me to sell my expertise and service packages for my company, it took a while to convert my mindset to see sales as helpful, positively transformational and not sleazy.
Was there a time you thought about giving up? What kept you from quitting?
Even though I resigned from what is still considered steady, gainful employment immediately before the pandemic (COVID-19), I haven't looked back at all, nor have I had the thought to give up. As previously mentioned, this isn't my first rodeo at entrepreneurship. I've overcome direct encounters and/or being a beneficiary of many difficulties; domestic violence, substance abuse, the 2008 "recession" and divorce to name a few. So, acting on my feelings isn't something I'm known to do. I acknowledge how I may feel when the going gets tough and I acquire the professional support that's needed to function and think strategically whenever there's a need. Taking care of my mental and emotional wellness is imperative, not optional for me.
What have you learned since beginning?
Since beginning my journey into full-time entrepreneurship, I have learned three key things. 1) Sales doesn't have to equate to being greedy, sleazy, or sneaky. I've learned that simply having conversations with people, asking and answering questions is a very natural way to engage others and is most always ushers an opportunity. As my coach Ryann Dowdy says, "to not sell is doing yourself and others a disservice. So go out and converse with others. Get good at listening." 2) The second most important thing is to be intentional about knowing your financials. Get clear on HOW you'll monetize your skills, products, and/or services. Create a budget and track your business expenses so that you're fully informed when you have to make monetary decisions. And last but not least, 3) The many things that are NOT needed to get a business going.
What’s the best advice you’ve received?
For a long time, society has shaped a culture of competition that frowns at needing help and or showing weaknesses. Now, culture has spread more light on the importance of getting help. So when I was presented with an foreign business opportunity, I asked openly on LinkedIn via video, how to vet international opportunities. The best advice I was give was to call the Embassy of the country the business claims to operate in to determine whether or not the business is legitimate or a scam.
What advice would you give someone just starting out?
The advice I would give to someone just getting started is: You don't need all the fluff. Don't try to figure everything out, do make a decision on what you want to do and take the next natural course of action. Get things D.O.N.E., not perfect. And yep, that's an acronym.
What’s the professional win you’re most proud of?
The professional win I'm most proud of was being nominated, awarded, and presented the "Commissioner's Spotlight Award" for contribution and exemplary service. The award wasn't solicited. It was completely unexpected. The shocker wasn't related to my quality of work. It was that the award was associated with a statewide project that I led at a time when my personal life, my marriage, had publicly disintegrated. It was just the affirmation I needed to be reminded of the importance of giving myself and others grace and that again, no matter how bad life's disappointments can hurt...You can show up. You can give your best. You can still be thriving. You never know who's watching you to be inspired during their own moments of difficulty.
Is there a book you’d recommend to help with success and personal development?
The book I recommend to help with success and personal development is the Bible. And no, I'm not kidding. There are countless business cases, strategies, and beatitudes in it. Not to mention the juicy stories, better than reality TV even. If that doesn't resonate with you, give "The Five Dysfunctions of a Team" by Patrick Lencioni a chance.
Do you have a routine that you attest to your success? If yes, what is it?
The routine I attest to my success is having a vision. I believe you have to see it before you see it. Write it or type it out, a bulleted list will do. Just get it out of your head. Make it tangible. Then, you can choose a starting point for taking action. After you've made a decision on what you'll be focused on pursuing, another important factor is continuity. Calendarize everything to ensure you make time for what and who's important to you. Everything cannot be a priority. Recognize, implement, and capture a process for your work. Continuously improve upon it and before you know it, you'll be scaling.
How has social media played a factor in your success?
Social media has played a factor in my success by allowing me to connect, converse, and do business with people I otherwise would have never met. All social epidemics aside, literally, the barrier we have now in business is a glass screen. We can log in, send a message, and/or take a call from anybody, anywhere in the world and exchange perspective, value, and currency.
What are the biggest social media mistakes you see commonly made?
The biggest social media mistakes I commonly see made is the "switch and bait". That's the sleazy sales tactic some people use that appears like they're being friendly or helpful about something, and then you get on a call with them and they start pitching about something you didn't even know they were selling. That leaves you feeling like you've been snagged and schemed for something that will not be beneficial mutually. It literally makes me grit my teeth and is the number one way to get ignored, blocked, and/or not referred to others. I mean that genuinely.
What is the business tool that’s been most helpful?
The business tool that's been most helpful is one that I actually hated when I was working on big Project Management projects as an employee because it just didn't "do" enough. But for work with individuals - solopreneurs - Trello has been so good for my company. I use it for my clients' coaching and accountability programs, teaching them to take initiative of their customized action plans and track their progress. It helps them remain clear and focused on what they're pursuing, it reduces their overwhelm, and empowers them tremendously. Who knew electronic sticky notes would increase a person's confidence. Well, I guest team Trello did. For the win!
Is there something you wish everyone knew?
I wish everyone knew it's ok to be authentic, again, not perfect. As far as I can remember, I have aspired to just be myself...in friendships, in relationships, in business...it doesn't matter. Decisions are not isolated. So, in order to do that I had to set healthy boundaries and stick to them for my well-being. Self-care is not selfish, nor should it be a luxury. Once I took my standards seriously, so did the people around me. In being ok with who I am, flaws and all, I am better able to share my story. I can show up with courage and laughter knowing my struggles and joy will positively impact somebody.
What’s coming up for you in the next few months?
In the next few months I anticipate an increase in digital presence and my business' value proposition. Speaking opportunities are steadily picking up and I'm evolving as a Learning Provider to productize my knowledge and experiences and offer them as corporate training programs. Facilitating workshops, interactive and experiential learning with groups is by far my favorite!
What has being successful taught you?
Being successful has taught me that you can have all the physical things and still be discontented with the life you're living. After having much, losing lots, and rebuilding to a different definition of success, I've found my greatest assets are found in the intangible things. Don't get me wrong, being self-sufficient is very important to me. Yet, success for me can never again be contingent on a financial number, an edifice or a being.
What are some fun facts about you?
I am choosing to be well! That's a mantra I crafted, recited and believed during ONE of the most devastating times of my life. As previously mentioned, I've been knocked down more times that I can count. Sometimes by my own choices, but again, I'm courageously standing. A reflection of resilience, I'm dubbed as a serial optimist where my superpowers are motherhood and being a professional woman in business. Furthermore, you couldn't by looking at me, but I love just about all things regarding food; especially when I'm on the receiving end of dining vs preparing. I'm super energetic and love being outdoors. I'm most fulfilled when I lead by serving. I'm a faith filled woman on a mission, hell-bent, on drawing more hearts closer to Heaven and giving this life the walk it deserves. "May the work I do speak for me", is my reminder to live life on purpose.
Weblinks:
LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/tajuannamtaylor
Website: www.BootstrapDreams.com
*Some clickable media, usually the book recommendations, are affiliate links, and should you choose to buy through using those links then The Infinite Power of You Inc. may earn an affiliate payout commission. This is at no additional expense to you, and helps keep this blog going.
Photos: Erica J. Simmons Photography
Stay connected with news and updates!
Join our mailing list to receive the latest news and updates from our team.
Don't worry, your information will not be shared.
We hate SPAM. We will never sell your information, for any reason.
