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Designing with Purpose: Crafting Products that Spark Joy and Connection

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Today I am joined by Taylor Elliott, a shining light of positive energy and the woman behind the colorful, cheerful, and fabulous products on Taylor Elliot Designs. She’s here today to give us a glimpse into her life, her business, and how she creates products that spark joy and connection. Listen in to learn how Taylor made her way into the product design space, how her designs and products changed (or stayed the same) over time, and more. 

Designing with Purpose: Crafting Products that
Spark Joy and Connection

Protecting Creativity: Guarding Inspiration and Setting Boundaries

For Taylor, creativity isn’t just a skill; it’s the heart of her brand. In a fast-paced, ever-evolving industry, protecting that creativity is essential. Drawing from her personal experience and insights from others in the entrepreneurial world, Taylor emphasizes the importance of guarding one’s inspiration sources. She shares that she’s cautious about exposing herself too much to the work of others to avoid any unconscious influence. This boundary keeps her ideas genuine and helps her focus on her unique vision for Taylor Elliott Designs.

Reflecting on the wisdom of others, like her friend Sam, Taylor sees inspiration as a deliberate pursuit—whether through trips to the movies, browsing magazines, or exploring unrelated fields. This intentional approach to seeking inspiration reinforces her creativity while shielding her from the noise of competitors.

Finding Empowerment in Numbers

As a creative entrepreneur, Taylor admits that metrics and numbers weren’t always her forte. Yet, she’s come to understand that a deep knowledge of her business’s finances is crucial for sustainable growth. Early in her journey, her husband, Blake, created a “Numbers Girl for Blake” spreadsheet to guide her in maintaining healthy profit margins—a tool that has since become essential in her decision-making process.

While financial planning once intimidated her, Taylor now recognizes it as empowering. With support from experts like Christine at She Profits Now, Taylor has made tremendous strides in understanding inventory forecasting and financial metrics. By flexing her “numbers muscle,” she’s found that having a firm grasp on finances actually enables more creativity, giving her the freedom to make bolder choices for her brand.

Fostering a People-Centric Culture: Being a Great Boss

As a boss, Taylor emphasizes the values of kindness, empathy, and teamwork. With a team comprising several working moms, she leads with an understanding of the importance of family and work-life balance. Her philosophy of “work hard, play hard” isn’t just a catchy phrase—it’s a way of ensuring that her team feels valued and supported. For Taylor, creating a flexible, compassionate environment is key to building a workplace where people thrive.

At the core, Taylor’s commitment to being a great boss is about understanding the priorities of her team members. She sees their personal lives, especially family time, as paramount, fostering a workplace culture where success and support coexist.

Looking Ahead: Building a Legacy with Heart

When Taylor envisions the future of her business, she dreams of a legacy grounded in trust, kindness, and exceptional customer care. She aspires to create a brand that’s about more than just transactions, emphasizing meaningful relationships and a commitment to customer satisfaction. Her goal is to be remembered as a brand with a heart—a company known for high-quality products, compassionate service, and unwavering integrity.

Reflecting on her dream for the future, Taylor imagines a day when she’s sitting on the porch with her grandchildren, proud of the business she’s built. To her, success isn’t only measured in sales but in the impact her brand has on people’s lives.

In This Episode

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