If You Don’t Adapt, It’s Not Going To Work with Taylor Jones McClellan, The Tiny Closet

Let's talk about your business strategy and the juicy details of what actually works, from mainstream fashion to fashion on Main street and the entire ecosystem behind it. How do we scale your company and do it with the balance and the happiness that we all seek? Let's hear from those insiders, experts, and strategists that actually make it happen. I'm your host, Ashley Alderson from the Boutique Hub, and I can't wait to chat.

Hey, guys.

Welcome back. We have a life update podcast today. I. I'm trying to remember the last time I got to talk to you on the podcast that you were on. I think you still had the bus.

Yeah. And you didn't have video yet. You were still just all audio. Yeah.

Oh, isn't that funny how life changes? Look at us. Like, it's glowing up 2.0 right now.

Exactly.

Oh, well, we have so much to dig into today, so let's. Let's start with a life update. The last time I talked to you, you were single. You were dating Blake.

Yeah.

I don't even think you were engaged yet, and you had the bus. So much has changed since then. Give me, like, a business update. How are things going?

It's been great. The last time we talked and I was on the podcast, we were in a very small office. It was the very first office that we had in Auburn. And since then, we went and had. This was. Oh, my God. This was like, pre Covid. Yeah. So it was like in 2019, we went and did, like, a whole pop up in our mall. Realized I did not like being in a mall at all. Hours were too long. There was too many different people not happening. So the people that are in a mall, I'm like, all power to you. There's no way. And then we had our first. Our second storefront, which was in Opelika. And then I got engaged, and then we got married. It's so funny because everybody thinks that, like, Blake and I had a honeymoon baby because we got married in May of 2022, and then I was pregnant May of. No, no. I ended up actually being pregnant in Vegas at Magic in August. Had no idea. No idea. Never, never go out and party when we're in Vegas at Magic. The one time I went out, hung out with friends, drinking, having a blast, was exhausted the last day of Magic, and I was like, oh, my gosh, did I take, like, instead of my Adderall, did I actually accidentally take, like, an Ambien? So I'm like, chugging Red Bulls. I had two Red Bulls. Coffee. And I was like, oh, my gosh, I'm exhausted. I. I get back, I was pregnant. Had no idea. No idea. So was pregnant in August. Everybody's like, oh, my gosh. Like, y' all didn't wait any time. I was like, well, Blake and I have been together for 10 years, so it was time. So I had my daughter Sophia in April of this year. So running the boutique pregnant was very, very different. And we can get into that for sure. But, yeah, no, everything's going good. I've started a couple of other businesses ever since then. Kind of dabbled into a little bit of everything and just trying to juggle mom, boss, and wife life now.

I love it. Let's start there. I want to dig into that first. We all. The business things will come to. But I think so often I get to talk to boutique owners who maybe came into the business already having a family or like, their life was somewhat established. But you started when you were single. So I just want to talk about what were your expectations? What did you think it was going to be? Like, maybe misconceptions you had.

Right.

About running a business, being pregnant, having your first child, versus what was your reality?

So in 2017, when we started, I obviously was 22 years old, and in my. And that was hustle culture. That was like, you wake up, you work, you eat, you doing photo shoots, you're having, like, all the fun. Everything was fun until probably up to the point of where, like, it was no longer, like, a hobby. It started to be bills and employees and everything. And that still was a lot of fun because I was like, I've got employees. I've got this. I've got that. And then it started to hit. That was like, okay, like, this is actually, like, an income. This is like paying bills. This is what we're doing. So I was good. And then when I got married, it was one of those that I was like, okay, I've got to take this in. I need to, like, focus on my marriage. Like, I've got. This is like, there's a wedding. I need to relax on my honeymoon. I was still working on my honeymoon. Like, it was. It was. It was hard because it was like, I didn't get the traditional. Like, you go to the honeymoon, you turn your phone off, you don't talk to anybody. Like, I was still working, so it was a little bit harder. And then once I got pregnant, I was like, oh, I can still hustle. I can do. No. When you get pregnant, I just did not know how hard it Was to be pregnant and not even a sense of like, oh, my gosh, I'm so big, I can't go around. No, it's like, your mental changes. Yeah, like crazy. And I had no idea. So my motivation was, like, just everything. It was one of those that I was like, I don't care. I'm just. I'm tired. I'm exhausted. So I'm thankful for my team that was still showing up every day, because there were days I was like, I'm gonna nap right here under my desk for just, like, 20 minutes and then wake me up. Like, it was hard because the creativity was, like, leaving, like, nothing. I was just kind of like, what are we doing? And of course, that probably is not, like, what you want to do as a recession is starting is to, like, just lose. Also, I kind of. I told Mom. I was like, I really wish I would have tried to focus right as my pregnancy was, like, ending to be like, okay, we don't need to buy all of this stuff. I. This is not working. But I was just trying to, like, push out stuff every single day, and it just. It wasn't working. So now that I've kind of, like, restricted back from that. We've had my daughter, she is seven months old now, which I'm like, where does the time go? Like, time moves so much faster. I was looking at your post the other day of your three, and I was like, they're teenagers. They look grown. And I was like, I remember when Ashley was posting them, and they were, like, so, like, little. And I was like, well, I guess it has been seven years, so I guess it. But I mean, it's just hard to think, like, I started this seven years ago, so, like, the change of it has been, like, so weird and so hard. So now, like I told you, I'm trying to transition a little bit. We still have the boutique. We're still doing it. But I'm trying to have other forms of income come in. So that way I'm not like, this has to work, and if it doesn't work, I don't know what I'm gonna do. Instead of, like, putting all my eggs in a basket. I've tried to, like, kind of dabble in a lot of different things that I've liked, Whether it's been, like, social media marketing and helping others, like, with their social media, where they don't know exactly, like, how are you uploading products to Shopify or how are you building this website? Like, I'm able to do that, or even just like, help with their social media management. I've dabbled in that. I've loved that. I've started doing wholesale and started, like a T shirt company, which we call 26 Threads, which is people. Like, where did 26 come from? I was like, well, my daughter was born on the 26, so. So we were trying to think of something that wasn't necessarily related to tiny closet. Like, I didn't want to be like, tiny threads or anything. I was like, this way, nobody is like, is it for tiny people? Is it tiny clothes? I'm like, no, it's not. So nobody could say, like, unless they're like, Is this for 26 year olds? Like, I don't know what they could possibly come up with, but they will. So a lot of different things. A lot of has changed in what, six, seven years of trying to do it all. So I slowed down a little bit just because I need to spend time with my daughter. But the hustle's still there. It's just not as like I'm eating more than just energy drinks now.

Well, I think you bring up a good point. And this, this has been my experience too, is there's just seasons.

Yeah.

There's just so many different seasons of life and different seasons of business. And the beautiful thing is there's so many different ways to do this business. Right. It's not one size fits all. Like you said, you thought, like, oh, I just have to do the boutique. Like, I'm just relying on what I'm selling through the boutique. There's so much more than that.

Right.

I really want to dig into all that, but I. I have to ask you one more Sophia question. Because you talk about the pregnancy being hard, but, yeah, talk to me about then bringing her home and how you did. How you adjusted just your life.

Yeah.

Because first child's hard.

Yes.

Easier. Third child's a breeze. I'm just here to tell you. Babies out.

Taylor.

Third, how did you adjust? Like, what new systems or processes did you have to put in place? Right. Or how did you, like, change your schedule or like strategic operations? How did that shift? And then we'll talk about those other businesses after that.

So when she first came home, it was kind of a little bit easier because she just slept. Like, she'd wake up, she'd eat, she'd sleep. So I would be. We'd be laying in bed. Cause it was nice because Blake actually got paternity leave from the hospital, so he was actually out for like a month with me. So I was like, yes, so we really just kind of laid in bed for a month and, like, would try to, like, clean. Because even, like, after having a baby, your body and mind are just so, like. I mean, you know, your hormones are everywhere. You don't know what's going on. Like, that was a really big change to me was to be like, wow. I didn't know that there was a such thing. Like, they talk about, like, you know, like, you cry when you're pregnant. And I was like, yeah. But I didn't know that there was, like, you know, really hard postpartum depression and anxiety. Like, there were just times of intrusive thoughts. I mean, nobody talks about that kind of stuff. And I was like, what is this? I thought, like, all of that went away when the baby. No. So trying to adjust, like, my mind to say, like, no, like, you can do this. And then trying to be like, I'm going to be a good mom. But I really have had a ton of support. Like, Blake has been incredible. But it was nice because when he was here, like, I would sit there on the computer. He's the type that. He's like, I'll get up and I'll feed her, and I change her. I'm like, perfect. He's not afraid to change her, feed her, bathe, or whatever. So I'm like, okay, cool. So being able to, like, I could lay in bed and sit there and do new arrivals. The girls would actually that were working for me, they would, like, shoot photos, and they would. I'd go get the SIM card, I'd edit. They do try ons for me. So they were kind of running it for a good amount of time of it until I came back. And then we started kind of changing things around because we were dropping things, like, daily. And. And that is so hard. That's a lot of inventory. That's a lot of money. That's a lot of time. And, like, I was still sitting there, being the one to edit everything, to post everything. Like, also trying to have a newborn baby waking up every two hours. So my sleep was, like, gone. Yeah. So we started changing once I got back fully to the store. So it was probably about, like, a month and a half that I actually ended up going back every day, because when Blake went back to work, I started going back to work. So when I started doing that, it got easier because the girls really loved Sophia. Like, they've all been around babies so that they would like, oh, I'll hold her. I'll feed her. I'm like, cool. Love that but then it started getting to a point where she was no longer comfortable at the office. So I was like, okay, I've got to make a change to where my daughter is now comfortable. It's no longer about me. It's no longer about, like, what I need. It's what she needs. So we actually ended up moving all of our inventory to the storefront that we opened in downtown Auburn, and then we moved all the shipping home, which has been, like, in my head. The thing is, like, my house isn't small, but it's an older home, so the rooms are smaller.

Yeah.

Like. Like they were back in the day. So there is just, like, boxes everywhere. And I love my husband because he's literally, like, so there's 10 boxes in the doorway. What are we doing? Because running a boutique and bringing inventory in and then having T shirts come in with boxes and boxes, and they come in every day.

Yeah.

So thank God that Blake is so patient. But everything did change, and so now I'm kind. I like where everything is now and how everything's going because, like, it's starting more of, like, people buying more now being able to. I can actually get back into doing it rather than being like, okay, so I had a baby, and now we're going to change and move everything. Yeah. So much of that. Yeah. Goes. Yeah. It's. It's. It's been one of those two that I've had to talk to Blake and be like, I have to be okay with change. Like, everything is changing. Like, we're transferring. I mean, I'm really excited about 2024, because there is going to be a shift, but it's like, one of those that. It's like, it's personal life and it's business life. Like, everything shifting with boutique world and just trying new things. And then, like, my brother's moving, and I've never been away from him. Like, we've always lived in the same town. It's not, like, five minutes from each other. So now he's moving to Nashville, which is five hours for me, and I'm like, okay, we're going to do this. We've got this. So it's been a lot of change, but it's been a lot of good change. Hopefully.

One of my favorite things that we do throughout the year at the Boutique Hub is getting together in person and networking and sharing wins, but also learning from some of the best experts in our industry and some of the best boutique owners in our industry. And that's what we do at the Boutique Summit. I hope you have saved the date June 9th and 10th in Dallas, Texas, for the Boutique Summit. It is our industry's biggest gathering of the year. This year we have over 30 speakers, led by some amazing keynotes, including the best leadership speaker and author. You guys, I'm giddy with excitement. It's John Acuff. Please read his books or look him up if you have not already. Also, my friend Dominique Broadway digging into the finances. Lynn Graff talking about really mastering your brand and your story more crucial now than ever. And of course, I'll be dropping a few keynotes as well. You guys, this year, the theme is the Rising Phoenix, and it couldn't be more timely for our industry. So I hope to see you there. Snag a ticket, save the date June 9th and 10th, 2024, in Dallas, Texas. So I'm sure through that change, though, one thing you've learned is how not to be the bottleneck of all of it. And something that I know. The first time you and I were on the podcast, we talked a lot about your social media, building a personal, being a really recognizable face. But when you go through pregnancy and then being home for a month with a baby, that changes. You've had to introduce additional models.

Right.

And getting additional people just into the processes. What did that look like? How did your customers accept, like, new faces and you a brand more than just it being about you?

Well, I knew whenever I was, because what we used to do was anytime there was like, a bigger collection. So, like, if we dropped, like, Valentine's Day, like, there was going to be me and two other girls. Otherwise, daily arrivals were always me. Yeah. And I didn't mind it. I mean, it still drove me crazy to have to get ready every other day and put makeup on. But it was easy because my customers knew, like, Gracie and they knew McKenzie and they knew Casey and they knew me. So they knew, like, a majority of it. So once I got to a point that I was no longer able to fit in the clothes without looking incredibly pregnant, or I just really couldn't fit in anything, I was able to still have, like, Gracie and Mackenzie and Casey shoot, but for try on videos, I would be right there next to them being like, oh, my gosh, you guys, you have to see this. Like, we talked with each other because that's what I've got a friend that she's pregnant now and she's a boutique owner, and she was telling me, like, I don't gotta figure out what to do in the spring when I'm really Pregnant. And I was like, do a baby shower collection. Still be in there. Because when we did our baby shower collection, like, it sold so well. Yeah. Because I was pregnant, and I could really show you what a bump looked like in said clothes, and I could model in them and then also have clothes, like, if you want to go to a baby shower. So I was like, this is going to work. So it did. But of course, after I had Sophia and tried to do, like, a baby shower part two at inviting a model, and it didn't work out as well because I went pregnant. So I was like. But it was nice because everybody knows Gracie, because a lot is funny, because a lot of my customers, I think, think that she's a lot taller than she is. So Gracie is 5:2, and a lot of people are like, oh, my gosh, what does this look like on a short girl? I'm like, well, Gracie's 5:2, so this is what it's going to look like. So it's funny that a lot of people could relate to, like, me and my size, like, when I was pregnant, because I have people that are like, hey, can this work for a bump? And I'm like, yeah, absolutely. Or I'd be like, no. Or, like, how far along? So I'm able to kind of interact with them. And then Gracie's able to be like, yeah, so this is gonna be for my short girls. And then Casey was more of our, like, size medium large to extra large. So she was like, yes, I can do this one. No, I could go up in this. So it was nice to kind of have a mixture of everybody. So people really enjoyed it, which is nice. But they always bought off of me, which is hard because when I was pregnant, I was like, this works. And then nobody's ever gonna, like, do it like you are. They're not gonna ever take the photos like you are, or, like, model or interact. So you're kind of like, okay, how do we make this better? Like, how do we. So I was really happy and grateful for the team that I had when I was pregnant, because it was like, I got married, I was planning a wedding, got married, went on a honeymoon, ended up being pregnant, and they were still there. And it was like, we still ran as a team. Yeah. So now everything is a little bit different, because now I'm like, okay, so how do I now show this team how to manufacture and help me with wholesale? So it's like, everybody's changing, and that's what some of my girls, they're like, I hate Change. I'm like, well, you're gonna have to love it, because this is what I was like, I can't stay still. I was like, you have to adapt, otherwise you're literally going to stay still in this industry. I was like, if you don't adapt, it's not going to work.

You know, you're so right. That's exactly where this industry is at right now. And I've had that conversation with so many boutique owners, even members of our own team. Like, hey, you don't change working for a small business or owning a small business. It's not a good idea for you. Because the only thing certain is uncertainty and change. When you.

Right. It is. When they literally tell you it's a roller coaster. Like, it is, in fact, a roller coaster.

It is 100. It can be so good. There's so many blessings with that.

Right?

But you can't let the change or like the down times, you can't let those crush you.

Right?

Because they're inevitable. They're always. They're going to come. You're going to face uncertainty and you're going to face hard times, but you have to know how to push through it. So how did you just start to make this decision of, like, okay, I don't have to just do the boutique. I can do multiple different things. I can have multiple revenue streams. How did you start to lean into that? What was your first step?

Well, honestly, it's. It's been super helpful because I always see Jeremy and Susie from Nanomax, and they have been literally. And I'm gonna. I'll always shout them out. I was like, they have been like. Like, they're such good friends, but there's such good mentors, too. We always go to dinner when we go to market or anything. And so Jeremy's always like, so, what's your next venture that you're gonna do? And I'm like, do I need one? Like, what do you do? So they've always been super helpful to be like, so, like, this could be a really good idea. Like, you know, so they really kind of showed me, like, you know, this does not have to be the only thing that you do. There needs to be other forms of revenue coming in. Because if tomorrow this crashed and burned, what you doing? So it really started making me think, like, so what can I do to one to make me happy that it's not going to drive me crazy? It still makes sense for me to do and that I'm good at. So it's always been like, you Know, I've sold like real ideas because there's a lot of things that people will pay for and obviously education is one of them. The hub has always been like, you know, everybody's like, how do I find this? I'm like, literally just go to the hub. Like, there's so many resources there. Like that go there. I was like, but if you have a very specific question, I was like, I can answer them for you. I was like, or if you need me to deep dive into your social media, I was like, I can do that for you. I was like, but if you need to have like a wide range of questions, like, I'm just going to give you this website and this $24 a month. Here you go. Like, there you go. So, but it's like, I've been able to like help people, like with their social medias, explain to people. Like, I've had a couple of phone calls with people just to ask me questions of like, okay, so like, what's market? Like, because people don't know, like very specific things that like, we know. So like I had a phone call with one girl and she literally, we stayed on the phone for an hour and she just asked me questions that were like, so when I go to market, like, how does it work? Like, do I give them a credit card? Do I pay right then? Like, they have no idea. And I'm like, oh, I can sell that information all day, every day. Like that, that's, that's no secret sauce. Like, that's just something like when I first started, I had no idea what market was like, like, no idea how it worked. So be able to do that. And then like, people can also buy services from me. That's like, do you want me to go to market with you and explain it to you? So I've like done that with people too. So it's been nice because I've done that and then like tried to stay creative and do things and like sell content or help people with their content, give them ideas one on one talks like, it's been nice because I can still explain, explain it, talk about it all day. I just don't have to do it. So that's been nice. And then doing the 26 Threads and being creative with it and getting to design things and go back and forth with people and give ideas. Like, that's been nice too because I'm not having to sell like a huge volume of things to like multiple, multiple people. It's just one really big order and I'm like, and My day is done. Cool. Made that quote. Love that. So it's. It's been, like, very different of a lot of things, but it's a lot of things that I've always wanted to dabble in. But I thought that I just had to be in the boutique because I thought, like, that's where I make money. Like, that's it. And then I realized I was like, oh, I need other ventures, need to do other things, because if this whole thing crashed and burned, what am I gonna do? Yeah, so it was one of those. It was like a sink or swim. Like, we gotta figure this out.

You know what's interesting about that is I think it's really easy for people to get their identity completely wrapped up and locked on one thing, and then start to panic and think, okay, without this thing, who am I? I even have it with the hub, to be honest. Like, yeah, okay, without the hub, who am I and what do I do? So I love this because you're diversifying it, and your eggs are not all in one basket, and your identity is not locked in one place. But I think for you, what's probably made that an easy transition for you is you've always done a great job of building a personal brand. Like, you built who you are with the character traits that you have and just being real and authentic. And then all these other things have been kind of like a mesh of that.

Right.

So if someone's listening and they're like, taylor, how do I build a personal brand? What does that even mean? Where do I start? What does that look like?

Well, I've always told people, I was like, you just got to post. Like, there's times that. And I think Carly and I from Everyday Chic Boutique, we kind of talked about this at Magic. She was like, you really, like, know, like, your personal brand? And I was like, carly, I literally just post whatever like, that is. Literally. It may look strategic. It's not. In no way is it, but in a way, to me, it almost feels like a therapy. Like, I will literally record something, post it on stories just because I'm like, I just want to talk. Like, I just need to. To say this to somebody. And I have probably said the most outlandish, like, random things to my husband that he's probably like, okay, so for me to have somebody else that maybe if they hear it, they're like, oh, my God, I did the exact same thing. Like, it's. It's nice. So then that's what mom and the baby just walked in. But they it's been nice because whenever I did have Sophia, it was one of those that I could then get, like, recommendations of baby products. I could get all of these things, and it was easier to kind of transition from being, like, just the boutique owner. So now I'm a mom, and I can, like, post baby stuff, but I can also post content and post business stuff. So that's. It's been nice. It's really important. And I've told people this to have a personal brand, because I give the example. Tori from Pink Lily. She is the influencer of Pink Lily. She's the. She's the CEO, but, like, she's kind of like an. She's an influencer because when she posts, like, gift guides, they're Pink Lily. And I'm like that. To me, I've always told people that. I was like, if you do not have a personal brand with your boot, I mean, that's just another place for more eyes to see it. And it looked a little bit more genuine, and it kind of gives a little bit more credibility, like, oh, the owner's posting this. So, like, she. She knows her stuff. So I'm like, I think it's super important. It doesn't have to be strategic. A lot of times people are just like, oh, this is really raw and real. And I follow a lot of influencers, and I think that that's something that's kind of important, that I've seen a lot of people talk, even in the Hub, and that some influencers are getting a little bit too, like, what is it, qvc? Like, it looks a little too, like, hey, you're trying to sell me something. But then, like, if you share, like, your day in the life, and you share just, like, what you're doing and you kind of, like, throw in a little product, like, it. It looks more genuine. So then people are like, oh, okay, this is her personal brand, not the store that's trying to sell me. She's just showing me that she literally uses this all day, every day. Yeah. So I. I love it. And I also feel like I just kind of post random things, like, on my personal page, which is nice, because then people kind of see too, like, okay, so Taylor's talking about the tiny closet, but she's also talking about, like, you know, the chipmunks that are digging holes in her yard. Like, it's a little bit of it all. So it's. I really think it's important to have a personal brand then to just be like, yeah, because when people come up to me like, oh, you're the tiny tay. I'm like, yes, you know me from that. But when people come up to me, they're like, you're the tiny closet. I'm like, yes, kind of. That is my business. Yes. But I don't want to just be identified as, like, the tiny closet. Like, huh. Taylor. Yes. Nice to meet you. So it's, It's. It's like a. A blessing and a curse at times too.

The cool part, and I think Jenna Kutcher talks about this. I think she calls it her Fab 5 is everyone's. Fab 5 is a little bit different. Like, it's the five different things. So you might be talking about marriage, baby chipmunks, being a business owner and social media.

Right.

And fashion. So it's five different things. Everyone's. I just think that's what makes Instagram so cool is I. I would talk about horses and rodeo. Like, and I really.

Anybody? No, I can't relate to it, but I love hearing it because I'm like, actually post more about the nfr because I don't know what that is and I need to know. Like, I love seeing you post about, like, horses. Same thing. Because I'm like, I'll never have that. But, like, it's so fun to see because I'm like, so what does that mean? Like, what do you mean? Like what? Like, I'm like, so. I'm like, so what kind of trailer is that that you're putting? Like, I don't know, but I think it's so interesting. It's such a different world.

I feel like that you post about, like, even pageant stuff.

I'm like, that's. That's new again. Yeah.

We are our worst enemy, right? We're our worst enemy. And telling ourselves, like, no one really cares about that. No one really wants to see that. No, no one wants to see what you ate for lunch. Yes, they do.

And it's. It's crazy that people, like, it's almost like they want to hyper fixate on people because I do it all the time too. Like, I'll sit there and I'll watch somebody and I'll watch them clean, and I'm like, oh, that's a new way to do it. Like, so it's, It's. It's so different because it's like. And I think too, that sometimes when I do post about pageant stuff, that I'm like, because I decided, God, for some reason, decided to put me back in them because I swore them off, like, in 2018. I was like, I'm never doing this again. It's not happening. And then one day it was like, you know what? I kind of miss this and I think I'm going to get back into it. Mom was like, what? What are you doing? What are we doing? I was like, so mom, I'm gonna start more businesses. I'm gonna be in a pageant and we're gonna do this. And she was like, okay. But I was telling her, I almost feel like it's a new. Like for seven years I was in the in boutique world and I'm still in boutique world, but like there's more avenues like we talked about. Like there's more places to do and more things to like, you don't have to be stuck just in the boutique world. Like it's a fun world, it's exciting, but like, you know, sometimes you gotta, you gotta branch out and like you're still in it, but it's not like you're hyper fixated on this. Like you can do other things too. So that's what like, so now we're back in a Mrs. Pageant, we're starting businesses, we're having baby. It's just all of it. And I was like, here we go.

It's the spice of life. I love it.

You can't be bored.

You can't be bored. I think your point though, like if I'm gonna sum it up into a sentence, it's gonna be. You just can't overthink it.

Yeah, you just, you just kind of gotta jump.

You just gotta jump. And whatever. And whatever happens with your life, if you race snowmobiles, whatever it is, post right, Share it.

Yeah, I know. That's what like I tell people too. Like, they're like, how, how do I get like on more views and everything? I'm like, literally just say good morning. I was like, people may not interact with you or people may not do something. Like I had one girl, we got on a phone call and I was like, you're not on stories. I was like, there's no. I was like, I don't even know who the owner is here. I was like, you have a bunch of models and is this you? And she's like, yeah, that's me. I'm like, get on there and say good morning. She got on there and said good morning. Told them what her to do was she sends me a screenshot and 15 people had liked her story. She's like, we never get likes on stories. And I'm like, tada. Even if it was just one or two. I was like, you got. You see that people enjoy seeing you and hearing you. I was like, post it. I was like. And some people I know that are very like, I don't want to share my whole life. You don't? I don't share my whole life. It looks like it, but I don't. I was like, it's like a very small percentage of it. Like, very small percentage. But it works so good.

How do you. So when you're thinking now about this new future and all these different ventures and a pageant, all the things you're adding in, how do you keep it all straight? How do you. Because I think sometimes when we get hyper fixated on things, we're like, okay, I'm all in on the pageant. And then these other things kind of by the wayside. How do you make sure all of your children are fed?

So I have got three different planners, and they're all like, there. And then I'm like, one of the people. Like, when I write something down, I've got, like, I've got notepads and notebooks and planners. And then I also, like, will write it on a random scratch piece of paper. And, like, there's, like, it's written everywhere. So that way I'm like, I've got to focus on this. I've got to focus. I'm also on, like, medication. Like, I'm on Adderall. So that way I'm like, focused. Because, like, whenever I was on. Right. It was, of course, right before I got pregnant, I ended up getting back on Adderall because I had not been on it for, like, since the sixth grade. Like, I was on it all through college. Stop. Because I was like, I'm not add. I'm fine. Yeah, I am. I'm ADD because I went and, like, talked to a therapist, and I was talking to her, I was like, do I need to get, like, on antidepressants? And she was like, I think you may be ADD in ocd. I think maybe you need to talk to your doctor. And they were like, yeah. So when I got on it, I was like, I have got this. Everything is, like, figured out and got pregnant. I was like, and now we're off of it. So when I got back on it, now I'm able to, like, focus on everything, and I write everything out. I take time. Like, I get up in the morning and I'm like, okay, so this is what needs to be done today. I can schedule. Because I remember one time, I think it was like, either at the summit, you talked about it, that you were like, on Mondays, that's when everything needs to be planned out for the rest of the week. So I have done that from the beginning. Like, I write everything down. I plan it all out. Like, I could be on my couch watching Ms. Rachel with my child, and we're sitting there, and I'm, like, planning everything out, and I'm like, here we go. And then just listening to Ms. Rachel, like, bubble come in. Like, just sitting there singing as I'm doing it. But, like, I plan everything out, and I'm like, okay, this is what I need to do. And a lot of times people, like, when they do talk to me, they're like, so how do you come up with content ideas? I'm like, they're everywhere. I'm like, just fig. I'm like, get on TikTok and just scroll for a second. I was like, take that content idea. Make it your own. I was like, it's not hard. I was like, just do what you want to do. And I was like, and if it works, it works. So when I plan it out, everything helps. And then also my husband being like, so, did you do this today? I'm like, no, But I also, like, give myself grace, because there is times that I feel like I'm like, I didn't focus on this enough today. So tomorrow, I really need to make sure I do, because I am only one person. But, you know, also outsourcing and being like, hey, like, I need you to do this. Like, when I have Gracie do certain things, I'm like, hey, like, I need you to do this so that way I can focus on this. She's like, okay, I can do that. Like, I still, like, I try not to micromanage, because, again, like, nobody's gonna do exactly what you do. Nobody's gonna love your baby as much as you do. And so whenever I'm like, okay, I have to be okay with her doing this and it not being, like, 110, but at least, like, 90. So giving myself grace, planning it all out, knowing that, like, it's not gonna all get done and it's not all gonna be perfect. But like you said, sometimes it doesn't have to be perfect, and you just need to do it. Don't overthink it. Just do it. Absolutely.

Done is better than perfect.

Yeah.

What's been the best? I. I think of, like, mistakes. Not as mistakes, but, like, happy opportunities sometimes.

Yeah.

What's been the best mistake you've ever made in your business?

Probably opening storefronts. Like, it was like a good. It was. It was. It was a. Okay. So when we opened the storefront in Opelika. So Opelika in Auburn, they call it Auburn Opelika. And Auburn is like, where you want to be. Like, it is like the college students. It is where everybody is. Like, that's where the money is. But whenever we first needed a storefront, we could not afford Auburn. So when we moved opelika, which is 20 minutes out, it was much, much cheaper. So we opened a storefront there and we scaled there, which was nice, but the storefront was like. I hated the storefront. Like, there was no traffic in it, but it was there. Like, it was nothing. Like, we really didn't put a bunch of money into it. We kind of were like, here's our. What is it called? Like, our outlet, like, here. Like, we really didn't focus on it. So it was like a good, happy mistake because we were able to open it. We got some customers from it, but, like, the warehouse was in the back of it, and we were able to scale. So now we know what works in a war in a brick and mortar and what doesn't. So now that we have our new one, it actually makes a great amount of money because we now be like, okay, we need, like, more light here. But we didn't want to update it there because we knew we weren't going to be there. So, like, now, like, the storefront is fun. It's, like, bright. It's, like, got custom wallpaper. It's got fun music. So it was a good mistake that we did go to Opelika, But I'm glad that we're in Auburn now because I. I'm like, Opelika was. It was. It was such a beautiful, like, historic downtown, but not our customer at all. But it worked for what it did so good.

All the lessons, right? If you're not. Sarah says this all the time. If you're not winning, you're learning.

Yeah, exactly. There's never a loss. Like, the same thing we do. We say that pageants, too. Like, if it's not a win, then it's a lesson. It's a learning opportunity. So we said it all goes hand in hand.

Absolutely. What about. What do you think is your best advice for people in 2024? How are you looking at 2024?

In what part? So, like, that's what. Because some people. Because a girl. When we've talked one on one with some girls, like, they've asked me, like, do you Think that opening a boutique in 2024, like, should I do it? And I'm like, yeah. I'm like, is the. Is the industry over saturated? Yes, it absolutely is. There's so, so many, like, boutiques on TikTok now. And, like, it's crazy to see people on TikTok shops because they're all of a sudden like, I've sold 500 of these and they have. And I'm like, but you've been in business for 42 hours and you sold like, instantly like this. I'm like, but you're not gonna understand the momentum that you have to keep going, because you're not gonna sell 500 each in every time of something ever. I don't know if I've ever sold 500 of one thing ever. So I've told people. I was like, you have to kind of like, slow and steady. You have to be patient when it comes to those. Because that's not realistic. Nothing, in my opinion on TikTok is realistic. Nothing. The views, the shopping, none of it is realistic. And that's what I think is hard. And people are seeing. And I've also told people. I was like, it is. I said, and the reason that you may be seeing, and this is just my opinion, you may be seeing people that are, like, struggling right now, or they're like, oh, it's really hard for small businesses. But that's because in 2020, 2021 and 2022, business was like. I mean, it was grow, but it wasn't realistic either. Like, it was not like how people really shop. There was different incomes coming in. There was checks coming in. I was like, so now it's a little bit more realistic. But, like, even us, like, we were growing so much that we were buying so much more inventory than we ever had. We were hiring way more people. But now that it's kind of that high has come down, it's all realistic. I said, but if you don't have any overhead and it's you in your room, you may be perfectly fine making the money. I said, it's. You're never. There's never a good time to start a business ever. I was like, so. I mean, like, you just kind of gotta. You gotta jump. So my advice for people is, like, take those risks. If there's something that's not working, you need to adapt to it. I've talked to other people too, that they were solely just in their boutiques. And they were like, taylor, like, I don't know how to pay rent. And I'M like, what else do you like to do? And they're like, I mean, I like tea shops. Like, I've always, like, wanted to open a tea shop. I'm like, then open a tea shop in your boutique. I was like, have that be a part of it. And I was like, or, you know, if you want to do, like, styling and everything, I was like, do that. I was like, have another form of income. Because, like, you've seen this industry does this, but if, like, the industry's doing this, but your other income's doing this, they'll even out eventually. So that's why, like, we've started doing so many other things. So another big advice is, like, jump and do the things that you want to do and make sure that if it makes you money, we need to feed that baby. So if one's making money, keep going. Still give the child food over here, but, like, make sure that we're feeding equally so that way they all even out if one's doing better than the other.

Yeah. When it zigzag, zag.

Yeah, exactly. You have to.

So good, Taylor. This has been awesome. So good. I feel like time's flown by, and I'm. I feel like I have a page of mental notes. I'm sure everyone listening has a page of notes, ideas. So I have to ask you this, though. Last question. Because life is so different than the last time I asked you this question. So now fast forward, you know, 30 years down the road, and you're sitting on the front porch, and you've got Blake, and you probably have multiple kids by this point. I don't know.

Everyone's probably asking you that question, right?

So you're looking back and you've got grandkids, and you're talking about this life that you lived in, all these businesses and opportunities you created. What's the thing you want them to remember the most?

Oh, that makes me, like, want to cry. Like, think about, like, oh, my God, when I have grandkids and I'm sitting on the porch and just looking at them, I just want them to remember, like, life is not easy. And it never has been. It's never been easy. And, like, you have to work hard. I think there's so many people now that think that they're almost, in a way, like, entitled. And they're like, I should be making this much money. I should be. I'm working just as hard. But you have to put in the work. And I want my grandkids one day to understand that, like, it's not going to come easy to you. Even if you are, like, given a silver spoon and things, like, you still have to work hard. And I always want people to, like, look at me and my businesses and be like, she. No, she works really hard. Like, she wasn't given that. And there's, like, even some things that, like, within my business that I'm like, you know, I really could use a DTG machine, but it's $11,000. So what I could do is sit there and go get a loan and do, this isn't this. Or I know it's going to make me feel better when I earn that money and I'm able to, like, completely pay it off. And I know for a fact, like, I did that nobody else did it for me. So working hard and knowing that you did that feels so much better than it being given to you. Even if it takes you years, like, knowing, like, what I've done now with the tiny closet, it's one of those that I'm like, I did that. And nobody can take away for how hard I've worked. So I really hope that people see, like, no, she works really hard. Like, she. She does not. Like, we're not just fiddling around here. Like, she. She. She works really, really hard. So that's what I hope they see one day. And they're not like, you had it so easy back then. I love it. I hope. I hope that they see that.

I know they will see that. I know they will. Taylor, thank you so much for the light that you are and always being just such an awesome part of our community. And the way that you give to others is just really remarkable and genuine. So thank you for being here and sharing again today.

Thank you so much. When I saw that, it was like, hey, we'd love to have you on there. I'm like, it's been a minute and they still like me. I'm still relevant in the boutique. Perfect. I will be there with bells on. So I was so excited to be able to get back onto the hubby podcast.

Oh, well, you crushed it. Nice work.

Thank you.

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