Hidden Gems: Meet Toni Harris Taylor

Today we’d like to introduce you to Toni Harris Taylor.

Hi Toni, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
My mantra for life and business is about being “drastic”. My entrepreneurial journey started when I was 24 years old. I was working as a legal secretary at an oil and gas company, and my mother called me and told me to quit my job and come work for her. I had seen her struggle and my initial response was, “Oh no”. But after some persuasion, she convinced me that I should take the risk and join her in her corporate training business as a trainer. That was the beginning of my entrepreneurial journey. Since then, I have been a financial advisor, a corporate trainer, and an entrepreneurial sales and marketing coach, which is my current business. I launched this business after my husband passed away in 2012. I decided it was time for me to do what made me happy. I took the drastic step and left my six-figure financial advising position to start over. Although it has not been easy, I am proud to say that my journey has been a successful one. I am currently an international speaker, coach, author of six books, and a TV talk show host. I also own Network in Action Northeast Houston, a business referral networking franchise. All of these accomplishments have come through building relationships that have helped me to grow my business internationally.

I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey have been a fairly smooth road?
Absolutely not! Entrepreneurship is not a smooth journey. Some of the struggles include being a widow in 2012, surviving a 10-day coma in 2014, to going through personal economic challenges to now, the COVID pandemic. And while these are all huge challenges, the biggest challenge is self-doubt and fear. No matter the successes I have had, I often come against my own internal conflicts when it’s time to move to the next level.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
My coaching business helps service-based entrepreneurs to learn marketing and sales skills they need to make more sales. Entrepreneurs need to develop their their sales mindset and what it takes for them to grow their businesses. In my networking business, I teach networking and relationship-building skills that help my clients to turn contacts to contracts. I am known for helping my clients to get drastic. Helping them to make more money so that they can sustain their businesses. I am known as a connector and a resource for my network. People come to me to help create connections. I am known as, “The Coach that Connects!” What makes me different as a business coach is my vast network. It is my goal to introduce my clients to the people, places and things that will grow their business. I help my clients to make their investment back through connections. My small business television show also sets me apart from others.

I am true to my drastic results brand. I am always taking my own drastic steps and setting an example for my clients. I am also proud when I see my clients and connections collaborating and doing business together. That’s what brings me the greatest joy in my business. 

What do you want our readers to know about your brand, offerings, services, etc.? I would like the reader to understand that they must take drastic steps to get drastic results, period. That means that they must invest in themselves, they also must learn to embrace sales. They have to get out of their comfort zone in order to grow. I want them to understand that networking and building relationships lead to revenue. That referrals come from giving referrals first. Helping others to win, helps them to win. It’s drastic to think of others first but it’s necessary. I am currently offering TV show sponsorships, coaching programs and memberships to my networking organization.

We’re always looking for the lessons that can be learned in any situation, including tragic ones like the Covid-19 crisis. Are there any lessons you’ve learned that you can share?
Yes. Covid-19 threw off many small business owners. I learned that having the right relationships can help you to recover from any crisis. Covid was a blessing to many businesses. Switching to virtual helped many to grow their business nationally and internationally which many never thought was possible. I’m proud to see the growth of many of my clients despite the pandemic. My Humble networking group came together and wrote a book, called Strategic Entrepreneurship — Stories of Perseverance, Dedication and Commitment. These 20 entrepreneurs used this time to do something productive as they continued to move forward through the pandemic.

Contact Info:

• Email: Toni@ToniHarrisTaylor.com
• Website: DrasticResults.com
• Instagram: Instagram.com/toniharristaylor
• Facebook: Facebook.com/drasticresults
• Twitter: Twitter.com/toniharristaylo
• Watch Toni’s show on YouTube: Youtube.com/c/toniharristaylor
• Networking Organization: https://NIANortheastHouston.com