Today we’d like to introduce you to Taylor Darnell-Sibal.
Taylor, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
I started my entrepreneurship journey after my brother was killed by a drunk driver in 2013. He had a can-do anything spirit, and I was more of a follow-the-crowd personality. I was in a Ph.D. program for Economics and decided to move to Houston for my now husband, Adam, *gasp* I know… I took a leap of faith, something “old Taylor” wouldn’t have done and decided to start my own company. I wanted to bring to light who my brother, Rick, was and honor him in some way. That’s when I started Rick Anthony Athletic Foundation, a small charity organization 501c(3), that took years to become fully functional and brings me great joy that I was able to bring my brother to life through helping kids with learning differences with sports to sort emotions as well as tools and resources to discover their strengths.
Through this first entrepreneurship passion project, I really came into my own… As an entrepreneur, my first rule is always keep creating. I knew my passion was helping others and making my visions a reality. I started doing side projects with local brands, and now I work with companies around the world to bring their missions to life through an assortment of brand management from marketing consulting, company brainstorm sessions, advertisement strategies, to my favorite, application design concepts with TD Creative Works.
I work remotely all around the world. Right now, I am in The Netherlands with my husband and daughter for two months before heading back to Houston. The joy of starting TDCW was the ability to work remotely and find companies that aligned with me and took my priorities seriously. Since having my daughter, my priorities have shifted to gaining experiences for my family. When we had the opportunity to leave for Europe, I could not pass it up. With how I brand myself and my services, my clients were as ecstatic for me as I was for myself.
Still from abroad, I am managing and promoting my family’s beach rental property, ensuring we make financially sound decisions in our investments, make relationships with the community, building a trustworthy team I can rely on when away, and making the stay worthwhile so that we have new and repeat stays that turn into our beach family.
My favorite “job” started in 2019 when I became a mother. I give my full attention to my daughter, Camila, and she is my top priority in everything that I do. She is also my toughest and sweetest client. Seeing my daughter Camila experience things for the first time is the biggest opportunity I have ever had, seriously. I am grateful to be able to have the life I live and hope to one day share my tips so that others who are looking to start their journey as an Entrepreneur can know first-hand what it is like without providing sugarcoated answers.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
Absolutely not – not smooth– extremely bumpy. It’s been more like riding a bike up a side of a mountain. Struggles were outward and inward. I’ve come to learn (and I’m still working on this) to not be hard on myself if a week, or three, don’t go the way I planned. Always know, you will not be everyone’s cup of tea, some people will find you annoying no matter if you’re selling a multimillion-dollar venture or a small side hustle. I am a people pleaser, I’m aware of it, and I use it to my advantage now. Before however, this was a downfall. I would get in my head if someone unfollowed me or a client parted ways because that hurts. I’m busting my days and nights to become successful so why doesn’t everyone else see the successful woman my husband sees?
When I became a mother, I decided to take a break, I was feeling an immense amount of pressure, was unsure of what was to come so I decided this was the perfect opportunity to give myself space to reevaluate my entrepreneurial journey. It can really get to you. I spent four months with my daughter Camila, learning what a slow day feels like and realizing how much pressure I have always had to make everyday a busy day. I have a new purpose, I’m in a new season in my life and with my career and it took time, effort, and a lot of guidance. After four months, I got “back on the horse” starting myself out with one client, I am now back up to 3 clients. I have switched my schedule from full-time to part-time. I am aspiring to be a woman, a mother, and a businessman that not only I can look up to but my daughter can too.
Bottomline, you have to be your own advocate. When you need a break – take the break. When you need to hustle – do not stop! You know who you are, what you can do, so show the large percentage of people who do enjoy what you have to provide and try not to give a second thought to the ones who can’t understand. Even when you’re making nothing and it’s been a stressful week, you have to remember it’s just a season. Those seasons feel never-ending but if you push through and work the hardest during the struggle, you will come out on top.
Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about TD Creative Works – what should we know?
I founded Rick Anthony Athletic Foundation in 2013 followed by TD Creative Works in 2016, and we bought the beach house in 2019. My day-to-day is all over the place. Monday can look a lot different than Thursday.
My specialty is TD Creative Works, I contract myself out for creative operations, branding, and consulting. Working with different companies and people to increase their marketability on products, services, and creating advertisements that help bring light to their visions. When you see promotions online about ways to advertise yourself, I essentially do the backend of that. I ensure that your vision will come to light using the right objectives and help run those advertisements smoothly to the best audience.
TD Creative Works at its core is a creative operation. I am without a doubt a creative at heart. Although I analyze brands, content, materials, and ads – I always ensure I’m bringing the client’s personality through, and although it might not make the most numbers on paper, my clients see impactful engagement, which brings them to website interaction, which brings them that profit! I’m not here to get you the most followers on Instagram, you hire me on to get real personable clients that will hype your brand up, share your brand, and bring organic leads. I never want to lose sight of the client’s mission that all of the founders have when starting their companies. Sometimes that gets lost amongst the growth. I keep it unique, creative, and impactful.
Any shoutouts? Who else deserves credit in this story – who has played a meaningful role?
I did not get here on my own. When I’ve been down, I’ve had my family and friends to remind me of why I started this lifestyle. My parents continually push me to be an individual, even when they might not understand fully why an entrepreneurial lifestyle is what I crave the most, they support me in these endeavors. My husband, Adam, is my constant advocate. If I was a boxer he would be my coach/hype man on the side. I think everyone needs an advocate that even when something has gone completely off the rails, can calm you down, get you focused, and cheer you on. My friends rally me on too. I remember when I first told them about starting a nonprofit, they all were ready to lend a hand when needed, and their support only increases. My mentorship starts with Dr. Daniel Slottje. Since high school, he has been someone who I aspire to be like. Dr. Slottje is a top economist and businessman, an amazing father, and a kind soul. When I hit a dead-end, I look to him for motivation. Finally, my brother Rick deserves probably the most credit. As I mentioned I used to be a very follow-the-crowd person, with the loss of my best friend it took me to a dark place. I learned more from him than I possibly could have ever imagined from taking the time to get to know myself to being a leader.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.TaylorDarnell.com
- Phone: 720-903-5329
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: instagram.com/taylordarnell
- Facebook: facebook.com/rickafoundation
- Twitter: twitter.com/taylordarnells
- Other: facebook.com/overtherainbowbeachhouse
Suggest a story: VoyageHouston is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
