Women to Watch: Marketing Consultant Tayler Cusick—Hollman
There are a few people out there who were born to be entrepreneurs. If you’re reading this, I’m assuming you’re one of those people.
And there are people out there who are super passionate about serving others and helping them succeed.
When you combine the two?
Powerhouse.
And that’s how I would describe Tayler Cusick-Hollman.
She’s a marketing consultant powerhouse. She knows her stuff.
Tayler and I connected years ago when I was a wedding planner, and I was thrilled when she agreed to interview for this Women to Watch blog series.
Here’s the deal: There’s a lot you can learn from Tayler. And yes—like she says—she’s all over the internet. I highly recommend following her on all the places.
And her newest venture? Enji—it’s something you definitely want to check out when you’re done reading her story below.
When did you start your business and why?
I honestly fell into being self-employed—it wasn’t on my list of things I wanted to be when I grew up! But I am so glad it was in the cards for me because I wouldn’t trade it for anything.
And here’s the story of how it happened. I had played my one honey-can-I-quit-my-job-even-though-I-don’t-have-anything-lined-up card and took an unpaid internship at a company called Rais Case. A few months in, a florist friend of Julie’s (the Rais Case Founder) asked if she knew of anyone who would be good to help with some stuff—seriously, it was that vague! Julie shared my name with Tam (the florist), and the rest is kind of history. I started working on Tam’s wedding submissions and social media, and her wedding industry friends asked, “Who’s doing your stuff?” She passed my name along to a few people, and one day I realized I had clients.
What do you feel makes your audience special?
The people I’ve been lucky enough to meet over the years are a great group! They are creative and driven people who really pour their hearts into their work—but they also sometimes don’t know up from down when it comes to marketing. And that’s why they are special to me—because they know where they need help, and they aren’t shy about seeking it out.
Why did you choose Squarespace for your website?
I built my first website on WordPress for no other reason than I thought it was the best platform for small business owners. And back in 2015 (when I launched TAYLRD Media and Designs), it was probably the platform I had heard about the most. But after a few years of basically fighting my website every time I wanted to do something, I found and fell in love with Squarespace—and haven’t looked back! It’s so easy to use. The design capabilities have really leveled up over the years. And it has all the extras you’d potentially need to add additional streams of income to your business.
If you could go back in time and do something differently, what would you do and why?
I wouldn’t do anything differently. And not because I’ve done things the perfect—I wouldn’t change anything in the past because I think every experience was an important part of getting me to where I am today. And I don’t want to be anywhere other than right here because I am doing something I love—and something I think only would have happened through that series of fortunate and unfortunate events.
How did you promote your website when you first started? Has anything changed between now and then?
Blogging has been an important part of my own marketing strategy since day 1—but man, has it changed over the past 10 years! I remember when I first started, and it was totally cool to write keyword-stuffed articles on these aggregate sites that had nothing to do with your business. Obviously, that doesn’t fly anymore! So, over the years, I’ve had to keep on top of the best practices so I could adapt to the new sets of rules.
The other thing that has really changed over the years is how I use social media to promote my website and business. Instagram was only 5 years old when I first started using it professionally, and there were not the fancy features we have now. So the way you could use social media to promote your website was so different—I honestly don’t even remember how I did!
Did you start your email list when you launched your site? What's been the most effective way you've grown your email list?
Email marketing wasn’t something I seriously started incorporating into my marketing strategy until around 2020. I had an email list and a lead capture form on my website, but I wasn’t actively trying to grow it—so it was small numbers for a long time. But in 2020, I was part of a group of wedding industry coaches and consultants who put together an industry-wide State of the Union sort of survey, and that was the thing that gave me more than enough growth to really start paying attention to it.
Nowadays, I grow my list through events I participate in, and that’s it. Not because other growth tactics don’t work (they do!) but because I only have so much capacity and want my business and pipeline to stay at the pace and place they are.
What would be your entrance song? You know—the one playing as you walk on stage?
This is a loaded question because how can I pick!?!? It really depends on my mood. I have requested to be played on with “Signed, Sealed, Delivered I'm Yours” by Stevie Wonder in the past, but Beyonce’s “Cuff It” is also a very solid option for me.
What does a typical day in the life look like for you?
Coffee on the couch with my husband while the news is on, and I crank through clearing out my inbox. Followed by a ride on the Peloton. Then hammering on work until it’s time to feed us both dinner. Then a spot check on emails and getting horizontal on the couch to watch some TV until it’s bedtime.
How do you recharge or take a break from work?
I am a high-energy and very social person, so you will find me skiing or mountain biking or hanging out with friends over a great meal.
What apps, gadgets, or tools can't you live without?
I won’t name all 70 tabs I have open at any given moment (that’s what happens when you run 3 businesses!). But Gmail, Basecamp, Dropbox, Flodesk, Slack, Instagram, and Enji are the ones I interact with pretty much every day.
Who are your favorite podcasters, bloggers, and/or coaches?
There are so many smart and caring people in the wedding and creative industries, and those are the people I gravitate towards. But to name names: Davey Jones, Candice Coppola, Megan Gillikin, and Heather Hoesch. But if you also want to know who I personally fan girl over? I want to be like Martha Bitar when I grow up!
Where can we find you? (website, socials, etc.)
I am all over the internet!
TAYLRD Media and Designs // Instagram: @taylrd_designs
Sourced Co. // Instagram @sourced_co
