Today we’d like to introduce you to Taylor Elajas
Hi Taylor, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
My journey to being a creative entrepreneur began in 2011 when I made my first YouTube channel and became entrenched in the digital age. I spent countless hours watching my favorite YouTubers and syndicated television shows, fast forward to 2024 I rarely watch TV anymore. The concept of being a consumer more than being a producer always bothered me, so I eventually knew I wanted to shift my lifestyle. In 2015, my friends and I started a sports blog covering basketball and football, writing about current events and providing commentary on the world of sports at that time. I enrolled in a collegiate university to study Sports Journalism, but that didn’t last very long as I realized that’s not what I wanted to do. Sports Journalism was quickly transitioning into Sports Entertainment and the credibility of journalists began to dwindle in my eyes. The cherry on top was that these major television corporations started to lean heavily on former athletes rather than upcoming journalists to be analysts or commentators. As a result of my observation, I took to the internet to gain an audience and make my voice heard. Starting in 2016, I took the concept of being a content creator seriously and began posting daily on Snapchat and Instagram. In 2017, this escalated to posting reaction videos and story times on YouTube. I went viral for videos entitled “What if you Woke up as a Black Man?” and “What it’s like to work at Jersey Mikes”, cementing that I needed to pursue being a creator as a career.
Before leaving the first university to transfer to another and expand my knowledge in digital creation, I created what is now known as EBNTV. While bored in my dorm room, I took an index card and a highlighter, wrote “Creation and Innovation” and drew a lemon with a cartoonish face. As of 2024, the lemon, named CiLo, is a staple of the EBNTV brand and has been seen on videos that have racked up tens of millions of views. The thought process behind EBNTV sparked via my love for short-form consumption as opposed to mediums such as documentaries or movies. I enjoyed watching Cablevision networks such as CBS, TBS, TNT, and the list goes on. I enjoyed the low commitment level I needed per episode of each TV show and that no matter what time I turned on my television, there was going to be something to watch. EBNTV stands for Elajas Broadcast Network, so my thought process was to be the producer of entertaining content and provide an escape for consumers whether it be through digital consumption or via Cablevision.
One of my early goals after incorporating EBNTV in 2021 was to become a household name. Following connecting with a developer, I turned that idea into reality. As of 2021, EBNTV and the original content produced by my production company are available on all Roku devices or smart televisions by simply typing in the channel name “EBNTV”.
In 2022, I reignited my love for interviewing influential figures and people that lacked a voice when I started the series “EBN Eats”. My involvement in the restaurant industry stemmed from 2017 when I composed content for my food blog and worked as a busser for various eateries. After interviewing the chefs at Mikey Pomodoro in Urban Space they brought out a slew of items from their menu from which I reviewed the meals and featured the eatery on my show EBN Eats; available on Roku. I then transitioned this review concept to short-form videos that could be consumed digitally by viewers on Instagram and YouTube looking for the next place for date night, a fun night on the town, or a delicious dinner.
Also in 2022, in collaboration with the company Scentcraft, I rolled out my first unisex fragrance. This business move was to make EBN synonymous with luxury and opulence. Over the years, I’ve received positive feedback on the scent from the likes of Angela Yee, Charlemagne, Dame Dash, Math Hoffa, and more. I’ve also thrown a launch party for the fragrance in conjunction with Belaire, Mcqueen & the Violet Fog, Lashes & Bundles, and Williamsburg Pizza.
In 2023, I began production on my food recommendations magazine entitled EBN Eats. The magazine can be ordered online and can be found in various dental offices and restaurants in New York. The magazine delves into the best restaurants across a multitude of cultures including Haitian, African, Mexican, Chinese, Dominican, and more, featuring my specific rating system of 5 lemons. If I enjoyed my experience the score will be closer to 5 lemons, if I did not the score will be closer to 1 lemon.
As of 2024, I’ve been posted on the Times Square Instagram page, worked with over 100 restaurants in the Tri-State Area, have backing from companies such as Empanada Mama, Belaire, Audiomack, and more, re-released my clothing line entitled EBN Wear, and inaugurated a performance series for R&B artists named “Doley Vocals”. My message is to show the next generation of content creators that with no direct mentorship or concrete plan I maintained consistency and adapted to my environment. From a young age, I knew I was gifted; I just didn’t know how to deliver my gifts in a valuable way where I could monetize the value that I was providing. The journey never ends unless you want it to, and I intend to be at the forefront of a digital movement that has not yet been fully fleshed out. As long as you have a plan you’re never behind and when you play to win, you are less likely to play yourself.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
The entrepreneurial route is not for the weakhearted. This path will play on your emotions, your ability to be patient, and make you constantly question who truly supports you. I’ve lost friends because I chose to follow the path of self-discipline. I had to make the hard choices not to hang out with friends to instead hone my craft. I’ve experienced people who disguised themselves as my friend to get closer to me. These same people would eventually show their hands and reveal what they wanted from me. The higher you climb in your respective industry, the more difficult it becomes to decipher who is here to help and who is here to help themselves. As an entrepreneur, you work hard every day regardless of seeing direct results for the hours of blood, sweat, and tears invested. You’ll question your instincts, question if you made the right choices, and question if the traditional blue-collar lifestyle is the true path to success. Entrepreneurs like me will often find themselves isolated emotionally and mentally. This is a byproduct of a lack of trust that anyone understands what you’re going through walking in this lifestyle. However, I wouldn’t have it any other way.
We’ve been impressed with EBNTV, Inc. , but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
EBN stands for Elajas Broadcast Network and was inaugurated as EBNTV, Inc. in 2021. The tagline that corresponds with EBNTV is “Creation and Innovation”. Through unique and creative concepts, EBN is here to exhibit that it is okay to dare to be different. Moreover, EBNTV covers a wide range of genres ranging from music, food, fashion, lifestyle, beauty, and more. Under the various branches of the EBNTV umbrella, I as the founder use this platform to push other people to follow their passions. According to Statista.com, in 2022, global content marketing industry revenue was estimated at roughly 63 billion U.S. dollars. The source projected that it would increase to 72 billion in 2023 and that it would continue growing over the further years to reach 107 billion in 2026. Through content creation, I’ve been able to push the brands of not only myself as an entertainer and restaurant consultant, but also the brands of other creatives looking to branch off into other industries. EBNTV can be found on all Roku devices or smart televisions under the name “EBNTV”. On the channel, there are hours of in-house EBN-produced content to encourage thought provocation and laughter.
Outside of the production of content, EBNTV, Inc. is also a marketing company building the brands of businesses to increase their digital presence, increase traffic to their brick-and-mortar stores, and overall monetary conversions. We’ve worked with brands such as Empanada Mama, Chunky Boss, Belaire, Azzaro, Williamsburg Pizza, and Activision, amongst others.
With EBNTV, I’m most proud of the brands I’ve been able to work with alongside the promotion of the EBN message of overall self-belief and creative thought process. My intention with starting EBNTV was to make it a household name and every day I get closer and closer to worldwide recognition.
Whether you’re a restaurant trying to increase your traffic, a creator trying to build your platform or own a business that needs content strategy and development, EBNTV is the platform everyone should be in tune with.
Where do you see things going in the next 5-10 years?
The content creation industry is only going to get bigger as businesses are forced to utilize us to provide traffic to their stores, products, services, and more. Being a creator will be seen as a legitimate job that can be worked towards as opposed to the concept of being an “influencer”. One can possess influence if a community of individuals decides that the opinions and suggestions of that creative are of the highest value. Everyone will not be given this stamp so being an influencer is not a job field one can manufacture. The role of providing content that converts into sales, traffic, and social presence is certainly attainable and businesses will compensate you for these skills.
The digital age is upon us and as AI continues to develop, having technological prowess can earn you upwards of hundreds of thousands of dollars. I plan to be an individual who not only benefits from utilizing these skills but also teaches others how to acquire skills in these areas that will make them more money in the short and long term.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://theebntv.com/brase
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/taylorelajas/
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/@taylorelajas
Image Credits
EBNTV Studios; h/t: Zaepegstudios