Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Austin Taylor. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Austin, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Let’s jump back to the first dollar you earned as a creative? What can you share with us about how it happened?
My first full-time paying gig as a creative was with a touring children’s theatre troupe. I was fresh out of college with a degree in Theatre Arts and landed a job in New Hampshire. It was a short contract, and it didn’t pay much at all, but it was exciting for me then. I felt like I had achieved something. It was a sure sign that I was on the right path towards making a life as a creative.
Since then, I’ve found better, more lucrative ways to earn as a creative, but I’ll never forget the confidence that experience instilled in me. I could and would do anything because I made money doing theatre. I proved to myself that I could.
As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?
I’m a regular guy who lives in a small town with my family, whom I adore. The goal in my life is to be able to do what I love to do, provide for my family, and care for the people around me. Success, to me, is a life where I get to do what I want, and I don’t have to think of the money I’m spending at the grocery store.
I’ve been lucky enough to achieve that, and I’m learning how to achieve it better. I want to inspire people to pursue their own dreams. To do what they love. To create, in whatever ways suit them, just for the sake of doing it.
My music reflects that. I write music that I enjoy making just because I enjoy making it. I typically write on themes of love, hope, encouragement, joy, faith, contentment, and passion. I want people to feel good when they listen to what I make, and as I grow, I hope others find encouragement and inspiration to have the faith to pursue what’s meaningful to them.
Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?
I feel like I’m always pivoting. At some point, I came to understand that life is truly a series of unexpected events and that flexibility is key.
I took a major detour from pursuing music back in 2019. I was 28, singing in wedding bands and managing a pizzeria in Atlanta GA, trying to record my first E.P. when I learned that I was on my way to becoming a father. Seeking financial stability, I pivoted towards my strengths in business management and began a career operating and launching coffee shops. That pivot in my life allowed me several experiences that shaped the type of artist and entrepreneur I am today.
Life has a way of using the twists and turns of our lives for good, and though that season felt like a detour, and maybe even a departure at times, from my dreams to be an artist, it was necessary for me to become the type of person who can be successful as an independent artist.
Any insights you can share with us about how you built up your social media presence?
I’ve been posting to social media for over a decade, and my brand, content style, voice, and strategy have evolved significantly over time. Authenticity is what I strive for. I recently stopped grinding away at Reels and TikTok, opting for a paid ads strategy to reach new viewers so that I can focus on making content how and when I want to make it.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @austinashtaylor
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCLsqAtwoIquF1yQtpm7MMkw
Image Credits
Michala Stewart
Josh Nichols