Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Essie Faye Taylor . We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Hi Essie Faye , thanks for joining us today. If you could go back in time do you wish you had started your creative career sooner or later?
Yes. I wish that I had started my creative career sooner. I am an author, recording artist, psalmist, podcaster, and improviser. I wish that I had the boldness to take a risk and bet on myself at an earlier age–perhaps in my early 20s. Instead of doing so, then I bought into the American Dream: go to college, get a secure profession–don’t follow your heart and become a broke creative. I was too afraid to go after my dream as a young person. The world has changed incredibly since 20 years ago. We live in a world now where there are rarely gatekeepers. Creatives are the leaders and thinkers of the world. If the profession you desire doesn’t exist, this is a time, when you can actually create it. This was not the world of 20 years prior. However, I believe that everything worked as it should have because in 2017 I decided to invest in myself and truly pursue my creative dreams. I was 35 years old. It seems that I was late to the party, however, now I actually have a story to tell. I have an experience with God that speaks of struggle and triumph–I’ve lived a little. Life has taught me a few lessons and I’ve gained some wisdom that seasons my creative platform and anoints my God-given assignment. And so I must believe that I am right where I belong.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
I’m Essie Faye Taylor, author of “Finding The Love You Deserve: 30 Lessons in Self Love & Acceptance” and “Finding the Love You Deserve: A 60-Day Healing Journal for Women of Faith.” I was born and bred on the South Side of Chicago, IL. I am the host of my podcast, “Heart to Heart with Essie Faye.” I am also a bilingual psalmist and minister. I’m an educator of English As a Second Language and Spanish. I am also an interpreter. I started my book business in 2022 along with my E-commerce store, Essie Faye Collection. I started my podcast in 2021, in the middle of the pandemic. What set me apart from others is that I provide inspirational tees with a positive message and my books inspire healing from emotional trauma from toxic relationships. I am most proud that I bet on myself and decided to share my heart with others to facilitate healing. My creative works aid in my healing as well. Each podcast that serves those in faith communities who have experienced separation & divorce heals and encourages me.
I am a full-time teacher with a creative heart and a passion to impact the world positively and help others. I am a self-healer and advocate for healing & wholeness through books, tees, improv, worship, service, podcasting, and education.
What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?
For me the most rewarding aspect of being a creative is giving birth to my dream & seeing its impact. God gives me a dream, desire, or vision. This vision drives me and I work feverishly to bring it to pass. I pray about it, plan, and execute my plan. And believe me, it is work. Sometimes those that are watching you don’t understand your vision. They can’t see what you see. They haven’t caught your vision, so sometimes this road is lonely. And so I work and work and when it is done, I feel an amazing sense of fulfillment. But for me, the reward is knowing that lives have been touched and changed–atleast positively impacted by my creation. It is such affirmation. And it gives me motivation to continue on–the thought that I can connect with others through my creativity and the expression of my God-given gifts is the reward.
Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?
The year of 2020 was pivotal for many worldwide. I learned so much from the pandemic. One lesson was to stop waiting for permission to do what I felt called by God to do. I envisioned my calling within the four walls of a church. I thought that I would be ministering behind a pulpit in song or sharing the good news. I serve in my faith community. In addition. now I see my platform as wherever I am—church or community. I share the good news by living a life that is pleasing to God and based on biblical principles and loving others intensely outside of the four walls of a church. Years ago, I asked God to help me to live life with fierce faith–a faith that is relevant and applicable in real life. I want faith that can address the hard things in life. For many life is HARD. Where is God in difficulty, pain, grief, and bad situations? He is near us. He is WITH us. He is present to heal us, to love us unconditionally, and to help us. I pivoted and began to share my story and give birth to my dreams without abandon. I determined to share what God has placed within me, even if it seems within a context that is very different than what I had originally imagined. Sometimes we have to let go of what we expected in order to embrace the new things that God has for us. So, here I am. Is it easy? No. But I will continue to show up for myself to heal myself and to heal others.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.essiefayetaylor.com
- Instagram: @the_essie_faye
- Facebook: Esther Taylor
- Linkedin: Esther Taylor
- Twitter: NA
- Youtube: NA
- Yelp: NA
- Other: www.essiefayecollection.com – Ecommerce store
Image Credits
TaylorMade Productions LLC