We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Rich Taylor. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Rich below.

Rich, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. What’s the kindest thing anyone has ever done for you?

This is an interesting story. When I was in my late 20s, I left my 9-5 job as a lead graphic designer to pursue entrepreneurship, inspiring two friends to join me. Two of us were graphic designers, and the third was a programmer. Without much knowledge of marketing, we started by calling friends who worked for or owned businesses. Our first client was Randy, a business owner, who I believe hired us out of sympathy because we didn’t have any clients and were struggling.

I vividly remember our first meeting with Randy to discuss designing a brochure for his company. When it came to discussing costs, I said, “We charge $10.00 an hour.” This was in the late 90s. Randy’s response profoundly impacted how I value myself. He said, “I’ve seen your work, and you are worth much more than $10.00 an hour. Never sell yourself short. If you offer a cheap rate, you are portraying your value and work as cheap. Always charge your worth.” Those words have stayed with me to this day.

I know my worth and stand by it. If a client undervalues my creative worth, I simply tell them they are not the right client for me. Even if they try to offer more money after the fact, I won’t work with them as that person has already told me that they don’t value my work. Stand by your worth! By the way, Randy ended up paying us $25.00 an hour.

Rich, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

As a young child living in New York, I was always drawn to the arts. I began as a hand artist, working specifically within rapidograph arts. Everything changed, however, when I sat in front of my first computer. For reasons still unknown to me, I not only understood the creative adobe programs but also intuitively grasped the Mac operating system without any training. I recall a moment when my teacher saw my work and said, “That is beautiful. How long have you been using Photoshop?” I replied, “Today.” He clarified, “No, I understand you using it today. What I am asking is when did you start using Photoshop?” I reiterated, “Today.” He then said, “Wow. This is your world to take over!”

Over my 30-year career, I became a professional graphic and web designer. Similar to my experiences with programs and operating systems, I taught myself coding and for whatever reason, it just made sense. In 2013, while living in Florida, I felt a need for something more. I confided in a friend stating, “I enjoy taking pictures. Maybe there’s something in that.” He said, “You will be brilliant.” So, I invested $1,000 in a new camera and took private photography lessons from a professional. After a few months, my teacher said, “You learned in 3 months what normally takes others 3 years.” As with my previous experiences, for whatever reason, I just understood the art. Thus began my photography career.

Within a couple of years, I honed my craft and found my creative ‘voice.’ I am proud to say I have been published in worldwide magazines and received awards for my work. I became the #1 creative photographer in Charlotte, NC, honored to call myself a master photographer, but more importantly, I was valued and respected. I was booked solid for a year out with high-profile clients. Clients I was very proud and blessed to have. Then COVID hit, and everything changed.

The world shut down, and nobody knew what was going to happen. During this time of uncertainty, a friend suggested, “Why don’t you sell your house and move to Denver, CO? I believe you will have many more opportunities here when the world opens back up.” So, in June of 2020, I took another leap of faith.

Long story short, he was wrong. Post-COVID, the creative industry had collapsed. Companies were not investing in creative artist, the market was oversaturated, smartphones with advanced cameras were taking our jobs, and AI was on the rise. I found the photography industry was dead. In 2023, I did a year of graphic/web marketing with zero return. Yes, you read that right, zero return. During this challenging time, I realized I needed to reinvent myself. The thought of going back to school came to the forefront of my mind, so I started researching psychology. I have always been incredibly interested in how the human mind works and how I can help people live happier, healthier, and more fulfilled lives. This seemed like an amazing opportunity.

While inquiring, a friend suggested, “You should become a life coach. You would be brilliant at it.” I initially laughed it off. However, those words stuck with me and I did not know why. So, I did research. Three months later, I invested in myself again and went back to school to obtain my life coach degree. To be completely transparent, I initially thought life coaching was ‘bubble gum’ therapy. Thankfully, I was wrong! In a very short time, it changed my life for the better. I found myself healthier, happier, calmer, and at continuous peace—feelings I had never really experienced before. I also found that when I am triggered, instead of reacting on it, I now dig deep to understand why then use the tools I learned to find healthy conflict resolution. I call my transformation EMPOWERMENT, and it is the focus of my coaching sessions with clients.

Now it’s the begging of 2024, and I still wasn’t securing clients in the creative field. I had just financially invested in marketing my design/web/photography, which again, had no return, then invested in school, which is still ongoing. My income was coming primarily from clients on the East Coast. With the cost of living in Colorado skyrocketing and no local work available, I took yet another leap of faith and moved back to North Carolina. I am currently in a transition phase but believe I will end up in Greenville, SC. After living in so many places, I realized what is important to me: living a simple, quiet, and peaceful life in harmony.

I will continue as a professional graphic/web designer and master photographer, and I will add life coaching to my services. All these roles involve giving back, bringing smiles to people’s faces, and helping them appreciate the beauty of life, and finding empowerment every day. I feel all three are part of the arts industry, an industry I love.

Can you tell us about what’s worked well for you in terms of growing your clientele?

The most effective strategies for growing clientele are twofold. First, always go above and beyond. Clients appreciate when a hired company truly cares about the relationship and will do whatever it takes to meet goals within the agreed timeframe. I live by the belief that if I succeed for my clients and their company prospers, then we are succeeding together. This mutual success and trust lead to more work in the future.

Second, leverage word of mouth. I always inform my clients that if they refer me and I land the job, they will receive a monetary reward or a discount on their next project. This approach not only shows respect for those who refer you but also provides them with an incentive. Even with the kindest clients, people are less likely to refer you without a tangible benefit. Offering a financial incentive makes referrals more likely to occur.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

The most fulfilling part of being an artist is when I complete a project and leave the client speechless, experiencing that “wow” moment. I always request my clients to take a photo my work on their walls and send it because it brings me immense joy to see it displayed in their homes or offices. It’s a powerful affirmation that my art holds such value for them that they want to share it with others. There’s no greater compliment for me than knowing my work is cherished and prominently featured.

With my life coach, it’s the same experience. When I pose a powerful question in a safe and non-judgmental space, the client takes time to sit with it, exploring their truth and uncovering answers they never knew were there, they have that ‘wow’ moment of realization. This leads to powerful decision-making and, most importantly, reclaiming true control over their lives. Witnessing them regain their power is the greatest feeling for me.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.richtaylorphotography.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/richtaylorphotography/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/richtaylorphotography
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCrzHsLpAznq6KmvbVQfowCA
• Other: https://richtaylordesigns.com/
  https://richtaylorcoaching.com/