We recently connected with Tayler Jones and have shared our conversation below.
Tayler, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Are you happier as a business owner? Do you sometimes think about what it would be like to just have a regular job?
I always had aspirations of making a difference in the world, so I knew that my career path and road to success would be “unconventional.” My creative pursuits and passion to connect and impact lives couldn’t fit inside a cubicle or 9 to 5. I feel that I have the best of both worlds. I have been a theatre artist and educator for more than ten years. I have a Bachelor’s degree in theatre performance and a Master’s in Applied Drama/Theatre for the Young. I act, direct, devise new works, and empower youth through the arts. As a child I wanted to be all of the things; actor, teacher, vet, dancer, artist and so much more, and I find that through theatre I can be all of that and more. Through my studies, I acquired a fond appreciation for all of the parts and roles of theatre production. Wearing all of the hats, being flexible, and connecting with my audience also translates to me in business. Going from process to production. I also have a background in customer service working in museums and in university housing, where I learned a lot about community engagement, as well as systems and procedures. I often used it as a means to fuel my artistry and business endeavors.
The freedom I have allows me to collaborate with creatives and business owners who get it and who think differently. I am inspired by their profound passion, insight, knowledge, and encouragement. I enjoy being able to choose what projects speak to me or that serve a greater need or mission, that is in alignment with my business values and that of me as a person. It is truly transformational work that I have the honor of being part of. By managing my own time, I have done speaking engagements and also expanded my roles as a community connector and Pregnancy and Infant Loss Support Advocate. I always desired to work for myself full-time as a theatre artist and business owner and I can say that it is working out for me better than I expected. I get to do what I love, take risks, be challenged, and share my perspective with insanely talented and creative minds. Although it can be hard to put limits on my own time, the long hours I put in are a testament to my willingness to succeed and discover more about myself. I remember being younger and pressured to choose one route over another, but I knew I had a wide range of skills and interests too diverse to sit still. I love that my creative pursuits make room for me and I am able to freely collaborate and connect with causes and other small businesses that are on a similar mission.
Tayler, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?
I am Tayler Jones, the founder and Head Beauty in Charge (lead curator) of Beauty of Detroit Box. I launched Beauty of Detroit Box during the pandemic for women to reduce the time it takes to reclaim their me-time, reconnect with their best selves and embrace the beauty of the present moment. I also wanted to change the narrative of how we view ourselves and the city that I love, Detroit, MI. There are as many misconceptions around self-care, as there are around Detroit.
According to WalletHub, “Detroit is the second most stressed-out city in America,” as it relates to work, family and health. We cannot thrive stuck in survival mode, no matter the hustle culture here. We don’t want you to wait until you’re burnt out to start taking care of yourself, that’s why we have seasonal self-care packages delivered to your door. You deserve self-care and to balance grit with grace. This is my labor of love for the people, small businesses, and the city that has shaped me. Sometimes we need to be reminded that Detroit is iconic and that there is still beauty here. We uphold the torch, we embody its spirit. We should represent ourselves and where we come from in a positive light. While changing the narrative of self-care, we make it unique, accessible, and convenient for you to be the best version of yourself. The best parent, partner, child, friend, or colleague. When we have compassion for ourselves and are able to explore and understand our own feelings and needs, we have more empathy for others. It makes our community stronger and the quality of life so much better!
Through our thoughtfully curated seasonal self-care subscription, curated gift boxes, build your own gift box for any occasion or shop locally sourced gifts, customers enjoy beautifully packaged self-care essentials and resources that inspire a positive mindset, confidence, and well-being. Each curated box helps you recharge and reconnect with 4-6 self-care essentials, including journals, books, natural bath and beauty products, home goods, lifestyle accessories, and snacks/drinks, all handmade by small businesses in metro Detroit. We give subscribers permission to pause, as well as the ease and comfort of self-care delivered every season. Our gift boxes are a thoughtful and unique way to show up for someone when you want to connect, show your appreciation, or can’t physically be there. I love being part of your special moments and being there in times of need. We are not a gift basket or generic beauty box with toxic items you can just get off a shelf, but unique and useful quality made goods that are one-of-a-kind from all around Michigan. I also enjoy seeing the way our customers’ faces light up over finding the perfect gift or the excitement to treat themselves. Your encouraging messages and feedback bring me so much joy. I also appreciate the kind messages after I debunk self-care myths and share tips that speak to them or a small business getting recurring sales.
How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?
My business started by looking at the pandemic as a unique opportunity to go within. The pandemic was a pivotal moment in my life because the theatre industry went dark, later virtual, impacting my livelihood. My graduation, just like moments of celebration for others, felt like a huge letdown. For many of us, lockdown forced us to be still, take time to self-reflect, examine ourselves, our habits, and beliefs, as well as rethink what we cherish and value. Taking a daily inventory of my new normal and the reality of my habits magnified where I was most disconnected from myself and those around me. I didn’t always feel like I was showing up as my best self, and there were times I felt depressed. To combat the monotony of daily living in a pandemic, burnout, and stress with working from home, I wanted to make self-care more of a priority, easily accessible, and celebrate everyday moments. The struggle changed when I gave myself grace, was intentional about self-care, and began to romanticize my life. Plus my love languages are quality time and gift-giving, and I wanted to share that sense of connection to self and community with others.
Another way I am pivoting in business is by offering a build your own box option on our website. I love curating boxes, but I’d also love to see customers truly take gift-giving to the next level by making the experience even more personal. They know their loved ones or coworkers best. Customers can expect to shop and curate their own boxes filled with self-care goodies; natural bath and beauty products, journals, books, candles, glassware, tailgate accessories, and Detroit swag. This will be great for people who want to share the Detroit love with those they love out of town and show Detroit pride.
We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?
One of the biggest barriers to personal and financial growth is our limiting beliefs. The stories we tell ourselves or that society does. “It’s not who you are that holds you back, it’s who you think you are not.” I could share dozens of quotes and lessons that made me think differently about myself. Truth is growth doesn’t happen overnight, it’s a process, and that’s why self-care is a daily practice. I could share how it took a breakdown in graduate school to fully comprehend that I didn’t need to earn rest. You just deserve it (whether you were productive that day or not), just like everyone deserves self-care. Both are not a luxury or privilege. What I’ll share today instead is that your needs, wants, and desires matter. As a recovered people pleaser, I’ve come to the conclusion that I only know myself deeply enough to know what those needs are and it’s okay to voice them to those that care for me. However, if I am insistently doing for others, how will I know what those needs are? Don’t use caring for the needs of others as an excuse to not be present for yourself. You have needs and wants of your own and it may take a bit of self-discovery and setting boundaries for them to come to the surface. It’s okay to speak up for yourself. It’s okay to not be okay. You are not a burden. You are your own best advocate. When I didn’t show up for myself in that way I began to resent people who didn’t value me or my time, but how were they if I didn’t by letting them abuse it? Instead of letting those needs go unmet or feeling resentful, I addressed them or dropped those people. You were born worthy and getting the support you give and deserve is there when we seek it out. It’s perfectly fine if your needs are different than those in your friend group or family. It does not make you needy or selfish for desiring more from others. Your needs are just different and being honest about that does not have to be this big scary thing or cause conflict. Tap into your community of support. Maybe it’s a weekly vent sesh, getting together once a month, checking in once a day with someone you trust. Whatever it is there should be a balance between you meeting your needs and allowing other people to be there for you too. The Beauty of Detroit Box is also here to support you, hold you accountable, and encourage you to choose yourself.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.mybeautyofdetroitbox.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mybeautyofdetroitbox/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BeautyofDetroitBox
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tayler-jones-956618205/
Image Credits
Tayler Jones Subscription Box Photography Alisha Nicole Photography