We were lucky to catch up with Taylor Smith recently and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Taylor, thanks for joining us today. If you’re open to it, can you talk to us about the best (or worst) investment you’ve made. What’s the backstory and the relevant context behind why you made the investment

The best investment I’ve made as a business owner was putting myself in rooms with other entrepreneurs, even when it felt uncomfortable or inconvenient. Early in my journey, I realized that proximity to the right people was the key to unlocking visibility, credibility, and opportunities that I couldn’t achieve through social media alone.

One of the most transformative moments came when I attended a small conference. I was nervous and unsure if I belonged, but I decided to show up anyway. That decision led to connections that changed the trajectory of my business. A podcast host I met invited me to be a guest on her show, which brought in new clients.

Someone I met at the event tagged me in a post, introducing me to their audience. A mastermind member referred me to a brand partnership opportunity. None of these connections would have happened if I hadn’t been in the room.

Proximity humanized my brand and positioned me as someone people wanted to collaborate with. It taught me that visibility isn’t just about being online—it’s about being remembered offline. The ROI wasn’t just financial; it was the clarity, confidence, and community I gained. This investment taught me that showing up is the first step to scaling up.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I’m Taylor Smith, a fourth-generation entrepreneur, personal branding strategist, and founder of The Power Table—a thriving community and conference for women entrepreneurs. My journey into entrepreneurship wasn’t a straight path. I started as a college professor and corporate education professional, but I quickly realized that traditional career paths didn’t offer the freedom and choice I craved. I wanted to design my life on my own terms, and entrepreneurship gave me the ability to do just that.

I began by building a coaching and digital product business, but I soon discovered that I was missing something vital: connection. I was making multi-six figures, but I felt isolated and longed for a community of women who understood the unique challenges of building a business. That’s when I decided to create The Power Table—a space where women could come together to collaborate, learn, and grow.

Today, The Power Table includes an annual conference, virtual summits, a podcast, mastermind programs, and weekend retreats. We’ve served over 3,000 women, helping them scale their businesses, build visibility, and create lives full of choice. What sets us apart is our focus on community and collaboration. We don’t just teach strategies; we create spaces where women feel seen, supported, and empowered to take bold action.

I’m most proud of the impact we’ve made—helping women self-fund maternity leave, homeschool their children while running successful businesses, and launch innovative ventures. My mission is to show women that they don’t have to wait for permission to lead, grow, and thrive. I want my clients and followers to know that they can build businesses rooted in authenticity, authority, and impact—and I’m here to guide them every step of the way.

We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?

One of the most important lessons I had to unlearn was the idea that you need to feel qualified before you take action. Early in my entrepreneurial journey, I struggled with imposter syndrome. I thought I needed to have all the answers, a perfect plan, and a certain level of success before I could put myself out there. That mindset held me back for far too long.

The turning point came when I decided to host coffee meetups for women entrepreneurs in my community. I envisioned these gatherings as a way to connect, collaborate, and support each other. But when I showed up to the first few meetups, no one came. I felt embarrassed and defeated, and the voice in my head kept telling me, “See? You’re not qualified to lead this.” But instead of giving up, I made a choice to keep showing up. I kept organizing events, kept sharing my vision, and kept putting myself out there—even when it felt like no one was listening.

Over time, people started showing up. Those small coffee meetups grew into larger gatherings, and eventually, they evolved into The Power Table LIVE conferences, which now sell out and attract women entrepreneurs from across the U.S. and Canada. I learned that you don’t need to feel ready or qualified to take action. You just need to start, stay visible, and keep showing up. Confidence doesn’t come first—it’s built through consistency and persistence. That lesson has shaped everything I do, and it’s the message I share with the women in my community every day.

Any insights you can share with us about how you built up your social media presence?

When I started building my audience on social media, my focus was on sharing small business marketing tips. At the time, educational content and Instagram Reels were just starting to gain traction, so I leaned into those formats to provide value and establish myself as a resource for entrepreneurs. I focused on creating actionable, bite-sized content that resonated with my audience, and I stayed consistent with my posting schedule to build trust and visibility.

As my personal brand and business evolved, I shifted my focus to storytelling and documentation. Sharing my journey—my wins, struggles, and lessons—helped me connect with my audience on a deeper level. People wanted to see the person behind the brand, and this shift allowed me to build a more authentic connection with my followers. As my experience and capacity grew, I expanded to other platforms like Threads, LinkedIn, and Substack, reaching new audiences and sharing my message in different ways. But I didn’t try to do it all at once. I focused on mastering one platform first before expanding to others.

One of the most important strategies I’ve learned, and one that many people overlook, is combining social media with an in-person event strategy. Attending networking events, taking photos with people, and tagging them in your content is a game-changer. It humanizes and legitimizes your brand in a way that can’t be faked or replicated. When people see you actively engaging with others in real life, it builds trust and makes your online presence more credible. Some of my most successful collaborations and business opportunities have come from these in-person connections, and the content I’ve created around them has helped amplify my visibility online.

For those just starting out, my advice is to focus on one platform you enjoy and get really good at it. Stay consistent, build your voice, and learn what resonates with your audience. Once you’ve mastered one platform, expand to others and incorporate an in-person event strategy. Social media success is about more than just posting—it’s about showing up, building relationships, and creating a brand that people trust and want to engage with.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://thepowertable.co/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thepowertable.co/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/taylorsmithonline/

Image Credits

Stephanie Halas Photography
Frames By Destiny