Meet Taylr Ucker-Lauderman!
I met Taylr through MCM Kyle's girlfriend and one of my bffs introduced through Facebook, cause it's 2017 after all.
Can you tell me about your background? School? What set you up for this endeavor?
I grew up in a rural Ohio town and went to Ohio University Athens for my undergraduate degree and then Wright State University for my master’s. My studies have been in Communications; Psychology; Women, Gender, and Sexuality Studies; and Education.
If you’re not doing it, what would your dream job be?
My dream job would be to have more than one job, so that I can split my time among the things I’m most passionate about. I dread the 9-5 (as I think most people do), and I can’t fathom doing only one thing forever. I see myself continuing to teach in higher education as well dedicate some of my time to non-profits. Outside of my “activist” type work, I also greatly enjoy running my own business. Right now, I’m doing all of those things and will continue to do so. I just want to continue growing, getting more successful and more effective in all of those areas. I also plan to get my Phd.
How important is social media to your business?
Social media is critical in everything I do. I use it for learning and growing myself, which is the root of all that I do elsewhere. I use it for teaching, both inside of the traditional classroom and out. And I of course use it for my businesses where I sell LuLaRoe clothing and DōTERRA Essential Oils.
What would you say is your personal brand is?
I’m not sure that I’ve thought about my personal brand much until now. I try to be intentional about how I interact with other people though. I try to be helpful, caring, supportive, and anti-oppressive in all that I do (without exhausting myself or expecting perfection, of course), so those goals are always at the forefront. I would think that my passion for equality and intentions to have caring relationships with people would be part of how others view me, how they see my brand.
What can others learn from you?
Hmmm…at this point I’m not sure what others can learn from me. I do try to be a funnel of information though, an avenue or a curator, I guess. I don’t possess all the knowledge, but I can help you find it. I can help you interpret it. I just use my positions and my privileges to amplify voices that should be heard anyways. So, really, what folks can learn from me is what I’ve learned from others who are much more wise than I am.
If I could give a piece of advice though, it would be to stay true to yourself while also being open to changes to that version of yourself. You can always grow and be better, so don’t shut other people out. But, listen to your intuition after you’ve gathered all of the information you can. If people like you and those decisions after that, then that’s great, but if they don’t, then they don’t. And trust me, there will be people that don’t like you!
How do you do under pressure? How do you handle stress?
Wow, that’s kind of a tough question. I like to think I do wonderfully under pressure, but it’s getting to that real pressure part that’s tricky. I start out handling stress by pushing it back, by procrastinating. And then when it gets down to crunch time, I bust it out. I try to stay on top of what I need to do though. I have a continuous list, actually more than one. I have lists written on paper, in my phone, and in my head.
But another important part of handling my stress is to take time for self-care. Sometimes that means treating myself, and sometimes it means resisting the urge for a treat. Sometimes it means being with people I love, and sometimes it means being alone. It always means being with my dogs though hahaha
What’s the average day in the life of Taylr look like?
My average day is pretty chill I’d say. I usually get to sleep in with my husband due to his schedule, then we hang out with the dogs a bit outside. After he goes to work, I try to get to work on whatever it is that I’m focusing on that day.
During the school year, I’m prepping for class, grading, or heading to campus to teach. If it’s during the summer, I’m running errands, working on research, reading a book, or working on LuLaRoe and Doterra. You’ll probably find me talking to my pets more than you’ll find me talking to humans, and I’m constantly on social media reading and sharing the latest articles and memes. It’s also important to me to find time to spend with my family members and best friends, so I might run errands with my mom or go to my parents’ house and laugh and joke with my siblings.
Do you/Did you have a mentor/mentee?
I do have a mentor; well, I think I have several. I’ve always looked up to my mother and grandmother. They’re both career women, and I’ve watched them work and hustle all my life. They’ve been the matriarchs and providers in our family, and I have learned so many lessons from them. My mom has especially been my biggest supporter and has walked me through so many important decisions.
In my academic and professional career, I’ve also been lucky enough to have another mentor, Dr. Hope Jennings. She served as my professor, program director, and thesis chair in graduate school, and she now helps to guide me in my academic career.
When it comes to my businesses, I’ve learned so much from other women that are doing the same things I’m doing. For example, my teammates in LuLaRoe have shared such a huge abundance of knowledge, and I really would not be where I am had they guarded that information instead.
How did you advance your career?
I’ve worked really hard. It’s been a combination of things I’ve mentioned earlier, such as an amazing familial support system and awesome mentors. I’ve also been given a bit of privilege that I can’t deny. I’m white, cisgender, able-bodied and from a middle class family. That has propelled me forward a bit. Other than that, I think I’m still advancing in both my education and career.
Why do you do what you do?
It’s fun, and I think it helps people have better lives. If I can be happy doing it, and it can make others happy, then I’m doing something right. And when I say “it” I mean that combination of jobs I do.
How would you describe your personal style?
To be cliché, I would say “hippy.” I try to stay in touch with nature; it’s part of my spirituality and what makes me happy. And I think that shows in my style. My home, my car, my clothes—everything has a similar vibe I’d say.
What makes up your wardrobe?
Currently, a TON of LuLaRoe. Of course.
Who is your fashion icon?
I don’t have one really. I think I’m observant of people in general (maybe that’s creepy hahaha), so I pick up on what everyone is doing and wearing. I’m sure a lot of that comes through in what I wear. I also just wear what feels good, and I’m pretty sure that what feels good to me often looks horrible to other people hahaha But that’s okay with me. I’ve also always looked up to one of my best friends, Shayna. She’s always had awesome style, which has helped me throughout the years.
What do you feel is your greatest accomplishment?
My education. Not necessarily the degree or the paper part of it. But it was really fucking hard to finish my masters. So, looking back on all that I was dealing with at the time and the difficulties I faced during school, it feels amazing to know I finished. But along with that, I feel that I’ve been able to use my education to help people even if it’s been in small ways.
What is your ‘must have’ accessory?
Earrings! Absolutely earrings. I feel so weird without them. I’ve also found lately that wearing a watch makes me feel complete. And I of course LOVE my bridal set and have to give credit to my husband for helping me look fashionable every day.
What advice can you give others that look towards you to gauge success?
Don’t! As hard as it is, don’t use other people’s successes to gauge your own. Well, maybe I don’t mean that completely. I understand that it’s helpful, and in some ways we can’t help but to compare ourselves to others. It also sometimes helps us stretch our goals and because we see what someone who is similar to us is capable of. And that’s awesome! But always return to yourself, to your core. Find the balance between other people, what they’ve done, what advice they’ve given you, and what feels right for you and for your own goals and values.
What advice can you give on failure?
Failure sucks and it feels horrible, but most often it’s not a true failure. You made the decisions that led to that failure for a reason. You might go back and adjust some things if you could, but think about what led you to that point. Do you stand by those decisions? Whether you do or don’t, that’s okay. Either way, adjust accordingly and move forward. There is more for you.
What was your big break?
I don’t think I’ve had it yet haha
Are you a member of any organizations? Trade Organizations, etc.
I’m not really an active member of any specific organization. I follow many trade organizations in communications, education, and retail sales. I also follow a huge variety of social justice organizations. I tend to not participate in deeply active ways though. I wish there was more time in the day.
What’s next for you?
I plan to continue teaching forever and ever. I also hope to ride the LuLaRoe wave as long as people will stay on it with me! I absolutely adore the clothes and know many consultants who I support fully both personally and professionally. And of course I will continue my work with nonprofit organizations into the afterlife, specifically fighting for survivor-centered advocacy and transformative justice.
Thanks, Taylr!
xo,
KJB
Keep up with Taylr here:
Shop LuLaRoe with Taylr here
Instagram: @taylruckerlauderman
Facebook: here
No comments:
Post a Comment