We were lucky to catch up with Taylor Gusman recently and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Taylor, really happy you were able to join us today and we’re looking forward to sharing your story and insights with our readers. Let’s start with the heart of it all – purpose. How did you find your purpose?
You know that scene from Euphoria where “Maddie knew who she was from a very early age”… yeah that’s me. I always knew I was meant to do something important and meaningful in this world My grandmother always instilled in me that I am meant to be in the beauty space, to create something amazing. I always had a deep love for beauty! My mom was the queen of luxury beauty. Every night I use to go in her vanity pull the deep brown drawer where I would be met with Bobbi Brown, Mac, Dior, the list goes on. I would play with her makeup fascinated by the different colors and looks you create with the products. During the pandemic when everyone was forced to stay home, creating art was my outlet to keep me going during those uncertain times. It was just me in my childhood bedroom with my camera and makeup brushes. I started capturing makeup content from everyday to fun creative looks. I remember being so excited to show my mom and grandma the looks I created. When my grandmother passed away from fighting cancer for the third time(she was a strong woman) I knew that by me continuing my work would make her proud. I then began working in social media marketing where my mission is giving opportunities and a voice to Black and Brown creators who’s voices are ignored by major beauty brands. When working on camera and behind the scenes you see how flawed these spaces are from the lack of diversity and representation in the brands. It’s important that people like me are working behind the scenes because change will happen.
Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?
I am a beauty and lifestyle content creator. I have always been a creative person. I see what I do as art. Getting in front/behind the camera and capturing life and beauty looks/products. The overall creating process excites me! Playing with different scenes, props, editing tools. I have always found beauty and inspiration in editorials. My mother always was reading vogue, essence, vanity the list goes on. I would actually steal her magazines to create collages. Getting to see the final results is exciting because I created that and it just shows why I do what I do. My mission even as content creator is to show Black women living a soft and luxurious life. We’re portrayed negatively in the media and it’s never anything positive. Black women are so multidimensional with different interests. With my lifestyle content is shows just that. Along with my makeup looks I am part of the many talented Black creators. Showing products and looks that work for us. My dream is be behind the scenes for major beauty brand campaigns and then eventually for my own makeup brand.
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
Confidence, Perseverance and the drive to keep going even when others doubt you.
I am blessed to be surrounded by my family who are strong. I get my work ethic from my dad. He built his own successful business from the ground up. He always teaches me to work hard and do what I want for myself. My confidence comes from growing up around the confident women in my life. Who taught me to be a powerful force.
My piece of advice is this…do not let others yap in your ear and discourage you from doing what you feel is right. Life is too short to not make yourself happy. There were times were I didn’t go after something because someone told me it couldn’t happen and I regret not going after it. You don’t want to live life regretting. It’s better to say you gave something your best shot even if it didn’t work out at least you tried. Fear is the theft of joy. If I let fear and self doubt win I wouldn’t be working with major brands and been invited to a big brand event where I walked in my first fashion show.
What do you do when you feel overwhelmed? Any advice or strategies?
I’m a huge advocate in self care and doing what’s best for yourself mentally. In this field of work it’s so easy to become overwhelmed and anxious. Whenever I feel that way I listen to what my body needs and honor that. If that’s taking a break I’m doing that because that just means I need to clear my mind and find inspiration. Journaling always helps with clearing the mind and seeing what areas need attention. It’s important when you’re not feeling your best to not push the work out during that time because if so you’re not putting your best foot forward. I’m such a perfectionist. When it comes to my work I want it all to look perfect. This fuels my anxiety unfortunately. That’s why it’s important to realize art is not perfect.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://taylorgusman.my.canva.site/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/goldennxtay/
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@goldennxtay
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