We recently connected with Taylor and have shared our conversation below.
Taylor , we’re so excited for our community to get to know you and learn from your journey and the wisdom you’ve acquired over time. Let’s kick things off with a discussion on self-confidence and self-esteem. How did you develop yours?
While many women attribute their confidence and self-esteem to the influence of their mothers, for me, it was my father who played that pivotal role. Throughout his life, he was my biggest cheerleader—there wasn’t a single day when he didn’t uplift or affirm me.
He consistently reminded me of my beauty, celebrated even the smallest milestones, and always looked forward to our back-to-school fashion shows after shopping. One of his most lasting impacts was encouraging me to embrace my natural features—especially my naturally curly hair, which he always admired and supported me in wearing proudly.
The foundation of confidence and self-worth he helped build in my childhood has deeply shaped my adulthood. Today, I’m grateful to have a loving husband who continues that legacy as my strongest supporter. As a small business owner, the confidence I carry with me is rooted in that early affirmation—and it has become one of my greatest strengths.
Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?
In 2019, I began nursing school and graduated in 2021, starting my career as a registered nurse. Just four months into that career, my life changed drastically—I unexpectedly lost my father. His passing left me with a major decision: continue pursuing nursing or step into the role of business owner overnight.
My dad owned a commercial janitorial company in the Reno/Sparks area, and about 20 employees were depending on the business for their livelihoods. At 26 years old, with no business experience, I chose to take on the challenge and carry on what he had built. I had no idea how to run a company—but I had faith, grit, and a deep sense of responsibility to my team and my father’s legacy.
Today, I’ve proudly owned Commercial Janitorial of Reno for four years. It’s been an incredible journey of growth, both personally and professionally. I’ve expanded the business, and our team has become like family. Together, we’ve built something truly meaningful.
Our company specializes in janitorial services for commercial spaces, including medical facilities, office buildings, carpet cleaning, floor scrubbing and waxing, and small business maintenance. I’m fortunate to have an amazing manager, Sam, who has been by my side since day one, helping me navigate this unexpected but rewarding career path.
We take immense pride in the quality of our work and our contributions to the Reno/Sparks community. We’re deeply grateful to remain a trusted, locally owned small business—and we’re excited for what lies ahead.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
Looking back, I can honestly say I didn’t have any formal skills or experience that would’ve qualified me to run a business. I wasn’t trained in management, finance, or operations—but what I did have was perseverance. That quality alone carried me through moments where everything felt uncertain. I refused to let fear or failure stop me from trying.
The three most impactful qualities in my journey have been:
Perseverance – I faced a steep learning curve, and I made a lot of mistakes early on. But I kept going. I believe it’s not about knowing everything from the start—it’s about being willing to learn, to adapt, and to show up every single day. One quote I live by (and have tattooed on me) is: “I only see my goals, I don’t believe in failure.” That mindset helped me push forward even when the road felt impossible.
Being goal-oriented with flexibility – I’ve learned that it’s important to set goals, but even more important to be open to the path shifting along the way. Don’t get discouraged if things don’t go exactly how you envisioned. Embrace the hiccups, the delays, the challenges—they’re all part of the growth. They don’t block your path; they are the path.
Communication and confidence – I used to struggle with speaking to strangers, let alone leading a team or presenting myself as a business owner. But I challenged myself to get comfortable being uncomfortable. I leaned into opportunities to speak publicly, to connect, and to lead with my voice—and it changed everything. One quote that reminds me to keep showing up despite the nerves is: “The only thing we have to fear is fear itself.”
My advice to anyone early in their journey: Don’t wait until you feel “ready.” You don’t need a perfect plan or a long list of credentials to begin. Start with belief in yourself, be willing to learn, and never let fear be the reason you hold back. Your growth will come from the journey—not from the destination.
To close, maybe we can chat about your parents and what they did that was particularly impactful for you?
The most impactful thing my father ever did for me was remind me, time and time again: “I’m not here to be your friend, I’m here to be your parent.”
At 15 years old, when I wanted to stay out late or do what all my friends were doing, that statement felt frustrating. But now, as a woman, a wife, a mother, and a business owner, I see just how powerful and loving that approach really was.
My dad understood that his role wasn’t to make life easy—it was to prepare me for it. He guided me with firm expectations, pushed me when I needed to grow, and consoled me when I failed. But he never let me make excuses for my behavior or choices. He taught me that accountability, not comfort, builds character.
When I stumbled, he helped me get back up—not with empty praise or participation trophies, but with truth, support, and the belief that I was capable of more. That kind of parenting gave me resilience. It gave me standards. It taught me never to settle for anything less than giving my all.
And while he always held that role firmly, over time, he ultimately became my best friend. Looking back, I now understand that being my parent—not my friend initially—was the greatest gift he could have given me.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.commercialjanitorialreno.com
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/commercial-janitorial-reno-reno-4
Image Credits
Kris Swanson
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