Meet Terrina Taylor

 

We recently connected with Terrina Taylor and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, so we’re so thrilled to have Terrina with us today – welcome and maybe we can jump right into it with a question about one of your qualities that we most admire. How did you develop your work ethic? Where do you think you get it from?

Watching my single mother run a business for 35 years has been the cornerstone of my work ethic. Growing up, I witnessed her balance the demands of being a single mother and a business owner with unwavering determination. Her resilience, whether financial, personal, or professional, taught me that success is not handed to you but earned through hard work and perseverance.

She faced numerous obstacles, from economic downturns to personal hardships, yet she never gave up. Instead, she adapted, and pushed forward, demonstrating that setbacks are just setups for comebacks. Her dedication to providing for our family while maintaining the integrity and growth of her business instilled in me a sense of responsibility and a relentless drive to achieve my goals.

Through her struggles, I learned that the entrepreneurial journey is far from easy, but incredibly rewarding. The satisfaction of overcoming hurdles and building something meaningful is worth every ounce of effort. These lessons have shaped my approach to both my personal and professional life, driving me to strive for excellence and never settle for mediocrity.

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 financial literacy advocate and the owner of a merchant services consulting firm, The Payments Connoisseur. I am dedicated to helping businesses, particularly minority and women-owned enterprises, optimize their payment processing systems. My journey into merchant services began after I noticed the disparities in transaction fees and customer service between generic payment aggregators and specialized merchant accounts. This discovery ignited a passion in me to share this knowledge and support others in handling the complexities of payment processing.

What excites me most about my work is the ability to make a tangible difference in the lives of business owners. By offering lower fees, enhanced security, and superior customer service, I help businesses increase their profitability and focus on growth. It’s incredibly rewarding to see my clients thrive and know that I played just a small part in their success.

Recently, I’ve been involved in several initiatives to further support and educate business owners. I attended a vendor event at Towson University, where I had an opportunity to share insights on the benefits of being registered in the vendor portal. I also participated in the Suddenly Single Moms Summit, offering guidance and support to those navigating new entrepreneurial paths.

In terms of new developments, I’m excited to announce that my business is exploring growth opportunities as a sub- contractor as well as our MBE certification with the NMSDC. This expansion will allow us to offer even more comprehensive support to other businesses seeking funding and growth opportunities.

My brand is built on the foundation of resilience, dedication, and a commitment to empowering others. Through my consulting services, I strive to provide business owners with the tools and knowledge they need to succeed. Whether it’s through personalized consulting, educational events, or strategic partnerships, my goal is to foster a community of successful entrepreneurs.

There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?

1. Resilience: The ability to bounce back from setbacks and persist through challenges has been crucial. Running a business comes with its fair share of obstacles, from financial hurdles to unexpected changes in the market. Resilience has allowed me to face these challenges head-on and emerge stronger.
2. Commitment to Continuous Learning: The desire to constantly learn and improve has been a driving force in my journey. I will always advise investing in education and personal development. Attend workshops, seminars, and industry events. Read books, listen to podcasts, and take online courses to broaden your knowledge. Never stop seeking new information and skills that can enhance your business and personal growth.
3. Set goals and boundaries: Goals provide direction and motivation, helping you stay focused on what’s important. Equally important is setting boundaries to maintain a healthy work-life balance and avoid burnout. Prioritize self-care, delegate tasks when possible, and learn to say no when necessary to protect your time and energy.

Advice for New Entrepreneurs:

1. Understand that failure is a part of the journey. Learn from your mistakes and use them as stepping stones to success.
2. Networking and building relationships are crucial. Surround yourself with supportive and knowledgeable individuals who can offer advice and encouragement.
3. Always be curious and willing to learn. The more knowledge you acquire, the better equipped you’ll be to make informed decisions and innovate in your field.

How can folks who want to work with you connect?

Absolutely, I am always looking for opportunities to partner and collaborate with like-minded individuals and organizations. Collaboration is key to innovation and growth.

I am particularly interested in collaborating with:

1. Minority and Women-Owned Businesses: I am passionate about supporting these businesses in optimizing their payment processing systems and achieving financial growth. If you are a minority or woman-owned business looking for ways to improve your payment solutions, I would love to connect.

2. Community and Business Development Organizations: Organizations that focus on community building, business development, and entrepreneurship support are ideal partners. Collaborating with such entities can help us reach and support more business owners effectively.

3. Educational Institutions and Programs: I am keen to collaborate with educational institutions and programs that offer workshops, seminars, and training for business owners. Sharing knowledge and resources is vital for supporting new entrepreneurs.

5. Media Outlets and Influencers: Engaging with media outlets and influencers who share a commitment to entrepreneurship, minority and women-owned businesses, and community support can help amplify our message and reach a broader audience.

If you are interested in collaborating, you can connect with me through the following channels:

LinkedIn: Connect with me on LinkedIn http://www.linkedin.com/in/terrinataylor426
Or visit my website, Terrinataylor.com

Contact Info:

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