Boss Ladies | Taylor Sterling
Photos C/O: Emily Scott
Growing up I really wanted to be
I thought I wanted to be a Marine Biologist until I realized I was afraid of diving into the ocean. I also wanted to be a journalist, casting director, and graphic designer.
My most-used emojis are
The Gold Shining light (three stars) - It's very Glitter Guide and really works for so many things. Kissy heart winky face. Heart Eyes. Frustrated face - that gets used daily, for sure
I don’t know how I ever lived without
VSCO Cam. Em showed me to how to use their grid to plan my Instagram photos and it's been helpful in curating a more beautiful feed.
One thing people don’t know about me is
I am extremely addicted to chapstick. I carry it with me everywhere and apply it every 20 minutes. It's a sickness.
My real life hero is
My mother is one amazing lady and she's a real go-getter. She's taught me the value of hard work. My grandmother on my mother's side is a true matriarch. She's been a caregiver for as long as I can remember and has lost three sons over the past 20 years. I can't imagine how she stays so strong.
What I love about my work is
How creative I get to be. This industry is constantly evolving and you have to evolve along with it. It makes you push hard to standout and do creative work. I also love inspiring other people -- giving them that jolt to do something for others or themselves is very rewarding.
The hardest thing about my work is
Juggling a billion things. I never realized the scope of what would go into running a site like Glitter Guide and turning it into a business. I have to wear so many hats and I always feel like I am failing at something, not getting enough done, or figuring out how to deal with something I've never had to encounter before. It's challenging but in the best way.
How I got started with my current career
I got started in 2008, using a platform called Polyvore. I discovered blogs and immediately wanted to make my own. I launched Sterling Style in 2009, which was a mix of lifestyle and fashion blogging. I did that for a few years while I worked full-time as a recruiter. Then I got the idea for Glitter Guide in 2010. I wanted to create a site that was more like a magazine. I was laid off in 2010 and it was the perfect excuse to launch Glitter Guide and see if I could pull it off. I quit Sterling Style around 2012 and decided to focus solely on Glitter Guide.
The dumbest thing I did when I was starting out
I still do so many dumb things. It's how you learn and grow. I have had my fair share of horrible outfits and poses that still exists out there on the Internet. So cringe worthy!
My typical day looks like
I usually wake up at around 6am when my daughter does. I take her to school and then get back to my office around 8:30am. Then it's a mix of emails, invoices, planning shoots, social media, etc. I struggle with making time for myself. If I am lucky I take my dog for a walk, get to the gym, take a meeting. I typically stop working by 4pm when I get my daughter. However, I often work from my phone throughout the rest of the evening.
I used to think success meant
Meeting certain income levels or traffic levels online.
My current definition of success is
Being happy. That's it. If I am unhappy then I am not successful. Being a mom and a business owner is very challenging. However, if I feel like I'm trying hard and doing my best than that is enough.
An example of when I had to push through my insecurities
I feel like I have to do this quite often. I don’t enjoy talking about myself, so I tend to say no to a lot of events and speaking engagements. I'm trying to push myself to do those things more and share my experiences with others.
I know my work/life balance is out of sync when
I have a lot of anxiety and stress or feel like I want to go give up. Sometimes it can be so much to handle. I feel like I am a failure. Luckily, I have a great support system and I make sure to sleep on the feelings and get out and exercise when I feel that way. Usually I turn around and feel inspired by it. I try to turn it into a wake-up call.
The last time I created something I was proud of
Last year I got to create a rug with Lulu & Georgia. It was a fantastic opportunity and I felt privileged to be asked. I used my daughter as my inspiration and made a fun, colorful rug that I named after her. I'm thrilled when I see it in people's homes. "Elodie Rug"
I wish I could tell my younger self
Stop trying to figure out what your career would be. I agonized for years about what I was "supposed" to do. I always felt like I was in the wrong profession, like I was not acting out on my calling -- although I never knew what that calling was! I realize now that you need to try different things, meet different people, and grow in order to know what's going to be the best career for you.
The legacy I hope to leave is
That I was always there for my friends and family. I also want to be remembered for being a fearless re-creator. Always challenging myself to evolve with time, and age in a creative and inspiring way.
XO,
Taylor