We had the good fortune of connecting with Jamary Taylor and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Jamary, how do you think about risk?
Risk-taking has been a huge part of my journey. I barely made it through high school with a 2.8 GPA and somehow graduated college with a 3.2 in mechanical engineering. Math was never my thing, but I basically lived in the library and had tutoring all the time. Growing up with a single mom in Detroit, I knew I had to pick a career that would pay off right after college.

After just a year of working, the pandemic hit. I was working from home from 2020 to 2024. During that time, I took a leap and bought a duplex in Atlanta for $350k without even seeing it. I just had this vision that it would be a good investment. Now I live in that duplex and don’t have to worry about a housing payment.

In May, I got laid off from the job I’d had since college. Instead of going back to engineering, I decided to dive into full-time entrepreneurship. I’m selling products online with my business partner and making cooking videos for YouTube, Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok.

There’s a big risk that focusing on engagement and followers might not pay off, but I genuinely love creating content and making food. Plus, I get a lot of comments about my smile, which keeps me going. I’m putting myself out there to build the life I want, even though I haven’t made a lot of money yet. I’m all in, working hard, staying positive, and definitely not going back to engineering.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
When it comes to content creation, I genuinely enjoy the process of discovering new meals to cook, adding my own twist to recipes, and sharing these dishes with friends and family in my videos. Seeing their enjoyment of the food I create is incredibly rewarding. I’ve been cooking since I was 21, and now at 28, I think what sets me apart is my frequent posting and my diverse range of dishes. I don’t stick to a specific niche; I can whip up anything from an alcoholic beverage or smoothie to African or Indian cuisine. I love experimenting with different ethnic foods.

One key lesson I’ve learned is that my videos where I talk get more views. I also realized I need to include the ingredients and the cooking process in the description for better engagement and saves. My first official post was on June 26th, but I had been planning and creating content since as early as February. So, this venture has been “cooking” for quite a while!

I want the world to know that my journey from being an engineer to a content creator isn’t an overnight success story. While I am still building my following and honing my craft, I’m a very hard worker. I’m not the smartest or the best cook, but I put in the effort and push myself to explore new areas. I believe that with hard work, I can achieve anything, even becoming the President of the United States if I wanted to. However, once I feel I’ve fulfilled my purpose in a particular area, I’m ready to move on and conquer the next challenge.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
If my best friend were visiting the area, I’d ensure they had an unforgettable time exploring the best of Atlanta. Here are some of my top recommendations:

Food Spots:

Slutty Vegan (Edgewood): A must-visit for innovative plant-based meals.
Tassili’s Raw Reality: Known for its amazing kale wraps and raw vegan dishes.
The Real Milk and Honey: Southern-inspired breakfast dishes.
Buford Highway: A culinary adventure with a variety of ethnic cuisines, including great soul food and Asian dishes.
Breakfast at Barney’s: Hearty breakfast options.
Ladybird (BeltLine): A great spot for good chicken wings while enjoying the BeltLine.

Leisure Spots:

Trap Music Museum: Owned by rapper T.I., offering a unique and immersive experience showcasing the evolution of trap music.
BeltLine: A walkable area where people ride scooters, bikes, and walk their dogs. It’s a vibrant and active part of the city.
Sandbox VR: An immersive virtual reality experience.
Coca-Cola Museum: Learn about the history of this iconic brand.
High Museum of Art: If visiting on the first Friday of the month, don’t miss Frequency Fridays from 6-10 PM, where art and music blend for a unique experience.

Nightlife Spots:

Draw Bar and Holiday Bar (West Midtown): Great places to start the night.
El Malo and Palo Santo: Perfect spots to chill and enjoy the vibrant nightlife.
“Deeper” Event: A monthly event that’s a huge vibe and a great way to kick off each month.
The Social Club: Depending on the week they visit, I’d highly recommend attending a nighttime event hosted by The Social Club. It’s literally the most fun and best thing you could go to! Beautiful women, good drinks, great music, everyone dancing and having a good time, with the majority being within my age group.

This itinerary captures some of the most fun, interesting, and exciting places in Atlanta, ensuring my best friend would have an incredible time.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I grew up in a house full of strong, amazing women. My grandma, mother, sister, and later my niece all played pivotal roles in my life. They never pushed me in any specific direction, whether it was sports, school, or anything else. Instead, they offered recommendations, positive energy, and unwavering support no matter what I chose to do.

This support has been a constant in my life. When I bought my house and moved miles away from my job, not knowing if I’d need to return to Connecticut for work or if the house would even get renters, they stood by me. When I lost my job this past May and decided to dive fully into entrepreneurship, they continued to cheer me on. They know how hard I work and always believe in me. Even though they loved bragging about me being an engineer, they understood that my happiness comes first. They trust that I’ll be successful in anything I choose to pursue, and their belief in me has been crucial to my success.

My confidence, my drive, and my “why” all come from the beautiful Black women in my family. Without them, I wouldn’t be where I am today.

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/taylormotivated?igsh=MWYwdXJrbWU3MHYzZQ%3D%3D&utm_source=qr

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61556327850254&mibextid=LQQJ4d

Youtube: https://youtube.com/@Taylormotivated?si=GJwy0-haBr7iG8Vi

Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@taylormotivated?ug_source=op.auth&ug_term=Linktr.ee&utm_source=awyc6vc625ejxp86&utm_campaign=tt4d_profile_link&_r=1

Nominate Someone: ShoutoutAtlanta is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.