We had the good fortune of connecting with Michelle Taylor Willis and we’ve shared our conversation below.
Hi Michelle, what do you think makes you most happy? Why?
My children’s laughter is what makes me the happiest! Individually, it’s great. But corporately, like when they all get together and laugh and enjoy one another, it’s like music to my ears. When I hear them laugh together, it lets me know we’ve established a foundation for them to find pure joy. That’s important, because we have to know how to find our joy even when happiness doesn’t seem to be on the horizon. The earlier you understand that, the easier life will be. On top of that, what’s better than seeing your kids happy, or hearing them happy?
What should our readers know about your business?
I’m the CEO of Gagnant Media. We make quality advertising available for small businesses. We create our own content and sell it on mediums that we wholly or partially own, through print, tv, radio and billboards. We also have a production arm where we produce content for others, including film/tv productions, commercials, and documentaries.
What makes us different is that a lot of the content we create and run ads on, we create, as opposed to running ads on content that was created by someone else. The other thing that makes us different is that I run the media company, but I also am the face of some of the content. I’m the publisher of SoFu Lifestyle Magazine, the host of the According to Michelle TV show, and the host of the Over the Top radio show. My friends call me “Lil Oprah,” or “Oprah, Jr.” LOL!
Entrepreneurship is not easy, but it’s undoubtedly fulfilling. It is not for everyone; everyone isn’t built for this kind of hustle. But if you are, then get after it. I overcome challenges with steadfast faith and heeding wise counsel.
Some of the main lessons I’ve learned are: hire slow, fire fast; surround yourself with people smarter than you; get comfortable with “failing” in the traditional sense; chess, not checkers, but sometimes checkers, but only when you’re playing chess – yeah, you’ve got to ruminate on that one for a bit; hire to your weaknesses; stop trying to be great at things at which you’re not great; use your success for others – that’s how you become significant.
I want people to know that my brand is around significance. Significance is the play, not success. Get good at using your strengths and platforms to make other people better, so they can make other people better. That’s empowerment. And, I need people to know that I’m playing for something much bigger and better than they or I can see. And, it’s not always about the legacy you’ll leave. It’s also about the legacy you’re creating while you’re alive, if that makes sense.
If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Harold’s Old Nat, The Bellyard, Low Country Steak, Grant Park, Inman Park, L5P, Salt and Pepper Kitchen, The Breakfast Boys, The Wellness Spot, The Trap Music Museum, Nouveau Bar and Grill, The High Museum, Roswell Falls…these are a few of my favorites.
Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
My shout out is going to Trae Quaintance, my 23yo son. When I first started my TV show not even 2 years ago, he was cameraman one, Director of Photography, Director, Producer, Editor…you name it. He and Noni Nicholas (shoutout to Noni, who gave me my first network deal) worked with me when I had nothing but an idea and concept. Noni helped train me and teach me the ropes, and Trae believed in his mom enough to just show up and work sometimes all night while he was in college to get my show produced. He’s so big now that he won’t even shoot for me anymore, LOL! He doesn’t shoot at all, actually; he only edits and works on projects in post-production. Now, he’s worked with major musicians, entertainers, actors, networks, and his editing work is unparalleled. So yeah, shoutout to my favorite 23yo in the world!
Website: gagnantmedia.com, michelletaylorwillis.com
Instagram:
Linkedin: michelletaylorwillis
Twitter: michelletwillis
Facebook: michelletaylorwillis
Youtube: Gagnant Media
Other: According to Michelle can be found on the VTV Network on Roku and Amazon Fire Wednesdays at 10am EST and 7pm EST Over the Top with Michelle Taylor Willis can be heard on Wednesdays at 4pm EST on The Real 1100am in Atlanta and on iHeart Radio
Image Credits
Brandprenuer DJN Studio