Meet Tayler Bryant | President/CEO of Complete Weddings + Events Knoxville

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

Hi Tayler, can you tell us more about your background and the role it’s played in shaping who you are today?
I am originally from a small town named Fremont, Nebraska. I have always been in love with music and the effects it has on people, especially myself. Whenever there was a time, I needed a safe place to be, or I needed to tame the world at the end of the day, nothing beats popping in my headphones, and getting lost in euphoria with whatever music feels right that day. My background showed me both sides of life, as at one point I was basically living in my car during my late teens/early 20s. These last ten years have taught me a few life lessons that I won’t soon forget, such as its ok to hit rock bottom, as now it gives you the perfect opportunity to make a stronger foundation for your path back up. But more importantly it showed me the value of friendship/family, and how it’s ok to ask for help, as you never know who will open the right door to new experiences that you didn’t even know existed. Lastly, and I’ll steal this quote from a movie, but home is where you make it. I grew up 24 years in Nebraska, moved to Fargo, ND for 3 years, and then finally made it to Knoxville, TN, where I finally feel like my puzzle piece fits in and I feel truly at home. These past 2 1/2 years in Knoxville have been the greatest years of my life, and I plan to continue to hold onto that for as long as I possibly can.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
I think what really sets me apart from others, is that I went up every rung of the ladder in this company before becoming an owner. I started out as a DJ, then 3 years later, became the GM of the same named company for 3 years, to now an Owner of the same named company where I get to stand at the same level as those who I looked up to 8 years ago. I also know what it’s like to have bad management and unfavorable leaders at other jobs and seeing those types of managers/leads/owners gave me the knowledge, then if/when I was ever put in those positions, I will understand how I felt to be treated like that, and make sure I don’t put my staff thru that.

I’m most proud of my staff and the family that’s been created. I run a growing team, but I grow it at a steady pace so that everyone feels welcome and appreciated under my leadership, along with feeling like a team instead of a number on the line. My focus as a DJ was always to make sure the couple were taken care of, as a GM it was that, along with making sure I helped keep the lights on for the owner, to now being an owner, where all of those come into play, but more focus now on creating the future of this industry by creating amazing DJs, Photographers, Videographers, etc. Some come from nowhere, and some come with experience, but I’m excited to have the knowledge that could set them on a path to greatness, and if their aspirations are to grow specifically in this industry, I can help them follow in similar steps that I took.

How I got here today business wise is actually a fairly simple explanation. I looked towards the people in the industry I hoped would give knowledge I didn’t possess at the time. I also started a small business first/franchise from the ground up, so I got to experience the growing pains of a business, instead of buying a current franchise that was already running. It taught me the true meaning behind money, how to finance, and the immense pressure that comes behind it. In no way was this easy, as there are so many balls in the air, that from the outside looking in it can look easy, but once you’re in the fire juggling all of them, it is the scariest jump to take by becoming a small business owner, but it’s the biggest risk with the greatest reward at the end, which includes self-respect and knowledge you’re helping the people that work with you, helping the community and forming amazing relationships that otherwise may never have happened.

While the company Complete Weddings + Events turns 50 this year, Complete Weddings + Events Knoxville turns 2 1/2 as of now. That’s why I tell people I’m a small business first, and a franchise second. People hear the word franchise and assess that there is no control by the owner of their own business. With Complete Weddings + Events, it’s the other way around. I paid for the name, knowledge, and experience, but day to day life and growth of my business falls solely on me. I moved to Knoxville with the goal to create a successful business, with my own foundation and goals, which thankfully I get to test and initiate as necessary being the owner. My goal is simple, and that’s to create a thriving business, with happy team members, while helping as many couples as possible no matter the circumstance or beliefs. In my book, everyone deserves love and be able to express that.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Well, the first step would have to be the rooftop bar Scruffy City Hall on Market Square. just behind it is Gay Street, where the Tennessee theater is, along with several bars and karaoke locations. I would have to say, we would eventually end up in Gatlinburg or Sevierville to visit the museums, Dollywood, and up to the mountains to go camping.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Hopefully it doesn’t have to be just one person, because there are several who got me to where I am today. From an unexpected friendship in college, to the family that supported me through and through, to the new family I found within this company over the last 8+ years.

However, there is one person who I can directly focus a very big amount of reason with why I am who I am today. This friendship started over a Star Wars movie poster he had in his office, when we found out we are both nerds and big movie/comic people. But he was/is also the owner of the Complete Weddings + Events in Lincoln, NE. His name is Shawn Labadie. He was the one who hired me to work as a wedding DJ over 8 years ago, little did we know how much our paths in life would cross, let alone how much he would help guide me along a path I never saw available for me. He shows me what it’s like to be a strong but considerate person, and a boss that doesn’t let the pride get in the way of your personal and business learning/growth.

Growing up, certain essential figures in my life just weren’t there, and while I’ve never directly told him this, he does represent a father figure in my life. I look forward to his advice, as he’s usually the first one I try to reach out to, to help me with struggles I’ve never gone thru, with knowledge he has or that he will help find the assistance needed. He’s also someone who helped me see things I may not have seen in myself or my situations, almost like a non-biased source. I think that’s what I appreciate the most, is knowing that I’ll get a direct answer whether I like it or not, but then behind it is a good reason/explanation why it is. There have been a few “come-to-Jesus” moments between him and I, in all honesty, probably wouldn’t even have attempted learned from anyone else.

I think the biggest credit to give to him is his help getting my out of my shell, as well as opening the door for me to become a business owner, because if it wasn’t for his assistance in so many ways, I would never have been able to become a business owner, let alone figure out what to do while I’m here. As someone who has been in the wedding industry since the 80s/90s, he was the perfect source of knowledge of what and what not to do. Without that, I’m not sure I would’ve had the confidence to do this venture, let alone even attempt to do it.

I’ve gone thru my struggles in my life, and while he may not be able to relate to some of them, the knowledge that at the end of the day, regardless of if a joke or two are put in out of good nature, that I’m not being judged or looked at in a different light. I don’t tell him these things often, mostly because I think we both just know internally where our friendship/relationship is, Maybe I should say it a little more often, as there’s not many people in my life I trust implicitly and highly respect, but he tops that list in my book. So, in terms of a shoutout, Shawn is the top of that list.

Website: https://completewedo.com/knoxville/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/completeknoxville/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/completeknoxville

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@CompleteKnoxville

Other: Email – Tayler@completeknoxville.com Phone Number – 865-599-8031

Image Credits
Complete Weddings + Events Knoxville