Meet Taylor Dru Williams | Business Operations Consultant & Speaker

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

Hi Taylor Dru, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
Since I was a little girl, I knew that I was meant to be in charge of my destiny. Some call it ‘bossy’, some call it ‘only child syndrome’. Call it what you want but I knew that I had a fire in me that led me to take control of what I do and how I do it, throughout my journey so far in this lifetime. Helping others find and live into their own pursuits and passions has always been a motivator of mine. Hearing the words “Thank you so much, Taylor. You are a lifesaver”, truly empowers me in my mission to help the world run a little more smoothly. I learned that I am most fulfilled by creating peace from chaos.

I initially started my business because I needed it. I needed a project to work on to keep my mind off the fact that the entire world was shutting down from COVID. I needed a distraction from a toxic situation at home that was taking over my life at the time. And I needed some extra money because I just got turned down from the job position that I was depending on to move out of my challenging living situation. I knew I had a skill that I’ve been growing and developing for the past several years, and I knew that I could help more than the organization, executives and volunteer programs I was working with at the time.

I knew there were entrepreneurs like me out there that could use my operational skills and strengths to grow their business, and I wanted to help. Of course, over time my intentions, audience and offers have changed. However, ultimately, my purpose has been deeply rooted in my passion to help others feel confident about how they deliver their craft.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
My entire career has been grounded in helping others find more efficient ways to operate so they can increase their mental health capacity, client satisfaction and ultimately position them to scale to the next level. I’ve found that although professionals and business owners seem to look like they have all of their ducks in a row, the majority of them feel like they are ‘stuck’ because they never have enough time in the day to get what they need to get done. You may have heard the quote “You have the same amount of hours in a day as Beyonce”, with the insinuation that you should be able to do all of the things she’s doing. But the truth is, Beyonce is able to do what she does because she has strong systems in place that allow her to maximize her time and focus on her craft. I work with clients to get them to “Beyonce-level” in their industries.

About a year and a half ago, I decided to take the skills that I’ve been strengthening and utilizing as an employee and started my own business, primarily helping black-women online business coaches and consultants grow their businesses through strong systems and automation.

I am most proud of my growth and brand exposure within the past year and a half. I’ve served over 50 businesses, helping them reach their goals (whether it was reaching their first $100k, hiring their first team member or having more time to spend with their families). In this short time, I’ve shared my story and knowledge of operational excellence through podcasts, speaking engagements, workshops and business collaborations. I’m excited to continue to expand and scale my business so that I can reach more ears, serve more people and have an even bigger impact.

What sets me apart from others in my industry is that I’ve been building solid systems and processes for huge corporations, organizations and c-suite executives for almost a decade. I also currently still hold a position helping a C-suite executive and his portfolio of business functions (HR, Finance, IT, Legal, etc) create and maintain effective processes that help them collaborate and deliver for the organization. In addition to holding a wealth of knowledge, I truly have a passion for making things easier and more enjoyable for all.

My journey to this space has not been all sunshine and sugar. Like all businesses, there have been many challenges that I’ve had to overcome along the way. I actually started my business during a bout of depression. A few things were going on in my life but my main driver was that I was just passed up on a job promotion that I wanted (and needed) so I had to figure out a way to make more income. In addition to that, the world recently shut down from COVID and I needed a distraction as well as something to keep me busy. As I grew my business more, I realized that entrepreneurship adds a layer of challenges to life including the strong need for a work/life balance, prioritizing mental health and operating in ambiguity.

Staying grounded in who I am and what’s important to me, kept me on my path and I encourage you to do the same. Regardless of what is going on in your life right now, you have the power and strength to change it and grow from it. I’ve been living my entire life creating a narrative that I want others to learn from and be encouraged by. Four years ago, I moved to Atlanta with nothing but what was in my car, no job, no place to live, no family- only a dream and a plan to do what I had to do to build an empire. Use your dream as an anchor in everything you do. If you work towards it every day, it’ll happen- that is what I want others to take from my brand and my story.

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.
One thing that I absolutely love about Atlanta is the culture- specifically, arts, music and food!

During the week, we’d visit Kat’s cafe for a nice comedy show and vibes, maybe have a cute picnic at Piedmont park with a bottle of Prosecco and chicken wings from Publix and take a stroll in Little Five Points to shop in their cute black-owned boutiques and stores in the area. We’d spend our Saturday at Ponce City market to grab lunch and head to the rooftop for cute pictures and a great vibe. It’s Atlanta so we have to go to brunch on Sunday to enjoy bottomless mimosas and later that evening, I’d have to take them to Bonfire ATL to enjoy the local talent, vendors and the great community.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I have to dedicate this shout out to my beautiful, wonderful and inspiring mother. If it wasn’t for her constant love and encouragement throughout my life, I wouldn’t be the leader that I am today. She has always, and still, speaks light and possibility into my life. Negativity, fear and doubt was/is not tolerated in my actions, words or thoughts because of the environment she raised me in. She showed me how to care for others with no expectation or motive. Her essence exemplifies my favorite quote, “People will forget what you said. People will forget what you did. But people will never forget how you made them feel.” -Maya Angelou

My mom has always believed that I could do whatever I wanted and be whoever I wanted, as long as I worked for it and was happy. She has allowed me to create my own journey and make my own mistakes that have shaped me. She positioned me to be a woman that can tackle any obstacle seamlessly. And although we have two very opposite personalities, I see my mom in me every time I am approached with a conflict and every time I am reminded of my inner light. I am a light because of her. Thank you, mom.

Website: msha.ke/thesystemsguru

Instagram: www.instagram.com/thesystemsguru

Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/taylordruwilliams

Twitter: www.twitter.com/thesystemsguru

Facebook: www.facebook.com/thesystemsguru

Image Credits
Jeff Leclerc