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My entrepreneurial journey traces its roots back to my college days where I started a campus ministry. Throughout my university years, we convened weekly, fostering a sense of community and shared purpose. Being a multi-instrumentalist and songwriter, I naturally gravitated towards showcasing talent, including my own, leading me to produce annual and semesterly music concerts that complemented my organization’s mission. Despite not majoring in music, I forged lasting connections with individuals who, through their own efforts, went on to achieve remarkable success as Grammy winners, distinctive award recipients, celebrity touring musicians, and internationally recognized symphony performers. The momentum generated from those weekly meetings and concerts not only cultivated my passion but also garnered a devoted following. So much so that in 2004, I approached my Dad, Larry Gordon, expressing my desire to extend my duties of service beyond college. With wholehearted agreement, he joined me and took up the role as vice president in both the non-profits I founded that year – Divine Global Empowerment and W.I.N.G.S. Domestic Violence Agency, marking the beginning of an exceptional nineteen-year era as business partners that began in that transformative moment. Together, we navigated various ventures and collaborated in everything that unfolded from that point onward.
My Dad was an ever-present figure in my life, and to me, he was more than just a father; the term hardly encapsulates the depth of our relationship. Throughout my grammar school years, his daily presence was marked by the thoughtful gesture of delivering a hot lunch almost every day to me. In high school, no matter how late he came in from work, he consistently woke up on time each morning to drop me off at school. I shared aspects of my daily teenage life, fostering a growing trust that evolved into a genuine adult friendship. Our bond strengthened during college, where he made it a point to visit every Wednesday, taking me out to the local diner for conversations that allowed us to stay connected. Whether it was contributing to field trips, paying for my college tuition, attending events I hosted, or simply being a supportive ear during life struggles, my Dad was there for every crucial moment, demonstrating unwavering support whenever I needed him.
Over the past two decades, guided by my Dad’s encouraging influence, I embraced my multifaceted talents and passionate individuality. Starting with my upbringing in the church, where I began delivering sermons from the pulpit at the age of twelve, I progressively honed my public speaking skills. As my journey unfolded and opportunities materialized, I found myself addressing diverse audiences – invited to deliver keynote or motivational speeches, preside as a mistress of ceremony, present a commencement address, or serve as a guest speaker for a building naming ceremony. Prior to each public appearance, I meticulously reviewed my speeches with my Dad, benefiting from his guidance in refining and polishing my words before taking the stage.
In parallel, my skills as a songwriter, producer, and musician underwent significant development progression. Moving beyond the confines of the gospel music prevalent in the church, I explored various genres such as pop, dance, and R&B. Throughout this creative exploration, my Dad played a pivotal role, urging me to continue to innovate in any genre I felt compelled. Concurrently, my creative endeavors extended beyond music to produce a treasure trove of unpublished written works such as short stories, poems, crime dramas, women’s fiction novels, and television scriptwriting. With each written work, my Dad served as a dedicated listener, offering valuable editing insights. Even when certain themes didn’t align with his personal beliefs, he remained open-minded, pushing me to “keep writing” while emphasizing the importance of preserving the authenticity of my storytelling. The boundless confidence I now carry that enables me to transcend into various industries without succumbing to external criticisms, such as being told I’m “doing too much,” stems from the powerful, robust belief system instilled in me by my Dad – a testament to his abiding support and keen recognition of my innate ability to lead as a woman.
On April 4, 2023, my Dad passed away suddenly, leaving an irreplaceable void in my world. A couple of weeks before his passing, I had shared with him my plans to relaunch my online business consulting practice, TarynsBusinessHub.com. The last words he spoke to me on that fateful day were, “How are the plans coming along?” I detailed my progress over a brief phone call, then assured him I would be there shortly to pick him up. Upon my arrival, he was gone.
I’d always expressed to him, “I can’t live in this world without you,” as he was a permanent source of unconditional love and wellspring of wisdom throughout my entire life. His constant presence, always having my back and offering course correction when needed, made his absence feel like I had been forced into an alternate universe. When tasked with preparing the eulogy, I faced the stark reality that it was the first speech without his input – a defining juncture in my journey.
In the following months, I grappled with the silent anguish that accompanied the pursuit of goals and dreams he once helped me embrace with confidence. Yet, I voluntarily and boldly faced the challenge of this strange coexistence. I didn’t lose my mind, although I could have. Rather than succumb to the overwhelming enormity of his death and all the personal struggles that ensued, I consciously chose to forge ahead through conversation, journaling, my work, and comedy tv shows, pushing past the inevitable sorrow that still lingers. With the dedicated support of my mother, Zeolia Gordon, and a dear friend, I poured my energy into supercharging the business to new heights. Day in and day out, I tirelessly worked to establish an online community for aspiring, new, and current business owners by providing curated articles, resources, and tools for growth, as well as develop a signature line of 1:1 mentorship packages.
The business model of Taryn LaRae’s Business Hub isn’t just an average business consulting practice. Inspired by the profound and unique human experience with someone who was rooted in the pursuit of continual improvement, it was important to me to render services that intricately intertwine personal life mentorship and business advisement. We recognize that business success hinges on the holistic approach from both the operations and individual growth.
My commitment is resolute in returning the wisdom and insights instilled by my Dad, as well as drawing from my own endeavors, life experiences, trial and error, and diligent research. Since April 4th, every moment has been a conscious choice to keep living. I’ve consciously chosen to embrace life fully, knowing that tragedy touches us all. Having faced the loss of loved ones to gun violence, sickness, and accidents, I acknowledge the lack of control over external events but assert control over my own choices. The daily accomplishments at TarynsBusinessHub fill me with pride. And as my team and I forge ahead, I remain dedicated to both personal happiness and the mission of offering the best of myself to others. In honoring my Dad, who gave me the best of himself, I strive to be the best version of myself in return.
All the Best!
Taryn LaRae Gordon