Photo of Kathleen Taylor by Joseph Donato (Cashman Photo)

Kathleen Taylor

Inspired Community Advocate

BY JOSEPH AMATO AND CHANTEL BLIGNAUT

Ms. Kathleen Taylor was born in Abbeville, Louisiana, and raised in a traditional household where her mother cared for the family while her father provided for them as a successful businessman in the construction and agriculture industries. Her parents instilled the importance of education and a strong work ethic and emphasized a standard of excellence that motivated her and her siblings to succeed in life. Influenced by her father’s business acumen and her mother’s strategic mindset, Kathleen modeled these examples throughout her career.

Kathleen began her academic journey and earned a BS in Biology at Grambling University, Magna Cum Laude. When the recession hit in 2007, Ms. Taylor was employed with the California Science Center, coordinating science professional development programs. Kathleen experienced the hardship of being laid off during the recession. Drawing from her parents’ motto to strive for excellence, even in moments of uncertainty and despair, she moved forward with a new endeavor to become a start-up business owner.

Kathleen approached a local Small Business Development Center in southern California and used their direct assistance to launch her firm, Business Inquiry Solutions. Kathleen bootstrapped her company entirely on her own. As the business became more successful, other professional development individuals and leadership trainers in her marketplace approached her, seeking to join and help her grow the company.

Kathleen deeply felt that her true “business calling” was on the “other side of the table” to provide support and services for start-ups and established businesses. Ultimately, she decided to close the company, moved to the Las Vegas area in 2014, and began a new journey in southern Nevada’s business ecosystem.

Kathleen always believed she had more to offer by consulting with business owners and wanted to get back into teaching and coaching small businesses in Nevada. She became a regular fixture at various business networking events throughout the Vegas Valley. Upon meeting Leanna Jenkins, the Director of the Nevada Woman’s Business Center (“NWBC”), she was offered a full-time business consulting position at the Center that would feed her unbridled passion for helping small business owners.

Kathleen has continued her work at the NWBC for over nine years.

She then decided she wanted to give back to the Community and partnered with community-based organizations such as the Urban Chamber of Commerce and the Las Vegas Urban League Center for Entrepreneurship, where she could collaborate on developing webinars and workshops for start-up businesses. She also co-hosts the Commerce First radio show for the Urban Chamber of Commerce on Power 88.1FM, where she speaks about area business resources, business growth opportunities, and business development.

Kathleen is a Board member of the National Association of Women Business Owners (“NAWBO”) southern Nevada chapter and was appointed by the Nevada Governor’s office to serve on the Nevada Commission for Women. She also served as the former chairperson for the Nevada Commission on Minority Affairs.

Kathleen wants to advise women entrepreneurs to invest in their own professional development. She also shares advice with them from one of her favorite books: “Don’t Take Anything Personal; Don’t Make Assumptions; Keep Your Word; and Always Do Your Best.”

Kathleen’s ongoing plan is to focus on continuing to serve others while helping business owners accomplish their goals. She hopes to leave behind a legacy of inspiring women to take control of their lives and destinies.