Growth doesn’t always look like a promotion or a title change. Sometimes, it looks like stepping up before you’re asked, taking ownership when it would be easier not to, and slowly becoming someone others look to for direction.
In this episode of Behind the Brand, we flipped the script. Instead of asking the questions, Taylor stepped into the guest seat as Kelly took over hosting duties to talk through a major milestone in her career: being named the 2026 Emerging Leader by the American Advertising Federation of Central Minnesota
This recognition isn’t just about one moment. It’s about years of growth, leadership, mentorship, and showing up consistently in both the workplace and the community.
For small business owners, marketers, and young professionals, Taylor’s journey offers a clear look at what it actually takes to grow into leadership in the marketing and advertising industry.
What the Emerging Leader Award Really Means
The Emerging Leader Award recognizes professionals who are actively making an impact within the advertising and marketing industry while still early in their careers. It’s not limited to one role or title. It’s about influence, initiative, and the ability to move both teams and ideas forward.
Recipients are nominated and selected by peers, past winners, and industry leaders, making it a reflection of real-world respect and recognition within the community
For Taylor, the award wasn’t just about professional validation. It was something she had quietly set her sights on years earlier.
She recalls attending past award shows and thinking, “I would really love to get that someday.” That kind of long-term vision, paired with patience, is a recurring theme throughout her journey. The recognition didn’t come from chasing the award itself, but from focusing on the work, the people, and the process over time.
From Doing the Work to Leading the Work
One of the most important shifts in any career is the move from execution to leadership.
Taylor describes a clear turning point in her role at Moxie Creative. While her title may not have changed immediately, her responsibilities did. She moved from simply completing tasks to taking ownership of outcomes, helping guide direction, and influencing how work was delivered to clients.
That shift came with a key factor many professionals overlook: permission.
Having the space to step up, contribute ideas, and take ownership allowed her to grow into a leadership role naturally. It wasn’t forced, and it wasn’t instant. It was built over time through trust, consistency, and the willingness to take on more.
In a fast-moving agency environment, that kind of growth is critical. Client needs evolve, timelines shift, and expectations are high. Leaders are the ones who can navigate that complexity while keeping both the team and the client aligned.
The Role of Mentorship in Professional Growth
A major theme throughout the conversation is the impact of mentorship.
Taylor openly credits strong leadership and guidance as a key reason for her growth. Feeling supported, recognized, and challenged created an environment where she could develop confidence in her abilities.
That experience now shapes how she approaches leadership herself.
As she steps into mentoring newer team members, she emphasizes the importance of making people feel seen and valued. Recognition isn’t just a “nice to have.” It directly impacts motivation, confidence, and long-term growth.
She also acknowledges the responsibility that comes with leadership. Mentorship isn’t about doing the work for someone. It’s about guiding them, challenging them, and helping them build their own confidence and skills.
That balance is what turns good employees into future leaders.
Leadership Isn’t Always Comfortable
One of the more honest parts of the conversation centers around the reality of leadership.
It’s not always natural. It’s not always easy. And it doesn’t always feel good in the moment.
Taylor shares that one of the biggest challenges is managing peers, especially in a collaborative, creative environment where relationships are close and often feel like friendships. Having difficult conversations, setting expectations, and providing direction can feel uncomfortable, even when it’s necessary.
But growth requires that discomfort.
Learning to communicate clearly, address issues early, and separate personal relationships from professional responsibilities is part of stepping into leadership. It’s not about being perfect. It’s about getting better over time.
Why Community Involvement Matters More Than You Think
Another major contributor to Taylor’s growth was her involvement in the local advertising community.
From her early days in the National Student Advertising Competition to joining the American Advertising Federation of Central Minnesota, she consistently put herself in environments where she could learn, connect, and grow.
That involvement led to opportunities, visibility, and credibility within the industry.
For young professionals, this is one of the most practical takeaways from the episode. Growth doesn’t just happen inside your day-to-day job. It happens when you show up outside of it too.
That could look like:
- Attending local networking events
- Joining industry organizations
- Volunteering for leadership roles
- Putting yourself in rooms that feel slightly uncomfortable
Even when nothing immediate comes from those experiences, they build confidence and open doors over time.
Advice for Young Professionals Trying to Stand Out
For anyone early in their career, Taylor’s advice is simple but important: keep showing up.
Rejection, uncertainty, and slow progress are all part of the process. Your first job likely won’t be your dream job, and your second might not be either. But each step builds toward something bigger.
She emphasizes the importance of persistence and visibility. The more you put yourself out there, the more likely you are to connect with the right people and opportunities.
Confidence doesn’t always come first. Sometimes, it comes after you take the step anyway.
What’s Next: Growth With Intention
With this recognition behind her, Taylor isn’t focused on chasing the next award. Instead, her focus is on continued growth, both professionally and personally.
She talks about entering a new phase of life where she can dedicate more energy to her career while still prioritizing her role as a parent. That balance allows her to be more intentional about how she shows up at work, with her team, and in her community.
Her goals moving forward are centered on:
- Continuing to grow as a leader at Moxie
- Mentoring the next generation of marketers
- Getting more involved in her local community
- Continuing to push herself professionally
It’s not about a single milestone. It’s about sustained growth over time.
