Today we’d like to introduce you to Michelle Taylor Willis.
Hi Michelle, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I started my professional career in sales after graduating from the University of Florida. I have always been great with meeting and talking to people from all walks of life, so sales was a career where I could demonstrate my strengths. As far as being an entrepreneur, I was destined to be my own boss because I watched numerous family members, including my grandparents, succeed on their own terms. So after I obtained essential business-to-business experience in Corporate America, I knew I had the tools to create something that was uniquely my own.
I left the corporate world to focus on my first HR/medical consulting firm, HR Synergies. The firm’s success led me to acquire South Fulton Lifestyle Magazine, my entrance into the publishing and media industries. I saw a need to share the great stories happening in and out of South Fulton County, Georgia, and eventually trademarked “SoFu,” which refers to the eight cities that make up South Fulton County. My magazine blossomed into an award-winning publication that highlights the movers and shakers in the region and spurred my interest in media. I converted my publishing company to a media company, Gagnant Media™, where we sell advertising across magazines, television, radio, and billboards. We create our own content and own wholly or partially the mediums, which allows us to offer advertising to small businesses and more affordable rates. That’s why the shows that I created and host, According to Michelle TV (VTV Network on Roku and Amazon Firestick) and According to Michelle radio show (Mixx106radio.com) exist.
Everything that I do with the magazine, in particular, is important because my team and I are giving a voice to an entire community. We are documenting history, and in the words of the City of South Fulton Mayor William “Bill” Edwards, we are “bringing life” back to the area. With TV and radio, I use my platforms to give other people platforms, telling stories and offering opportunities to people with local and national presence. I believe in community, so I serve on the boards for organizations like the Morris Brown College Foundation, United Way (South Fulton), Atlanta CASA, and Theatre du Reve, in addition to others.
In the midst of growing my business and supporting my community, I am also a wife and mother to four boys. Whenever I think about how I can impact my sons’ lives, I always remember what I wanted to teach them so they are equipped with the necessary tools to build their own futures. Thinking about these “nuggets” of information and having conversations with other parents inspired me to write my first guidebook, Raising Significance: A Guide to Raising Independent, Well-Rounded and Confident Kids. It was originally an electronic book and is now a beautiful, hardcover book with a dust jacket. The hardcover version includes encouraging words from a pediatrician and a well-known judge, as well as a resource section.
All the many “parts” of me create a whole person who cares about her family, her community and creating a life that I desire. Most importantly, I’m making my life on my own terms that can benefit more people than just me!
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Overall my business life has been pretty smooth. I mean, yes, there are days and sometimes years when I wonder, “Is this gonna work?!” I’ve made money, and I’ve lost money. Thankfully, though, I’ve made more than I’ve lost, so I’m still here. When we first start our business, we try to wear all the hats. Yet, we all know there is no “I” in a team. The biggest mistakes I’ve made include not hiring the right people at the right time and devaluing myself by working with no salary. I’ve learned that even if you allow yourself a small amount, you are the most important asset of your business, so it’s mandatory that you get paid.
Another mistake I made was not recognizing the importance of saving professionally like you would personally. Savings is a must, professionally and personally. We may not have made it through the pandemic without some savings!
I chose a business that I love and that fits my personality, but most importantly, my purpose. It makes it easier for me to pivot when I have to because I know there is more than one way to reach my goals and more than one way to monetize my passion! Do what you love, and the rest will take care of itself.
Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Gagnant Media?
I sell ads. It’s that simple. Gagnant Media is a media company that makes advertising more affordable for small businesses. This is achieved through print, television, billboard and radio advertising. We are dedicated to assisting small businesses ($350K – $6M gross revenues) with building relationships with the audiences they want to reach. Gagnant Media encompasses SoFu Lifestyle Magazine (formerly South Fulton Lifestyle Magazine). According to Michelle radio show on Mixx106radio.com, According to Michelle television show, which is streaming weekly on VTV Network through Amazon Fire and Roku platforms, and billboards around Atlanta.
Are there any important lessons you’ve learned that you can share with us?
One important lesson I’ve learned is that significance is the goal, not success. From watching and living with my family, friends, neighbors, and colleagues, I’ve seen how closely we are connected. In order to grow, thrive, and be significant, we must be intentional in our communication and interaction with each other. In order to be significant, I have to remind myself constantly for whom I’m playing and what my legacy will be. I empower people to empower people.
There are so many successful people in today’s world, but many forget about their significance. They have their two and a half kids, white picket fence, $300,000 house, good jobs, and they come home open their garage, park and close the garage, and go into their house, and that’s it. And, that’s okay, but it’s not why we’re here. We’re not here to go into our garage, close the door and not come out until the next morning. We were made to pull our cars into the garage and stand outside and talk to our neighbors to discover how we’re going to help them get where they need to be. That’s significance.
Contact Info:
- Email: mtw@mtwofficial.com
- Website: www.michelletaylorwillis.com, www.gagnantmedia.com
- Instagram: @michelletaylorwillis
- Facebook: @michelletaylorwillis
- Twitter: @michelletwillis
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=957bKJzb9AY&t=41s
Image Credits
Photos Taken by @abdquadir1
