Today we’d like to introduce you to Jeffrey Taylor, Jr.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Jeffrey. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
I’ve always been into professional wrestling since I was younger, I remember when the teacher would ask in grade school and say, “What would you like to be when you grow up?” I would promptly respond, “Professional Wrestling Commentator.” I was told to choose another profession and that continued to be questioned throughout my entire life from both professions and family. I grew up not knowing what I completely wanted to do in life as well as my purpose in the beginning but now from my experiences, I can confidently attest that I was born to use my voice.
Furthermore, I continued with my dream behind closed doors, throughout various years including important dates of Christmas and my own birthday, I asked for specific presents to build my YouTube studio that included; microphone, desk, and a camera. These were all big-time items that cost a lot of money for an eleven year old child and could only be taken serious during Christmas or my birthday. I mocked the act of Jimmy Kimmel from the Late Night Talk Show and Jim Ross from the World Wrestling Entertainment, and by 16 I was ready to share my own voice that developed through my inspirations. This was by a way of YouTube, in 2009 YouTube was actually still fairly new and people started to catch on within five years that their voice could be heard on a large platform globally reaching the masses. I started commentating shows in my parent’s home privately on YouTube and created quite the following under the name “Jeffrey Show Live.
So, my actual job title today is; Public Speaker, Event Host, Ring Announcer & Play By Play Commentator, All those titles came to play officially after I successfully obtained my Bachelor’s Degree at Georgia Southwestern State University in Broadcasting Journalism in 2015. I was a victim of post-college depression, my very first year after graduating I took a management position with AMC Theaters so I could move to Atlanta immediately. However, somewhere within all of the promotions, bills, and just trying to survive I forgot about the boyhood dream of “Jeffrey Show Live”. By the end of 2016 in October, I made a legit New Year’s Resolution that beginning in 2017, I would bring back my childhood project that I abandoned my freshmen year of college but this time in Atlanta and put my all into it. I held on to that Resolution and promise and that’s how I am where I am now through; hard work, consistency, building connections, persistency, and support from my loved ones. I’ve always had the talent but it’s important for people to know that being a public speaker, similar to singing, dancing, and acting that you have to invest into that talent so I enrolled in various lectures and classes to tone my craft even further than undergrad.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
The journey has been everything but relatively smoothly for me and it came with plenty of struggles but the biggest would probably be the absence of my family. I don’t think they realize it because I don’t call or visit as much as a person that make such a bold and strong statement would but sometimes it just seems easier to move back to Americus and get a salary job to be with them. Living with my parents for 22 years, which included obtaining my bachelor’s under their household and living less than five minutes from my sister and her kids which are my nieces and nephews it was extremely hard moving away from Americus, GA to Atlanta to chase after my dreams.
Another major struggle is that I’m in the entertainment industry and politics is a real thing, people try and get over on paying you for various reasons where it’s because of your age, color, or just because. Sometimes depending on your morals and standing strong and wanting better for yourself, you will decline jobs and of course you need money for food, bills, and even luxury.
I’ve lost friends, unfortunately. I’m my own business, the face of my brand and there’s certain things that I can’t do anymore, and a lot of people don’t understand that. Some valued relationships are lost because some people just aren’t able to understand or support that you are changing, and I would be lying if that doesn’t mentally and emotionally hurt me and that’s why I always advise counseling for entrepreneurs.
Finally, the legal side of things and marketing was really tough for me personally. Learning about taxes, LLC, engagements, insights, state laws, and I could go on, but you really have to dedicate yourself into learning these things for the better. Like myself, I was hit with various fees and missed out on opportunities because I had to learn the industry through trial and error and no matter how much you prepare that’s just the reality of life sometimes.
Please tell us about Jeffrey Show Live.
Jeffrey Show Live is honestly me. I’ve branded my name in a position to where I can make money off of my name in a few ways that stream income.
I do public speaking and that target market is directed towards the focal point of encouraging others that their dreams are validated and motivating them that they are worth it because I am a testimony of such. My usual crowds include colleges and universities, but I would never decline an opportunity to speak for grade schools or franchise companies because we all need motivation and encouragement.
I’m an event host and although people know I love wrestling, this mouth can talk about it all. Whether it’s a children’s event, hip hop concert, basketball game, company’s retreats, I am available to host and provide the best emcee experience as possible.
Going back to professional wrestling which is what I am most known for these days, I am a Ring Announcer & Play By Play Commentator, Ring Announcer is most notable known as, “LET’S GET READY TO RUMBLE!”. Play by Play Commentator and my Ring Announcing skills aren’t limited to professional wrestling but with the right notice and advancement I will prepare for any sport or event needed for such acts.
Recently, I’ve also been known to interview some of the hottest independent artist in the Atlanta area on my YouTube page “Jeffrey Show Live”. After two years of blogging some of my favorite independent artist in the Atlanta region, I am finally in a position to do home studio interviews as well as field interviews to give a larger platform for us all.
I’m proud of my company as a whole when someone reference “Jeffrey Show Live” and says something along the lines of, that’s where I found my new favorite artist, song, wrestler, or even company through JSL.
I think what sets me apart from others, is that we live in a world that praises specific niche. I always get that my brand and company would be WAY BIGGER if I just focused on wrestling or just music, but the reality is, I enjoy a lot of things and my followers do as well. I think that others focus on one thing and I have nothing against that, but I’m not going to conform my many interests or likes to blow up any faster. I’m a rollercoaster and I’m aware of that and I’ve built a following that wasn’t afraid to join the ride.
Any shout outs? Who else deserves credit in this story – who has played a meaningful role?
Yasmina Stylez was a mentor of mine in 2017 up until now. I can call her right now and she would unselfishly give me unfiltered honest advice if I wanted it. While building her own brand as an amazing Wardrobe Stylist she gave me my look, image, sound, and confidence. I know for a fact that “Jeffrey Show Live” wouldn’t be a monetary success if it wasn’t for her guidance in the beginning.
My parents, although I give them a hard time during these interviews for not putting a certain energy towards my career currently as when I was younger but that’s a part of the journey. I told them that I quit my job to pursue this entrepreneur lifestyle full time in fall of 2017. My parents from there checked on me constantly, sharing ideas and never made me regret my decision, but instead filled me up with love and support. They’ve always been supportive in some capacity the entire way even when buying my equipment as I mentioned earlier when I was younger. My sisters, I remember they were the first two people I told in the group chat that I was quitting my job full time to be an entrepreneur full time and they were unconditionally supportive even until this day.
I’ve had some amazing people but last but not least, my great friend Hoyt, if anything taking “Jeffrey Show Live” to its recent heights is a great thanks to him. He came in and just wanted to help, serving a massive purpose in my life assisting me on various road trips and being a great friend. In closing, I would definitely like to shout out and credit anyone that’s ever supported me in any capacity during this journey.
Pricing:
- Public Speaking – $500
- Event Hosting – $500
- Play By Play Commentary – $250
- Ring Announcing – $100
- Interviews – $75
Image Credit:
Corey Tatum – Wrestling Snapshots; Kodak K -The Shot Shop
Suggest a story: VoyageATL is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
