Life, Values & Legacy: Our Chat with Jahmyra Taylor of Buckhead

Jahmyra Taylor shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.

Jahmyra, we’re thrilled to have you with us today. Before we jump into your intro and the heart of the interview, let’s start with a bit of an ice breaker: What do you think others are secretly struggling with—but never say?
I believe a lot of people are silently struggling with their identity. We’re living in an era where we are constantly flooded with information—cross-functional content, personal updates, and curated snapshots of people’s lives—all delivered to us in massive doses and at lightning speed. In this constant stream, we’re left to interpret the personas people choose to present—many appearing to “live the good life.”

Some truly are thriving, but for others, it’s just a carefully crafted image that hides deeper struggles. Social media in particular pushes us into a constant state of comparison. We scroll, we watch, and we start to believe that what worked for someone else should work for us—whether it’s their career path, their relationship, or their lifestyle. But that’s not reality. What fulfills someone else might not align with who we are at our core.

This mismatch between what we see, what we try to replicate, and what actually fits our unique selves creates a quiet crisis of identity. People question if they’re enough, if they’re on the right path, or if they’re falling behind—often without ever voicing it. So while on the outside, they may appear confident and put-together, on the inside, many are still trying to figure out who they truly are apart from the noise.

Concisely, a lot of people are struggling with who they really are—because they’ve built themselves around what they see, not what they feel. Social media’s highlight reels make us compare, copy, and conform, until we forget the difference between our own voice and everyone else’s.

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I’m a Detroit native with a heart for service, shaped by my late grandfather, Emanuel Taylor II—a pastor, philanthropist, and humanitarian who helped addicts rebuild their lives and believed deeply in faith, family, healing, and legacy. His example instilled in me a passion for people, purpose, and redemption.

After earning my B.A. in Psychology and pursuing graduate studies in Marriage and Family Therapy, I realized my true calling was storytelling—helping others shape, share, and own their narratives. That led me to create ARYM Agency, a creative consulting firm that helps brands and individuals elevate through strategic marketing, brand storytelling, and cross-channel content creation.

I’ve recently become a Movement Leader & Brand Ambassador for MindRight, an organization that provides non-clinical mental health coaching via text to young people and underserved communities. In addition, I now serve on the Board of Directors, as Director of Executive Operations, for the Swing Into Their Dreams Foundation, a nonprofit that hosts premier golf tournaments and fundraising events to provide scholarships and mentorship opportunities for college-bound students.

I’m also the creator of Phaque Boujie, a bold lifestyle and mindset brand empowering women—especially those who’ve faced adversity—to reclaim their narratives and live unapologetically. Born from my own journey of resilience, faith, and self-discovery, it blends personal testimony, cultural commentary, and empowerment to dismantle the pressure to “perform” perfection. This fall, Phaque Boujie expands with The Phaque Boujie Podcast, a merch line, and a growing online community.

I’ve called Atlanta home for the past five years, and it’s been the perfect backdrop for my growth as both a woman and an entrepreneur. Anchored in my relationship with Christ, I’m passionate about health and wellness, mental health advocacy, grief awareness, and protecting my peace by any means necessary. My work is more than building brands—it’s about building lives, legacies, and communities rooted in authenticity and purpose.

Okay, so here’s a deep one: What breaks the bonds between people—and what restores them?
In my experience, what breaks bonds between people usually comes down to three things: unmet expectations, unspoken truths, and unhealed wounds. Sometimes it’s a single act—like betrayal or dishonesty—but more often, it’s the slow erosion that happens when pride, ego, or neglect take the place of care and intentionality. Miscommunication turns into assumption, assumption turns into distance, and distance turns into disconnection.

What restores those bonds, for me, always starts with humility and honesty—on both sides. It’s about having the courage to acknowledge the hurt, take accountability, and choose to rebuild trust through consistent action, not just words. My relationship with Christ has taught me that true restoration requires forgiveness—not as a free pass, but as a choice to release bitterness and create space for healing. Grace, empathy, and a willingness to see the other person’s humanity again can take something broken and make it whole in a new way.

Was there ever a time you almost gave up?
Absolutely. In 2022, I faced the kind of loss that shakes you to your core. The year began as one of the best of my life—I had just moved into a beautiful apartment in one of Atlanta’s best neighborhoods, was thriving at my job with a major Atlanta-based company, running my business ARYM Agency, in a happy relationship, and surrounded by friends. I truly felt like everything was falling into place.

Then grief began to stack. In June 2022, the day before my birthday, I lost my paternal grandmother. Two months later, my maternal grandmother—the woman who raised me—was diagnosed with lung cancer. I had to break the news to my family, the hardest thing I’ve ever done. Her diagnosis lit a fire in me to advocate strongly against smoking in all forms—marijuana, hookah, vaping, and especially cigarettes—since she had smoked for more than half her life. This advocacy even strained a few friendships, including one with a hookah business owner.

From that point, my life became a blur of hospital rooms and airport terminals. I flew back and forth between Atlanta and Detroit, sleeping at the hospital beside her, afraid to step away for even a moment. I wasn’t eating or sleeping, my work performance plummeted, my social life crumbled, and my identity began to unravel. When she passed in November, I didn’t eat for a week. That loss became the first domino—soon after, I lost my relationship, friends, job in July 2023, and eventually my home and car. I drained my entire $20k savings and my 401k just to survive nearly two years of unemployment.

Looking back, I realize I had built my identity on things I allowed to define my value—material possessions, job titles, salary, relationships, friendships, and a deep need for control. For so long, I had excluded God from my life. Before my “losses,” I thought I was happy. Today, I know I can’t live without Him—not from weakness, but from reverence. I never want to operate outside His will again.

My depression during this time was “functional.” I put up a convincing front, so no one truly knew how badly I was struggling. Inside, I battled deep grief, insomnia, and memory loss from living in a fog for years. Even now, as my life is being restored, I carry some heaviness navigating my “new life.” It’s like going from a traumatic, abusive relationship to a healthy one—peace feels foreign. No one talks about adjusting to peace after loss, or that what feels like boredom is actually peace. No one tells you the “fun” you thought you had was really chaos. And though I’m no longer living in trauma, I still grieve that part of my life. Part of me is still in shock that I endured it—and survived.

I’ve never been this transparent about that season until now, but I feel led to share because maybe my story—my testimony—can help someone, even save a life. Through it all, I planted seeds. I never stopped praying, fasting, serving, and showing gratitude. Even when I didn’t see change, I kept going. Now I’m seeing the fruit of those seeds. I hope my testimony draws nonbelievers to Christ and strengthens the faith of believers.

This journey taught me the true meaning of longsuffering—suffering well. Today, I’m living in my dream condo, managing my two brands, ARYM Agency and Phaque Boujie, working in my dream field, and preparing for exciting new ventures. My life has done a complete 360. And to think—I almost gave up.

I think our readers would appreciate hearing more about your values and what you think matters in life and career, etc. So our next question is along those lines. What are the biggest lies your industry tells itself?
The biggest lie my industry tells itself is that looking successful is the same thing as being successful. Too many people are focused on building highlight reels instead of solid foundations—polishing the image while the core is empty. I’ve seen brands chase trends over authenticity and individuals brand themselves into boxes they don’t even like living in, just because they think it will sell.

Another lie? That hustle alone will get you there. You can grind yourself into the ground, but if you’re not aligned with your purpose, your values, and God’s timing, you’re just running in circles. I’ve learned that real success isn’t about how it looks—it’s about whether it’s built to last– legacy.

Thank you so much for all of your openness so far. Maybe we can close with a future oriented question. Have you ever gotten what you wanted, and found it did not satisfy you?
Yes, I’ve definitely experienced getting what I wanted and still feeling dissatisfied. I think it happens because the “want” is often not the real need. We attach our happiness to a certain goal, relationship, title, or possession, convincing ourselves, “Once I have this, I’ll finally feel complete.” But when we get it, the high fades, and we’re left wondering why it doesn’t feel as good as we imagined.

I’ve lived this in a very real way. There was a season in my life when I had everything I thought I wanted—my dream apartment, a thriving career, a business I loved, a relationship, and the kind of lifestyle I had prayed for. Then, in the middle of unimaginable grief after losing my grandmother, I lost it all—my home, my relationship, my job, my savings, even my sense of self. These were things I had once desired and believed I needed, but losing them left me completely empty.

In that loss, I found a new identity in Christ. I began to redefine my desires, wants, and needs—not based on societal standards or personal ego, but on what was truly aligned with my purpose. Now, I depend on God to give me what is in His will for me to have, and so far, I’ve been so much happier and far more fulfilled.

I believe that when we work on our heart posture and understand who we are apart from titles, accomplishments, or other people’s expectations, it shifts everything. That clarity naturally leads us to define our values, principles, and beliefs. And once those are set, they filter our desires. We stop chasing what’s shiny or popular, and start wanting what actually serves our calling.

When your desires are rooted in that alignment, they’re no longer just “wants.” They’re purpose-driven goals. And when you finally get them, the satisfaction is deeper and lasting—because it’s not about filling a temporary void, but fulfilling something eternal and meaningful.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @prissymyra_ @arym_agency @phaqueboujie
• Linkedin: linkedin/com/in/jahmyrataylor