Susan Taylor of TayloredWisdom on Values Based Leadership Coaching and Authentic Alignment

Susan Taylor is the Founder of TayloredWisdom, an award winning leadership coaching and advisory practice focused on values based leadership, Dialogue, and authentic alignment. For more than three decades, Susan has helped leaders and organizations move beyond performance driven models toward cultures rooted in clarity, coherence, and human connection.

Named a Top 5 Influential Coach in 2025, Susan is known for guiding executives and teams through leadership transitions, organizational change, and personal alignment. Her work integrates grounded leadership strategy with relational, human centered practices that allow leaders to align who they are with how they lead.

Please share a brief introduction and your business:

Susan Taylor is an award-winning coach, author, and trusted guide known for her work at the intersection of leadership, Dialogue, and authentic alignment. For more than three decades, she has helped leaders and organizations move beyond performance-driven models toward cultures rooted in clarity, coherence, and human connection. She was named a Top 5 Influential Coach in 2025 for her contribution to values-based leadership and transformational change.

Are you a mamaprenista?

My children are now in their 30s

Take us back to when you launched? What was your marketing strategy?

When I first launched my business, my marketing strategy was entirely relationship-driven. I built my client base through networking, referrals, and demonstrating results. At the time, remote work and virtual assistant services were still unfamiliar, so much of my work involved educating potential clients about what was possible. I didn’t have a formal marketing plan, but the organic, trust-based approach helped my business grow steadily and laid the foundation for how I still build relationships today.

‍

Did you always know you wanted to be an entrepreneur?

Yes. Even early in my career, I felt drawn to creating my own path and building work that reflected my values and curiosity. Entrepreneurship allowed me to shape my work around supporting people and organizations in ways that felt meaningful and authentic.

What accomplishments are you the most proud of to date in your business?

What I’m most proud of is witnessing clients reconnect with their authentic selves and build businesses and leadership styles that truly reflect who they are. Seeing that clarity ripple into their work, relationships, and sense of purpose is the most meaningful measure of success for me.

What is one thing you wish you had known when you started your Entreprenista journey?

I wish I had fully understood how powerful community and collaboration can be. Meaningful relationships with other women founders provide not only support, but also perspective, encouragement, and opportunities that are hard to create in isolation. I’ve learned that growth happens faster and feels more sustainable when it’s shared

When hiring, what is your go-to interview question?

My go-to interview question is, “Can you share an experience where something didn’t go as expected and what you learned from it?” I listen for self-awareness, accountability, and how someone reflects and grows through challenges.

‍

Beyond that, I pay close attention to values alignment, communication style, and curiosity. Skills can be developed, but integrity, openness to learning, and the ability to collaborate are essential for long-term success.

What did you do before starting your own business?

I began my career working in the corporate sector and launched my first business at age 28. That transition led me toward the leadership, coaching, and human development work I’ve focused on for the past three decades.

What made you take the leap to start your own business?

When my first daughter was born, I began questioning whether my work reflected the life and values I wanted to model for her. I felt called to focus more deeply on the human experience of work, fulfillment, meaning, and flexibility. That decision inspired me to start one of the earliest virtual assistant businesses, at a time when remote work was still largely unfamiliar.

Do you have any recent wins?

Top 5 Influential Coaches 2025

What's one app on your phone that you cannot live without?

Calendly. I only started using it this past month, and it has been incredibly helpful. It simplifies scheduling, reduces back-and-forth communication, and allows me to be more intentional about how I manage my time and energy.

Who are your customers?

Susan’s work is devoted to helping leaders align who they are with how they lead, and to reignite what gives their work and life meaning. Her approach integrates grounded leadership strategy with relational, human-centered practices, allowing individuals and teams to move forward with insight, coherence, and authenticity, especially during moments of transition.

What's your top productivity tip?

I focus on creating space before creating output. Taking time to reflect, clarify priorities, and listen for what is truly needed often saves hours of effort later and leads to better decisions and more meaningful results.

What's your favorite business tool?

A tool I value deeply is structured reflection and Dialogue. While I use technology to support my work, I’ve found that creating intentional space for people to think, listen, and speak honestly is often what unlocks clarity, alignment, and meaningful progress.

What's your approach to work-life balance?

I don’t believe in balance, as it suggests equal weight on both sides. I strive for harmony instead, recognizing that work, family, personal growth, and rest naturally shift in priority across different seasons. My goal is to stay aligned with what matters most while honoring my energy and values.

How do you avoid burn-out?

I avoid burnout by reminding myself that hustle does not equal worth. I try to lead and work in ways that respect my natural rhythms, create space for reflection, and allow renewal to be part of productivity rather than separate from it.

What advice do you have for aspiring Entreprenistas?

Stay connected to what feels true for you. It’s easy to get pulled into comparison or feel pressure to follow someone else’s model of success, but the most sustainable and meaningful businesses are built when you align your work with your values, strengths, and natural rhythm. Give yourself permission to evolve, ask for support, and build relationships along the way.

Susan Taylor built her first business at age 28 and went on to launch one of the earliest virtual assistant businesses at a time when remote work was still unfamiliar. What began as a desire for flexibility after becoming a mother evolved into a decades-long career focused on leadership development, authentic work, and human centered organizational culture.

Through TayloredWisdom, she continues to support leaders seeking clarity, alignment, and sustainable growth.

If you are a woman founder or executive looking to grow alongside ambitious leaders who value alignment, community, and meaningful impact, Entreprenista connects you with the resources and relationships to scale with confidence. Learn more about joining Entreprenista League.