Meet Taylor Huggins | Small Business Owner

We had the good fortune of connecting with Taylor Huggins and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Taylor, can you share the most important lesson you’ve learned over the course of your career?
My business has taught me that it is safe outside my comfort zone. I am a very anxious and introverted person who has a hard time talking to people in social settings. I stumble over my words, my body gets really shakey, and I say weird things I don’t mean to say. This has affected my life in more ways than one.

I started setting up booths at market events about two years ago, and that has given me more confidence than I thought I could have. I still get anxious at every event, but it’s way more manageable now that I have had the practice. Not only have markets dramatically helped my sales and given me confidence, but they have also given me the opportunity to make friends and connections.

Before I started setting up at markets, I was only getting a few orders a week. This was not a sustainable source of income for me. Since I’ve branched out, I’ve been able to increase my income enough to make a livable wage.

I guess it’s true what people say. Life really does begin outside of your comfort zone.

My business still has plenty of room to grow, but slow progress has still progress. It’s going to take a long time for me to feel confident enough to talk on camera but we’re getting there.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I create art not just for a living, but also to express myself and to add some more positivity into the world. Sage & Oak was born during the pandemic when we needed all the positivity we could get.

I want to bring light and joy into the world. I want to make people feel like they matter and that they’re important to the world, but most importantly, I want people to know they’re not alone. Almost every single one of my products has an uplifting message that I needed to hear at one point or another so I feel inclined to share them with others.

This journey has been nothing but easy. I have faced challenges along the way but they have taught me how to adapt and overcome. There have been so many things that I have learned to get me to where I am today. I have made many connections, I have showed up and done my best, and I have never given up. I allowed myself breaks when I needed them to avoid burnout. I have tried to stay consistent as often as possible. It has been such a long road but I’m more resilient and confident in my art than ever before.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
My hometown, Springfield, Ohio is full of so many wonderful places to visit.

I start each day with a hot latte from Scout’s Cafe. I’d highly recommend trying a hot white chocolate and caramel latte if you ever get the chance to visit. They’re a great local coffee shop that roasts their beans in house. If you stop in, you’ll even find a small portion of our products for sale there with their own merch.

Downtown Springfield is full of things to do and it just keeps getting better each year. There are so many delicious local eateries, unique shops, and a really cool brewery, Mother Stewart’s, to visit. You could get coffee, lunch, and go shopping all in one place. The Heritage Center is a Springfield history museum that’s always really enjoyable and inexpensive to visit. On the other side of the building, you can grab a coffee and come shop inside Sage & Oak’s popup shop in Sip & Dipity if we’re open!

Springfield is home to many beautiful nature parks, trails, other outdoor adventures. There’s Buck Creek State Park, Snyder Park, George Rogers Clark Park, and many more. We love spending our time outdoors exploring all the beautiful places Springfield has to offer.

I couldn’t forget to mention the NTPRD Chiller ice skating ink, Hartman Rock Garden, Springfield Art Museum, and Hatch Artist Studios. There’s so many things worth mentioning, but I didn’t want to leave those unique places out.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
To those 15 people who always like and share my posts, thank you so much. These likes are much more than just likes to me. They show me that you see me and my hard work. I have had countless launches that have not had a single sale and that discourages me, but it’s those 15 people always interacting with me that reminds me that I’m seen and that I should not give up. Do not underestimate the power of interactions with small business owners.

To the regulars who always show up to markets like Springfield Farmers Market, you have become such a large part of our summers and we are so thankful to have met you. We love the conversations you bring about, and love geting to know more about you.

To the small business owners I have met along my journey, I am thankful to know you and to grow beside you. Even if we do not talk often, just know that I am over here rooting you on. Thank you for helping me lift me when I need it the most.

To my partner, who has worked extra hard to let me live the life I love, who has paid most of the bills and rents entirely on his own. Thank you. I know I do not say it often enough, but I am so grateful, so the life we live together. Thank you for all your help in building my ideas, sanding my earrings, and carrying all the weight on market days. I would not have been able to do all of this without you.

Website: www.thesageandoak.com

Instagram: @thesageandoak

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheSageandOak