Today we’d like to introduce you to Taylor Cox.
Hi Taylor, so excited to have you on the platform. So, before we get into questions about your work life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today.
I grew up in a small town in Southern Illinois. I’ve always been artist and had a very supportive family who guided me along and encouraged my creativity. My dad, Jeff, was my high school art teacher, and he was very excited that I also wanted to follow in his steps and go to art school. He and my mom, Romy, helped me pursue going to Savannah College of Art and Design, where I majored in interior design and got my BFA. I absolutely love it and currently work for JWS Interiors based in Virginia, but I really wanted to get to work with paint, sculpting, and just be creative with all types of mediums more. It’s hard to fit in a million hobbies into just one job, and even though I recently just worked three jobs simultaneously, I still wasn’t getting to make physical art as much as I wanted. So, I though for a while about what I wanted and reminded myself something a friend had told, “It’s not that you don’t have enough time; it’s that you have to make it a priority!” So that’s what I did, and then LYNX was born. Art can be like working out, you know it’s good for you and benefits you, but sometimes it gets put on the back burner. So, I stopped putting my art on the back burner and made it something that is a priority. Something that benefits me and others.
I Have always been an avid earring collector, so it only made sense. I get to incorporate all the mediums of art I enjoy working with, and I can make them quickly enough to create a business. My Boyfriend Tristen is a big contributor to LYNX because he taught me all about mold making and is very crafty and a talented artist himself so he was teaching me a lot of useful knowledge along the way. Another person who has helped LYNX succeed is Ella at Glory Days Vintage. Ella gave me the opportunity to sell my earrings in her vintage store. She is also a mentor to me, being a business owner herself, and has helped me along giving great advice and being a good friend. It has been so amazing seeing people buy my earrings because it always brings a smile. This is exactly the goal I had set for myself when it come to the kind of art I wanted to make. Making art that people can wear and have as a fun conversation starter is something I’m very proud of.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
Overall, the process has been really enjoyable, but of course, with anything, there are going to be some challenges. First, I had to figure out a lot of the small steps in making my earring, like what kind materials I should use and how to use them correctly. Thankfully I have really talented people in my life to help me learn. Secondly was figuring out pricing and what worked well with people. Thankfully I figured it out after a few weeks, and then it was smooth. I have future obstacles for myself, but so far, I have a lot of support with my business.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I think my earring are really unique because I hand-sculpt the earring making it one of a kind. I then make a mold of that sculpture, and the process begins from there. I individually sand and paint each earring, making sure they are all quality and something I am proud to put out there. I strive to make every pair feel like a piece of art that make you feel like someone put thought and time into.
How do you define success?
I feel like success is different for everyone, and I honestly still have a hard time defining it because every day it feels different. Sure, making money and expanding your business is “success” but I think it’s more about the small things along the way, like getting to interact with people and see how they respond to my product, seeing them smile and laugh. The feeling of even just making the earrings and looking at them, feeling proud that I made that. I have had to teach myself that it is great to have big goals for success but that there are a lot of small things along the way that fulfill that a lot more. Ultimately feeling happy when I wake up and looking forward to what I do is success. Being able to take care of myself and have enough while having enough to give back.
Pricing:
- All my Earrings ar $20 – $25
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @Designs.by.lynx
- Other: Etsy: @DesignsbyLYNXShop
Image Credits
Alix Edwards
@meggiebphelan
Peter Murray
