The founder of Digital Direction Services, Elizabeth Taylor is a digital marketing expert who cuts through the noise to help businesses grow.
We love entrepreneurs and small business owners at Honeycombers, which is why we’ve created Launchpad, a comprehensive digital networking platform (with IRL benefits, too) that encourages connection, business support and community. It’s a privilege and pleasure to learn from so many talented and inspiring folks, so we’ve decided to share the love by interviewing some of the lovely Launchpad members. Looking for inspiration? Check out how Elizabeth Taylor, the founder of Digital Direction Services, gets it done like a boss.
How I get it done: Elizabeth Taylor
What is your backstory and why did you decide to launch your business?
I started my business about 18 months after moving from the UK to Singapore. I had been working as a marketing trainer for one company and giving talks on marketing to groups of business owners. When I was running a session on starting up a business, one student asked me why I hadn’t done it myself. Good question! I researched the options and found it offered the opportunity to work with multiple companies and deliver a broader range of training to entrepreneurs, marketing executives and large corporates.
So, at the beginning of 2020 (yes, right before Covid hit) I launched my business. I offered marketing training and consultancy, and delivered a workshop on Facebook marketing days before we went into our Circuit Breaker. Turns out, this was great timing.
So many businesses decided to spend their time focusing on improving their marketing assets and I found myself booked out for the next six months. It was a whirlwind start to life as a business owner. I learned so much about how to support my clients, what I enjoyed doing and where I could add the most value.
On a typical morning
I try to walk 5km every day to clear my head and get ready for the day ahead. I usually go to the Green Corridor or Botanic Gardens to get my fix of green and fresh air. After this, I enjoy breakfast and coffee with my husband before getting ready for work and settling down in my home office.
One of my goals for this year is to do journaling every day. I’m using the “Head Plan” book to set my intentions for the day and list out my priorities. This is still a work in progress and on some weeks I’m better at achieving this than others.
On dealing with self-doubt and criticism
Self-doubt and imposter syndrome is something that I feel plagues many entrepreneurs. I’m no exception. I’ve found that my network of like-minded entrepreneurs, whom I meet with regularly, are my cheerleaders and keep me grounded and focused on what I’m trying to achieve. I’m sure I wouldn’t be in the position I am now without them. We acknowledge that business has its ups and downs and empathise with each other. At the same time, we don’t dwell on the negative – we encourage each other to accept and move on.
On keeping stress levels low
To keep my stress levels low, I try to do regular exercise including my morning walk. I ensure I take time to do the activities I enjoy most, which largely involve meeting up with friends and colleagues to catch up, swap ideas and have a good laugh. Working solo can sometimes be lonely and isolating. I acknowledge that I need to interact with others to feel uplifted and less stressed. I’m trying to keep my Fridays free for meeting up with others and taking a break from work before the craziness of the weekend starts.
On staying motivated and energised
I love learning, which is why I’ve turned to a career in education. To keep motivated, I try to give myself time to skill up in key areas of work that will improve my training services. This year, I have attended over 30 online business courses and have subsequently shifted my focus and expertise to a broader range of marketing topics. The aspect of my job I enjoy most is sharing my learning and experience to support others to achieve their business goals. This cycle is energising for me and gives me a sense of purpose for my business.
On the advice you’d give your younger self
First, I’d recommend really contemplating what you enjoy and following that passion, rather than trying to reach a defined end goal that has largely been shaped by others. I recall choosing my A-Levels and university degree based on feedback from my teachers and family, and discarding subjects I found interesting such as Psychology and Business Studies.
As a result, I ended up studying medical sciences at university and found my way to Business and Marketing through several work placements and further study. My second piece of advice is: you’ll end up where you’re supposed to be if you have the confidence to follow the path that’s right for you.
On winding down in the evening
In the evening, the majority of my time is spent hanging out with my children, who seem to get re-energised just as I want to go to bed! I do, however, cherish these times. They tell me about their day, ask for feedback and use all tactics available to keep me with them so they don’t have to go to bed! After this, I spend time with my husband comparing notes on the day and sometimes indulging in Netflix.
Check out Digital Direction Services to get in touch with Elizabeth.
Launchpad is a comprehensive digital networking platform (with IRL benefits, too) that encourages connection, business support and community. It is designed to make the entrepreneurial journey not only easier, and more successful, but also a whole lot more fun. We offer almost daily activities for members to connect, along with weekly masterclasses, member networking roulette, small-business mentoring and media profiles on Honeycombers. Check it out and join us!
