Daily Inspiration: Meet Heather Dawkins-Taylor

Today we’d like to introduce you to Heather Dawkins-Taylor. 

Hi Heather, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start, maybe you can share some of your backstories with our readers.
Little girl from Ypsilanti, MI, and the firecracker of the family, I loved to create! As a child, I would stay with my grandparents a lot, one of my favorite things to do was play on my grandmother’s Macintosh computer, and one of my favorite programs to use was “McPaint”. I would create pictures for everyone in my family. Now fast forward to 2005. First, I was a mom at 17 years old and a mother of 3 when I graduated from Washtenaw Community College with my Associate’s Degree and my certificate in Graphic Design. Loving the idea of being an entrepreneur lead me to starting a freelance company as O’Bryan Designs LLC. learning the business world and how to manage a company blossomed into many clients, including Eastern Michigan University student center building, celebrities such as Future & SPRNGBRK aka A1 from the reality show “Love & Hip Hop” also Hazel E, “Love & Hip Hop” reality star all while completing my Bachelor’s (BA) Degree in communications technology in April of 2020, from Eastern Michigan University. As we reach the present, I am a wife to my best friend and a mother of four. Three of my children are out on their own, all with the same entrepreneur blood running through their veins. My little guy King is 6 years old and in the 1st grade. They are my “why.” Business life with O’Bryan Designs has been an amazing journey, and I know will continue to grow bigger! To be able to do what you love and help your community is self-rewarding. 

To give you an insight on what O’Bryan Designs LLC does, we are an online custom graphic company (www.obryandesigns.com) who specialize in Business Advertising. O’Bryan Designs offers marketing packages for business, ala cart services such as: Logo & branding, content advertising, promotional product design, and print, trade show designs and promotions, print work such as business cards, flyers, banners, backdrops, custom apparel, and so much more! 

The way in which we give back to our community is by giving a free 4×4 digital ad to our clients who follow the steps listed under the tab “Local Business Thursdays” on our website at: https://www.obryandesigns.com/local-business-thursdays it will explain the process and how to enter your business for free advertising. On top of that, your company will be featured on our website, social media (IG & Tik Tok), and Linked in, as well as you are able to share this online with anyone! (O’Bryan Designs reserves copyrights, and logo will be small but present of free digital flyer.) This program we started helps to keep money within our community and to help promote local buying. 

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?
Defiantly had struggles! LOL 

It’s safe to say that every business has had its ups and downs, but most importantly, those downs have helped you or your business to grow! Staying resilient and ready to pivot if need be is key! 

When I first began my journey as O’Bryan Designs, I did not have a plan that covered every base of the business, but I found out the hard way! I had a client request a logo; I was so excited to have my 1st client that I did not think about requiring a non-refundable deposit. So, I got started with work and presented to my client, He then told be that he would like to wait before he purchases and think about the choices given. Fair enough, right? NO! absolutely not, this client never came back, and my time was not paid, so basically, I did all that work for nothing. Needless to say, since then I have law-binding contract that both me and the client sign, as well as a deposit must be paid before I begin work. The deposit goes towards your total cost. 

This was one of many, and I am sure there is many more to go. 

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I am an owner, operator, and graphic artist for my company O’Bryan Designs LLC. O’Bryan Designs was founded in 2005; we are a custom graphic company who specialize in all forms of business advertising. From Custom apparel to marketing and promotional needs we do it all! Our artwork was featured in Time Square, on the “You’ve Been Hazed” YouTube Channel, throughout EMU Campus, highway billboards, and many magazine such as “Advanced Magazine.” 

We are a company that prides ourselves on customer service that we deliver with each and every one of our clients. We are efficient in meeting deadlines and love to give back with our “Local Business Thursdays” (find out by visiting our website under “Local Business Thursdays” tab.) www.obryandesigns.com 

Local Business Thursday is a free way to advertise your business! This program comes on a first-come, first serve basis. This program is designed to promote local buying and keep money within our community. When your business is selected, O’Bryan Designs will create a 4×4 digital flyer free of charge, which will be displayed on our website, social media (IG & Tik Tok) also on Linked in. You will be able to share this flyer as much as you would like through social media or email. 

What was you like growing up?
I was a firecracker, an adventurous person who love to create new things! I defiantly gave my mom & dad a run for their money lol. Loved computers, learning new things, and expressing myself. 

Contact Info:

• Website: www.obryandesigns.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/obryandesigns/?hl=en
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtB_MONIx9Zf9n8nMh3RA8w
• Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/o-bryan-designs-whittaker
• Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@obryandesigns?lang=en