Today we’d like to introduce you to Taylor Leen
Hi Taylor, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
Red Sundaes is a reflection of my grandmother’s desire to bring friends and family together through warm, memorable events. My creativity was inherited from my mother’s side. My grandmother is an artist from water color paintings having her own florist business, creating intricate bouquets and centerpieces at a young age. From throwing large scale and over-the-top gathering, my grandmother and mother have always known how transform a room, please a crowd and be a hospitable host. I learned from the best. Red Sundaes tableware has been passed down by generations of the women in my family. An homage to Rose, Ann, Toby and Cindy. I am very fortunate to be able to say that both my grandmother, Toby, and my mother, Cindy, contribute to Red Sundaes from ideas to antique flatware.
With a career in Brand Marketing and a love for hosting, from event styling to tablescape designs, I specialize in creating a masterpiece. By incorporating increasingly elaborate fashions, thinking about color schemes, styling details and investing in heightened accessories that use shape, color and layering, I am always keeping in mind the etiquette, the latest trends and, of course, the client’s taste.
Every place and every occasion deserves its own table. Red Sundaes is an Austin, TX based company bringing everything you need to host the ultimate dinner party, corporate event or soiree where more than just an aesthetic is served. From tastefully curated tablescapes with sophisticated details, my mission is to handle the creative, while you handle the fun! Styling to me has many expressions, it goes from tablescape, to event execution to any other occasion where you need a professional eye to create a specific aesthetic.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Starting a small business of course has its struggles: getting my name out there, brand and company awareness and gaining a loyal client base. As someone who works a full time 9-5 job, navigating how to balance a side gig was tricky. However, after almost a year of dedicating my free time to the things I love: antiquing, promotion advertising of my brand and hosting, I feel I have finally figured out how to navigate the small business world.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I have worked in the boutique hospitality industry, specifically brand marketing, for the past 3+ years. With a background in journalism and graphic design, I have a combination of skillsets that allow me to create a cohesive aesthetic from brand partnership collaborations to large-scale activations and events. I specialize in but not limited to brand partnerships, digital and brand marketing from SEO to social media to all things collateral, merchandise and menu development. As a brand marketing expert, storytelling is crucial. From guest experience, the matchboxes to the branded bathroom napkins, developing a cohesive voice and tone is what makes a brand stand apart. I’ve combined my knowledge from my professional career with my passion for hosting and bringing people together to create the successful brand of Red Sundaes.
Can you tell us more about what you were like growing up?
Growing up, I was always loud, never shy. I was always creative, wearing the latest styles and trends and standing out amongst the crowd. I thrived in writing courses and any and all art electives available. I was in Honors Art throughout high school and focused mainly on my passion for graphic design.
From kindergarten through twelfth grade graduation, art class was ALWAYS my favorite. I loved being able to immerse myself where I could create something from scratch. I was and still am extremely close with my family. We had large holiday gatherings growing up that were always over the top and decorated to the nines. I guess that’s where I get it from.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.taylorleen.com/red-sundaes-1
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/redsundaes/
