Taylor Walker of Santa Monica on Life, Lessons & Legacy

We’re looking forward to introducing you to Taylor Walker. Check out our conversation below.

Good morning Taylor, it’s such a great way to kick off the day – I think our readers will love hearing your stories, experiences and about how you think about life and work. Let’s jump right in? Would YOU hire you? Why or why not?
Absolutely. I would hire me because I lead with vision, accountability, and execution. I’ve learned to stay calm under pressure, think strategically, and move with intention even when things don’t go as planned. I’ve faced my share of setbacks and challenges, but adversity has only made me sharper and more resilient. I bring the same mindset to every project that I do to life: dream big, plan smart, and follow through.
What sets me apart is that I don’t just build homes. I build people, systems, and opportunities. I care about results, but I care even more about integrity and how we get there. I would hire me because I know I’ll show up every single day ready to solve problems, inspire others, and push the mission forward.

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My name is Taylor Walker, and I am a real estate developer, investor, and entrepreneur based in Los Angeles. I come from a basketball background where I played Division 1 at Loyola Marymount University and later earned my MBA there. After graduating, I shifted my focus from the court to construction. Today, I run LT Walker Homes, a development company I built with my mom, Joyce. Together, we have grown from humble beginnings to purchasing and selling more than $30 million worth of real estate over the past eight years.
What makes our story special is that it is about more than just houses. It is about family, perseverance, and creating generational wealth. Every property we build tells a piece of our journey, blending modern design with intention and culture. Through my social media platforms and my Building While Black series, I share the real, unfiltered side of what it takes to succeed in this industry as a minority developer, including both the wins and the challenges. Beyond developing, I also focus on educating others who want to build wealth through real estate, showing people from all backgrounds that ownership is possible with the right mindset and strategy.
Right now, we are focused on scaling LT Walker Holdings, completing new design-driven projects, and continuing to inspire and teach others to build their own version of legacy through ownership, mindset, and consistent action.

Okay, so here’s a deep one: What was your earliest memory of feeling powerful?
My earliest memory of feeling powerful came during my time at Loyola Marymount University. I started out as a team manager, just trying to stay close to the game I loved. Most people counted me out, but I refused to let anyone define my limits. I showed up early, stayed late, and let my work ethic speak for itself.
That consistency paid off when I earned a walk-on spot, became a starter, and played a key role in helping our team make history during the conference tournament. Playing on ESPN and proving people wrong after years of doubt was one of the most empowering moments of my life. It wasn’t just about basketball anymore; it was about proving that relentless work, faith, and preparation can turn any “no” into a “now.” That experience taught me what power really means: creating your own opportunity when no one else will hand it to you.

What have been the defining wounds of your life—and how have you healed them?
One of the most defining wounds of my life came when I went through a breakup after six years while also losing $80,000 on a real estate deal. It was one of the most challenging times I have ever faced. I felt like everything I had built emotionally and financially was falling apart at once.
What helped me heal was taking things one day at a time. I learned how to sit with my emotions instead of running from them, and I began to see both experiences as lessons rather than losses. The breakup taught me about self-worth and boundaries, while the business setback taught me about discipline, risk management, and resilience.
Looking back, those moments made me stronger and more self-aware. They forced me to grow in ways that success never could. I came out of it with a deeper sense of focus, gratitude, and clarity about who I am and what I want to build.

Alright, so if you are open to it, let’s explore some philosophical questions that touch on your values and worldview. What’s a belief or project you’re committed to, no matter how long it takes?
I’m committed to building generational wealth and representation through real estate while helping combat the growing takeover of corporations in residential housing. My mission has always been bigger than flipping homes or making money. I want to create opportunities, inspire ownership, and show people who look like me that they can build something lasting from the ground up.
Every project I take on and every piece of content I share is part of that purpose. It takes time, patience, and persistence, but I’m in it for the long game. I believe that by educating and empowering more individual buyers and small developers, we can shift the balance back toward real people owning real property again.

Okay, so let’s keep going with one more question that means a lot to us: When do you feel most at peace?
I feel most at peace in two places. One is when I am sitting in a fully finished home that my mom and I built, with the staging set up and everything exactly how we envisioned it. In that moment, all the noise fades. Seeing an idea turn into a beautiful, lived-in space reminds me that every setback and long night had a purpose.
The other place is on the basketball court. Even now, being in the gym alone with a ball in my hands brings me a sense of calm that nothing else can match. Basketball was my first outlet and the place where I learned discipline, resilience, and how to quiet my mind.

Both places bring me the same kind of peace. They remind me of who I am, where I started, and what I can build when I stay focused and trust the process.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.ltwalkerholdings.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/taylorwalker_re/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/taylor-walker-6452b872/