Inspiring Conversations with Esther Taylor of Essie Faye Collection

Today we’d like to introduce you to Esther Taylor.

Hi Esther, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I am an entrepreneur and author. Seven years ago, I ended an abusive marriage. I was broken emotionally, spiritually, mentally and I was in a very dark place. It seemed as if there was a dark cloud over me. I never imagined that divorce and abuse would be apart of my story as a Christian. It was. I was embarrassed because my marriage failed and my ex-husband and I were church leaders. I was fearful of divorcing because of the stigma within faith communities and many people who I trusted advised me not to divorce although my ex-husband abandoned me. I was hurt by leaders in my faith communities; I felt alone and unsupported as a woman who was separated from her husband, hurting, and broken. I felt that there was no place for me in my faith community. It wasn’t that there are no men and women who experience trauma in relationships, abuse, and/or separation and divorce. The challenge is the silence surrounding these issue within faith communities. Believers are suffering in silence because many ministries fail to address the issues and minister to those who are hurting.

After nearly two years of being in limbo after I was abandoned by my ex-husband. I filed for divorce. I began a journey of self-discovery and healing. I rediscovered who I was and began to heal from the verbal and emotional abuse and abandonment. I learned to love and accept myself as I walked out my faith. I learned to love again. As a result, I decided to write a book to guide women who have a similar experience along their healing journey. “Finding The Love You Deserve: 30 Lessons in Self-Love and Acceptance” empowers women to love, accept, and heal themselves.

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?
It has not been a smooth road. And I would encourage our readers to understand and know that the road will not be easy. That’s okay. You will grow through this. I’ve had many struggles in my young life. But I’ve also been tremendously blessed. I was born and raised on Chicago’s South Side in the Englewood community. It’s one of the most dangerous communities in the city. I am one of 14 children born to Troy Sr and Lelia M. Young. We were not rich, but we always had what we needed. My parents worked very hard to provide for each of us. We were rich in love and support–my parents have always been there for us, no matter what. They instilled an incredible work ethic within us and a strong moral compass. I am grateful to them for their incredible sacrifices so that I can be who I am today.

I attended the Historically White University, Northwestern University. I loved my experience there. It was a struggle for me during a time when there weren’t many faces that looked like me as students. I struggled to believe that I belonged there. I studied abroad in Salamanca, Spain for a school year and I struggled with the fact that not many Black people at the time entered study abroad programs, studying a foreign language. Did I belong? What was I doing there? I think that I’ve often battled within, in particular when I’ve done something that I hadn’t seen before or something that was new to me. The awesome thing is that I did not retreat; I did not give up. I persevered despite self-doubt and fear to become the woman I wanted to be. You can do the same–don’t you dare give up.

There were challenges in my career as an educator of 17 years. It has been my desire to teach since I was a teenager. Teaching in our inner city is not for the faint of heart! Reaching today’s youth could cause many to give up. It’s really difficult to retain teachers nowadays. Many teachers leave withing 1-3 years of starting because of the challenging nature of the job. But I return to work each day because although teaching has its challenges, I believe in our youth and I it’s not only a passion of mine, but it’s a calling.

I’ve had challenges in regard to pursuing my dreams of acting, becoming a recording artist and author. Wishing to please my parents and carve out a career for myself, I took the traditional route. I went to college and got into a career. Deep inside, I had dreams of becoming an artist and acting. Growing up in a traditional Pentecostal Apostolic church, the arts were not encouraged. Matter of fact, the arts: dancing, acting, music artists were “worldly” and secular. That was off limits. For the longest time I didn’t explore my dreams. Until I encountered a training program for Christians who were passionate about the arts. Dancers, singers, artists, comedians, and improvisers who loved Christ and lived for Him. This rocked my world! It changed my perspective forever. This was in 2017. Since then, I’ve been pursuing my dreams: I’ve written and recorded several songs. I’ve become a lifestyle model. I’ve joined Well Versed Comedy Improv, a clean comedy group of believing improvisers. I’ve become an author. I’ve decided not to allow the opinions and ideas of others to confine me. I’ve decided to live my life on my terms, acknowledging God. I’ve decided to live my life with purpose and intention and that’s what I aim to encourage others to do.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
The Essie Faye Collection is an online store with inspirational tee shirts and gear that’s comfy and has a positive message. My business was established in February 2022. What I’m most proud of brand-wise is that my brand focuses on positivity and shares a Christ-centered message. I want readers to know that they can count on the Essie Faye Collection to deliver quality products with an uplifting message.

Author: The book is available on www.amazon.com

“Finding the Love You Deserve: 30 Lessons in Self Love and Acceptance” is a labor of love birthed out of my experience with domestic abuse & grieving the loss of divorce. It is a product of my self-discovery and healing journey.

Recording Artist: 2017 I wrote and recorded the album “Believe Again.” It is available on soundcloud.com

I also co-wrote a song with my nephew Curtis Crump Jr. dedicated to my deceased brother, Jeremiah Young titled “When I close My Eyes: Jeremiah’s Song.”

Bilingual (Spanish/English) Psalmist & Interpreter: I’ve been a bilingual praise and worship leader for 10+ years, helping to establish and/or serving in five bilingual ministries.

LifeStyle Model: I am an aspiring lifestyle model

Improviser: I have performed comedy improv for the past three years with WellVersed Comedy Improv Troupe in the Chicagoland area

Minister: I am also a minister in the Pentecostal Apostolic church

High School Spanish/English teacher in Chicago Public Schools

Is there a quality that you most attribute to your success?
The qualities that are most important to my success is perseverance, discipline, and hard work. If you continue to work at something with discipline, despite obstacles, you will reach your goal. It’s only a matter of time.

Pricing:

• Tees $15-31
• Hoodies & Sweatshirts $48-60
• Finding The Love Collection $15-$60
• Finding the Love You Deserve Paperback: $12.99
• Finding the Love You Deserve E-Book $6.99

Contact Info:

• Email: [email protected]
• Website: www.essiefayetaylor.com and www.essiefayecollection.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the_essie_faye
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/esther.tate.39
• SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/user-316647745

Image Credits
Photos: Donald Taylor II (TaylorMade Productions, Inc)