Meet Taylor King of Espionage in Mid-city

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

Taylor, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
Growing up my parents made it mandatory that my brother and I find jobs which actually instilled amazing work ethic for the both of us. I was 15 when I found my first job which was at the cutest little gift store conveniently located down the street from where we lived. Working there every Monday after school and Saturday inspired me to want to open a store of my own one day. Then a few years after graduating from UCSB I decided it was time to get serious and follow my dream. I accidentally came into the capital to open a store and I decided to put all my chips on the table. Curating the store with my favorite things we are happy to be in the same location 5 years later!

Has it been a smooth road?
Opening a store isn’t as easy as it seems. You would think you would find a space, decorate it, stock it, open the doors and sell, sell, sell! But there is a lot of work happening on the back end such as finding loyal employees, keeping those employees, accounting, theft, marketing, social media…..the list goes on! I think during our fourth year I struggled with the idea of selling the business and finding a more corporate and structured career path. It’s hard being your own boss because nobody is there to tell you what to do and how to run a business successfully. You also don’t really get a paycheck because most of the money goes back into the business. I’m glad I stuck with it because every year we are learning new things and I think the store is getting better and better.

So, as you know, we’re impressed with Espionage – tell our readers more, for example what you’re most proud of as a company and what sets you apart from others.
Espionage isn’t like any other gift store because we literally have a little bit of everything. We specialize in curated gift packages, interior styling and designer resale clothing. My favorite part is the vintage finds. I have been going to flea markets with my mom since I was two years old. We are quite the team and love hunting in obscure places from a collector’s home to Paris for unique decor pieces! I’ve learned a lot from her and she has been a huge part in the store’s success. I value her opinion on new products and love to incorporate her sophisticated taste. I am definitely an old soul but I think you can tell that there are two generations of style throughout the store.

Let’s touch on your thoughts about our city – what do you like the most and least?
I love Los Angeles so much. I don’t think there is anywhere else I’d rather live. We not only have the convenience of pretty much everything at our fingertips but the weather is incomparable. The only thing I wish was different is that in other cities there is more of a walking culture. You miss so many hidden gems when you drive everywhere. We will get some local neighbors into the store who never knew we existed. It’s pretty funny considering we’ve been here for quite some time. I even painted the store from grey to bright aqua so people wouldn’t miss us.

Contact Info:

• Address: 7456 Beverly Blvd
• Website: www.espionagela.com
• Phone: 3232724942
• Email: [email protected]
• Instagram: @espionagela
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/EspionageLA/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/EspionageLA
• Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/espionage-los-angeles
• Other: https://www.pinterest.com/EspionageLA/

Image Credit:
Lauren Dunn, Richard Radstone

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