Tameka L. Taylor

Education: Ph.D., Kent State University; master’s degree, Bowling Green State University; bachelor’s degree, Baldwin Wallace University

What Guides My Decision Making: First and foremost, I try to pray to the Lord about my decisions. Then I try to use data to drive my decisions so they are more logical and less emotional. Then I try to involve and get input from those who are impacted by the decision. I have learned that sometimes something looks good on paper (in theory), but in practice it doesn’t make sense.

My Very First Job and What I Learned From It: A store called Shoe Town in Shaker Heights … I learned a lot from that job including customer service, building relationships with my colleagues, managing people and leading with integrity — all of which I try to use in my business daily — although I think the most important lessons were about budgeting and saving.

Hobby/Passion: I love spending time with my family and friends and traveling. I’m at my happiest when I can do both at the same time.