When faced with setbacks, I persevered, determined to take control of my life and build something I was proud of. Fueled by an unyielding determination, I pushed beyond perceived limitations and embraced the true spirit of entrepreneurship.
It all began with a dream—a dream of owning my own gym and creating a space where people could come together to pursue their fitness goals. For most of my life, my focus was on baseball. After playing at Flagler College, I began working in the fitness industry, a natural transition for a lifelong athlete. I took on roles in gym management and personal training. There, I developed my passion for working one-on-one with people and helping them achieve their goals.
Despite how much I enjoyed the fitness industry, I knew my growth potential was limited unless I became a business owner. Then, the opportunity arose to buy the gym I worked at—it was the perfect opportunity. I was on the verge of making that dream a reality when the unexpected happened: the financing fell through at the last moment. It was a setback, but it only fueled my determination to find another path forward.
That same day, I quit my job, committed to becoming an entrepreneur one way or another. It was through a friend that I learned about real estate. The limitless growth potential and the chance to serve people in my community were appealing. As optimistic as I was, the first few months were a trial by fire. I didn’t do very well initially, but the years spent learning persistence and patience through baseball proved invaluable in real estate.
I didn’t give up. Instead, I became obsessed with learning everything I could about the industry. I sought out mentors, devoured books and resources and talked with anyone and everyone about real estate. Because I started out on a team, I analyzed what my peers were doing and how to best serve my clients. Slowly but surely, my hard work began to pay off. By 6 months, I finally found consistency, and by the end of my first year, I had sold 18 houses. Then, the following year, I did 30 transactions.
In 2021, I became a solo agent—it was a total game-changer for me. With the team, it often felt like the focus was solely on closing deals, almost transactional and impersonal. That didn't sit right with me. I wanted to provide a different level of care. My passion for fitness was rooted in my love for sharing knowledge and expertise to help people improve their lives. Through real estate, I get to have an even greater impact, helping people become homeowners, selling their homes for a profit or investing to build generational wealth!
In 2021, I also opened my gym, Taylor Training Systems. Juggling both full-time was madness, I'll admit, but it taught me invaluable lessons about running a business effectively. In both businesses, the principles of growth were similar: consistent effort, staying visible and engaging with people authentically always brought results.
As a part owner of the gym now, we renamed it to Ktlyst. I am still very involved in the gym and connecting with the fitness community there. However, in this next chapter, my focus is on growing my real estate business and creating a team of agents who share my values and passion for real estate!
In my free time, I enjoy boating, hitting the gym, spending time with friends and family, and networking with other business professionals. I also lead a Run Club, partner with local businesses for events, sponsor sports teams from the youth to collegiate level, and, through Ktlyst, sponsor a family each year for Christmas. It is important to me to give back to the community that has given me so much to be grateful for!
By connecting with my clients and showing my genuine, people-first approach, I am proud to have not only found success in the industry, but to have met so many great people along the way. It's not just about transactions; it's about the opportunity to positively impact people's lives. Whether it's helping someone secure their dream home or advising on lucrative investment opportunities, I take pride in being a trusted advisor who offers candid insights without pressure or an agenda. By providing guidance, support and education, I want to help you make informed decisions. At the end of the day, I want you to be completely satisfied!
I firmly believe in the importance of building genuine relationships with my clients based on trust, transparency and mutual respect. Every interaction is an opportunity to make a difference in someone's life, whether it's by providing expert advice, negotiating on their behalf or simply lending a listening ear during moments of uncertainty. My goal is to get you to the next chapter and create a memorable, informative experience along the way. Guiding clients through the complexities of the real estate process is not just a job
for me; it's a passion!