From Homelessness to Leadership: Everett Taylor's Inspirational Journey to Becoming CEO of Kickstart

In a testament to perseverance and resilience, Everett Taylor, a once-homeless individual who undertook menial jobs to fund his education, has risen to become the CEO of Kickstart, a prominent crowdfunding platform in the United States.

Originally from Richmond, Virginia, Everett Taylor's journey to the pinnacle of corporate leadership is a remarkable narrative of overcoming adversity. His career trajectory saw a transformative shift when he assumed the role of CEO at Kickstart, marking a historic moment as the first black chief executive officer of the crowdfunding platform.

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Taylor's early aspirations varied from basketball player to rapper, motivated by a desire to escape his community. At 14, he took on his first job selling illegal substances, prompting his mother to intervene and secure a position for him as a junior marketing assistant. This early exposure to marketing set the stage for Taylor's future endeavors.

However, his senior year of high school brought unforeseen challenges as he found himself homeless. Reflecting on this period, Taylor shared, “It was one of the worst moments anyone can go through in their lives. But I think it really molded me into the person I am today; I think my strength as a leader is empathy, and there’s no better lesson of empathy than not having anything.”

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During his homeless years, Taylor sought refuge in a local library, where he encountered a computer for the first time. Inspired by success stories of young entrepreneurs, he developed a passion for technology, setting the course for his future.

To fund his college education, Taylor engaged in various menial jobs, including washing windows and playing drums on buckets. Despite facing financial hardships, he enrolled at Virginia Tech, simultaneously working to support his studies. During this time, he launched a company using social media to promote events, emphasizing entrepreneurship as a safety net.

Taylor's journey led him through diverse experiences in startups, PR, email marketing, and SEO. His commitment to diversity became evident during his tenure at Artsy, where he addressed the lack of diversity and played a pivotal role in increasing representation.

His reputation within the business community led to his eventual appointment as CEO of Kickstarter. Taylor's leadership at Kickstarter prioritizes people over profit, with unionized workers and a four-day work week. Under his guidance, Kickstarter was recognized as one of Time100’s Most Influential Companies of 2023.

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Offering career advice, Taylor emphasizes the importance of work-life balance and encourages individuals not to let their jobs define them entirely. His journey stands as a beacon of inspiration, showcasing that one's past does not dictate their future, and resilience can lead to unprecedented success.