On November 14th, the Daviess County CEO Cohort had the honor of hosting Zella Taylor, CEO of the United Way and a successful business owner. A seasoned guest speaker and mentor to one of the students, Zella shared profound insights on discovering and pursuing one's passion, underscoring the importance of "sweat equity" in achieving success.
4 Key Messages from Zella's Visit:
*** Passion and Personal Growth: Zella encouraged the students to identify their passion and pursue it relentlessly. She reminded the cohort that growth requires stepping into the unknown, sharing her personal mantra: "It's scary doing new things, but that is how I know I am growing."
*** Vision and Leadership in Community: Highlighting the United Way's mission to build stronger communities through education, financial stability, and health, Zella noted that the organization maintains an eagle-eye view on what the community needs. She stressed the importance of having vision and being a LEADER, citing the "Day of Caring" initiative, where over 700 volunteers come together to make a significant impact.
*** Quality and Full Engagement: Zella emphasized that no matter what career path students pursue—whether self-employed or working for someone else—quality should be ingrained in their name. She encouraged the cohort to immerse themselves fully in their work.
*** Seizing Opportunities and Your Why: Zella posed a thought-provoking question: "When do opportunities start?" She emphasized being ready to seize opportunities whenever they arise and encouraged the cohort to share "Your Why"—the personal reasons behind their passions and goals.
In addition to her work with the United Way, Zella shared experiences from her real estate ventures, discussing property flipping, managing cash flow, and "sweat equity." With a degree in psychology and certification as a Life Coach, she also touched on the importance of personal growth, resilience, and maintaining a clear vision.
The Daviess County Cohort extends their sincere gratitude to Zella Taylor for sharing her time, knowledge, and passion. Her leadership serves as a guiding light for the students, reminding them that with passion, commitment, and dedication to quality, anything is possible.