Have you ever felt stuck, caught between what’s expected and what you truly want? What does it take to escape the trap of “safe careers” and actually create a path that feels uniquely yours?
In this energizing collage episode of The Edge of Excellence, you’ll hear from Will Taylor and Sean Phelps as they revisit pivotal moments of transformation, choices, and breakthrough habits drawn from several past episodes.
From growing up with the shadow of a corporate legacy and wrestling with painful growth, to launching a bold clothing brand and mastering digital marketing for real impact, this episode dives into the lessons, struggles, and surprising victories that shape a purpose-driven career.
Listen now! Here you’ll learn systems thinking, the truth about authentic alignment, and practical strategies for turning curiosity into a life you really love. Skip this episode and you risk missing proven career moves and mindset shifts shared nowhere else on the show… so tune in and claim your edge!
Timestamped Highlights
- [00:00] – Will Taylor recalls the first time painful accountability became rocket fuel for transformation and how the “bootcamp to manhood” catalyzed his future.
- [05:00] – Why assuming you’ll follow in your parents’ footsteps is both comforting and limiting – and the exact moment Will realized the world was bigger than Detroit’s Big Three.
- [07:00] – The step-by-step breakdown of Will’s journey from eBay flips to his first real taste of entrepreneurship and how College Works Painting became the game changer.
- [13:09] – Will Taylor’s revelation: your skills and relationships matter more than courses and grades, plus the risky move that made everything click.
- [15:00] – Launching a clothing brand not just for profit but to master digital marketing – Will’s “internship you build yourself” (and the book he never finished).
- [20:00] – Plunged into agency life, managing million-dollar budgets: What Will wishes he’d known about corporate politics and how curiosity created opportunity.
- [27:09] – Consulting NFL franchises and iconic global brands – the unexpected thrill (and humility) of being the architect behind their marketing strategies.
- [33:08] – The heartbreak and lesson from quitting YouTube as a teenager and how Will turned that regret into a lifelong habit of courageously following his gut.
About The Guest
Will Taylor is Vice President of Consulting at VaynerX, driving innovative marketing strategy and creative media solutions for global brands. Previously the founder of Softgoods and York Project apparel companies, Will is known for his systems thinking, digital advertising mastery, and authentic leadership that transforms organizations. His story offers young leaders a blueprint for compounding success by embracing curiosity, risk, and real alignment.
🔗 LinkedIn | Website
Mentioned Resources
- College Works Painting
- Softgoods
- York Project (apparel)
- VaynerX
- Gary Vaynerchuk (GaryVee)
- The Intelligent Investor (book)
- Shopify
- Notre Dame IDEA Center
- Good, Good Golf (influence example)
- DISC assessment tools
- Seabreeze Management
- Adidas
- Nike
Important Links
- Grow, do great work, and lead the way: National Services Group (NSG)
- Join our Student Professional Program: Internship Application
- Connect with Matt on LinkedIn
- Watch full interviews on YouTube
The Edge of Excellence is an original podcast hosted by Matthew Stewart. Brought to you by College Works. Production and editing by Podcast Your Brand.