A Creative's Path to Leadership: Taryn Talley's Career Evolution

Taryn Talley, the Head of Marketing at Position2, embarked on a non-traditional journey into the world of marketing, initially driven by her passion for art and design.

The beginning of Taryn’s career was marked by the critical roadblock of not having the opportunity to participate in internships while earning a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Design. However, her desire for necessary experience drove her to freelance while simultaneously holding low-paying corporate positions. It was during this season that Taryn’s path forward became clear—one that was rooted in digital marketing. Though her early career aspirations have evolved significantly, she has found fulfillment in her role as a leader who collaborates with and nurtures diverse, exceptional teams. Ultimately, Taryn’s journey is a testament to her determination of breaking barriers and seizing opportunities.

We asked Taryn about how her career background led her to where she is today, the most rewarding part of her current role, and the advice she would give someone starting on a similar journey.

Q: Tell us about your career background. How has it led you to where you are today?

A: I always say that I had the non-traditional path to being a marketer—my passion was always for art and design. After getting a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Design from Kutztown University, it was a struggle for me to break into a creative agency. I didn’t have the opportunity to intern in my last year or two of school. So I spent the first couple of years doing freelance design work while working in low paying corporate jobs. It took me a couple of years to kick a door open for a design day job, but I did it. After getting exposure to the internet in the mid-90s at one of those low-paying corporate jobs, I knew my path forward was digital. I worked for the next few years as a designer, managing art director, and creative director in pharma and financial services before I got my first brand marketing job in pharma and I loved it. I haven’t looked back since.

Q: What’s the most impactful career experience you’ve ever had, and how does it impact your work to date? 

A: The best career experiences I’ve had are really from my failures—those learning moments that allow me to evaluate my approach—forcing me to change and grow as a marketer or leader. If steel is strengthened by the fire it’s immersed in, I always say my steel is strong AF. As a leader, I try to hold space for folks to learn, no matter what the moment is. I don’t want folks to stress. I encourage them to work on the problem or the challenge and push forward.

Q: What piece of advice has played the biggest role in your career so far? 

A: As a creative, I tend to get a little wrapped around the axle driving to perfection. In design school, it was hammered into my head that my work had to be flawless. Ten years later, in my first marketing role, a colleague turned to me and said, “Don’t let perfect be the enemy of good.” I took it to heart.

Q: Did you always know that you wanted to be in a leadership role one day? 

A: Yes, when I was in design school, I had aspirations of being a Chief Creative Officer. I wanted to have a hand on the rudder—to be able to influence and lead efforts. I wasn’t thinking about leading organizations or teams per se. What I wasn’t planning to do turned out to be the most rewarding work I’ve had in a 27-year career: working with, leading, and developing teams of unique and amazing folks.

Q: What is the most rewarding part about your current role? 

A: As marketers, we sometimes focus on specific disciplines. I spent years focusing on web, search engine marketing, display, and email marketing. In my current role as Head of Marketing, I’m fortunate to touch organic social, content, experiential, and account-based and email marketing. I like to pivot between writing and doing basic wireframes in creative briefs for landing pages, to writing organic social posts, or planning our next bespoke experiential for the GTM community we’re building.

Q: Which books, podcasts, educational programs, or other resources have been most helpful to you? 

A: I find inspiration where I can: in conversations with other practitioners, web resources, and even other marketing campaigns. I do recommend doing a boot camp or two. You need to think about how the bootcamp fits into your journey—unless you just love learning. I always wanted to enroll in supplemental education but never had the time. When I got the boot from a sub-par job during peak Covid-19, I finally found the time to invest in myself. I took three bootcamps from General Assembly: a product management bootcamp, a data analytics bootcamp to help strengthen some gaps, and a general digital marketing bootcamp because, after 27 years, I’ve forgotten more than I remember.

Q: What’s something you do outside of work that makes you a better leader?

A: As part of the BIPOC community, I am a member of a tribal community back on the East Coast. My brother, Jimmy, said to me in my first Inipi (sweat lodge) ceremony that in our communities, leaders and healers don’t just put out a shingle on the side of the road—the people know who the leaders and healers are. What I took from that is being a leader isn’t a title or something we self appoint. It is granted/made permissible by the people we are fortunate enough to serve and lead.

Q: What advice would you give someone starting out on the journey you’re on?

A: Be open to possibilities. Be willing to learn what you don’t know. Most importantly, learn what you don’t want or need in your life. And lastly, you are not defined by your title, your job, that layoff, or that spreadsheet you cranked out on Thursday night. Jobs will come and go—prioritize yourself and your life.

Taryn is a member of Dreamers & Doers, an award-winning community that amplifies extraordinary women entrepreneurs, investors, and leaders by securing PR, forging authentic connections, and curating high-impact resources. Learn more about Dreamers & Doers and get involved here.

The views and opinions expressed herein are the views and opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Nasdaq, Inc.

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