From Global Wanderer to Entrepreneur & Creative Icon: The Story of Taylor Lashae

As co-founders of Roe Magazine, Camille and I have always admired Taylor Lashae from afar. She’s not just an influencer or a photographer - she’s an artist, a storyteller, and someone who has crafted a unique identity in the digital space. Our recent conversation with her took us beyond the curated posts and glossy images we’ve long admired. It was an intimate look at her personal journey - how she’s transformed from a young girl in Houston, searching for herself, to a globally recognized creator, and now, a woman building her own creative future. This is the story of Taylor Lashae - a story of growth, vulnerability, and self-discovery.

A Childhood Rooted in Duality: From Houston to the World

Taylor’s roots in Houston are deeply intertwined with her Colombian heritage. Growing up in an environment that was shaped by two distinct cultures created a sense of duality within her that would follow her throughout her life. The beauty and complexity of her upbringing are present in every piece of her story. Yet, from an early age, Taylor knew she was destined for something more than what Houston could offer.

"Being from Houston, with Colombian roots, there was always a sense of two worlds colliding. My family’s expectations, society's pressures, and my own desires to create something outside of that," she reflected. "I was always grappling with these different aspects of myself - trying to figure out what it meant to be me in a world that constantly told me to fit into a mold."

Photos Courtesy of @taylorlashae

Leaving home at 16 wasn’t just an escape, it was the start of her journey toward self-understanding. "I didn’t leave because I hated where I was from. I left because I needed to understand who I was, apart from the world I knew," Taylor explained. "It was more about discovering a version of me that wasn’t shaped by anyone else."

A Life of Movement: Seven Countries, Ten Years, and an Evolving Self

What followed was a decade of constant movement, living in seven different countries and immersing herself in various cultures. Each city added new layers to her identity. Yet, despite the allure of global experiences, Taylor began to realize something profound: no matter how far she traveled, she was always bringing the same version of herself with her, the girl who was still figuring out who she was.

"I spent so many years traveling, thinking that moving would solve everything. But I was always taking myself with me," she shared. "What I came to realize is that the work was internal. Moving wasn’t going to change me; it was about learning how to be with myself, wherever I was."

From the streets of New York to the beaches of Bali, Taylor learned that it wasn’t the location that mattered, it was the growth that came from being vulnerable enough to learn from every experience. "Every country, every city, each taught me something different. But what I learned the most is that you can’t outrun your own journey. You have to confront it head-on," she said.

Her time living in cities like Hong Kong, Paris, and London opened her eyes to the different ways of life, but also highlighted how disconnected she felt from her own identity. "In these cities, people were living these fast-paced, image-driven lives, and I felt like I was just observing, not truly living in the moment," she confessed. "I didn’t feel a sense of belonging. It was only when I moved to Nashville that I started to feel at home, not just in a city, but in myself."

Why Nashville Became Home: The Search for Stillness and Meaning

Nashville wasn’t a city that seemed like an obvious choice for someone with Taylor’s global resume, but in the stillness of this growing city, she found a kind of peace that no other place had given her. "I’d been running for so long, trying to find something outside myself that I was missing. But Nashville taught me that the most important thing was to build a life that felt true to me," she said.

It was in Nashville that Taylor stopped moving and started building. "This place was raw, unpolished, and it needed a creative ecosystem. I felt like I could create something here. I wasn’t just passing through anymore; I was planting roots," she explained. Nashville allowed her to reconnect with her true self in a way that other cities didn’t. It was in this quieter, more intimate setting that she began to craft her vision.

"I realized that I wanted to create something here that didn’t exist in the way it did in New York or LA. I wanted to bring creativity, community, and authenticity together in a way that supported artists and creatives like me," she shared. "Nashville was the place where I could do that without distractions - where I could finally stop running."

The Social Club: Creating a New Ecosystem for Creators

Her latest venture, The Social Club, is an agency designed to help influencers and creators find their path, not just to fame, but to real success. In a world where social media oversaturation can often result in copy-paste content, Taylor is committed to showing her clients how to stand out by embracing their authenticity.

"I want to help influencers find their identity beyond just posting pictures," she said. "There’s so much more they can do. They can create businesses, brands, and even consult for others. It’s about building something bigger, not just for now, but for the long term."

What I found particularly inspiring about Taylor’s approach is her focus on teaching influencers how to hone their craft and build a lasting business. It’s something we also believe in at Roe Magazine - empowering the next generation of creators with the tools and knowledge to not only grow their social presence but to understand the business side of things.

Building a Better Future for Influencers

As we continued to talk about the future of influencer culture, it became clear that Taylor isn’t just focused on her own success, she’s driven by a desire to uplift those around her. Whether it’s through The Social Club or her own personal brand, Taylor is committed to creating a space where creators can thrive without compromising their values.

"For me, it’s not just about making money, it’s about helping these young creators turn their passion into something sustainable," she shared. "It’s about teaching them how to navigate the business side of things while staying true to themselves. That’s the real success."

Taylor’s agency is a direct response to a gap in the market, and I believe it will continue to have a profound impact on the creators she works with. She is creating a foundation where creators don’t just have to follow the status quo but can create something new and innovative that reflects their true passions.

The Power of Authenticity: Shaping Her Creative Identity

One of the most striking things about Taylor’s journey is her unwavering commitment to authenticity. From the beginning of her career as an influencer, she never sought to fit into a pre-existing mold or follow trends. She leaned into her true identity - one shaped by nostalgia, romance, and a love for French cinema - and created a digital persona that was undeniably her own.

"From the very start, I knew I didn’t want to be anyone but myself. There was so much pressure to fit into a certain look or follow trends, but I resisted that. I wanted to tell my story, not anyone else’s," she explained. "I wanted my audience to see me as I am - not as a filtered version of myself." 

Taylor’s commitment to authenticity became her defining trait. It was never about perfection, but about showing up in a way that felt true to her, even when that meant embracing vulnerability. "The world doesn’t need more perfect people; it needs more real ones," she said. "I’m not here to show a highlight reel. I’m here to show you the messy, beautiful parts of life that I live. That’s where the magic happens."

"Authenticity is key," Taylor said, "When you’re true to yourself, that’s when people start to connect. If you try to copy someone else, people can see right through it. You have to be yourself. That’s the only way you can build a true following."

Her ability to be open and vulnerable in her work created a deep connection with her audience. Every photograph, every post told a story - one that reflected not just her aesthetic but her emotional landscape. "I use my platform as a way to process the things I’m going through, the emotions I’m feeling," she said. "I’m not afraid to show the raw parts of me, because that’s what connects me with people."

The Art of Capturing the Moment: Photography as Storytelling

For Taylor, photography is more than just a way to capture a beautiful moment, it’s a way of telling a deeper story. Every shot is intentional, and it’s never just about the image itself. It’s about the emotion, the narrative, and the message behind it.

"I don’t take photos just for the sake of it," she shared. "Each image has a purpose. It’s about conveying a feeling, a moment that speaks to something deeper. I see the world through a very specific lens, and I want my photos to reflect that vision."

This philosophy goes beyond photography, it applies to her entire approach to content creation. "It’s not about following trends or doing what everyone else is doing. It’s about finding what resonates with you and building from there," Taylor said. "That’s what makes your work stand out. When you create from a place of authenticity, people will feel that."

Embracing Vulnerability: How Creativity is Fueled by Emotion

Throughout our conversation, Taylor made it clear that vulnerability is a key element of her creative process. She’s not afraid to tap into her emotions and use them as fuel for her work. Whether she’s feeling sad, joyful, or frustrated, she channels those emotions into her art.

"I think creativity is so tied to how we’re feeling. If I’m going through something emotional, I’ll use it in my work," she shared. "Sometimes, when I’m feeling sad, I’ll intentionally lean into that emotion and let it guide the content I create. There’s a beauty in that rawness, it’s real, it’s human."

This willingness to embrace the full spectrum of emotions is what makes Taylor’s work so powerful. It’s not just about crafting a perfect image, it’s about allowing herself to feel and create from that space. "People want to see the realness. They want to know you’re human," she explained.

Looking Back: Grateful for the Journey

When Taylor looks back on her journey, there’s no bitterness or regret, just gratitude for the lessons learned and the experiences that shaped her. "Every place I’ve lived, every person I’ve met, every challenge I’ve faced has brought me to where I am today," she said. "It hasn’t been easy, but it’s been worth it. And now, I’m more confident than ever in who I am and what I’m creating."

For Taylor, the journey is far from over. But what’s clear is that she has found her path - one that’s uniquely her own. From the wandering traveler to the grounded creator, Taylor has embraced every part of her evolution with grace and courage.

Taylor’s story is a reminder that growth isn’t linear and that sometimes, the most powerful thing you can do is stop running. By embracing your authentic self and staying open to the journey, you can create something far more meaningful than any destination could ever offer. Taylor is living proof of that, and her story is one that will continue to inspire creators for years to come.