Dec 1, 2018

Bree Taylor | Canada | Unbreakable!!

Updated: Jul 7, 2022

www.breetaylor.com

I have always dreamt of being a singer-songwriter and performer. There isn't anything else I have wanted for my life this badly or have been actively pursuing the way I have music. The spark has always been there since I was a little girl. I have always loved entertaining, telling stories, writing, acting and have always had a love and passion for music. I was born to music in the delivery room and I have just felt this deep sense of purpose since a young age that this is what I am meant to be doing. What really ignited me actively pursuing this as a serious career pursuit was a friend of mine dying suddenly a few years ago. It shattered me and really showed me how short and precious life is and made me realize that I was wasting my time in a dead end relationship that was holding me back from my dream of pursuing music. So, I ended the relationship and I have been working hard ever since at making this dream of mine a reality. Growing up I was bullied into thinking that I wasn't good enough which made me very introverted and shy and gave me anxiety and stage fright. I didn't really start pursuing this actively until about three years ago when I began writing and recording my recent EP "Unbreakable". One of the reasons I named this debut EP as "Unbreakable" was because it represents my resilience, strength and perseverance in music and chasing this dream. I am a fighter. Whatever life throws at me I fight and work hard and I don't let anything or anyone keep me down or hold me back. One of the demons I have had to battle my entire life is my mental health.

I have suffered from depression and anxiety which has been a double edged sword because as hard as it has been to endure, it has also allowed me to tap into emotions that have enabled me to be a creative person and channel those feelings into my music. I have also had to endure bad relationships, loss, heartbreak, financial mistakes, bad decisions and many ups and downs along the way. I am a firm believer that everything happens for a reason, good and bad. It all helps us grow and guides us to where we are meant to be in life and all that I have endured has led me here, to this moment and has put me on this path for a greater purpose. I have learned that no matter what we go through we will always be okay in the end.

Even in my darkest days where I have felt completely hopeless, there has been a light somewhere inside of me that hasn't allowed me to let go or give up. I have faith that this will all work out and that I am on this path for a reason. I believe that I was meant for a greater purpose and music is part of my purpose and this journey of mine, all my bad decisions and struggles are fuelling that purpose. I hope to inspire someone with my story to show them that it gets better, that you can persevere and hard work pays off. Music and creating drives my soul and pouring my emotions and experiences into my art allows my music to be relatable which is something that has always been authentically me and I love that people respond to that. I would rather chase this dream and work hard and say that I tried instead of never knowing if I could have made this happen and live a life filled with regrets.

What were the biggest initial hurdles to building your career and how did you overcome them?

My biggest hurdles in my career have been finances and it is something I am still working on overcoming. I wasn't smart with money when I was younger and made some bad business decisions and have had to learn the hard way. Pursuing a career in music is very expensive and I have spent money in areas that I shouldn't have or could have spent it more wisely, but I have learned a lot through those mistakes and definitely won't be repeating them. Because of all this, I have to juggle working a full-time (45 hours a week) day job while full-time trying to build my own business in entertainment which means making a lot of sacrifices in my personal life. I hustle hard but I find it all to be worth it. I want this dream more than anything and I know one day it will pay off and all be worth it so sacrifices now mean greater rewards later.

Did you ever deal with contention from your family and friends concerning your entrepreneurial pursuits? How did you handle it? What would you do differently in hindsight?

Not at all! I have actually had so much love and support from ALL my friends and family with my career in music. I am extremely blessed and fortunate to have such a big family who all support me and my pursuit of music and being an entrepreneur. My parents especially are my biggest fans and supporters and they have guided me and done everything they can do help and support me on this journey.

What would you say was the single most influential factor in your career success?

I have to say that my determination and drive has been the most influential factor in my career. I don't give up! I work hard and I keep going in spite of all obstacles life throws at me. I am extremely resilient and have always found a way to make things work, to better myself and get myself where I need to in my career. Between that and an incredible support system I have in my family, I would say those are the reasons for my success.

What do you know today that you wish you would have known when you first got started as an entrepreneur?

I wish I had done some financial things differently so that I could be able to be more self-employed now, therefore having more time and energy to put towards music. I very much wish I had known how time consuming building your own business and a career in music would be! If I had known how busy I would be and how much goes into being a solo artists and essentially being my own business, I would have made a lot of different decisions. However, I could sit and think about all the things that I could have done differently but everything I have done and gone through has brought me to where I am now. I trust that this is the path I am meant to be on and everything is happening for a reason and leading me to where I am meant to ultimately be.

What advice would you give to an upcoming young and old entrepreneur locally and internationally?

I would tell them - trust yourself. At the end of the day that is the most important thing no matter where you are. Trust your dream, trust your vision and trust your gut. Believe in yourself, work hard always and don't let anyone deter you from your goals. Hard work does pay off!