Today we’d like to introduce you to Taylor L. Cole Longacre.
Taylor, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
Growing up in a small rural community with entrepreneurial parents, grand and great grandparents, hard work and examples of a strong work ethic were all around me. I can distinctly remember my gramps telling me at a very young age that I have a unique voice, I need to speak up, and that I’d someday be regularly featured on TV. From that point forward, I’d be the kid who’d speak, be on the roster for a program, or take the role of mistress of ceremonies for church and community events. Our local church was a second home for us so naturally, I took the role of junior church secretary and announcement clerk under the leadership of my grandma. By the time I reached high school, I was frequently hosting events, leading up to being a commencement speaker before more than a thousand people at my own high school graduation. I was also featured on a teen TV show and modeled for catalogs.
At Southern Methodist University, I studied broadcast journalism, radio/TV, and sociology went on to get a graduate degree in conflict management/dispute resolution. One day, while in my sophomore year of college, one of my journalism professors announced that there was an internship opportunity to produce a TV show but it would require spending most of Spring Break and the summer working on the project. It was as if a supernatural force grabbed my arm and lifted me to my feet. I anxiously shouted, “I’ll do it!” before I even had all the details. It turned out it was an internship to produce a boys’ baseball show with multiple cameras, a large crew and the show was for cable TV. I was given the role of director and producer and for the next six months, the team and I spent two to three evenings per week on the baseball field and in the studio editing the show. I enjoyed it so much that I returned the following season to produce the show again, but not before I requested upgraded cameras, a new graphics package, and the help of an associate producer.
Although I interned at local TV stations and was contracted as a weekend anchor at Irving Television, it was the travel industry that wooed me into my first big job. I spent 14 years in the travel and technology industry, leading public relations for Sabre, Travelocity, Hotels.com, Expedia Group, and consulting with several others. While in those roles, I was frequently on camera for national press interviews, spoke at conferences, and hosted company events. While I was at Hotels.com, I got a call from a former E! Entertainment and MTV television producer in Canada that saw some of my interviews and wanted to meet. She had an idea for a travel TV show and thought I’d be a good host. We hit it off and that collaboration led to me hosting and executive producing my first travel show called Hotel Hunt. More than 30 episodes later, the show is on Amazon Prime Video and other networks. Hotel Hunt takes you on a journey to the best places to stay anywhere in the world. Throughout the journey, you learn about unique travel excursions, the history and culture of the destination, and interesting people I meet along the way. One of the best parts about being in the travel space is that I’ve been able to bring my parents and husband with me on business trips and TV shoots. I share highlights of Hotel Hunt on The Informed Traveler, a syndicated radio show and podcast based out of Canada. I’m the lodging expert and appear on that show monthly thanks to my friend and fellow travel enthusiast Randy Sharman.
In early 2019, I was promoting Hotel Hunt on other TV networks. I remembered that I’d done some spokesperson work and TV commercials at Magic Production Group, a local studio in the Dallas area. The owner, Massoum Mirzaei hosted a TV show called The Focus so I was a guest on his program to share the story of Hotel Hunt. Following the interview, he asked me to support other TV projects with him. I was fascinated with his studio and crew, so I wrote a marketing plan with some ideas and asked if he’d be open to some hearing my thoughts. I walked into the meeting prepared to pitch some ideas and he said, “That all looks good, but I have another offer for you. You know that show that you were on, The Focus?” I said, “Yes, of course!” He said, “Well, I want to give you that show. You host it, produce it, find the guests, and improve it. And, you’re welcome to bring additional ideas for shows that we can create.” Wow! I’ve never won the lottery, but this was a huge blessing.
I had always wanted to help business leaders, entrepreneurs, authors, speakers, and entertainers gain exposure through TV. As a PR person, I had done that through strategic communications, and now through my talk show, The Focus, I am sharing great stories of visionaries and thought leaders for the world to see. Some of my first guests were my friends MaryAnn Pyron and her son Blake of Blake’s Snow Shack. Blake has been named the youngest entrepreneur in the state of Texas with down syndrome. He’s created a scholarship fund; he’s rung the opening bell at the New York Stock Exchange and he’s successfully gotten legislation passed for fair pay for people with disabilities. How’s that for a unique business story?! The Focus is nearing its third season and is top-rated on Amazon Prime Video and other networks. I’m also sharing audio versions of the show as a podcast on streaming services, including Pray.com.
In late 2019, Massoum and I created SpeakUP, a showcase of professional speakers who deliver 15-minute keynotes before a live audience of meeting professionals, talent agents, speakers bureaus, conference organizers, and business leaders. The show features messages that inspire, encourage, educate, and inform niche audiences on a global stage. I absolutely love what we’ve been able to create through SpeakUP. Now that we’ve included dozens of expert speakers on our roster, we’re seeing a community form of show alumni, fans, and followers. You can watch SpeakUP on Amazon Prime Video and MPN. Global. The name of the show reminds me of my gramps and his prophetic vision over me that I needed to SpeakUP.
Today, I have several shows on Amazon Prime Video and multiple podcasts. My friend LisaKay Gurney and I have a weekly streaming show called Intentional Talk with LisaKay and Taylor, where we feature speakers, authors, leaders, and military veterans, many of whom have supported a faith-based non-profit LisaKay founded called Fellowship Power Lunch. I’m on the advisory board for the ministry.
During the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic, I wanted to use the time to create new content and mark some overdue projects off my to-do list. I created an online course to help people excel in video meetings and on camera. I now use this tool to help prepare my TV show guests before our shoots and to coach leaders who need some extra polish to find their spark on camera.
My passion through my TV shows and productions, podcasts, streaming content work and training has been to help values-based and faith-based brands avoid obscurity, be seen, and step into the spotlight. I have so many more TV show and content ideas brewing that it’s hard not to describe them all. I love this time that we’re in where we have an array of options on what we consume. For content creators, we also have a bigger canvas to share our art.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc. – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
Every struggle is an opportunity for growth, learning, refinement, and greatness. As a growing Christian, I know I’ll never be perfect but each day, I really try to make at least a 1% improvement over the day before. I’m an only child from a very small rural community in Oklahoma. Most of my immediate and extended family on both my mom and my dad’s side lived in the same area so when my parent’s split up when I was about 12 and my mom and I moved away, it was extremely difficult. At the time, I was head cheerleader, church secretary and actively involved in sports, including basketball, softball, and track. I felt like my entire world was turned upside down. Even through those challenges, my parents and grandparents encouraged me to stay close to the Lord, study hard, do well in school, and to push for excellence in everything I do. I also had some incredible mentors along the way, including teachers, aunts, and former bosses.
Please tell us more about your work, what you are currently focused on and most proud of.
I’m a TV host, executive producer, travel expert, and ministry leader. With several lines of business, TVwithTLC.com is an umbrella brand for my portfolio of TV shows, radio programs, podcasts, and content. Too often, business leaders and brands miss opportunities to capture the right audiences through quality television because they don’t believe it’s attainable for them. Leaders settle for mediocre videos and tiny distribution that falls flat. My passion is to help values-based and faith-based brands avoid obscurity, be seen, and shine.
Here’s a bit more about my shows. Hotel Hunt is a global travel TV show that explores the best places to stay, heart-pounding excursions, gourmet culinary experiences, and interesting people that are part of local culture. Hotel Hunt airs on Amazon Prime Video and other networks. Highlights of Hotel Hunt are featured on the syndicated radio and podcast show, the Informed Traveler, and on the blog site, HotelHuntTV.com.
The Focus is a talk show from MPN Global that features business leaders, visionaries, entrepreneurs, authors, and entertainers in editorial style conversations. Each guest offers practical advice to other aspiring business owners and insights into lessons they’ve learned throughout their careers. The Focus airs on Amazon Prime Video, www.MPN.Global and audio segments are available as a podcast.
SpeakUP is a TV show from MPN Global that spotlights professional speakers who deliver 15-minute keynote presentations before a diverse, live audience of meeting planners, conference organizers, talent agents, speakers bureaus, and business leaders. Now with multiple seasons, SpeakUP airs on Amazon Prime Video, MPN Global and other networks.
Intentional Talk with LisaKay and Taylor is a weekly streaming podcast with a mission to show gratitude to leaders, authors, and military veterans who have generously supported individuals, ministries, and non-profit organizations in our community. Guests share their personal stories and encourage listeners to be intentional in supporting those around us. Episodes are available on social media, as a podcast, and on the Taylor Cole Longacre channel on Pray.com
Workable Faith is a show that features leaders who pursue God’s purpose in their work. Taylor talks with business owners and employees about how they build the bridge between their occupation and God’s kingdom while creating a standout, impactful culture for Christ’s glory. Based on the scripture Philippians 1:6, the show encourages listeners to follow the formula of faith plus obedience equals success. You can learn more about my brand at TVwithTLC.com
My guests and clients tell me that it’s my emphasis on excellence, preparation, knowing your audience, and my quest for accentuating the positive that makes our work together to stand out.
Has luck played a meaningful role in your life and business?
I don’t really believe in luck but I do believe in God’s providence and that “God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to His purpose for them.” (Romans 8:28). This doesn’t mean that things will always run smoothly. God works in all things, some good and some bad. This a promise for those who love God and the work is always in progress and eternal.
When my parents divorced, it was devastating. I couldn’t see anything good coming from the situation. But over time, I learned that it was what needed to happen for my mom and that eventually we would all heal from past hurts. Had I not moved, I probably would have stayed in a comfort zone and never branched out beyond my small community. God’s hand of protection was with us along the way.
My decision to go to SMU, thanks to the urging of my Daddy, opened doors that I never knew existed. Who knew that the internship offer for one person out of the entire major would be presented to my class and I’d get the opportunity to direct and produce the boys’ baseball show for cable TV? The call I received from the Canadian TV producer was beyond unexpected but a divine appointment as was my meeting with Massoum. Both encounters led to multiple TV shows and opportunities. I’m grateful and I’m excited for what’s next!
Contact Info:
- Website: TVwithTLC.com HotelHuntTV.com TaylorColeLongacre.com
- Phone: 817.601.5467
- Email: Taylor@HotelHuntTV.com
- Instagram: @TravelwithTLC
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HotelHuntTV
- Twitter: @TravelwithTLC
- Other: https://www.linkedin.com/company/speakuptv/
Image Credit:
Misty Hoyt
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