Life, Values & Legacy: Our Chat with Taylor Wellman of Mesa

We’re looking forward to introducing you to Taylor Wellman. Check out our conversation below.

Taylor, so good to connect and we’re excited to share your story and insights with our audience. There’s a ton to learn from your story, but let’s start with a warm up before we get into the heart of the interview. What do you think is misunderstood about your business? 
The biggest misconception about our business is that people see us as specialists in individual services rather than the comprehensive digital marketing partners we truly are. When clients first encounter us, they often categorize us into a single box: “Oh, they do event photography,” or “They’re the video production company,” or “They handle virtual facilitation.” While we absolutely excel in each of these areas, this narrow perception misses the bigger picture of what we bring to the table.
The reality is that we’re strategic partners who guide businesses through their entire digital marketing journey. We don’t just capture great footage at your event – we help you determine how that content fits into your broader marketing strategy, where it should live online, and how to maximize its reach and impact. We don’t just produce polished videos – we craft them with SEO optimization in mind, ensuring they perform well in search results and actually drive business results.
What sets us apart is our holistic approach. We take clients from initial concept and strategic planning all the way through execution, optimization, and distribution. Need to develop a content calendar that aligns with your business goals? We’ve got you covered. Want to ensure your videos rank well on search engines? That’s built into our process. Looking to create a seamless virtual event experience that converts attendees into leads? We handle both the technical execution and the strategic follow-up.
This integrated approach means our clients don’t have to coordinate between multiple vendors or worry about whether their photographer understands their SEO goals, or if their video producer knows how to optimize for social media distribution. We speak the language of both creative excellence and digital marketing strategy, delivering cohesive campaigns that drive real business growth from thought to final distribution.

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I’m Taylor, and I’ve been passionate about video marketing since 2009, when I first discovered its power during my high school years participating in national organizations. What started as early enthusiasm evolved into expertise, and in 2014, my husband Eric and I launched Financial Potion with a clear mission: helping business owners communicate in a more authentic and engaging way through custom video marketing solutions.
Financial Potion isn’t your typical video production company. We’re strategic partners who speak the language of both creative excellence and digital marketing strategy, delivering cohesive campaigns that drive real business growth from thought to final distribution. While many agencies specialize in just one piece of the puzzle, we guide our clients through their entire digital marketing journey – from initial concept and strategic planning through execution, optimization, and distribution.
What makes our work particularly rewarding is the diversity of impact we create across different sectors. We’re currently partnering with inspiring organizations like South West Human Development, a nonprofit making tremendous community impact. We’re also working with mental health practitioners like Dr. Valery Nkendong, helping amplify their important work through powerful documentary storytelling that reaches broader audiences and creates meaningful change. Additionally, we collaborate with quality product manufacturers like Vibrant Skin, helping them showcase their craftsmanship and connect authentically with their customers and so so many more amazing organizations and business owners. Each partnership teaches us something new and reinforces why we love what we do and we’re constantly amazed by the businesses and individuals who trust us to tell their stories.
At Financial Potion, we believe every brand has a unique story worth telling – and we’re here to help tell it in the most compelling, strategic way possible.

Okay, so here’s a deep one: What was your earliest memory of feeling powerful?
My earliest memory of feeling truly powerful happened during my sophomore year of high school when I participated in a PSA called “Girls in the Director’s Chair,” sponsored by Stayfree. Being selected as one of only nine girls in my area already felt special – it was validation that someone saw potential in me.
Each participant was assigned a scene to direct, and mine was scheduled right in the middle of our recording day. I was absolutely thrilled. I had spent time preparing, visualizing exactly how I wanted each shot to unfold, and I felt ready to bring my vision to life.
When my turn finally arrived. I could hear murmurs of the older college students saying we were behind schedule. I stepped into that director’s role with complete clarity and confidence. I was clear and concise with my instructions, guiding the actress through each scene with precision and purpose. I didn’t cut a single shot I had planned. Every moment I had envisioned made it into the final piece.
The result? Not only did we get back on schedule, but the actress we were working with took the time to thank me afterward for how I had directed her. She appreciated my clear communication and decisive leadership.
That moment was transformative. Standing behind that camera, knowing exactly what I wanted and getting it. It was the spark that ignited a flame that continues to burn today, driving everything I do at Financial Potion.

Was there ever a time you almost gave up?
Absolutely. Every business owner has a story about that brutal first year, and mine is no exception. When Eric and I launched Financial Potion in 2014, I quickly discovered that having passion and skills doesn’t automatically translate into a sustainable business.
Those early months were a constant battle between doubt and determination. The questions haunted me daily: Should I just get a regular job with a steady paycheck? Is this entrepreneurial dream actually going to work, or am I just fooling myself? The imposter syndrome was relentless – who was I to think I could build a successful video marketing company? The worst part wasn’t the financial uncertainty, though that was terrifying. It was the voice in my head questioning whether I was cut out for this at all. When you’re used to being confident and decisive – like that sophomore directing her scene without cutting a single shot – suddenly feeling lost and overwhelmed is jarring. I remember specific nights lying awake, mentally drafting job applications and wondering if I was being irresponsible by continuing to chase this vision.
But here’s what I learned: that first year hump is real, and it’s brutal, but it’s also temporary. Every successful business owner I’ve met since has shared similar stories of those dark early days. The key is recognizing that doubt doesn’t mean you’re on the wrong path – it often means you’re pushing yourself into new territory worth exploring.
My advice to anyone in that first-year struggle? Keep your head up and keep moving forward. The combination of persistence, learning from mistakes, and refusing to quit is what carries you through.

Alright, so if you are open to it, let’s explore some philosophical questions that touch on your values and worldview. Is the public version of you the real you?
What you see is what you get – 99.9% of the time. I’ve never been one to put on a facade or create some polished, perfect version of myself for public consumption. Authenticity isn’t just a buzzword for me; it’s how I navigate both business and life.
Of course, everyone deserves some privacy, and I respect those boundaries for myself and my family. You won’t see me regularly posting family photos or sharing every detail of our personal lives, though I do give updates at least twice a year because I know people genuinely care about the people behind the business.
I’d describe myself as an “ExtraIntroVert” – I know that’s not a word but I’m somewhere between introvert and extrovert, preferring the comfort of small groups and cozy nights at home with our cats and kids. There’s something deeply satisfying about those quiet moments, recharging in familiar spaces with the people (and pets) I love most.
But when I am in public settings, I genuinely love being around people and meeting new faces. There’s no switch I flip or persona I adopt – it’s the same me who’s curled up at home, just in a different environment. I bring that same energy and authenticity whether I’m directing a video shoot, facilitating a virtual workshop, or chatting with someone new at a networking event.
My approach to people is simple and consistent: I treat everyone with love and respect because that’s what everyone deserves. It doesn’t matter if you’re a potential client, a fellow business owner, or someone I’ll never work with – you get the same genuine interaction from me.
This consistency between my private and public self isn’t just personal preference; it’s actually been crucial to building trust in business. When clients know they’re getting the real me, not some manufactured version, it creates stronger, more authentic partnerships.

Okay, we’ve made it essentially to the end. One last question before you go. When do you feel most at peace?
I feel most at peace when I know my team is getting the job done and I can focus on what truly matters – either strategic planning for our business or quality time with my family. There’s something profoundly calming about knowing that all the moving pieces are working in harmony.
You can’t grow a business without a solid team, and I’ve learned this lesson deeply over the years. In those early days when I was wearing every hat – director, producer, editor, marketing manager, accountant – I was constantly in reactive mode. There was never a moment to breathe, let alone think strategically about where we were headed or how we could better serve our clients.
But when the team is working like a smooth engine, everything changes. I can hear the rhythm of productivity humming in the background while I dive into the big-picture thinking that actually moves our business forward. Equally important is having the mental space to be fully present with my family. When I’m not worried about whether a project deadline will be met or if a client deliverable is on track, I can genuinely enjoy those quiet evenings at home. That peaceful feeling comes from trust – trusting my team to handle their responsibilities excellently, and trusting myself to have built systems that work. It’s the difference between running a business and growing one, between surviving and thriving. When everything clicks, when the engine purrs, that’s when I know we’re doing something right.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://financialpotion.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/financialpotion_video/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/financial-potion/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FinancialPotion
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC8-cMBeC6Km8yekFXPoD0Aw
• Other: https://taleswithtaylor.com/