When MetroFamily’s Publisher Sarah Taylor was in second grade in the mid-1960’s, she was asked to create a paper doll that represented her dream career as an adult. She recalls that while most of the other girls in her class created nurses, teachers and mothers, she created a businesswoman. “My paper doll had a briefcase in hand,” she laughs. “I wanted to own my own business from the time I was 7 years old.”
Coming from a long line of entrepreneurs and business owners, it is no surprise that her own family served as the impetus for her first business venture. On a trip to Ponca City to visit family in 1994, Sarah realized she needed to come up with activities to keep her children—then ages 8, 5 and 1—busy and happy during the trip and during the upcoming summer. “It was literally like a light bulb went on over my head,” Taylor recalls. “I realized that there should be a guidebook to Oklahoma for families. I wanted people to understand the treasures that are in their own backyard and how much fun they could have as a family.”
Once the idea emerged, Taylor didn’t waste any time pursuing this passion. “By noon that same day, my husband and I had already outlined the book, named it and started talking abut content,” she laughs. From there, Sarah’s first book, Exploring Oklahoma with Children, was born and went on to sell 20,000 copies through local bookstores. Based on this success, Taylor spent the next few years creating an accompanying curriculum for the classroom, a second edition, and Exploring Oklahoma Together, a guidebook for couples—and was ultimately awarded two awards from the Oklahoma Tourism Department.
Sarah became affiliated with MetroFamily in 1998, writing Exploring Oklahoma travel columns and selling advertising. In 2000, she bought the magazine and has since dedicated her life to supporting local families and providing them with access to information to improve their family life. “One of the basic needs of each person is a strong family bond,” she explains. “I was blessed to grow up with great parents and grandparents, and I had lots of great mentors and role models. The mission to share that with others has become one of the driving forces of my life. To be a good parent, you have to have a very high emotional quotient and be able to give to your children. But it’s not easy! I want MetroFamily to help parents through the journey and that’s why I get so excited about what I do”
Here’s more about how the 52-year-old mother of three works to help families in the OKC metro make the most of their time together.
What’s the one thing people don’t know about you?
My first child was born on Christmas Day. Doesn’t get much more special than that.
What are you passionate about?
Helping parents. I really like to see families having fun and bonding.
How has motherhood changed you?
Everything changes when you find out that you are pregnant. It really pushed me to be a student of child development issues and to want to share that information with others.
How do you banish stress?
Having a strong relationship with God is very important to me. I also make it a priority to get a good night’s sleep.
What do you like most about your job?
I love that people can use the information in MetroFamily to have fun, make memories and create shared experiences together.
What is on your wish list?
I would love to travel more. Plus, it would be great to have someone clean my house and to exercise more.
What are you most proud of?
I am most proud of my kids and the fact that my husband and I have been married for 30 years.
What motivates you?
To see my staff get excited about what they are doing with the magazine. I love seeing them stretch themselves and utilize their strengths and creativity.
Advice for other moms?
Love your kids for who they are—don’t expect them to become something they’re not. Encourage them, have high expectations and find a balance between setting limits and letting kids learn from their mistakes.
What’s the biggest challenge in your life?
I am always looking to find better balance between work and family life.
What is your parenting style?
Now that my kids are older, I am there when they need me. I want them to be independent and live their lives to the best of their abilities.
Favorite quote or advice about motherhood?
“There is no way to be a perfect mother, and a million ways to be a good one.” ~ Jill Churchill
Quick Facts About Sarah
- What are five words that describe you? Passionate, caring, grateful, determined, mom.
- What’s your favorite indulgence? Dark chocolate and Hideaway Pizza.
- What’s your favorite TV show? The Voice.
- What’s on your reading list? Mostly business books, recently Brandscaping by Andrew Davis.
- Coffee or tea? Green tea.
Read the stories of other Real Moms of the OKC Metro here. Have a great mom you’d like to nominate? Email brooke@metrofamilymagazine.com.
Brooke Barnett is the Assistant Editor of MetroFamily Magazine.
