When Liz Taylor launched her events business nearly four decades ago, she didn’t have investors, a business plan or even a desk. What she did have were “two small daughters to support and only £250 in the bank”.
Today, Ms Taylor is one of the UK’s best-known event organisers, having worked with global brands, celebrities and royalty, built the Taylor Lynn Corporation into a multi-million-pound operation, and recently completed the successful sale of the company.
Now in a new chapter as a consultant, she mentors business leaders and is sharing with GB News the resilience and business acumen that shaped her story. However, the road here was anything but smooth.
Ms Taylor didn’t begin her career in events, but in fashion and retail through the M&S graduate scheme. “I’ve always loved style, aesthetics and the theatre of presentation,” she says — but events came later, unexpectedly and instinctively.
Ms Taylor spoke to GB News about she turned ‘£250 in the bank’ into millions
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TAYLOR LYNN CORPORATION
The turning point came at Manchester’s Midland Hotel. “Someone mentioned they needed an event organising and I simply said, ‘Yes, I can do that.’ I had absolutely no idea what I was stepping into, but I trusted my instincts and it was a huge success.”
From that moment, Ms Taylor realised she had what she calls “a natural ability to organise, negotiate, calm chaos and elevate an occasion from ‘nice’ to ‘unforgettable'”.
“Events demanded creativity, resilience and nerves of steel — everything I already had as a single mother.” In 1986, she launched Liz Taylor Associates. Seven years later, she partnered with Dianne Lynn to create the Taylor Lynn Corporation (TLC).
It became one of the UK’s most recognisable events brands, known for theatrical, high-end productions. “It was the right partnership at the right time,” she says.
“The business grew fast even through recessions. In 2008, after completing an amicable buy-out, TLC “proudly topped the £4million turnover mark”.
More than 30 years later, she says the appeal of events has never faded. “Energy. Emotion. The absolute thrill of creating something from nothing”.
She describes herself as “obsessed with detail, design, storytelling” — and someone “wired to solve problems at speed.” And the job gives her what she values most: people.
“Truthfully, I’m fascinated by people. Understanding them, reading them, surprising them. My businesses allow me to do that every single day.”
No two days look the same. She starts every morning on the treadmill — “where I have some of my best ideas” — and spends the rest of her time switching between creative concepts, client meetings, venue walk-throughs and consultancy work.
Through TLC she delivered weddings, corporate experiences and luxury private events. Through her consultancy, she now works with entrepreneurs and leaders on confidence, strategy and brand identity.Taylor is frank about the barriers she faced.
“As a woman in business 30 years ago, I was underestimated before I even opened my mouth. As a single mother, I was told I was “taking on too much”. As a start-up with £250 to my name, I was told I’d never make money. Good job I don’t listen.”
She has faced “financial pressures, industry snobbery, copycats, mistakes, reinventions, and the occasional sleepless night.” Her philosophy on resilience is one she now teaches to students at UCLAN: “Resilience isn’t something you’re born with. It’s something you build while the world is testing you.”
Mr Taylor has words of wisdom for those looking to start their own business
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LIZ TAYLOR
For women looking to follow in Ms Taylor’s footsteps, the entrepreneur urges future industry mavens of industry to be brave when starting small.
She explains: “£250 grew into a multi-million-pound business because I dared to take the first step.”
Ms Taylor has now sold TLC, a milestone she calls “something I’m incredibly proud of”. She still works closely with the team but increasingly focuses on consultancy, mentoring, speaking engagements and helping leaders find confidence and clarity. She insists she hasn’t slowed down.
“I still love what I do. I still get excited by ideas. I still want to push boundaries. That’s always been the standard.”