Meet Tay’Laur Ambrene | Model, Writer + Creative Director

We had the good fortune of connecting with Tay’Laur Ambrene and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Tay’Laur, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
It sounds crazy, but it’s all pretty spiritually driven. It started out as just me just wanting to create a platform for myself to create; I’m a creator through and through. I love to write poetry, review movies, music and TV, talk mess about racism/ sexism/ homophobia/transphobia, post tarot readings and anything else that speaks to my soul. Since my time in San Francisco with my sister in 2017, Spirit has been dropping hints for me to create something for myself that could also help others. I originally just wanted to be an actress, never till the last several years did I ever think about creating an actual business.

I had noticed a lot of creators I admired sometimes had cute names for their blogs + channels that sometimes went with the content they centered on, like Own By Femme, Shameless Maya. I sat in my room thinking of ideas for myself and my sister- knowing I was brainstorming- started throwing out ideas. Passion T was one of them + it stuck.

I take workshops, courses, read, learn from my circle, get hints from Spirit, watch YouTube videos from the creative business people I look up to, it’s all about to getting into a boss mindset first; growing + learning from mistakes, past failures, asking yourself what you like to do + what you do best. But Passion T grows every day as I explore life + learn more about business and how to be intentional. As soon as I seem to figure out what my goals are for the brand, another one is added to the bouquet. I’m learning what I want, what others want or need and how I can use my skills to fill that need. But I think you have to take that first step for you first, then everything else slowly but surely flows into place.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
Passion T is a lifestyle brand + online platform that focuses on self love for women + the queer community through music, fashion, self and career development, feminism, and culture. So far, I’ve just been focused on growing Passion T’s online presence, content and community on social media and even a few products, but this year we’ve taken a step into creating in person events to help us find each other. We recently had a Barbie themed Brunch- the Brown Sugar Barbie Bash- and it was such a vibe! I’m excited to do more events to help women + queer people in LA connect with us.

I’m proud of every step forward I take with Passion T, because my biz baby’s growing and it makes me giddy. It isn’t easy though, you have to balance work + self care or you can easily get burned out; and when you have a day job? Please. I understand why people don’t want to step into entrepreneurship. It’s WORK. You have to play multiple roles, perfect one skill just to develop another. It can be a lot of stress, frustration, isolation- whether you isolate yourself or lose friends and family who don’t share your vision, pushing yourself when you’re depressed or don’t have motivation. A lot of releasing emotion, a lot of picking yourself back up.

At the end of the day though, with Passion T, I want to show my women + queer communities just how bright life can be with a little self love. Not to say life isn’t a b*tch or connection isn’t important, it is! But it all starts with the relationship you have with yourself. There are many opportunities passed, risks not boldly taken, mistakes I went through because I didn’t love myself enough. I want us to be open to exploring ourselves AND life deeper outside of what usually makes us happy, like a boyfriend or getting married; to watch us slowly blossom into someone you thought could only exist in your head. You can have whatever your soul calls for. You just have to believe it + go for it.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
See I can easily be a homebody, but I love going out and exploring LA with my sister. Finding the spots is all about going to the right side of town. So if a friend came to visit us, we’d most likely start with nature, a walk around the city or the park, or a hike at Elysian, Griffith or a new spot! We’ve been to Millard Falls, Eaton Canyon, Fryman Canyon, so many great hiking spots.

Then we’d stop for a smoothie or a coffee, there’s smoothie places all around LA, and I love me a mango smoothie; but for coffee and breakfast, the Hilltop Coffee + Kitchen is the PLACE. Their Lavender lattes are so bomb.

Then we’d probably stop by a dispensary for a lil’ smoke break and Gorilla RX is the first black woman owned dispensary in Crenshaw; definitely shop black when I can. They got all the smoke + the vibes.

Lunch vibes could be anything but dear lord do we love Simply Wholesome on Slauson + Overhill. The chicken patties are the best in LA, I promise you. TO DIE FOR, they’re so delicious.

If it was a weekend, we’d most likely be checking out a swap meet or farmer’s market; the last one we went to was the Los Feliz Flea and we loved it. Lots of thrifting choices, vintage, art and more. Black on the Block is also a weekend event + market centered more on Black biz vendors and they are always poppin’!

If you’re into fun like bars Sorry Not Sorry on Pico, Redline in DTLA and The Hermosillo in Pasadena pop out in my head. Redline has drag brunches, sooo fun! I need more night reccomendations since I don’t be out super late at night, but El Cid on Sunset can be a vibe too. You ever heard of Poom Poom Tuesdays? If I need to tell you, you need to go yourself and find out. Cause it’s lit.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I wanna shoutout all my friends, family + artistic mentors that have inspired me + constantly push me to keep going all throughout this long, rollercoaster journey of self love.

Thank you to Spirit + my guides for the eternal love, guidance, protection, blessings, lessons, that you continue to grant me at each step of my adventure. I know I would not have come this far without you. Thank you for being with me + keeping my family safe + healthy, telling me what’s what + always coming through at the right time. I love you to my soul, please continue to be my greatest teacher.

To my sister, Tai’Leah, you are my twin flame, my biz partner, my best friend, the Tamera to my Tia, the Marlon to my Shawn, the Shawn to my Cory. The only ride or die I would ever proudly have. I love you to the core, never would have been able to keep up life if it wasn’t for your constant love, coaching and knowledge sharing, emotional and physical support. and tough love when it was needed. You love on everyone so freely, I admire that about you so much. Thank you for pushing me, for showing me faith, pulling me up when I’m down, collaborating on projects, for literally taking me on this journey with you. Thank you is not enough to describe my gratitude + appreciation. You are the best sister a girl could ask for + that I’m able to experience this kind of life adventure with you. There is no one else I’d rather go through this life with. Know that you can count on me for literally anything. I love you to pieces!

To my sweet Gram, what could I say that could perfectly describe how grateful I am for you? You gave up your freedom after raising two kids to raise three more. I don’t think I could love you any more than I already do. I love you to the moon and back, more than a shoutout could ever give. You are one of my greatest life blessings. You’re most supportive, caring, authentic, assertive + headstrong woman in our family and I’m eager to take all of that energy into my 30’s. It has been a journey but I am overjoyed that you, Lay and I can ride this wave together. Thank you for everything you’ve done and continue to do to love us and reach our dreams. I cannot wait to take care of you + take you on all our adventures!

Thank you to my soul family; my little sis Celeste, my cuzzo Chloe, and my brothers Demetre, Torrion, Kaz, Michael, Teaghan + Taetumn; you kind, sweet and loving human beings. Thank you for the eternal love, laughs, memories, fun and allowing me the space to be my crazy self. I know Spirit will lead you to everything you want, need and deserve in life. I pray nothing but joy over your lives. I love you all so so much + I’ll always be here when you need me!

To my bestie Amber, thank you for being such a light in my life since college and literally being there no matter where in Cali we’ve lived! I cherish our friendship so much. You’re always willing to come spend time + have random fun, or jump into one of my passion projects and I so appreciate your love + support all these years. I love you so much girl, know I got you like you got me.

To my parents, thank you for giving me the wisdom + creative foundations I needed to conquer this life for all of us. I’me very grateful for what I’ve learned from you. Thank you for all the memories + quality time. Thank you for doing what you needed to do + enduring the hardships that came with being young parents so that I may grow to have better opportunities. I pray Spirit blesses you both with happiness, I love you.

To my Nana, thank you for blessing us with access to finances, resources + giving us a place to stay when we were down. Thank you for giving us the space and freedom to grow into ourselves in your space even when you didn’t understand. Thank you for the wisdom, support and messages from Spirit. I love you and pray that you continue to go wherever your heart takes you.

To TC + Teresa, thank y’all so much for being my friends, sharing your loving energies + indulging in complete nerd-dom with me with all of our talks, and encouragement. I miss y’all!

To Danielle

To Erika Sorondo, thank you for connecting with me + leading me back to a piece of my community I didn’t know I was missing. Thank you for your all your patience and kindness. Thank you for letting us stay in your space even when it was uncomfortable. I pray Spirit continues to lead you to your joy + dreams.

Thank you to the AVC Theatre Team + Drama Geeks Class of 2014. Thank you to the CSUN Theatre Class + BSU team of 2016. Thank y’all for the dopest memories that will forever leave stories to create in my heart + mind. Thank you for your support. I hope y’all receive endless joy + blessings.

Thank you to KK and her daughter Keturah for giving us a job + opening your heart + home to us. Y’all deserve the world. I am eternally grateful.

Thank you to the Karmaland team, I still want our passion project to come together but I know it’ll also be in divine timing. Y’all are some dope, talented human beings. Thank you for you, your art, your energy and collaboration.

Thank you to the Peet’s Coffee team of 2017-18 on 3rd + Mission in San Francisco. Y’all welcomed me in + helped make the city my home. Hope Spirit stays blessing all of y’all.

Thank you to my college professors Stephan Wolfert, Scott Covell, Jonet Leighton, Larry Biederman, Christine Menzies, Shad Willingham and more. Y’all are the teachers we need in classroom, life and more. Y’all care so much and it shows in the way you teach. Being your student was an honor and your teachings have impacted my creativity + life for the long run. From my heart to yours, thank you. I pray y’all receive every single blessing life brings you.

Thank you to directors Ava DuVernay + Kevin Smith for blessing me with a few minutes of your time and advice. You gave me so much inspiration + confidence just for shaking my hand and telling your stories.

Thank you to my spiritual mentors, Michael Jackson, Prince, Tupac, Chester Bennington, Nipsey Hussle, Josephine Baker, Eartha Kitt, Tina Turner and the legends before me. Thank you to my role models + inspirations, Janet Jackson, Rihanna, Issa Rae, Queen Latifah, Tracee Ellis Ross, Spike Lee, Gina Prince- Bythewood, John Hughes, Melody Yehsani, Janelle Monae, and Megan thee Stallion.

And last of all, thank you to music, especially female hip hop/ R&B, for the confidence, magic, and lyrics that speak to my emotions.

Website: https://www.passion-t.square.site

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/taylaurambrene

Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/taylaurambrene

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@taylaurambrene

Other: https://www.tiktok.com/taylaurambrene

Image Credits
Tay’Laur Ambrene by Tay’Laur Ambrene, Creative Director Tay’Laur by Celeste Gossett, Tay’Laur + Torrion by Tai’Leah Paige, Tai’Leah + Tay’Laur by Gorilla RX, Passion T x Soulfulight LA’s Brown Sugar Barbie Bash event