Tay Morgan of Mississippi has never met a stranger. With a sweet Southern drawl and an openhearted charm, she has a way of making everyone feel like an old friend. As an artist, her life has been a canvas filled with bold strokes of creativity, color and a passion for bringing people together. But like many people in mid-life, she was interested in a second chance, professionally speaking. Now she enjoys owning a business where she still creates, just in a different way. She became an Area Director, and today, she owns four Stroll magazines, essentially tripling her income.
Tay spent years blending her passion for art into something uniquely her own. She was always self-driven, juggling both her creative pursuits and family life while working in sales throughout the ’90s and early 2000s. She turned her art into a business, using her talent to help support her family. But like many artists, she found herself constantly searching for the next step, struggling to balance passion with financial stability.
Then, in 2013, an unexpected opportunity came knocking. Tay moved into a neighborhood with a Stroll magazine and volunteered as the community liaison, helping shape the publication’s content. At the time, she didn’t see it as a career move—just another way to connect with people. But when the magazine’s publisher stepped away, Tay was offered the chance to take the reins. Her response? A firm no. “I’m an artist. I don’t need another job,” she initially thought.
But as life usually does, it nudged her in the right direction, and Tay took a leap of faith. She relaunched the magazine, partnering with local businesses, building relationships, pouring her passion into storytelling, and creating something truly meaningful for her community. Now, as the publisher of four magazines in Mississippi, Tay’s life has transformed in ways she never imagined. The freedom and flexibility of her work allow her to enjoy the best of both worlds—professional success and personal fulfillment. “I love that if I want to go babysit my grandchild out of state for a week, I can go babysit my grandchild out of state for a week,” says Tay. “The mantra with this company is work hard, play hard, so if you work hard and get your work done, go take two weeks off. Once you go to print, the flexibility is incredible.” The financial stability she once longed for and the time to soak in life’s most precious moments are possible, especially as a grandmother.
Tay’s journey proves that creativity isn’t just about making art—it’s about embracing new possibilities and telling stories in a new medium. A second opportunity, making three times what she used to? In her own words: “It’s just been wonderful.”
