Not every entrepreneurial leap comes from a layoff or corporate burnout. For Taylor Fernley, the journey was a little different, but just as defining.
Formerly a fourth-generation leader in his family’s company, once the oldest business in Philadelphia, Taylor spent years helping nonprofit organizations bring their missions to life through events, outreach, and strategy. But when the pandemic hit, that work slowed down drastically. And Taylor found himself asking: What’s next?
During the pandemic, Taylor launched Pinnacle Peer Advisory Council (PPAC) – a personalized, pay-only-on-performance lead generation firm designed to connect time-strapped CEOs, business owners, and nonprofit leaders with trusted, pre-vetted experts. PPAC helps leaders tackle their toughest challenges without the burden of sourcing solutions on their own. In the simplest terms, it’s modern-day matchmaking for high-level problem-solving – freeing up executives to refocus on what they do best: running the business.
In this Q&A, Taylor shares what led to his current chapter, what he’s learned along the way, and how a leaner business has led to a fuller life.
Your NOPE moment was a bit different from most of our other interviewees, since your background wasn’t in the traditional corporate space. That said, tell us about the NOPE moment that led you to where you are today.
I spent most of my career in the family business – many generations deep, working with nonprofits to help them deliver on their missions. It was meaningful work, but when the pandemic hit, everything slowed down. Budgets were cut, events stopped, and I had more time than I’d ever had before to reflect.
I asked myself: Am I happy with what I’ve been doing? Is this really how I want to spend the next chapter of my career?
That space gave me clarity. I realized I love relationship-building – whether it’s with CEOs, boards, or on-the-ground teams. I’m also someone who likes to be the “white knight” – the one who rolls up their sleeves and helps an organization reach its goals. But I wanted to do it on my own terms – to build something from scratch that would make me feel proud – with results I could see and feel at the end of each day.
And honestly? I didn’t want the big staff anymore. Our family business had about 50 employees, and I realized I wanted to run something lean and nimble, where I could be closer to the work – and the impact.
How did you take the leap into this next chapter?
At first, some people thought I was nuts for launching a business during the pandemic. But honestly, it turned out to be the perfect time. It gave me space to slow down and think deeply about what I wanted to build.
I spent a ton of time networking, listening, learning, and reshaping my model into something more sustainable. The advice I got from my network was invaluable. I repositioned myself and refined the concept behind PPAC. And then – I just started.
Word of mouth was everything. One client turned into two, then four, and it kept growing from there. I’ve been doing this for four years now, and I couldn’t be happier that I took the leap. What might seem like “entrepreneurial downsizing” has completely upsized my life.
What’s the most rewarding part of being an entrepreneur – and what keeps you going?
I love that I can change organizations and people’s lives for the better. For the business owners I work with, I free up their time, give them strategic clarity, and connect them with the right people. They just sit down with me and give me their wish list – and I go to work.
In the post-pandemic world, companies are more open than ever to these kinds of partnerships. And I love the fluidity of it all. My wife says I only have two speeds – fast and faster – and this business lets me operate that way, but with more balance than I had before.
I also love that I get to choose who I work with. That makes a huge difference at this stage of life. I’m not retiring, but I am intentionally slowing down. I have grandkids now. I want to build something meaningful, but also have the space to enjoy the “good stuff.” I’m holding the reins now, and that freedom is everything.
If you could give one game-changing piece of advice to someone just starting out, what would it be?
Take risks. Step out of your comfort zone. In today’s world, standing still means falling behind. You’ve got to keep learning, growing, and surrounding yourself with people who challenge you. If I’m the smartest person in the room, I’m in the wrong room.
I’m in five different networking groups right now. Not all of them stick, and that’s okay. If something isn’t adding value, I move on. Your time is valuable – invest it wisely.
And remember, failure is part of the process. Expect it. Learn from it. Fall forward. “No” is just a step on the path to “yes.” You’ve got to be tough – and you’ve got to have people around you who believe in you when things get hard. That transition out of something familiar is really hard. But once the momentum kicks in, it grows from there.
And above all – make time to really talk to people. Build the trust. Understand what they need. Follow up. Then talk some more. In business and in life, it all comes back to relationships.
Taylor’s story is a reminder that building something smaller doesn’t mean thinking smaller – it means thinking smarter – and going after the life YOU want. More bold moves and fearless founders are coming your way!