On this episode of the Growing with Purpose podcast, host Paul Spiegelman speaks with Taylor Vanden Hoek, a delivery lead at Atomic Object, a custom software consultancy. Along with one of her colleagues, Taylor is currently working towards opening and managing Atomic Object’s fourth office, which will be located in Raleigh, NC. 

From a young age, Taylor had a love for art, largely thanks to her dad’s own passion for creativity. But it wasn’t until her senior year in high school, when she enrolled in a graphic design program at a tech center, when she really hit her stride. After studying at the Art Institute of Chicago, Taylor went on to have design jobs at various companies with different angles on the role of designer. Through this diverse experience, she was able to learn that she loved the parts of design that prioritized the end user and strove to problem solve with them in mind (also known as human-centered design). With this self-awareness in mind, she found a place where she could thrive and pursue her purpose in Atomic Object. 

"Being able to know myself really well is something that has helped me figure out the systems I need to build for myself in order to be successful.” 

Tune in for this episode as Taylor and Paul discuss how Taylor came to lead the charge on Atomic Object’s fourth office opening, her passion for gardening (and how it relates to her leadership journey), and finding her own leadership style in the tech community. 

Listen to Taylor's story below:

Show Notes: 

• “I’ve always been drawn to really complex challenges… because I think it really requires inviting everyone to the table and inviting all these different perspectives.”

• "Nature is really resilient, and there are times I make mistakes, but nature makes up for it.”

• “We don’t always get it right, but we get a lot of opportunities to keep trying.”

Book that Inspired Taylor:
Rising Strong by Brene Brown