Tayleon Puryear

MOM ON A MISSION

By Jane K. Asher, Ph.D.

Photos by Jessica Laine Photography

Photos taken at Toll Brothers - Reserve at West Bloomfield

In 2017, after having her third child and enjoying a stint as a stay-at-home mom, Tayleon Puryear knew that it would soon be time to go back to work, but she wasn’t enthused about the thought of returning to the healthcare field where she had spent 14 years rising up the ranks from a unit clerk to a financial representative.

“I was tired of working a nine-to-five, and I didn’t want to miss another field trip with my kids because I couldn’t find someone to cover my shift,” she said. “I literally spent all my free time searching beautiful homes on realtor.com and watching HGTV — especially ‘House Hunters’ — and envisioned myself doing that. So, I decided it was the time to finally pursue my lifelong passion of real estate and embark on a new career that would give me the fulfillment and flexibility I was looking for.”

After Tayleon discussed her plan with her support system — her husband, parents, brother and sisterin-law — they all agreed to pitch in by babysitting her three daughters so she could attend evening real estate classes. During that month-and-a-half, Tayleon disconnected from TV and social media and focused all her attention on caring for her family and passing her 40 hours of classes. She then decided to take a month to study for the state exam; however, a month turned into several months because money was tight for her single-income family of five, and she couldn’t afford to pay for the test. Fortunately, Tayleon’s father, who believed that Tayleon would succeed in her new career endeavor, gave her the money for the test, and she passed it on the first try.

After receiving her license, Tayleon became a fulltime agent and worked day in and day out to build her business, but she lacked direction. “I sold one home my first year,” she said. “In retrospect, I realized that the 40 hours of classes taught me how to pass the test but not how to build a successful business.”

Given the challenges of her first year, Tayleon and her husband agreed that it would be best for her to return to a full-time job in the healthcare industry and do real estate part time for the next year in hopes that she could begin to build a thriving business and eventually return to being a full-time agent.

Then, in September of 2019, Tayleon joined MARK Z Real Estate Experts brokered by eXp Realty, where she found the training, flexibility and support to thrive as both a full-time agent and a working mom. “When I switched to eXp Realty, my business literally exploded,” Tayleon said. “When COVID-19 hit, and we had to do virtual learning with our kids, the MARK Z Team was exactly what I needed: I had business partners who supported me when I was home with my kids assisting with their education.” Tayleon is also grateful for the mentorship of Gogo Bethke. “Gogo came into my life at a time I needed the most confidence in being myself,” Tayleon said. “Now, I’m bold and don’t make excuses — it’s important to surround yourself with the right people.”

Despite her rocky start in real estate, Tayleon embraced the strong work ethic her parents and grandmother incited in her. She remained diligent and trusted that God would take care of her and shape a hopeful future for her and her family. “I understand that something worth having is worth fighting for,” she said. “At the end of the day, I want to make my husband and my three beautiful girls proud; I want my girls to look up to me and know they can do anything they set their minds to.”

Tayleon’s hard work, faith and perseverance culminated in a breakout year in 2020: She sold 24 homes and over $4.6 million in volume — her highest-producing year to date — and she was named MARK Z Team Rookie of the Year, a milestone which she had on her 2020 vision board and an accomplishment which she says she has achieved by the grace of God. “Every year, my husband and I always create a vision board together and discuss our dreams and goals for the year,” she said. “Every year, just about everything is accomplished. … Funny thing is, along with ‘Rookie of the Year,’ I also had Real Producers on my 2020 vision board.”

2021 will also be a pivotal year for Tayleon: In February she became a solo agent with TLP Realty Group brokered by eXp Realty, and she was recently named one of the “Top 50 Michigan Real Estate Agents On Social Media” by PropertySpark. “There’s so much happening right now. I am excited and a little bit nervous, too,” she said. “I’ve learned to force myself to slow down and always keep my family first. I also make sure I am on my list because I know that when I take care of me, I’ll be at my best for my family.”

Tayleon and her husband, Terrance Puryear — a public speaker, business coach and self-published author — have been married for 14 years, and Tayleon says that Terrance is her best friend and #1 cheerleader. “Becoming a wife was a defining moment in my life,” Tayleon said. “I am thankful for my husband. … Marrying the right person is crucial to your life and success.”

Motherhood has also shaped Tayleon into the woman who she is today. “The moment I became a mother, it was no longer about me — that’s when I really understood who God created me to be, and I live it out boldly,” she said. “Like my mother, who always worked hard to make sure my brother and I had everything we needed, I know that I am responsible for shaping my children. I want my girls to be educated, kind, hardworking and fearless, and I try to be the best example I can be to them.”

The Puryears regularly have family meetings to ensure everyone is on the same page. “My kids understand why mommy works so hard, but I am intentional about mommy-daughter time, family time and date nights with my husband,” Tayleon said. “We enjoy playing at the park, retail therapy, movie nights and traveling — as a family, we just love our time together.”

Tayleon and Terrance’s 13-year-old daughter Leah is an artist and interested in fashion design. Eleven-year-old Kennidy is the leader of the three who accomplishes anything she sets her mind on. Tiana, 6, is the “feisty one” of the bunch who says the darndest things. All three of Tayleon’s daughters have said that they want to follow in their mother’s footsteps and become real estate agents when they grow up.30 • May 2021

“Real estate is the gateway to all my dreams: I get to do what I love and that’s helping people. Even though I work more now than I did with my nine-to-five, it doesn’t feel like work because I genuinely love what I do,” Tayleon said. “I want to build this real estate empire so that I can pass it on to my children and literally bring in all my family in some way.”

“Don’t rule out the underdog — it’s not about how you started but how you finish.”

Rising Star - Tayleon Puryear