While his aspirations were to move into sales, he would always find an excuse to delay signing up to the required course.
But when he became the inaugural recipient of Deniliquin Business Chamber’s Riggall Felowship that year, it was the push Mr Taylor needed to get moving on achieving his career goals.
The $2000 grant paid for Mr Taylor’s sales course, and materials required as part of the course.
He’s now been in sales for 12 months, and in that 12 months he has sold the most properties in Deniliquin than any other local agent.
According to realestate.com.au, Mr Taylor has sold 47 properties in Deniliquin in the last 12 months, and a total of 68 across all local suburbs.
Mr Taylor said he would not be at this career high point now without the Riggall Fellowship.
“It was very much a ‘I’ll do it next week’ thing,” Mr Taylor said of the delays in signing up for the sales course.
“Angela (Carmichael, principal and owner at Big River Real Estate) actually nominated me for the fellowship, unbeknown to me, and it was the kick in the pants I needed to knuckle down and get started.
“The aspiration to be in sales was always there, but receiving the grant really inspired me to reach for that career goal. And that has lead to my recent successes.
“It (real estate sales) has now become a bit of an obsession for me - you just have to ask my wife Alisha and our family and friends.
“I eat, sleep and breathe this job, and can often take calls and answer emails at the most inopportune times - event recently on a family holiday to the theme parks.”
The Chamber Riggall Fellowship is named in honour of Gaye Riggall, and is intended to support a young person working in Deniliquin to study or invest in professional development activities.
Mrs Riggall, who passed away in 2013, was the first female councillor on the former Conargo Shire Council, and eventually became its first mayor.
She was also editor of the Pastoral Times before founding the Deniliquin Independent, and was the inaugural director of the Peppin Heritage Centre between 1989 and 1994.
Up to $2000 is available to the successful applicant each year, and is jointly funded by the chamber and Mrs Riggall’s family.
The fellowship is aimed at employees of Deniliquin Business Chamber member businesses who are aged 35 or under.
The 2022 recipient will be announced at the Deniliquin Business Chamber’s Business Excellence Awards on August 26.
“This could be the stepping stone to your future career goals,” Mr Taylor said.
“There’s no harm in nominating. What’s the worst that can happen?
“Even if you don’t get the fellowship you get a great night out at the business awards, where you get great food and enterainment.
“It is also a great way to meet people and network with other like-minded business professionals.”
Application information is available on the Chamber website - www.deniliquinchamber.com.au - or by contacting the Chamber at admin@deniliquinchamber.com.au.
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