Scott Taylor is CRM and marketing director for American Golf, the UK’s largest golf retailer based in Warrington.

Scott has more than 18 years of experience in marketing and customer relationship management with some of the UK’s largest retailers. With top level experience in digital marketing, customer loyalty, data insight and creative brand management, Taylor has worked with many major brands including Selfridges, Ted Baker, Arcadia and Uniqlo.

Passionate about digital marketing, he has been on the board of American Golf since 2021, driving the retailer’s success as an omnichannel business.

An LGBTQ+ advocate, Taylor is also the host of The Rainbow Roundtable which features guests to celebrate and discuss all things LGBTQ+ within retail.

Here, he shares all the lessons he’s learnt…

Which single daily habit or practice could you not do without?

Since my early twenties I have been part of the ‘5am club’, even on weekends, which many of my friends and family think is madness. However, this is the most peaceful time of my day and entirely for ‘me’. With a coffee in hand, I write my to-do list for the day (I rarely get to most of it, but it makes me feel organised) and then I go for a 30-minute walk which completely cleanses my thoughts and sets me up for the day ahead.

What’s been your luckiest break?

At 27 years old, I was offered a head of CRM & loyalty role at Selfridges. This came with a huge team, budget and responsibility and I had a great deal of ‘imposter syndrome’ at the time. However, I had the privilege of working with so many talented people and was given further opportunities such as leading multi-million transformation programmes and transitioning the business into the GDPR world. I nearly didn’t accept the role because I doubted my ability, but I rose to the challenge, learnt a lot, grew a thicker skin, and this role established my seat around the boardroom table in by subsequent roles.

What’s your best failure?

First of all, I want to champion failure. For me, it’s what has accelerated my skills and career. Although I don’t have a major failure that springs to mind, I can safely say there have been many things that have gone wrong but each time I have learnt something and become more resilient and solution focused. As a leader, you need to steady the ship and retain perspective in times of crisis, and you can only do this successfully if you’ve had your fair share of failures.

What is the best investment you’ve ever made, either financial or time?

The biggest investment I have made is in people. This varies from building professional relationships, giving my team quality time to help them grow, spending more time with friends and family, to prioritising ‘myself’ and having time to do the things I love. You cannot build a successful and sustainable career without a healthy work / life balance, an incredible team around you, and a peer network you can rely on.

Which podcast or book would you recommend others to read and why?

This is not an industry-related book, but my absolute favourite fiction novel is ‘The Ocean at the End of the Lane‘ by Neil Gaiman. There is such a nostalgic quality to it that takes me back to my childhood and the care-free simplicity that came with it. During the hectic moments of my career, this book has been a fantastic transportation to the past, and a reminder to not lose sight of the things that really matter.

What one piece of advice would you give your 21-year-old self?

Don’t forget you are just as important as the business you work for. Working ridiculous hours and always saying yes does not make you good at your job. Take time for ‘you’ and be in control of your work/life balance and happiness.

Who or what has had the single biggest influence on your working life?

Mrs Knight, my maths teacher from secondary school. Being gay in the nineties was still a taboo and I knew she knew I was having a difficult time (even though we never spoke about it) – which was impacting my academic potential. She really took me under her wing and put additional time into my studies and demonstrated that she believed in me. This simple act of kindness allowed me to block out all of the noise and focus of my exams. On GCSE results day, she was waiting outside with my envelope and continued to tell me that I had passed every exam with flying colours (all A-A*s). This incredible woman taught me two things: 1. To believe in myself and 2. To be kind. And it’s these two traits that have been the winning formula in my career.

Tell us something about you that would surprise people.

Outside of retail, I write novels and I am currently in the process of finishing my first book which has the backing of Faber & Faber. I also edit books; three have already been published and one has just received a huge deal in the US.

If there was one thing you could change about your career, what would it be and why?

I wouldn’t change anything as I am a great advocate for ‘everything happens for a reason’. The highs and lows of life shape you and take you on different paths, which I have learnt to embrace. One thing I wish I had handled differently, at times, during my career is standing up for myself to particular individuals in certain situations. I had a view that someone more senior is automatically right, but this isn’t always the case. What have I learnt from this? Firstly, don’t underestimate your worth and don’t let others underestimate you. Secondly, listen to and respect every voice and opinion in your team and you’ll be amazed how much more you can learn – no matter how senior your role.

What does success look like to you?

This may seem obvious, but success to me is happiness and health for myself and those around me. If those things are in place – everything else is just a bonus.