Testimony: Building Community and Vision

I want to express my deep gratitude to Taylor Ryan for welcoming me into a space that not only provided resources but also allowed me to show up fully as myself. As a business owner, I often felt like I had to navigate spaces differently, but Taylor offered unwavering support in my journey, helping me foster lasting community connections through fellowship and shared purpose.

Taylor has also been instrumental in helping me grow my business. She’s consistently provided opportunities for HumbleBee Wellness to sell products and make appearances in spaces I wouldn’t have known about on my own. But more than that, any time I have an idea, she steps in to help shape it, fueling my passion and pushing me to expand my vision far beyond what I originally imagined.

Beyond opportunities, Taylor has shared invaluable knowledge that has transformed both my day-to-day life and the structure of my business. Her guidance has helped me implement strategies to ensure HumbleBee Wellness makes a more profound impact on the community I serve. She has shown me how to align my business with deeper values of sustainability, equity, and service, creating lasting change for the people we support.

Coming from a middle-class family, I used to view resources as a form of charity, and even in times of need, I felt hesitant to accept all that was being offered. That changed when Taylor explained that access to food is a birthright. That conversation completely shifted my mindset and has deeply influenced how I view access to essential resources. It also made me realize the importance of this work for many others we have yet to reach—especially middle-class families who, despite appearances, still face obstacles in obtaining quality food.

Taylor’s work is truly for the people, by the people. She stands as a beacon of support and inspiration, and the work we’re doing together is about more than just food justice—it’s about transforming how we uplift and activate one another in our communities.