If you follow Gilkey Co. on Instagram, you’d know that locally farmed ingredients aren’t just for food. You’ll also discover that the brand’s founder and farmer’s daughter Taylor Gilkey Laird has a powerful story to tell - and is inspiring countless others along the way.

Taylor is the founder of Gilkey Co., a farm-to-closet (yes, you read that right) luxury leather brand. She started the company in the midst of needing a creative outlet. “It started with one tote, which we now call, ‘The OG Tote’,” explains Taylor. “I literally couldn’t walk down the street without getting a handful of compliments on the bag… so I took a leap of faith and decided to whip up a handful to see if they would sell, and they did immediately. That was just the beginning!”

That “OG Tote” was the start of something pretty great. Gilkey Co. has expanded to home decor and accessories, and it’s safe to say that we’re #obsessed. “I find inspiration for my designs in everything, whether it’s a movie, the outdoors, or vintage fashion,” says Taylor.

Gilkey Co.’s creations aren’t the only thing to admire about Taylor’s journey. After moving to the ‘No in 2017 to marry her now-husband, there was a rare malformation discovered on Taylor’s spine, resulting in an extensive surgical procedure and ongoing rehabilitation process. Almost a year later, Taylor is learning to walk again, and is giving hope to others in the process.

“If I’m being perfectly honest, I wouldn’t wish this injury on my worst enemy,” she explains. “Days can be pretty tiring and painful, but I’ve learned SO much about myself and life in general through this journey. Once you recover from something so devastating, you get to see how strong and capable you are.

Many days it’s two steps forward, one step back. To anyone who is facing a similar challenge, I would say, ‘You are going to make it through this. You are stronger than you even know. This is not going to be easy, but it is 100% worth the fight. Don’t let anyone tell you you can’t do something because you CAN. Be confident in the person that you are both physically (even if you’re a bit beat up) and mentally. Be confident in knowing that YOU ARE A WORK IN PROGRESS AND YOU ARE GETTING BETTER. Know that your challenge does not define you and that your journey is unfolding exactly as it should.’”

Taylor’s incredible strength is rooted in her support system - friends, family, and faith. Beyond that, she has been sharing her story on Instagram, and has seen a positive response from those who have gone through some type of recovery. “These individuals are all recovering from some sort of spinal cord injury or neurological disorder,” she explains. “Not one of us share the same injury, but we share many of the same day to day struggles. We share tips and tricks on recovery along with daily encouragement.”

Taylor serves as an inspiration to her followers, but it’s her future that enlivens her most. “Knowing that as long as I put the time and energy into TODAY, I will be a better person TOMORROW, both physically and mentally,” Taylor says. “It’s the little things that add up to make a big difference. I know what I want and now it’s a matter of keeping my eyes on the prize and pushing through to get there.”

Her advice, from one #FierceFemme to another? “Be brave. Without bravery, we’d never know the scope of our own capacities. Take life by the reins and build the life you want. I'm not exactly where I want to be but each and every day I try to get there.”

Fierce Femmes: Taylor Laird of Gilkey Co.