National Entrepreneurship Month CEO/President Don Taylor

He started his first construction company at 18 before graduating high school. He joined the Welty Building Construction in 1991 as a project manager. With the help and guidance of his mentor Jerry Welty, Don’s career flourished, and he was appointed President and CEO of Welty Building Company in 1996.

An entrepreneur at heart and with a relentless focus on providing customers with extraordinary building experiences, he has transitioned the company from a traditional construction firm into a multi-business unit, horizontally integrated firm capable of managing projects of all sizes from start to finish. His unwavering commitment to customer service and employment of cutting-edge technologies and sustainable construction methods has not only positioned Welty as an industry leader but also has fueled its evolution into the multi-faceted construction enterprise that it is today.

Don believes being an entrepreneur is not only an opportunity to be your own boss and control your own destiny, but to create unique solutions for clients that others don’t’ provide — to set your own higher standard for customer service. His support of Junior Achievement is based on his belief in the practical, basic economic principles JA teaches. Principles such as financial management, budgeting income vs. expenses, and understanding the impact of interest rates.

His advice to young entrepreneurs: Dream big. Never let anyone talk you out of your ideas and learn from successful people who are willing to share their ideas and experiences with you. Most importantly, work hard and learn from your mistakes. If you do, you will be rewarded with success.