An Inspired Chat with Tayla Chenelle of Cleveland

We’re looking forward to introducing you to Tayla Chenelle. Check out our conversation below.

Hi Tayla, thank you so much for taking time out of your busy day to share your story, experiences and insights with our readers. Let’s jump right in with an interesting one: What do the first 90 minutes of your day look like?
The first 90 minutes of my day look like pulling myself out of bed at 5:55am, and trudging up to my living room to spend time with God. I like to complete my Bible study first thing in the morning, before I start scrolling, just to set the tone for a good day. After that, my kids are likely waking up. I clock in to work and then help my oldest prepare for a beautiful day in 1st grade, while mentally preparing to work from home with my littlest.

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I’m Tayla Chenelle, the founder of It Mom University. At my core, I’m a blogger, coach, and content creator who helps moms turn the skills they already have into income streams—so they can build legacies, not just side hustles. What makes my brand unique is that it’s built from real life—I’m a full-time working mom of two who knows the constant tug-of-war between motherhood, career, and chasing your dreams.

Through IMU, I teach moms how to grow blogs, launch digital products, create content, and step into their role as the It Mom + CEO of their own life and business. Right now, I’m focused on expanding my coaching, digital products, and community spaces so more moms can access the tools, strategies, and support they need.

My story is about showing women that you don’t have to choose between motherhood and your dreams—you can thrive in both, all on your own terms.

Thanks for sharing that. Would love to go back in time and hear about how your past might have impacted who you are today. Who saw you clearly before you could see yourself?
The person who saw me clearly before I ever saw myself was my mommy. She passed away when I was just 17—before I ever had the chance to step into college, womanhood, or motherhood. But even at that stage of my life, she carried this unwavering belief that I was destined to do something big. She would always remind me that I was capable, that I had a voice, and that I could conquer the world, even when I didn’t feel that way about myself.

At the time, I didn’t fully understand the weight of those words—because when you’re 17, you’re just trying to figure out who you are. But looking back now, I realize she was planting seeds in me with every conversation, every push, and every word of encouragement. She saw the woman I would become before I could even imagine her.

Now, as a mom and entrepreneur myself, I carry her belief with me every single day. It’s what drives me to keep going, even when the journey gets hard, because I know I’m living out the vision she already saw for me. In many ways, the work I do—the businesses I’ve built, the communities I’m creating, and the legacy I’m leaving for my daughters—are all a reflection of her belief in me. It’s my way of honoring her and proving her right.

If you could say one kind thing to your younger self, what would it be?
If I could say one kind thing to my younger self, it would be: You don’t have to rush. You’re not behind. Every part of your journey—the messy parts, the waiting seasons, the detours—is shaping you into exactly who you’re supposed to be.

I would remind her that she’s worthy even before the success, before the titles, before she feels like she has it all figured out. I’d tell her to be gentle with herself, to trust the process, and to know that the things that feel heavy right now will one day become the story that inspires someone else.

And most of all, I’d tell her: You’re stronger than you think, and you’ll create a life that little you could only dream of.

Alright, so if you are open to it, let’s explore some philosophical questions that touch on your values and worldview. Is the public version of you the real you?
Yes, the public version of me is very much the real me—probably more than ever these days. I’ve been learning just how important my story and my voice are, not just for me but for the moms who see themselves in my journey. Sharing my It Mom Diaries series has been a huge part of that. It’s where I show up as myself—messy weekends, busy mom life, the balance of building a brand and raising babies—and it’s helped me realize that my authenticity is my strength.

Of course, there are pieces of my life I keep private, and I think that’s healthy. But the version of me you see online, in my work, and in the stories I tell—that’s allll me. The lessons, the glow-ups, the hard days, the wins, the faith, the failures—it’s all real. I think that’s why people connect with me and push to hear more from me, because I’m not trying to be perfect, I’m just trying to be true.

Okay, so before we go, let’s tackle one more area. What is the story you hope people tell about you when you’re gone?
Wow, this is a good one. The story I hope people tell about me when I’m gone is that I lived with intention, faith, and love—and that I made the choice to heal, to grow, and to break cycles so that my children could have a different foundation to build on. I want people to say I didn’t just talk about change, I embodied it. That I took the hard, necessary steps to better myself—not just for me, but so my daughters could see what wholeness, confidence, and resilience look like in real time.

I hope the story is that I used my voice and my journey to remind other women that they are not alone—that their struggles, their dreams, their healing, and their hustles are valid, and that they are capable of creating lives and legacies that matter. I want to be remembered as a woman who turned pain into purpose, who built spaces where moms could be seen and supported, and who refused to let generational patterns define her family’s future.

Most of all, I want my daughters to remember me as the mom who loved them fiercely, who showed up even when it was hard, and who built something lasting that they could carry forward. That’s the legacy I hope lives on—the story of a woman who believed in restoration, resilience, and legacy-building, and who made sure the women coming after her had a little more light on their path.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://itmomuniversity.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/itmomuniversity?igsh=azN4dHk1d28yczU1&utm_source=qr