20 things you don't know about me: Taylor Rao
Photos & Video // Standalone Slideshow
Kristi Gustafson Barlette
Sep. 25, 2017 Updated: Jan. 7, 2018 3:27 p.m.
1of21Click through the slideshow for 20 things you didn't know about Taylor Rao, an advertising account executive, bridal stylist/consultant and editor in chief at Two Buttons Deep.
2of211. People will tell you they've never seen me wear the same outfit twice. They're right.
3of212. I time my morning routine so that I'm always in front of the TV for the intro of the Today Show at 7 a.m.
4of213. My Two Buttons Deep partner-in-crime, Jack Carpenter, was my first kiss in middle school.
5of214. I auditioned for the Price Chopper "Go Can Crazy" commercial in fourth grade, but didn't get picked. I'm still a little upset since that commercial still plays today.
6of215. I'm not shy, but I'd never go up to a celebrity and ask for a photo or autograph. The only exception: Mindy Kaling.
7of216. My go-to sushi order: a spicy tuna roll and a peanut avocado roll.
8of217. I have an industrial style coffee maker at home that brews a full pot in two minutes. It never goes to waste.
9of218. My parents had the idea for the name Taylor from singer-songwriter Taylor Dayne.
10of219. At the nail salon, I prefer round-shaped nails over square.
11of2110. My dream car is a Mercedes-Benz G-Class SUV.
12of2111. I often window-shop vacant buildings and retail storefronts. I hope someday to own one.
13of2112. Though most of my experience is in journalism, I wrote a lot of poetry and short stories in college and really loved it.
14of2113. I've never placed a bet at the Saratoga Race Course, but I go there several times a year.
15of2114. A group of friends and I used to host an annual "Dare Night" where teams raced to complete a list of embarrassing acts in public while we captured photos/video as proof to win. The Impractical Jokers should thank us for the idea (and our parents should be thankful they never saw the photos).
16of2115. I'm not a very confident bike rider or swimmer -but I can get by and make everyone laugh while I try.
17of2116. My great grandfather was the royal scorekeeper for the cricket club at Windsor Castle in England and was quite friendly with the Queen.
18of2117. My childhood competitive dance videos are all on YouTube. I only know this because my coworkers found them and informed the entire company of it.
19of2118. I am not related to the makers of Rao's Homemade Pasta Sauce (and it's pronounced RAY-oh).
20of2119. My mom is the funniest person I know.
21of2120. There's very few fashion trends I won't try -but I pray that bubble shirts never come back in style.
While there may be a rule that says parents can't play favorites, those same guidelines do not apply to teachers or mentors (at least I don't think so). I've long referred to Taylor Rao as my top former intern.
She started working with me as part of the New Visions program in 2010, came back to intern while in college and has freelanced for the TU since.
During each run, she bucked the cliches that plague millennials, working incredibly hard, always having solutions rather than making excuses and taking on a variety of stories.
She came up with story ideas — ideas so strong and well-reported her byline appeared on the front page of the features sections.
These days, Rao is an advertising account executive by day, bridal stylist and consultant by night (and weekends), and the editor-in-chief at Two Buttons Deep, a startup she helped get off the ground with two of her childhood friends.
The twenty-something Rao grew up in Clifton Park and, she says, in young adulthood has found a new appreciation for the Capital Region – especially Troy, "where the local business community is thriving and full of awesome people and stories to tell."
You can find Two Buttons Deep on Facebook here; and follow Rao on Twitter here.
Click through the slideshow above for 20 things you didn't know about Taylor Rao, an advertising account executive, bridal stylist/consultant and editor in chief at Two Buttons Deep.
Photos: 24 people you should know in the Capital Region
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Read more on Kristi Gustafson Barlette's blog.