Ep. 242 - How a Daughter’s Question Changed A CEO’s Life with Ford Taylor

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In this powerful and deeply personal episode of Thriving in Tandem, Robert and Kay Lee Fukui sit down with Ford Taylor, chairman of the U.S. Christian Chamber of Commerce board and founder of FSH Consulting Group. Ford shares his remarkable journey from scaling a struggling two-employee screen-printing shop into a $300M, 2,000-employee enterprise to ultimately redefining success when business growth came at the cost of his marriage, family, and personal well-being. His story is a sobering reminder that external success can hide internal brokenness—and that unchecked ambition often extracts a hidden toll at home.

At the heart of the conversation is a defining moment every busy entrepreneur needs to hear. Ford recounts the night his six-year-old daughter asked him, through tears and ice cream, an innocent question that became the wake-up call that saved his life, redirected his priorities, and forced a courageous decision to realign business leadership with family leadership. Ford candidly opens up about insecurity, burnout, infidelity, and the hard road of rebuilding trust—offering hope to couples who feel trapped between providing financially and being emotionally present.

The episode closes with practical wisdom for married entrepreneurs who want to win at work and at home. Ford outlines the guardrails he and his wife put in place—clear communication, shared decision-making around travel and opportunities, season-based priorities, and values-driven clarity. He introduces a simple but profound framework for balancing family, income, health, and community, reminding listeners that success is not about doing everything, but about intentionally choosing what matters most. This conversation is both a warning and an invitation: you don’t have to hit rock bottom to change course.

Website: https://www.transformlead.com/ 

Podcast & Resources: https://fordtaylortalks.com/ 

Key Takeaways

• Success without alignment is dangerous: Business growth means little if it costs your marriage, health, or relationship with your children.

• Children often see what adults ignore: Honest feedback—even from a six-year-old—can reveal what success metrics miss.

• Clarity creates peace: Defining values, priorities, and boundaries before opportunities arise removes guilt, conflict, and indecision.

• Guardrails protect trust: Openly discussing travel, time, and commitments strengthens both marriage and business leadership.

• Seasons matter: There are times to lean into work and times to lean into family—agreement and communication make both possible.

• You don’t have to break to rebuild: Learn from others’ stories so change can happen proactively, not painfully.

Bio

Jerry “Ford” Taylor grew up in Paris, Texas before heading to Texas A&M, where he earned his BBA in Business Management—but his most unforgettable college credential wasn’t academic. Ford and his soon-to-be wife, Sandra, became campus favorites by teaching disco and country western dance to thousands of students, a 16-year run that revealed an early gift for equipping people with confidence and connection. After graduation, Ford stepped into retail management, unaware that the entrepreneurial chapter ahead would redefine his career.

In 1982, Ford and Sandra purchased a struggling two-employee screen-printing shop, C.C. Creations, and transformed it into a powerhouse. Through acquisitions and growth, Ford eventually became CEO of Brazos Sportswear, a 2,000-employee, $300-million leader in screen printing and embroidery. His business impact earned him recognition as Texas Small Businessperson of the Year and a top-10 finalist nationally. In 1998, after decades of building and leading high-growth companies, Ford pivoted toward leadership consulting—first as a Senior VP at Great American Insurance, then as an ordained minister committed to helping leaders remove constraints and build healthier cultures.

Today, Ford is the founder of FSH Consulting Group and Transformational Leadership, training organizations across the U.S. and around the world. He has delivered leadership development and conflict-resolution training in more than a dozen nations, authored the best-selling Relactional Leadership, co-wrote The Hike, and hosts the podcast Ford Taylor Talks. A sought-after speaker and board member—including Chairman of the Board for the U.S. Christian Chamber—Ford continues to blend business excellence with servant-leadership influence. He and Sandra, married since 1981, have three daughters and a grandson, and their legacy continues to ripple through every leader, team, and city they serve.