Venus Taylor is an accomplished and inspirational businesswomen and softball coach who has played and coached both at the Division 1 and Professional level.
Venus has always had a love and passion for the sport of softball. In 1993 she decided to accept an athletic scholarship to Western Illinois University and it was there that she became a two time MVP, All-Conference, All-Region and record holder in numerous categories such as hits, stolen bases and runs scored. In 1997 she was named the Western Illinois University Female Athlete of the Year and in 2009 was inducted into the WIU Hall of Fame.
After graduating from college, Venus was drafted by the Women’s Professional Softball League and went on to play for 7 years with 3 All-Star Appearances and 2 World Championship rings for the 1999 Tampa Bay Firestix and the 2002 New York New Jersey Juggernauts.
During her professional off season, Venus worked her way up the collegiate coaching ranks with Lake City Community College who won the NJCAA National Championship in 2001 to Georgia Tech who was an NCAA Regional Appearance team in 2003 as well as Bradley University. Venus was also chosen to assist the Chicago Bandits coaching staff for the National Professional Fastpitch league in the summer of 2011.
From 2006-2011, Venus was a Fastpitch Business Manager for Wilson Sporting Goods where she orchestrated national sales, branding, sponsorships, endorsements and affiliations for Wilson, DeMarini and Atec brands to increase brand development and sales. She served as a key public, media and client relations officer for fastpitch brands leveraging relationships with professional, collegiate and grassroots organizations, as well as associations and governing bodies.
Venus was successful in planning and launching large scale marketing and advertisement initiatives, as well as grassroots events and tournaments to highlight new product, brands and technologies. She was a key member of the innovation team and led the execution and launch of the first ever A2000 and A2K Fastpitch pro stock gloves. Venus negotiated and closed more than 125 collegiate sponsorship agreements with leading teams, including Michigan, Missouri and LSU and in addition signed multiple Olympic Athletes.
In 2011, Venus decided to continue to follow her passion as a coach, motivational speaker and educational leader to inspire the people that cross her path.
In 2012, Venus partnered with the Bo Jackson Elite Sports Dome and created Taylor Made Softball to provide opportunity, development, knowledge and encouragement to all young female athletes who have a dream!
Venus grew up in the Quad Cities in Illinois where she has many fond memories with her family. Venus has one son named Talyn Taylor-Banks who she describes as “the greatest gift and blessing of her life.”