BETTY BRENNAN
Farming
Betty grew up on a crop and livestock farm in Streator, IL and as the saying goes, “you can take the girl off the farm, but not the farm out of the girl.” In 2001, Betty purchased her first 50 acres and put the girl back into farming. A tenant/contract farmer grows corn and beans. Betty manages and maintains several USDA programs on over 30 acres which includes CRP and border strips. She also raised horses on the farm over the years. Today the farm is 250 acres and Betty is investigating regenerative farming. She plans to add more livestock (Bluestem Springs Farm) in the future.
Taylor Studios, Inc.
As a co-Founder and Owner, Betty led the Taylor Studios’ team from 1991 to 2022, creating timeless exhibits for museums and nature centers. With her oversight, Taylor Studios completed over 700 projects in 45 states and four countries. As president, she implemented the strategic goals and objectives of the company while giving direction and leadership toward the achievement of the company’s mission and vision. She oversaw all departments ensuring the entire organization ran in accordance with Taylor Studios’ high standards.
An active contributor, Betty was highly involved in the nature and business communities. She has been honored to be on Inc. Female Founders 100 list, nationally recognized on the Inc. 500, and regionally famed as an Outstanding Woman You Should Know by local media and published in a confetti of other resources.
In 2021 Betty sold Taylor Studios to Reggie Binford of Innovative Companies, Inc. a Proviso Capital portfolio company. Betty continued as President until September 2022, assisting with the transition, and handing the reins to her leadership team to continue the growth and success of the company.
Education
Southwest Missouri State University – MBA, 1991
Southern Illinois University - BS – Marketing, 1989
Awards & Achievements
• 2020 Inc. Female Founders 100
• 2012 Longevity Through Innovation Award - Champaign County EDC
• 2011 Outstanding Woman You Should Know - Illini Radio
• 2009 Inspiring Woman Alumna Achievement Award - SIU
• 2009 Inc. 5000
• 2007 Inc. 5000
• 2006 SIU Hall of Fame for the College of Business Administration
• 2000 Inc. 500
Volunteer
•Champaign County History Museum, Board Member of Steering Committee, 2023
• External Advisory Board of the SIU College of Business Administration, 2004 – 2023, chair 2014-2016
• Champaign County EDC Board 2012 - 2018, Chair of the Small Business Development Center Committee, Board Chair 2017
• Volunteer with Grand Prairie Friends for more than a decade to present
• Volunteer with Hooves of Hope and Gateway Family Services in Potomac, IL
Press & Publications
Betty has an active on line and media presence, here’s a few of those appearances.
• Try Life on Podcast - February 2024
• Her Business Builds 3-D Experiences for the World's Museums, Inc. Magazine, 2020
• Leaving a Memorable Impression, Parks and Recreation Magazine, 2017
• The “Wow” Factor, Parks and Recreation Magazine, 2017
• What resources should small business owners be reading, Kabbage, 2017
• Why I Love My Business, Creativeclickmedia, 2017
• How 11 Real Women Achieved Their Money Goals, Women’s Health, 2017
• How To: Break Up with Your Business Partner, Success Magazine, 2015
• Entrepreneurs Have More Fun with Betty Brennan, Entrepreneur Podcast Network, 2015
• 39 Hiring Tips From the Pros, FitSmallBusiness, 2015
• Made in Champaign County, Central Illinois Business, 2014
• Innovation Awards Honor Those Foolish Enough to Try, News Gazette, 2012
• I’m a Museum Person: Betty Brennan, Museumist, 2011
• Exhibit Designers for the Lincoln Heritage Museum, Civil War Talk Radio
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