When Frostburg State University alumna Taylor L. (Simpson) Sasser ’11 first arrived on campus, the mountain setting spoke to her. Growing up in Colorado, she was drawn to Frostburg’s scenic landscape. “Frostburg just felt like home.” While in Mountain Maryland enjoying the views, Sasser also earned degrees in political science and international studies, and left FSU with her sights set on a career in public service, prepared to make her mark on the world.

And she did -- just not in the way she expected.

After college, Sasser built an impressive résumé in politics and global advocacy. She worked for a Maryland state senator, spent time on Capitol Hill and later joined World Food Program USA, contributing to international hunger relief efforts. “The work was meaningful, but over time, I just felt like something was missing.”

While working in Washington, D.C., Sasser began posting fashion and fitness content on her Instagram page (just for fun). “I didn’t have a business plan or a long-term strategy. It was just a creative outlet I used to blow off steam after a long day.” But to her surprise, her fitness account began to grow, fast, and what started as casual content turned into a community and an opportunity.

“I was just sharing some of my workout clothes on social media with no intention to turn it into anything at all. And just like that, all my little dreams of what I thought I was going to do for my career in political science just came crumbling, in the best way.”

Within a few years, Sasser pivoted, leaving nonprofit work to pursue entrepreneurship full time.

Over the past decade, her platform has evolved along with her life and her audience. “What began as fitness and nutrition coaching expanded into mindset work, spirituality, personal branding and business strategy,” said Sasser. Her influence has extended far beyond Instagram. She launched a podcast, “The Embodied Woman”, built a YouTube presence and stepped into motivational speaking. Sasser’s social media expertise has also been featured in outlets such as Forbes and Reader's Digest, with television appearances on Fox News and NBC4 Washington.

But she thinks that perhaps her most significant evolution didn’t happen in the public eye.

Last year, Sasser took her first real break from Instagram in more than 12 years, going on a four-month hiatus that allowed her to reset personally and professionally. “Being on social media is amazing, but the whole point of entrepreneurship is freedom. If you can’t step away, what’s the point?”

Now expecting her first child and living in Charleston, South Carolina, with her husband and dog, she has returned to her work with a refined focus: time freedom, email list building, passive income through online courses and brand partnerships aligned with motherhood and wellness. Sasser also recently authored her first book and launched a new YouTube channel dedicated to teaching course creation, empowering other women to build businesses that support their lives, not consume them.

When asked how she comes up with the content for her channel, Sasser said that she tries to envision what would inspire and motivate her followers. “I just think about my ideal avatar and then try to create natural, fun and educational content that is always within reach.” But she never forgets her original followers – the ones who have been with her since her fitness and fashion days who are still around more than a decade later cheering her on.

Despite her entrepreneurial success, Sasser ultimately hopes to be a devoted wife and mother, live out her faith and be a good steward to her family and her business.

For a student who once envisioned a lifelong career in politics, Sasser’s path has been anything but straight. Yet Frostburg provided her with a strong foundation, teaching her critical thinking skills, global awareness and the courage to explore her passion.

From Capitol Hill to personal branding, Sasser represents a new generation of alumni redefining influence. “Success, to me, looks like alignment between my work, my values and my family, and I’ve learned that influence doesn’t have to look one specific way to be impactful.” 🐾

Follow Taylor on Instagram @iamtaylorlsasser.