Russ and Nick Taylor were recognized as the 2016 Business of the Year by the Mahomet Chamber of Commerce last week.
The Taylor’s great grandparents moved to Mahomet from Southern Illinois in 1910 to pick corn by hand. Eventually, they farmed their own land, as did the Taylor’s grandparents and parents. Growing up in Mahomet, Nick and Russ enjoyed helping their father on his farm, buy and sell used farm machinery and buy and sell land.
Their father was an important figure in establishing subdivisions, such as Wood Glenn, in Mahomet.
In the early 1970’s, when approximately 1,000 people lived in Mahomet, Russ and Nick decided to become real estate agents so that they could continue the work they’d always done, but also so that they could help residents buy and sell homes.
When the brothers began, it was just the two of them and a secretary. They purchased a Century 21 franchise, which they owned for 15 years before they purchased a ReMax franchise in 1991.
Russ said they never imagined that Mahomet would become a town of 10,000 when they began in the 1970’s, but with the medical facilities, the University of Illinois and the business atmosphere in Champaign, Mahomet became a destination for professionals. The ReMax name helped newcomers recognize their product.
“There are about 100 different countries represented at the University of Illinois,” Russ said. “ReMax is in about 100 countries. When (people come from other countries), they know Coca-Cola, McDonald’s, John Deere and ReMax. They know that brand.”
Over 40 years of being business owners in Mahomet, the Taylors have helped develop more than a dozen subdivisions, donated Taylor Field to the Village, sponsored many Mahomet-Seymour Schools and Mahomet Chamber of Commerce events, participated in the School Mentor Program, initiated the MSHS School Foundation and been active members of their church community.
They have also helped the M-S School District purchase land for the high school, Lincoln Trail and 13 Acres.
Russ said it has also been a vision to create a rewarding business atmosphere for their employees as they’ve grown. With employees who have been there for over a decade, Russ said they have tried to “hire quality people and have a culture and spirit where they enjoy coming to work.”
Russ also said he and Nick were grateful to the Chamber of Commerce for recognizing them as Business of the Year.
“Everything we get is a blessing from God,” Russ said. “We don’t get everything, but I am thankful when I do.”
