In this episode, Rocky sits down with creative director Hance Taplin for a candid look at the ambition and personal values that fuel his brand, By Way of Dallas. Taplin shares the vulnerable reality of walking away from a high-powered career in New York City to bet on himself with only $3.79 in his bank account. Together, they explore the concept of "accumulated problem solving" from bypassing local dress codes to redefining Dallas merchandise through a personal, diverse lens. From childhood dreams of the major leagues to the daily motivation of fatherhood, this conversation is an exploration of the "Yes and Grow" philosophy: finding deep satisfaction in who you are today while never losing the drive to build something meaningful for tomorrow.

Episode Highlights with Timestamps:

03:41 – Trading Wealth for Time: Leaving a high-paying job to get his life back.

04:45 – Betting on Self: Starting with $3.79 and building something of his own.

06:23 – Filling the Dallas Void: Creating a brand Dallas was missing.

10:14 – Engineering Diverse Intersections: Using products to bring different people together.

13:35 – Design as Problem-Solving: Building a life around solving problems creatively.

21:03 – Making the "Major Leagues": Realizing he reached his dream in an unexpected way.

23:25 – The Danger of Contentment: Why comfort can become a trap.

25:02 – Redefining Success Through Fatherhood: Measuring success through his son's eyes.

27:22 – The "Yes and Grow" Philosophy: Being content while continuing to evolve.

31:06 – Overcoming Creative Ruts: How a Lego piece helped break a creative block.

About Our Guest

Hance Taplin is a Dallas-based designer, photographer, and creative director originally from Denver, Colorado. He is the founder of By Way of Dallas, a creative platform focused on connecting communities and reshaping the city through design and culture. His work has led to collaborations with brands like Nike, Neiman Marcus, The Dallas Cowboys, Texas Rangers, D Magazine, Dallas Market Center, 7-Eleven and The Dallas Mavericks, making him a distinctive voice in the Dallas creative scene.

Instagram Handle

Follow By Way of Dallas @bywayofdallas

Follow Hance @hancetaplin

Links

https://bywayofdallas.com

Join Rocky, LIVE on Zoom, in conversation about leadership, humanity, and everything in between: http://rockygarza.com/confidence