Creatively Corporate: Finding the Balance with Taj HoChoy
written by Vanessa Gabrielle Chandler
The exhilarating experience of an amazing DJ set is unforgettable: the blending of genres, effortless and unexpected transitions, a time machine for your ears causing rhythmic motions of the hips. There is a collective energy in the room. Vibrations come into alignment and for just a moment, every person forgets about life beyond the thump of the subwoofer.
A lesser-known feeling is that of the DJ, the musical mastermind constantly thinking five beats ahead, seamlessly merging one song into the next. They feed off the unique energy of the audience and curate a one-of-a-kind experience. Night after night. Gig after gig.
“ I don’t want to be known for one thing.”
For Brooklyn native Taj HoChoy, DJing is his artistry. His musicality is an expression of his Caribbean roots, an opportunity to bring the stories and emotions of past generations to the present day. Unbeknownst to many, when the crowds disperse and the sun rises, you’ll find Taj in Corporate America, working to build and implement technology solutions that are used to drive personalized customer interactions. This is the life of a creatively corporate individual.
Like many creatives in the modern world, Taj is dual-passionate. He diffuses his ambition between his love for Djing and his love for financial planning, constantly striking a balance. “It’s impossible to be one-dimensional, I don’t want to be known for one thing” Taj notes, as he explains how he simultaneously builds corporate and creative success.
In his corporate job, Taj is a Business Process Officer at TD Bank, America’s 9th largest financial institution. Taj works within the Strategic Business Architecture team, which leverages technology solutions and data insights to deliver personalized advice to customers. Simply put, he uses data, underpinned by technology and engineering, to execute a meaningful personalization strategy for the bank. With an Economics Degree from the Fox School of Business—one of the nation’s top business schools—Taj finds great fulfillment in his complex corporate work.
Within his creative identity, Taj has discovered his true, authentic style as a DJ. Don’t be fooled though, this discovery gradually came after years of internal strife and questioning. At the beginning of his DJing career in 2016, Taj struggled to identify who he was within the musical realm. “I just wanted to be accepted by the majority.” Inspired by the deep research required to obtain his corporate position, Taj began researching his personal music taste in 2018. Reggae, Dancehall, and Old School Hip-Hop melodies burst through his speakers, resulting in a sound completely unique to him.
“Some people look at corporate jobs as a means to an end, but I don’t look at it like that.”
Through his experience, Taj has found that Corporate America can be highly beneficial—if you know how to maneuver it. He strategically observes how his corporate and creative work correlates, bringing learning lessons from one world into the other. In the corporate world, Taj has grown his professionalism and understanding of business operations. He’s applied this knowledge to his methods of engaging supporters and garnering his following as a DJ. “Some people look at corporate jobs as a means to an end, but I don’t look at it like that” Taj states, reflecting on the transferable skills he’s gained thus far.
“It’s important to nurture your corporate acumen at the same time you nurture your creative acumen.”
For other creatives seeking to pursue corporate positions, Taj stresses the importance of self-discipline. Taj has found success in equally splitting his time between his passions. An average day for him may include perfecting a new DJing technique or studying up on financial tech jargon. “It’s important to nurture your business acumen at the same time you nurture your creative acumen,” Taj says, “Because, at some point, they may merge. At some point, you may rely on your corporate acumen to further your creative pursuits.
Above all, Taj encourages all creatives to:
Be intentional about their career journey
Pursue their wildest dreams while remaining open to new opportunities to grow and develop in any environment
Be a sponge, always ready to learn, research and obtain new knowledge related to their chosen path
“Never think you know it all,” Taj states, “the best creatives are the ones that are students of the game.”
To learn more about Taj HoChoy visit his Instagram page and check out his latest DJ mix on SoundCloud.
About The Series:
The Creatively Corporate article series highlights the unique experiences of creatives working within Corporate America. This 3-part interview sequence sheds light on the multi-dimensional, ever-evolving dichotomy between the corporate and creative culture many artists find themselves in-between.
The first interview in the Creatively Corporate series tells the story of Taj HoChoy, a professional financial guru with a dual-passion for bending time and mixing culture through DJing.
Next on Creatively Corporate
Read the captivating story of Alyssa Ghilardi, an event curator producing transcendent musical jam sessions and fiscal-friendly corporate engagements.
Author Bio
Bio: Vanessa Gabrielle Chandler is a natural born creative specializing in event production and writing. Vanessa has a passion for telling the unique stories of entrepreneurs, self-starters and creative individuals. Her writing engages readers through relatable stories and realistic advice, always allowing the authentic voice of her subject to pervade through her sentences. When she's not planning art shows in support of local artists, you can find her spending time under the sun, catching up on the works of her favorite black female authors. A Norristown, Pennsylvania native, Vanessa is proud to call Philadelphia her current home.
Social Media (Instagram): @vanessagabrielle.co