Today we’d like to introduce you to Randi Taggart.
Hi Randi, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
My name is Randi Taggart, and I was born in 1991 in Palm Springs, CA. My mom moved our family to Blaine, WA, in 1999, because of the Woodrow Wilson High School shootings; most commonly depicted in the Freedom Writers movie. As the youngest of 3, raised by a single mother, I was more often raised by my older brothers. My school years were incredibly hard for me because I was bullied viciously, so I didn’t come out of my shell until my early 20s.
Back in 2014, my ex-husband and I were living with my parents in Whatcom County, and I had to talk a few of my friends off the ledge in the same week. For those who don’t know, keeping someone alive when they want to die is exhausting for all parties; I don’t know how the Crisis Center people do it. Afterwards, I looked at my ex-husband and said, “I never want to do that again.” So, that’s where the idea for BASIC Studios was born. I gathered a few of my friends, and we talked about how many life-saving topics just aren’t covered in schools; topics like self-love, healthy communication, and personal safety are things we now learn only in counseling programs. Caring about each other became “woke,” and having compassion for others was stigmatized. Even rape culture became so normalized that SVU has run for over 25 years. Because of the growing stigmatized culture, some of my childhood friends ended up taking their lives.
To honor those friends, we created a program that addressed 7 values, or life skills, that are not addressed in the United States’ education system. Each letter of the acronym represents a “step” of the program, and the ultimate goal is to “build C.O.U.R.A.G.E.” The program focuses on the following values (notice where the capital letters are):
– self-Compassion
– Open communication
– Unlimited imagination
– Reconnecting with community
– planetary Advocacy
– self-Guardianship
– cultural Exploration
In 2017, those friendships were lost and I left my ex-husband to move back to Cowlitz County, where I started dating my current boyfriend. A year later, in December of 2018, I was arrested and then pleaded guilty to spanking my foster child, which came with a 14-month prison sentence. While I was in the WA Corrections Center for Women, I used that time to better myself in as many ways as possible. I went to counseling, started writing more, looked at getting into school, spent time in the library, and I was doing all the things. So many things that when I got out of prison, and some things weren’t available anymore, I stopped caring about probation. I was handed off to the new Dept of Corrections Officer as a “helpless” case.
Officer Mi Chelle Corning saved my life. I was under the supervision of Officer Mi Chelle Corning from the Summer of 2020 until the day I was released from DOC on August 12, 2021. I don’t even remember the name of the officer that I was assigned to before her because he didn’t engage with me at all, and his partner was always yelling at me. Compared to them, Officer Corning gave me options to better myself rather than expecting me to fail. To get me away from my environment and to offer me a safe place to get my thoughts back together, Officer Corning sent me to the American Behavioral Health Systems (ABHS) center in Spokane, WA. While I was at ABHS, I graduated from their DBT program within 22 days. I learned how to love myself for everything I am, good and bad.
Since I left supervision under the Department of Corrections, I am the first of my mother’s children to graduate college with an Associate’s degree; I am also the first to go to a university for my Bachelor’s. In September of 2023, I hosted the first annual Suicide Survivors Summit to an audience of 13 people; this year (2026), my keynote speaker will be James A. Owen, an internationally best-selling author. In April of 2024, I published “Building COURAGE,” the wellness program that I had been working on; since then, BASIC Studios has released a second, expanded edition. In October of 2024, I wrote an in-depth tarot card analysis that received the attention of three [3] major YouTube channels; since then, I have started my own YouTube channel that has already gained 600+ subscribers and a thriving creative team.
Back in 2014, I started my journey as an advocate to support others who have lived through trauma like me; on May 4th and 6th of this year (2026), I took the Peer Support certification tests. As of February 13 of 2026, the business I had been dreaming of for 12 years became a reality; I am now the official Founder of BASIC Studios, Social Purpose Corporation, with my two business partners, Jerica Haynes and award-winning actor Atticus Jackson.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It has definitely not been an easy road for me, and that’s kind of why BASIC Studios exists. I’m a survivor of childhood sexual assault by my own father, which is a horribly normalized reality in our culture. The idea for BASIC Studios started because I never wanted to be alone again while supporting someone through suicidal ideation. That all happened before I went to prison and saw what my life would look like if I kept going the way I was going. I’m blessed that Officer Corning saw me as more than the “hopeless case” the Department of Corrections had labeled me as.
The hardest part has been staying positive through homelessness, losing friends, being judged by family, and personal loss. I’m building a business with the knowledge of what I don’t want for my employees, but I don’t have a real understanding of the corporate world, or much respect for it, if I’m being honest. My dreams have always been bigger than my resources, and every step has been a struggle just to make it to tomorrow. But that’s also what makes it worth it for me. BASIC Studios exists because I know what it feels like to survive without support, and I wouldn’t wish that on anyone.
Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about BASIC Studios?
BASIC Studios is a social purpose corporation, which means we function similarly to a nonprofit, but we still have the ability to generate income. I chose this structure because I don’t want BASIC Studios to rely only on volunteer labor forever. I want to create employment opportunities, especially for people who are often pushed out of traditional workplaces. Our name is also an acronym. As a creative studio, we look “Beyond Adversity, Stigma, Ignorance, and Crisis” to honor the core of the individual. That is what I want us to be known for: being the safe alternative in a world that stigmatizes people. Our organization has three branches:
– Building COURAGE is our value system and flagship program. It is available on Amazon!
– Myths & Mischief is our neurodivergent space where creators work together to bring their hyperfixations to life.
– Mischief Market is our collaborative merchandise shop.
What sets BASIC Studios apart is that we care about our employees first. Unhappy employees create poor work, and poor work leads to frustrated customers. We focus on accessibility, communication, and a healthy work environment before anything else because people can’t create well when they feel unsafe, ignored, or replaceable. That also means our team is full of people who speak their minds because it’s safe for them to do so. Of course, that can also lead to miscommunication when people are overwhelmed or deeply passionate about certain subjects. In a work environment, that can be stressful and can lead to executive decisions being made too quickly. That’s why I have my partners. They keep me mindful when I get too passionate, and I do the same for them. We try to emulate the concept of a team in every part of our organization. Every voice is heard.
Personally, I’m most proud of the progress everyone in my organization has made in the short time we’ve been together. Many of them joined BASIC Studios at an extremely low point in their lives, and being part of something that genuinely cares gave them a renewed sense of purpose. Just a few years ago, Jeri, Atticus, and I didn’t even know each other. Now, we’re best friends, business partners, and people who can be honest with each other. That’s what a partner is supposed to be, and that’s what we want to offer our employees and interns as BASIC Studios grows.
BASIC Studios offers a trauma-informed, safe work environment where neurodivergent individuals can thrive creatively and professionally. At this time, we’re still applying for grants to help us reach our bigger goals, so we are still mostly in the volunteer stage. People can support us by donating to us on our website (basicstudios.us/donations/donor/), you can purchase your own copy of COURAGE on Amazon (www.amazon.com/dp/B0G5YGPNSD), or you can purchase available merch through our shop (mischiefmarket.shop)!
Is there any advice you’d like to share with our readers who might just be starting out?
Dream BIG, and don’t let anybody tell you different. No matter how long it takes, never give up on your dreams. Some of the greatest experiences in the world exist now because that person never gave up. Individuals like J.R.R. Tolkien, Samuel L. Jackson, Julia Child, Charles Darwin, and even Stan Lee all started dreaming young and didn’t make it until they were in their 40s or older. That should be an inspiration to keep moving toward your dreams, no matter how long it takes. BASIC Studios took 12 years, and now look at where we’re going!
Pricing:
- Building COURAGE paperback is available on Amazon for $12.50
- Merchandise is available at mischiefmarket.shop
- Creative services and commissions will be available soon!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://basicstudios.us/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/myths.n.mischief/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Myths.And.Mischief/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/basicstudios/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@Myths.N.Mischief
- Other: https://discord.gg/ZSfSzeA7bw
