Founder + CEO

Sean Doughtie

Started: 2005 Hometown: Seffner, FL

Sean Doughtie

With more than two decades of industry experience, an entrepreneurial spirit, and an epic red beard rivaling that of Yukon Cornelius, Sean has made it his life’s work to grow Taproot from the ground up.

Sean left his comfortable position as an art director at another creative agency in 2005 and set out to redefine the traditional marketing firm.

His philosophy was simple: Do business with honesty and integrity, and deliver outstanding work that generates measurable results.

Over time, Sean carefully built a close-knit team of smart and principled people who share his vision for the company and bring a wealth of knowledge and experience to complement his own. Today, he takes great pride in empowering them to do what they were hired to do and in giving them all the credit for a job well done.

While Sean still dabbles in design work, he spends most of his time advising clients on creative strategies and ensuring the long-term health and sustainability of the business. Sean’s award-winning career has afforded him the opportunity to work with large nonprofits, government agencies and major corporate brands. He has also served as a communications consultant and trusted advisor to CEOs, governors, U.S. senators and multiple members of the Florida Legislature.

Sean was the 2018 recipient of the Silver Medal Award from the Tallahassee Chapter of the American Advertising Federation. The Silver Medal Award Program was established in 1959 to recognize men and women who have made outstanding contributions to advertising and who have been active in furthering the industry’s standards, creative excellence and responsibility in areas of social concern. Annually, the AAF’s Ad Clubs bestow this honor upon outstanding members of the local advertising community.

Sean holds a Bachelor’s degree from Florida State University where he studied a number of things that have little or nothing to do with his ultimate career path. He’s married to the world’s most patient woman and is the father of three pretty awesome children. When not in the office, you can likely find Sean riding his Harley or crafting leather in his man cave.

In addition to his work at Taproot, Sean is an ordained minister and serves bi-vocationally as an Associate Pastor at Red Hills Church, in Tallahassee.

The Dirt

  • Favorite typefaces: Gotham, Helvetica Neue, Minion Pro
  • Least Favorite Sound: Country music (with the exception of Outlaw Country)
  • Connoisseur of: All things coffee
  • Known in the office for: Obsessively playing with his beard
  • Favorite Smell: Pipe tobacco & leather
  • First College Major: Fine Arts
  • Most Used cliche: At the end of the day...

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