At just 18 years old, Jahan Taila is rewriting what it means to be a young entrepreneur.
As the Founder and CEO of Derby Digital, a fast-growing marketing and software agency based in Louisville, Jahan has turned relentless drive, technical skill, and grit into a six-figure business before even finishing college.
From Coding After School to Selling a Startup
Most teenagers spend their high school years thinking about classes, sports, or college applications. For Jahan Taila, it was different. At just 14, he launched his first startup, Codera, a software company that he would go on to scale, raise funding for, and eventually sell…
That early success didn’t just validate his vision; it sparked his next venture. “Building Codera taught me everything from software development to marketing strategy,” Taila explains. “When it was time to start something new, I wanted to combine both skill sets into a company that could help other businesses grow.”
The Birth of Derby Digital
In January, Jahan founded Derby Digital, named after his hometown’s famous Kentucky Derby. The company’s mission, captured in its motto *‘helping brands win the race through growth marketing and software’* perfectly encapsulates
Taila’s philosophy: speed, precision, and a commitment to results. Within just ten months, Derby Digital grew into a six-figure business, working with top clients across the restaurant, consulting, and home service industries.
Notable clients include Louisville institutions like Ramsis Café and Hop Atomica, as well as Asgari Enterprise, one of the city’s largest real estate consulting firms. Taila is also actively expanding Derby Digital on a national scale: “We just signed 3 restaurants in New York and are continuing to help businesses grow past our hometown”
Building Businesses the Hard Way
Behind the headlines, Jahan’s story is one of sacrifice and relentless work ethic. While balancing classes at duPont Manual High School, he worked eight-hour shifts at a local diner before heading home to code late into the night. He often fueled himself with caffeine and determination, usually running on just four hours of sleep. “I worked at that restaurant for three years,” Taila recalls. “It gave me discipline, but it also showed me how hard it is for small businesses to stay organized and competitive. That’s when I realized I could use technology to make their lives easier.”
Innovation for Small Businesses
Derby Digital doesn’t just run ads or design websites; they build custom software that helps small businesses scale into large enterprises. Taila develops AI systems and automation tools that simplify operations, from reservations to analytics, bridging the gap between big-tech efficiency and small- business accessibility.
“Most small businesses can’t afford enterprise software,” Taila says. “So I build it for them tailored, affordable, and powerful.”
The Road Ahead
As he balances university life with leading a growing company, Jahan remains focused on Derby Digital’s next chapter: scaling from a six-figure to a seven-figure operation within the next four years. He aims to expand his client base, deepen his restaurant industry footprint, and continue developing proprietary software. “I love how the haters say that I just got lucky,” Taila says. “A real man creates his own luck, which is exactly what I did.”
Connect with Jahan Taila
Instagram: https://instagram.com/jahantaila
X (Twitter): https://x.com/jahantaila
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61571532943909
Website: https://derbydigital.us
