How Rhonda Taylor Is Redefining Sensory-Inclusive Community Spaces with Skate Haus Lounge

Built from Grief, Powered by Purpose: Inside Rhonda Taylor’s Vision

Some stories are about business. Others are about survival.

Rhonda Taylor’s story is about both—and what happens when purpose is built in the space between grief, loss, and love.

As the founder of Steelo LLC, Skate Haus Lounge, and Giant Rocket Foundation, Taylor has created more than companies—she has built an ecosystem rooted in community impact and access.

From Contracts to Community Impact

Before the brands, before the foundation, Rhonda Taylor describes herself as one thing: a builder.

“I didn’t come from money. I came from work,” she explains.

Her journey into entrepreneurship began in 2006, officially launching Steelo LLC in 2008. Over the next decade, she built a strong foundation in government contracting—learning the industry from the ground up and transforming it into a thriving, women-owned business.

But in 2011, everything shifted.

After losing a close friend to lupus, Taylor secured her first major federal contract—valued at $189,000 at Lambert Airport. That moment became what she calls her “Every 24 Hours” realization: a mindset rooted in urgency, purpose, and forward motion.

Life doesn’t wait—and neither did she.

Building Through Loss, Becoming Through Love

Taylor’s journey has been marked by both profound loss and transformative milestones.

In 2019, she lost her younger brother—her best friend. Just one month later, her son Rocket was born.

That duality—grief and new life—became the emotional foundation for everything that followed.

“When people ask who I am before the brands,” Taylor says, “I’m a woman who has built everything she has in between grief, loss, and love.”

Skate Haus Lounge: Redefining Community Space

What began as a business pivot evolved into something far greater.

Skate Haus Lounge is not just a skating venue—it is a sensory-inclusive community space designed with intention from the ground up.

From lighting and sound to the flow of programming, every element is created to support neurodivergent individuals and their families.

This approach aligns with standards set by KultureCity, a globally recognized leader in sensory accessibility. Skate Haus is part of a network of over 1,800 certified sensory-inclusive spaces worldwide.

The result is a space where families are not asked to adapt—but are fully embraced as they are.

The Heart of It All: Rocket

At the center of this entire ecosystem is Rocket.

Born in November 2019, Rocket’s diagnosis introduced new challenges—but also a new vision.

Instead of accepting limitations, Taylor and her partner Pepper built the environment their son deserved.

“You are a big rocket,” she told him.

That belief became the foundation for the Giant Rocket Foundation—a nonprofit dedicated to youth development, accessibility, and community infrastructure.

Giant Rocket Foundation: Solving the Infrastructure Gap

The mission of Giant Rocket Foundation goes beyond awareness.

It focuses on infrastructure.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, approximately 1 in 36 children in the United States is diagnosed with autism. This statistic highlights a growing need for inclusive systems—not just conversations.

The foundation addresses this need through:

• Structured youth enrichment programs
• Sensory-inclusive recreational spaces
• Workforce exposure opportunities
• Family-centered support systems
• First responder training initiatives

This work is designed to support not just children—but entire ecosystems surrounding them.

Launching the Future: Giant Rocket Labs™

On April 15, 2026, the foundation will launch Giant Rocket Labs™, an educational and enrichment platform designed for four key groups:

• Youth and children (movement, arts, social development)
• Parents and caregivers (tools, support, community)
• Educators (training and classroom strategies)
• First responders (scenario-based autism awareness training)

One of its cornerstone initiatives, Rocket Response™, provides critical training for law enforcement, firefighters, and EMTs—helping ensure safer interactions with neurodivergent individuals.

A companion mobile app will also launch the same day, offering direct access to programs, events, and resources.

Rocket Ball: Funding Real Impact

To support its growing mission, the foundation is preparing for its signature fundraiser: Rocket Ball™.

More than an event, Rocket Ball is a strategic effort to raise $50,000 to fund:

• A full-time BCBA specialist
• Certified trainers and educators
• Transportation resources (including a community bus)
• Expanded programming and accessibility tools
• Long-term facility ownership

This initiative underscores a key principle behind the foundation: building sustainable, long-term infrastructure—not temporary solutions.

A Vision That Extends Beyond St. Louis

Taylor’s long-term vision is both ambitious and deeply personal:

• A permanent facility owned by the foundation
• Mobile outreach to underserved communities
• Nationwide adoption of Rocket Response™ training
• Educational curriculum integration across schools
• Scalable models for inclusive community spaces

At its core, the goal is simple yet powerful:

To create a world where children like Rocket are not accommodated—but expected, supported, and celebrated.

How to Get Involved

The movement is growing—and community participation is essential.

You can support Giant Rocket Foundation by:

• Visiting: giantrockets.org
• Following on social media (@giantrocketsfoundation)
• Attending upcoming events and fundraisers
• Donating supplies, equipment, or resources
• Volunteering your time or expertise
• Becoming a sponsor or partner

Because this work wasn’t built for visibility—it was built for impact.

Final Word

Rhonda Taylor didn’t just build businesses.

She built something that answers a real need—something rooted in lived experience, resilience, and vision.

And as she puts it best:

“We didn’t build this for a press release. We built it for the families that needed it yesterday.”