Episode 122

Navigating a Career That Led to Salon Ownership | Ashleigh Taylor | Owner + Master Colorist + Educator | Taylor & York Salon

Tune in to hear Ashleigh share some of the most valuable lessons for a successful career in hairdressing and a path to salon ownership!

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If you're local to the DMV area, we are hosting our Beauty Business Brunch on April 30th, and Ashleigh will be one of our panelists along with Kelly Gorsuch, Serial Entrepreneur & Owner of Hells Bottom Barbershops & Immortal Beloved Salon; Rebecca Haehnle, Curl & Color Specialist and Owner of Parlour Salon as well as a Curl Educator; and Tony Stuart & Corey Gray, Co-Hosts of Your Day Off Podcast, @Hairdsutry. Learn more and get your ticket today: https://www.eventcreate.com/e/beauty-business-brunch


KEY TAKEAWAYS:

-- She had a wake-up call when she realized the cosmetology license wasn't as valuable as she thought

-- Ashleigh went out on her own right after school and realized that was a bad idea; she didn't have enough $$

-- Early in her career, she took time to search for her identity as a person & hairdresser, which led her to NYC

-- This searching & NYC set in motion her reality today!

-- Watching a pioneer in African American hair had a lot to do with leading her to become a salon owner.

-- Nothing beats experience; being able to watch/listen to successful people & masters of craft is better than no team experience ...Find a Salon Team before going solo!

-- After she built a clientele, she had an abrupt break from that salon, moved to another salon, then went to booth rental. This started her process of saving, planning, and building her salon.

-- TIP: figure out Licensing and certifications BEFORE you secure a space, so you do not have a delay!

-- You are your schedule. Look at your clients; they reflect you.


MENTIONED IN TODAY’S EPISODE:

-- Follow Ashleigh and Taylor & York Salon on Instagram

-- Visit Taylor & York Salon's website


The Hairdresser Strong Show is all about Salon Owners, Rising Stylists, and Seasoned Stylists sharing their experiences, successes, failures, and advice to inform, educate, and empower their Fellow Hairdresser. We won’t stop until we are all: Hairdresser Strong.


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The views and opinions of our guests are theirs and important to hear. Each guest's views and opinions are their own and we aim to bring you diverse perspectives, career paths and thoughts about the craft and industry so you can become Hairdresser Strong! They do not necessarily reflect the positions of HairdresserStrong.com.

About the Podcast

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Supporting Rising & Transforming Stylists

About your host

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Robert Hughes

“I THINK HAIRSTYLISTS ARE THE COOLEST, NICEST, AND MOST FUN GROUP OF PEOPLE ON THE PLANET! I AM PASSIONATE ABOUT USHERING IN AN EMPOWERED-STYLIST FUTURE, AND I ABSOLUTELY LOVE GETTING STYLISTS FROM ALL WALKS OF LIFE TOGETHER IN A NON-COMPETITIVE ENVIRONMENT WHERE WE CAN LEARN, LAUGH, AND GROW TOGETHER.”
-Said by ME!
Robert started his hair journey as a kid in rural America offering haircuts on the street to kids in the neighborhood, not realizing, one day, he would find himself working the front desk at a hair salon while in high school. From there, his experience from salon-to-salon has included the front of the house, back of the house, stylist, educator, and consultant. It was during this movement through various salons he developed a passion to empower stylists and educate owners on how to raise the industry standard of excellence, mutual respect, and professionalism amongst stylists, managers, owners, and clients. Robert currently is the General Manager and a Master Stylist at Violet Salon in Georgetown, DC.