Today we’d like to introduce you to Melissa Taylor
Hi Melissa, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
It all started 19 years ago when I walked into the most beautiful salon I have ever seen in Hannibal square Winter Park, FL. I was a very young and naive 21 year old who had been in the beauty industry for almost 2 years at that time. I was following a fellow stylist and friend to a new salon with new opportunities for my business. This was a big leap for me, I was nervous, scared and had no idea what I was doing. The one thing I did know was that I LOVED doing hair and being in the hair industry was what I wanted so I moved to Stella Luca Salon West New England location right as they were starting to open their business.
As a young 20-something year old I made a goal to jump into this industry and boy did I jump. On top of taking clients behind the chair, I won Best Stylist in 2006 from Industry Magazine. It was the first competition I ever entered and I was shocked I won. It was a good omen for what was to come in this industry.
I joined the Paul Mitchell National education team and traveled all around FL to delivery in salon education for stylists. I even went to England and CA. I loved teaching in salons, learning new and up to date styles and meeting new people that had a passion for hair like me. I did that for about 8 years all while doing hair at the salon.
I did hair for stage shows, I have done editorial work and have been published in newspapers and magazines. I was nominated for Best Stylist in Orlando Weekly.
I loved all the things I was getting to do, explore and learn in this dynamic industry. It is the perfect career for me, although I tried things that didn’t always work out. Around 25 I was introduced to some business partners to open two salons in Winter Springs and College Park. I was so excited to do this but was very young and way in over my head. That business wasn’t a good fit for me and I left that after a few years.
I was blessed to become a mom in 2014 and having my son, Liam, was life changing. I love being a mom.
Recently, a once in a lifetime unexpected opportunity presented itself and in November 2024, my boyfriend Daniel and I bought Stella Luca Salon West New England location, it’s my dream salon and I am so grateful to come to this place in my career to be a hairstylist and salon owner. I am still pinching myself that this is my reality.
We are embarking on this new journey of what our lives will be as salon owners and so far it’s been incredible. The stylists, clients and support from local businesses have been heartwarming. I can’t believe I own the salon I walked into 19 years ago with the man of my dreams. Owning this salon is the legacy we want to leave for our family.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Overall, I feel like I’ve been incredibly lucky in this industry and my career has been very smooth going. As it goes with life, I have made many mistakes, have learned a lot doing hair and have learned a lot about myself. I learned how to really serve clients, I love that part of it. I enjoy the hands on creative part, connecting with clients one on one, solving a problem they have with their hair and hearing all about their lives.
When we were contemplating making the massive decision to become salon owners, I lost a lot of sleep over all the things that could go wrong. It’s a big financial investment and I wanted to make sure I served the stylists and clients well.
I had that previous experience of working with business partners running a salon and it was not a good fit. I was 25, naive and really had no clue what I was doing. It was extremely stressful.
I was apprehensive that I would feel the same in this business endeavor and that we would fail the clients and the stylists. That the salon I love would fail because of me and that was terrifying to me.
The fearful thoughts that kept me awake at night for months couldn’t have been farther from the truth. Running this salon has actually been uplifting, inspiring and completely fun! Daniel and I work amazingly together, we both bring the right balance to the table. He does things that I could never do and vise versa. We are having a great time bringing in upgrades like a complimentary coffee and wine bar that the clients love. Since it was a turn key business and I started there when the salon first opened I already have built great relationships with all the incredible stylists. They are so wonderful and talented, it makes it very easy to have some fun!
As you know, we’re big fans of Taylor James Salon. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
We are so proud that this salon is a family owned business. That we can breathe life and passion back into this remarkable space.
Our gorgeous salon is nestled in the cobblestone streets of Hannibal square Winter park. Our stylists have a passion for people, bringing hair dreams to reality and delivering the top care to our clients. We specialize in precision haircuts, custom blended extensions, dimensional color services, and so much more. We offer exclusive retail brands like Kerastase and Oribe to maintain your hair care at home. We offer complimentary coffee, tea, hot chocolate and wine. We even got in a pebble ice machine, so move over Chick-fil-a! We are an official chapter of Little Free Library with our “give and grab book exchange”. You can grab a free book or donate a book for others to enjoy. Just something a little different that makes us unique.
Taylor James Salon believes in creating a luxury salon environment offering the client an enjoyable and uplifting experience. We are taking new clients and would love to be your new salon home.
We are honored to connect with our local community. We host “Pop up” in salon events where local small businesses can come and sell goods or services. We want to see other businesses thrive and we love supporting success. Our salon has donated to local charities to help support those in our community. We want to be an active part in making our local community better plus we have the best stylists in town.
Come party with us Saturday Feb 1 from 5-8 pm for our Grand Opening party.
In terms of your work and the industry, what are some of the changes you are expecting to see over the next five to ten years?
We see the salon becoming a top salon in Orlando and we have a goal of continuing to be voted as the Best salon in Orlando. We want to bring on lots of fun changes to the salon from painting to eventually renovating. We want to get creative with our salon space like hosting yoga classes, art night or other fun events.
We want our salon to thrive, the stylists to be wildly successful, the clients to love their hair and recommended us to others.
We have big dreams and goals, the skies the limit and we are ready for it.
Pricing:
- Female Haircuts starting at $70
- Male haircuts starting at $35
- Highlights starting at $170
- Balayage starting at $220
Contact Info:
- Website: https://taylorjamessalon.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/taylorjamessalonwp/?hl=en
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61567900383549
Image Credits
Photographer Meg Tullos
Hair stylists: Desiree Wilson, Barbara Romanelli
T-shirt model Jewelia Dees
