Following Instincts Can Lead to Beauty Success

Rebecca Taylor | Honey Hair Lab

Rebecca Taylor is no stranger to impulsive decisions and following her gut instincts, even if it means going against the grain and taking the road less traveled. Rebecca’s bigger than life personality combined with her relentless drive to succeed has made her into the beauty industry icon she is today. Before Rebecca Taylor was a top beauty industry influencer, Redken Global Ambassador, successful salon owner, creator of HEF Academy, SCA winner, and Glamour Magazine’s Best Vivid Colorist in the World, she was a normal teenage girl who loved makeover shows, shopping at Sally’s for beauty supplies, and doing her high school friend’s hair any chance she could. However, when 14-year-old Rebecca suffered a bad hair bleaching disaster, it was a pivotal moment that turned out to be a blessing in disguise.

“I dipped the entire front of my hair into a bucket of Clorox then felt it start to bubble and get hot, so I pushed the container away and my hair went with it, leaving me with a micro fringe,” laughed Rebecca. “It sparked something in me and made me realize there was a science to hairdressing, and it wasn’t just playing around with stuff I got at Sally’s.”

Sometimes in life you have to go down different paths before discovering where you’re supposed to be, and Rebecca can attest to that. After completing her Bachelor’s Degree in Marketing and realizing Corporate America wasn’t for her, Rebecca returned to her true passion and decided to go to hair school. She instantly discovered her natural aptitude for hair cosmetology and knew she had found her calling. While in school, Rebecca focused on fashion color despite naysayers persuading her against it. Looking back, she’s glad she didn’t listen and instead followed her instincts.

“Everybody told me I’d never make money doing fashion color, but I just gravitated towards it,” explained Rebecca. “It’s how I’ve built the career I have now, and it’s taken me to new heights in this industry I never thought possible.”

Apalachee Retail Display

For Rebecca, impulsiveness and being open to life’s opportunities has brought many great successes in her life. The impulsive decision to bleach her hair led to an early interest in cosmetology. The impulsive decision to take a year off to go to hair school led to the start of her successful career. Even the opening of her first salon in Florida was the result of an impulsive decision to quit her job due to an unfair boss. Like many of Rebecca’s decisions, the idea of opening a salon in California wasn’t planned, but sometimes life presents perfect opportunities that can’t be ignored.

“I was so busy with other career stuff and wasn’t even interested in opening another salon, but this beautiful space only one minute from my apartment had a ‘For Rent’ sign up,” explained Rebecca. “It was not in my 3-5 year plan, but the price, location, and literally everything in the universe aligned and told me ‘this is the time’, so I jumped on it.”

When it came time to name her salon, Rebecca admits that this decision too was a bit impulsive. At first she thought about naming the salon after her dogs Otis and Olive, but then the word ‘honey’ came to mind. For Rebecca, this word held two important meanings behind it, and she knew instantly Honey Hair Lab was the perfect name for her salon.

“The name of my salon is kind of an homage to my late grandparents, because they would refer to everyone as ‘honey’,” expressed Rebecca. “Also, I really love sacred geometry and how the structure of the honeycomb is absolutely perfect, because that’s the way nature created it.”

Pagani Styling Chair and Lakota Styling Station

With the salon name and location in place, it was time to furnish the future home of Honey Hair Lab. After seeing pictures of Kolektiv, a salon owned by her friend Constance Robbins, and discovered Constance used Minerva equipment, Rebecca wasted no time in reaching out. Since Rebecca lives in California, she took advantage of the Fly-In Program to have the full Minerva showroom experience.

“I loved getting to see, feel, and test out the equipment, because it really helped me visualize what things were going to look like in my salon,” said Rebecca. “From the customer service to the amazing product to Minerva’s generosity, it was a no-brainer for me, and I couldn’t have gone with a better brand!”

Cayman Shampoo System, Pagani Styling Chair, and Lakota Styling Station

After visiting and touring Minerva’s showroom, Rebecca chose Cayman Shampoo Systems and Pagani Styling Chairs in bark brown, Seminole and Apalachee Retail Displays, Lakota Single Sided Styling Stations, Etowah 5ft. Reception Desk, Aluminum Mobile Service Trays, Medusa Infrared Hair Color Processors, Partex Bleach Guard™ Royale Shampoo Towels, and Marvy Disinfectant Jars.

Ever since Honey Hair Lab opened in September 2019, it’s been famously successful and one of Rebecca’s best impulsive decisions thus far. Walking in, you’re greeted by stylist Daniel K Palmer’s little chihuahua mix, uplifting music, and a vibrant atmosphere complete with a welcoming staff full of positive energy.

“From start to finish Honey Hair Lab is an experience,” explains Rebecca. “We make sure to keep the energy sacred, so our clients can get the hair of their dreams while relaxing in a positive, welcoming, and laid-back atmosphere.”

 

For Rebecca’s future, she plans to continue making Honey Hair Lab the best it can be and looks forward to everything on the horizon. She hopes to continue growing and evolving with the industry, while staying true to her fun-loving and vulnerable self that her 600k+ followers know and love (follow @rebeccataylorhair). For those who are wanting to take that leap into salon ownership, Rebecca offers some advice based off her own personal life experiences.

“I know many people are not impulsive and need to think everything out, but I urge everyone to sometimes go with your gut instincts and remain open to life’s opportunities,” said Rebecca. “Every opportunity that’s come my way since I started hair school has been a huge shock, surprise and blessing, and I hope many more keep coming.”

Honey Hair Lab Mission Statement:

The bee symbolizes community, brightness and personal power. Follow the bee to discover your new destination

Honey symbolizes the sun, peace, celebration, and creation

At Honey Hair Lab, we are a collective of passionate, inclusive creatives- whose central focus is to make YOU feel vital, heard and for you to radiate beauty- from the inside, out.