Today we’d like to introduce you to Virginia Taylor.
Virginia, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
As a child, I use to always watch my mother braid my sister’s hair. As I grew older I had to figure out what I had to do to survive; so I went to Charles and Sues School of Hair Design the same day the World Trade Center collapsed on 9/11/2001. Once I became licensed in October 2002. I was still working fast food in management for Wendy’s and Long John Silver at the same time. I later worked as a top sales person (CSR) of 433 stores for Aaron’s Rental Purchase. On February 18, 2006, my heart was shattered into a million pieces, because my dad passed away. I was numb, but was determined to press past the pain. I had come to a point in life where I was tired of working for someone else. I realized I had many talents, but It wasn’t until one day I had no one to watch my children so I could go to work. The words of my beloved father crossed my mind “Gin you need to start your own business and stop working for everyone else. You are smart enough to run your own business”. Those words sparked something in me and on September 6, 2006, the same year my dad died. I opened my first salon and named it Outstanding Styles. It was just one of many. A couple of years went by, then I moved two doors down to a better location and opened my second salon in 2008 off of Texas Avenue in Bryan, Texas right across the street from the Aaron’s I worked at as a CSR/top sales. Some more time passed I opened another salon on StillMeadow Drive in Bryan, Texas in 2012. Then in 2013, the unthinkable happened again, but this time with my marriage of 24 years. My ex-husband was on breaking news and on the front page of the Bryan/College Station eagle newspaper with allegations that I don’t care to remember. It was such an embarrassment for me and my children, but I didn’t stop there. I opened my 4th salon in Bryan, Texas on East 32nd Street. As time went on and my divorce was finally final in 2015. I decided to move to Houston, Texas to get a new start. All at the same time I had to have surgery. My oldest son and his wife extended their hand out to me to help me until I could get back on my feet after the surgery. Once I did, which was about two months. I started working as a booth renter at Tiffany Channel wig shop on the north side of Houston and hated it, plus I had absolutely no clientele at the time, so then I decided to go to South University of Savannah Georgia (online), where I obtained a 4-year Bachelors of Science Degree in Public Health July 5, 2021, but had to graduate a year later due to Covid. It was just something else to have under my belt. I opened my 5th salon at Salon Plaza on Hwy 6 North. I renamed my salon “Outstanding Styles Braiding & Weaving”I stayed there for about 2 1/2 years. Then Covid-19 the pandemic hit and I was forced to close and work from home because salons, barber shops, and nail shops were said to be nonessential. In December of 2021, I received my Life Insurance Agent License and I’m licensed in Texas and Tennessee. It’s been two-plus years since the pandemic. I was still working from the comfort of being home, but I ran into issues where I live with mold growing inside of the dwelling; which forced me to on my 6th salon 9515 Broadway Ste 201 in Pearland, Texas 77584, suite 105 and loving it!!!! I can’t say the road has been easy, but I can say that despite all the distractions I encountered along the way. I didn’t let anything stop me from succeeding and reaching my goals. I’m still not done yet. I plan to go even further and my plan is to start teaching others what I know so they can be successful too!
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It hasn’t been easy. One of the hardest things I had to do was move to a town I knew nothing about and continue to build my business from the ground up all over again. I have such a big heart towards helping others so I got burned by many. I’m sure they look back now and see that all I was trying to do was help and not harm them. It only made me stronger though.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I create something from nothing. I am known for being able to do a client’s hair with little to no hair all the way to doing those with a ton of hair. I make my clients feel special and let them know they are beautiful and valuable. I am most known for my braiding and weaving techniques. I am most proud that I am able to cater to those who suffer from thinning, balding, or alopecia. What sets me apart is that I always give my clients way more than what they pay for.
Can you share something surprising about yourself?
I know a little sign language. That I designed my logo for my business to make my own hair cream product called Nyjane’ “Invisible Miracle” and love to decorate and keep things organized.
Pricing:
- Styleseat.com/Virginiataylor
- Boxbraids $200 and up
- Twists $180 and up
- Weaving $150
- Locs $75 and up
Contact Info:
- Instagram: Outstanding1styles
- Facebook: https://www.Facebook.com/profile.php?id=100075802154045
- Others: https://outstandingstylesbraidingweaving.booksy.com/s
Image Credits
Peigh Shots by Patrick
Q Productions by Q
