Today we’d like to introduce you to Taylor Abner.
Hi Taylor, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I fell in love with hair when I was 16 years old. I have 6 sisters so I had plenty of people to practice on. My little sister wanted Nicki Minaj bangs and I cut them entirely too short. I got into so much trouble but the excitement stayed with me. I convinced my parents to start letting me do my own hair and put a box dye on and turned my hair orange and my mom made me keep it to teach me a lesson but I loved rocking my carrot top. And when it faded to a gorgeous honey brown you couldn’t tell me anything! Then I learned how to braid and it just felt right. My mom is a teacher and so I followed in her footsteps. I would always find myself doing a students hair, convinced that it would help their confidence and reduce bullying. But I constantly got written up for it. Parents would ask me to sneak and do the kids hair or a parent would come and I’d do their hair during reading time. My bosses were not pleased with me and when Covid hit I was the one let go. I decided then to go back to school and the day I went to Remington College just to check it out they were starting a cosmetology class and as we toured I felt drawn to it all. My advisor was able to get me in the next day and I have been working in my passion now for 4 years now! I still get to use my psychology degree and my cosmetology skills to help bring out the best of someone and that’s what I pray for. To impact and improve others one person at time.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
The best part of the journey is often the hardest. I chose to go to cosmetology school in 2020 and were in the building for about 4 months when COVID turned everything on its heel. I am a visual learner and I do my best work hands on and up close next to the teacher. Virtual learning was my uphill battle. And just before my class ended I was hospitalized after a car accident and officially diagnosed with lupus. I had cancer when I was 19 years old and I had been in remission for 8 years but every issue that arose was attributed to the previous cancer and I went misdiagnosed for years. I had my family bring my laptop so that I could continue class from my hospital room. I had let school fall by the wayside before and I was determined not to again. I completed all my work and was released home in time for Christmas. When the band was lifted we were able to physically enter the building and get the hands on practice we needed to complete the practical test. My teachers encouraged me and pushed me to test even though I doubted my readiness and I passed both the written and practical with high scores. As we got into the elevator to leave tears streamed down because I was proud of all I had overcome to achieve this moment of success.
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I went with the name Taylor’s Touch because I wanted to let people know that I’m different, set apart from other stylist. I pray over my chair and my clients before they come to me. I set an atmosphere where you feel free to talk and share anything. I specialize in braids and locs. I always ask my clients to bring their inspiration pictures so that I can achieve as close to the style as possible. Hair is art for me. I love when my clients challenge me to learn something new. I’m honest with my clients and my prices are fair. I like to teach my clients how to care for their hair at home so that it’s healthy when they come back. My motto is J’adore tout le moi! Adore all of me! I’m invested in the entire wellbeing of my clients!
Any advice for finding a mentor or networking in general?
I would suggest following people on social media with a a similar style as you or who are already in the level you want to be and reaching out to see if they ate willing to mentor. Also when you first start out it’s best to work under someone until you gain the confidence and skills needed to carry your own business. I worked for someone for three years and I saw everything in the business, what I liked, what I didn’t like, what I could or wouldn’t change when it’s my own.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.styleseat.com/m/v/taylorabner3
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/taylorstouch28?igsh=YmduZjNwZ3Q5dWEw&utm_source=qr
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1NdPuQSqAm/?mibextid=wwXIfr
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/@taylorstouch?si=diJgaBCcMZE8Jz6P
