Eric Taylor
Eric Taylor is the founder and CEO of Salon Republic, a leader in the salon studio concept offering modern private studio space to over 1,000 independent beauty professionals in 15 locations across three states. Eric is also the host of the new podcast The Hair Game, where he interviews some of the most interesting people in the industry, shares valuable and insightful business tips for salon pros and gives a behind the scene look into the inner workings at SR.
What does a “typical” day look like for Eric?
Each day has typical elements and atypical elements to it. I typically wake up at 6 to 630, I grab my phone and check my email from the night and early morning. I get 100-150 emails a day so I have to stay on it. I respond to any emergency emails right away, then I check my texts, then I go to Instagram. I’ll be on Instagram for about 30 mins responding to comments and DMs, I’ll check stories, and I’ll go to the feed if I’m not in a hurry. Then I’m out of bed, normal bathroom routine, then downstairs for a fast, small breakfast, usually yogurt and fruit. Kiss the kids and wife then in the car for 25 mins to SR HQ in Woodland Hills. I love the drive because it’s rare time I can control. I usually listen to a book or podcast. Current book is “Principles” by Ray Dalio. I listen to a mix of about 10 go-to podcasts, a mix of daily news, hair industry stuff and general business/philosophy. When I walk from my car to the office, I remind myself why SR exists…to help our beauty pros be happy and successful. That’s our guiding principal.
Each day’s schedule is different, but it’s typically a mix of meetings about things like existing salon issues, new salon issues, digital media analysis/planning, salon education, our beauty supplies, vendor relationships, finance updates, legal issues etc. Many meetings require additional work which falls into the category of desk time, where I’ll also try to stay on top of my email. About three days a week, I’m out of the office driving around to the salons for any number of reasons from construction meetings, to spending time with our salon managers or hairdressers, to filming for The Hair Game. I’m on my phone as much as possible between meetings to engage on Instagram and text and stay on top of my emails. It’s a non-stop barrage of things trying get my attention. Managing how I spend my time and attention is priority #1.
I’ll typically be on my way home at about 7pm. About three days a week I’ll stop into the gym for a 15-20 min workout before getting home. I’ll eat whatever’s for dinner, play and read with the kids, then lay in bed with my wife while I do some combination of read, engage on Instagram, or watch tv. I’m usually out cold by 10:30pm.
Tell us everything we need to know about Salon Republic?
That’s too long of a question to answer here, but I’ll give you the important points- I worked for the man who first created the studio salon concept in the 90s in TX. I spent a year working for him unpaid while I lived with my parents. It was clear to me then that beauty pros could be happier and more successful in a personally-designed and controlled studio if they also had the luxury of being around other like-minded beauty pros. I moved back to LA in ’99 and opened our first location in Studio City. Gradually, since then, I have opened new locations at a faster pace while trying to improve what we were doing along the way. We now have 12 locations and 1,000 beauty pros with two locations under construction. We hope to open six more locations next year. Every day is a challenge to find new ways to make our salons better. We provide things like towel service, in-salon beauty supplies, well-trained full-time managers, weekly free education and marketing support at our locations. We always have new amenities that we’re trying out. Our goal is to offer a hybrid of a commission salon and beauty pro’s own store-front salon.
What was your first job in professional beauty?
Technically, my first job, although unpaid, was working for the guy who started the studio salon concept. My first paid job in pro beauty was the manager of our first SR location in Studio City…and I didn’t actually get paid for months after I opened that salon.
What is the biggest challenge you face in your career?
The biggest challenge is managing my time so I can do everything I need to. A corollary to this is staying focused. It’s very difficult to make judgements as to how my time should be spent and then trust and commit to that judgement, while remaining flexible and humble enough to change direction as soon as it seems wise.
You have been in the industry for quite some time, have you ever secretly wanted to get your cosmetology license?
Great question that I’ve never been asked! I have wanted to get licensed for years and I regret not doing it in the mid-2000’s when I had the time. Now, the opportunity cost is just too high. I’ve looked into different ways to do it, but can’t seem to fit it in. So, for now, I have a doll head on a tripod in my office and various tools, shears, combs etc and I watch youtube videos and cut hair, usually later in the evening before I go home. I find it fun and it relieves stress. I’ve tried to cut my kids hair but my wife won’t let me.
What terrible hairstyle have you been guilty of rocking?
My hair is difficult to manage. (I know everyone says that) The texture changes from one side to the other and the curl is inconsistent. Think Kramer from Seinfeld. So my worst styles were simply my futile efforts to tame it into something it was never going to be. Imagine the shape of the cloud that a nuclear bomb makes after detonation.
What’s so great about this industry and why?
It’s an amazing combination of necessity and art, of science and creativity, and of commerce and human connectivity. It’s crazy in its diversity, and yet boring in its predictability. It provides almost anything to anyone who wants to engage with it, from a shampoo tech to an international celebrity educator, from a scientist who finds a new way to ______, to an MBA who runs the international conglomerate. It satisfies our vices yet keeps us healthy. It is inextricably human.
Your job has allowed you to meet a lot of stylists. What one key trait do you think all awesomely, successful stylists share?
They like, and are good at making connections with, people.
You have two of the cutest kids ever. How do you balance it all?
THANKS! Before getting married, my wife and I chose to have a specialized partnership. I focus primarily on SR, and she focuses entirely on our kids and home. Because we focus, we think we can be extra good at each of our roles. She approaches her role like a tactician, she studies schools, diets, kids psychology etc. Knowing that they’re all taken care of so well, I can focus on SR during the day. Since SR has grown, I don’t travel as much, so I usually see the kids each morning and evening, which is pretty good, I think. On the weekends, I’m fully engaged with the kids.
If you were a cocktail, what would you be?
I’d be a margarita- I can occasionally be serious and elevated, but am mostly informal and a lot of fun.
Where can people stalk you?
@4EricTaylor
@SalonRepublic