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Following Instincts Can Lead to Beauty Success

Rebecca Taylor | Honey Hair Lab

Rebecca Taylor | Honey Hair Lab 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 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 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 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.”

Etowah Reception Desk Etowah Reception Desk
Etowah Reception Desk Etowah Reception Desk

 

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.

Cayman Shampoo System in Bark Brown with White Bowl

Cayman Shampoo System in Bark Brown with White Bowl

The Cayman Shampoo System beautifully combines functionality, comfort, and style in a way that is sure to elevate not only the look of your salon, but the client’s experience as well. Completely covered in smooth vinyl, the Cayman features high density foam cushioning with memory for maximum comfort, polished stainless steel armrests, reinforced double stitching, a reclining footrest, heavy duty 5/8” thick 7-ply plywood and steel reinforced frames, white ceramic tilting bowl, premium gel neck rest, basket strainer, spray hose, UPC and cUPC certified fixtures, and flexible drain line. This shampoo system meets California TB117 Fire Retardant Standards. Floor plumbing recommended. *Can be used as a backwash or sidewash

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Pagani Styling Chair in Bark Brown

Pagani Styling Chair in Bark Brown

The Pagani Styling Chair will bring a retro and unique flair to any salon setting. Completely covered in smooth vinyl, the Pagani features retro angled upholstered armrests, floating backrest for easy cleaning, high density foam cushioning with memory for maximum support, an overstuffed seat cushion, and a modern stainless steel T-shaped footrest. Add an abstract and one-of-a-kind style to your salon space with the Pagani Styling Chair.

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Seminole Retail Display

Seminole Retail Display

Introducing Series II of Minerva Reclaimed - Featuring centuries old reclaimed woods, hammered zinc countertops and hand-sculpted iron frames, this line of styling stations, retail displays, reception desks and manicure tables combines craftsmanship, eco-friendly designs, and functionality in a way that has never been done in the salon industry. By repurposing the wood, Minerva believes that this has a positive effect on slowing the destruction of old forests.

The Seminole Retail Display features a hammered zinc top with natural patina, welded iron frame, heavy duty antique casters, three shelves, and solid reclaimed rough-sawn Elm construction. Dimensions: Countertop: 39" wide x 18" deep x 1.75" tall, Base: 36" wide x 15" deep x 32" tall, Shelves: 36" wide x 10" deep x 1.25" tall, Space between shelves: 12".

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Apalachee Retail Display

Apalachee Retail Display

Introducing Series II of Minerva Reclaimed - Featuring centuries old reclaimed woods, hammered zinc countertops and hand-sculpted iron frames, this line of styling stations, retail displays, reception desks and manicure tables combines craftsmanship, eco-friendly designs, and functionality in a way that has never been done in the salon industry. By repurposing the wood, Minerva believes that this has a positive effect on slowing the destruction of old forests.

The Apalachee Reclaimed Retail Display features a "ladder-styled" steel frame and reclaimed elm shelves that are braced with steel for an incredibly solid retail display. The crown moldings add an upscale look. Simple, open & elegant, the Apalachee will put the spotlight on your retail products while complimenting the design of your salon.

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Lakota Single Sided Styling Station

Lakota Single Sided Styling Station

Introducing Series II of Minerva Reclaimed - Featuring centuries old reclaimed woods, hammered zinc countertops and hand-sculpted iron frames, this line of styling stations, retail displays, reception desks and manicure tables combines craftsmanship, eco-friendly designs, and functionality in a way that has never been done in the salon industry. By repurposing the wood, Minerva believes that this has a positive effect on slowing the destruction of old forests.

The Lakota Single Sided Styling Station features a hammered zinc countertop, welded iron frame, heavy duty antique casters, and solid reclaimed rough-sawn Elm construction. Dimensions: Mirror (outside frame): 39" wide x 48.5" tall, Mirror (inside frame): 28.5" wide x 37" tall, Countertop: 39" wide x 21.75" deep x 1.75" tall, Floor to countertop: 32" tall.

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Etowah 5ft. Reception Desk

Etowah 5ft. Reception Desk

Introducing Series II of Minerva Reclaimed - Featuring centuries old reclaimed woods, hammered zinc countertops and hand-sculpted iron frames, this line of styling stations, retail displays, reception desks and manicure tables combines craftsmanship, eco-friendly designs, and functionality in a way that has never been done in the salon industry. By repurposing the wood, Minerva believes that this has a positive effect on slowing the destruction of old forests.

The Etowah 5 ft. Reception Desk features a zinc countertop, welded iron frame, heavy duty antique casters, and solid reclaimed rough-sawn Elm construction.

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Aluminum Mobile Service Tray

Aluminum Mobile Service Tray

This aluminum mobile service tray is perfect for salon and spas. Features include black base, removable aluminum tray, and adjustable height stand from 27" - 42". Work Top Surface: 11.5" x 16.5"

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Medusa Infrared Color Hair Processor

Medusa Infrared Color Hair Processor

The Medusa speeds up the color setting process up to 7 times faster for cream based hair color. See features and specifications below:

Features:

    • 1 Fixed Lamp
    • 4 Adjustable Lamps on flexible 17.5" arms
    • Height Adjustable Mobile Stand
    • 10.5 Amps
    • 750 Watts
    • CE Approved
    • 110 / 120 Volts
    • 5 Individual Adjustable Temperature Settings - One for Each Lamp
    • Maximum footprint: 47" W x 22.5" D x 67-76" H
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Partex Bleach Guard™ Royale Shampoo Towels in Black 12 Pack

Partex Bleach Guard™ Royale Shampoo Towels in Black 12 Pack

Partex Bleach Guard™ Royale Shampoo Towels in Black come in a pack of 12. At 15x29", they are the perfect size for use at your shampoo stations. This salon towel offers the Partex Bleach Guard™ advanced bleach-resistant material with advanced hemming to increase the towel's durability and useful life. Perfect for upscale spas offering facials, manicures, pedicures, massage and aesthetic treatments.

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