We were lucky to catch up with Taylor Eppard recently and have shared our conversation below.

Taylor, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today We’d love to hear about the best boss, mentor, or leader you’ve ever worked with.

Most stylists can tell you that finding a “best boss” in the industry is no easy task. Finding that diamond in the rough salon owner has taken me 10 years. My first bosses had me ready to leave the industry all together. When I first branched out onto my own, the location I was at felt very corporate still. The second location was easily the worst decision I’ve made as a renter. I could talk about that forever. Where I am now though has completely changed everything. The owners of the My Salon Suite I currently rent my suite out of are the most amazing people I’ve come across in this industry.
I’ve built such a close relationship to Darlene, she’s like a mentor to me without even realizing it. I have never had someone believe in me as much as she does. She is constantly praising me and reminding me how much I’m worth, even when I don’t feel it. She never lets me settle for anything less then. She gives me advice any time I ask her. She has taken such an interest in my growth when she truly is just the “landlord” over my suite. She takes her role as so much more than just collecting rent as other owners I’ve dealt with.
When I first moved in, she did everything she could to make my transition easy as I also just became a new mom. She has let me build my business within her business and gives me no walls. She is constantly reassuring me of my potential in the industry and having someone so positive in my corner is just something I cherish so deeply. She is truly one of the most amazing people I’ve ever come across. She’s truthfully probably my biggest fan, she’s the first person who’s ever believed in me to the extent she does. I can’t even put into words how much she’s impacted my career just by constantly being that positive voice. If I doubt myself, she’s the first to snap me out of it. If I’m making a “questionable” decision, she’s the first to talk me through it.
There’s a reason her location stays 100% full and it’s her and her husband. They care so deeply about everyone in that building and it shows.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

I have been a licensed cosmetologist since 2013. I own Wanderlust Salon. I specialize in blonding and lived in color services such as coppers, brunettes, and balayage. I also specialize in formal styling and own Wanderlust Bridal which has 10 employees in the 2023-2024 season.
I put my clients hair health first. My goal with each client is to make their hair appointment not just about their hair, but also self care. A lot of my clients are moms or over work themselves and just need a break. I believe I get to instill confidence while giving them the pampering they deserve.

I’ve also recently become an educator for color, haircutting and formal styling and I’ve grown such a passion for that. I love getting to expand my knowledge and use it to help other stylists grow their careers. Every stylist I have mentored can tell you I preach this industry should not be a competition. We can all be successful and we should all work as a team to grow.

In this industry I want to be remembered for making a difference in someone’s self worth. Whether that be a client, a stylist or someone who follows me on social media. I want everyone to truly believe in themselves and see the beauty they have from the inside out. The world is ugly enough, we need more positivity and I hope that through my business I can be that positive influence. I want to be the best part of someone’s every day.
I hope the mark I leave on this world is a positive one. This industry gives me so much of a platform to do so.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

The most rewarding part of my job is seeing clients light up because I made them feel beautiful. It’s so rewarding seeing stylists in awe when they have that ah-ha moment where I know they left my class with a skill they can implement in their careers everyday.

I get to use my artistic talents to change clients perspective of themselves to a positive one. I get to use my talents and education to help stylists grow their careers.

There are very little things that are more rewarding than making a positive influence on someone’s life.

We’d love to hear the story of how you built up your social media audience?

Social media is absolutely the hardest part of my job. After a long day behind the chair, after responding to messages all day long, the last thing I want to do sometimes is spend hours putting together content. It truly can be exhausting. My biggest piece of advice is to make social media work for you, do not make yourself work for social media. Do not let social media be the cause of your burn out. It can be such an amazing tool for your business but you have to make it yours. Don’t compare yourself to influencers you see, you’re not that person. Social media can be anything you want it to be. Trying to be something your not is what makes it exhausting. Find your niche and make that what your social media is about. Make your social media reflect what you want out of your business and that’s exactly what will happen. Don’t over complicate it. Make it fun or you’ll never enjoy it.

I’m able to make so much content off 1 client and during my downtime and then I just schedule my posts. For so long I spent hours each day trying to perfect a caption, get the perfect angle, get the perfect video and then having 10 views. It felt like I was drained and it would never pay off. Now, I post whatever I feel like it, whenever I feel like it. I no longer look at the influencers in my industry and compare, I look at them and congratulate their success knowing I’m on my way there.
There’s no handbook on social media because it should be yours.
I like posting the colors I want to do in salon, educational posts, funny stories & random things that bring me joy. I no longer try to copy the big names and I’m making my own mark. I cannot express enough how much that’s changed how I view social media.

Now, it’s still a job. Now it’s just a job that enhances my career, not exhausts me.      

Contact Info:

• Website: tayloreppard.glossgenius.com
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/teppdoeshair
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/teppdoeshair?mibextid=LQQJ4d
• Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@teppdoeshair?_t=8dRmiVlg7UB&_r=1