We were lucky to catch up with Taylor DeSanto recently and have shared our conversation below.
Taylor, appreciate you joining us today. Do you think your parents have had a meaningful impact on you and your journey?
I was raised by a mother & stepfather who worked multiple jobs to achieve a better life, not just for them but for my siblings and I. From a young age I watched them make sacrifice after sacrifice, spend long days– sometimes months away, doing everything in their power for their family. My stepfather served this country for 20+ years, my mother with three young kids holding down the fort, working three jobs while achieving her real estate license as he was away. What they did right was teach me what it means to earn something, that if I want something I am entitled to nothing and that no one is going to give it to me I have to get it myself. What they did right was accept me for exactly who I am and taught me to run with it. All my talents I was told to use as a tool, to never let them use me. The impact it’s had in my life and career is something I pride myself on. I am a strong independent young woman, who has earned absolutely everything I have ever achieved through hard work, consistency, dedication, faith, and patience. Those values were instilled in me by the two people who have always believed in me most, and I have carried them and those lessons with me every step of my career and proven time and time again that you get what you earn.
Taylor, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?
When I was 19 I dropped out of college, I was a psych major looking into helping families. At the time I was going through some pretty rough experiences and needed to find my way back. I worked three different jobs for a year before coming back to the idea of cosmetology school. It was something I thought over throughout my teen years but so many people told me I wouldn’t be living up to my potential so I kept putting it on the back burner out of fear and doubt that no one would take me seriously. I decided to attend The Aveda Institute of Phoenix shortly after my 20th birthday and it opened up a new world to me better than the one I had imagined. I knew deep down all I ever wanted to do was use my creative outlet and help people at the same time, all while being able to support myself. This industry allowed me to do just that. It’s allowed me to meet so many different people, of all backgrounds, opened up doors into events like New York Fashion Week to work with some of the highest brands such as Nike. It’s allowed me to work behind the chair and teach other stylists, its allowed me to work my way up into management positions.
I currently work behind the chair at a salon in Scottsdale called Waters+ Company. I use Aveda products that are vegan friendly and naturally made from our Earth. I excel in color services such as Balayage, Creative Color, and Blondes. I pride myself on achieving results my clients ask for all while maintaining the integrity of their hair. I’m most proud of having a relationship with my clients that is built on trust, honesty, and communication. It is very important to me that my clients understand step by step our plan for their hair, whether it’s the financial aspect of it or the after care aspect of it. I think it sets me apart that I am genuinely concerned for the health of your hair. I want potential clients to know that I am very passionate and committed to you the second you sit in my chair. That you will never be left in limbo or unsure of what is happening. That I understand these services take time and money and I am always willing to find a way that best suits your time and budget. Nothing is more important than making someone feel their absolute best,
What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?
The most rewarding aspect of being an artist has been and always will be the joy I bring to other people. Everyday people wake up and look in the mirror and have all these misconceptions about who they are based off of standards set by the rest of society. So much so that they start to believe them, become afraid of them, become insecure over them, and everyday I meet people who just want to be who they want without fear, this talent of mine helps me help them see just how amazing they are exactly how they are, Whether its with a new edgier cut or bright colors or just soft hues of browns and reds. It is so rewarding to turn peoples days, lives, self image and more around, it makes me feel like I’ve made a difference. I have clients who come from all over to see me, because they know in my chair they are completely and utterly safe.
We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.
When I decided to embark on this journey, I had so many people tell me this was a bad idea. They would say to me ‘You just want to be a hairdresser?’ with such disdain in their voices or disappointment in their eyes. Whether it was bosses, coworkers, friends, they just couldn’t believe I would do something that in their eyes was just a side gig, something to pass the time until I found a “Real Job” whatever that is. I was told I was wasting my brains, my potential, that I wouldn’t last in the industry longer than a year because I wouldn’t be able to make money and support myself. At times it did weigh heavy, when I was working days from 9am-7pm as an assistant and missing out on all the things my friends were doing on the weekends, I found myself wondering if I was making the right choices, because a lot of people around me didn’t think I was. I had to re-wire the way I thought, I had to truly grab onto the immensity of the notion that this is MY life and no one has ever walked these shoes or felt what I feel or been through what I been through so why would I even dare allow them to astray me from what I was most passionate about. I’m glad I stuck to my guns and didn’t follow the insecurities they were projecting. I’m seven years into this now and absolutely thriving. I have an amazing clientele, I work in an amazing location, I just bought my first home, and all while able to express myself how I see fit through my work. I am actively living out a dream and not many can say that. It’s a blessing and an honor to do so.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @hairgoddess_tayy