The News, July 29, 2004
Scott Taylor Salon
For Scott Taylor, working with "real" people is better than working with glamorous stars.
Taylor ought to know, having been a regular on national television in the 1990s, doing makeovers
on shows such as Vicki, Leeza, Mike & Matty, Crook & Chase, Talk of the Town, as well
as a two-year continual segment on AM Nashville.
Taylor said he has heard from other producers in the business that shows such as these spawned
the extreme makeover mania seen on TV today.
When he opened Scott Taylor Salon in 1996 after several years working with the big names in
Hollywood and Los Angeles, he said he welcomed the chance to work in a "real" environment.
"We offer hair and nails, but what we specialize in is a sophisticated blend of offerings in
the way that we don't focus so much on the trendy stuff, although we do do a lot of that.
"But our focus is developing fantastic looking hair so that the individual always looks
fantastic," said Taylor.
"We do a tremendous amount of color work, corrective color work, glamour work. The type of
work that we do is highly sophisticated."
He was a stylist for stars such as Barbara Walters and Diane Sawyer, and daytime talkshow
personalities Leeza Gibbons and Vicki Lawrence during his time on the West Coast.
He said doing whatever was asked of him, which included making himself available at all
hours of the day and night to fly to wherever one of those ladies needed him, led to his
being selected to head the Academy Awards from 1991 to 1993.
The first show earned him an Emmy for Best Production, and he is proud to bring his efforts
to customers in Nashville.
By conversing with his clients, Taylor said he can determine what style works best for them.
It doesn't take very long.
"I've been doing hair for more than 25 years. So no one can really believe that you can get
all that information in just 30 seconds.
"But doing all those television shows, some of them were live on camera, and we had just about
that much time to size up the individuals that we were going to do and get them ready for
the show," he said.
He said life in the big city was surreal and coming to Nashville was a "soulful" experience
that allowed him to experience what real life is about.
"The people here and the environment they produce was as rich and plush as the greenery and
the mountains that surround us."
"They have been so supportive, they have been true and warm.... This experience in Nashville
has been ... so far greater and richer than anything I ever experienced in Los Angeles,"
said Taylor.
"If you've lived where I've lived and done what I've done, when you come to a place like this,
it's very clear why I'm here. It's wonderful, primarily because studio work, even doing hair
there in a salon, there's a sense of surrealness. It's not real. Coming here to this town
has given me the ability to take off the rose-colored glasses to really see and feel and
experience what real life is all about. It has been incredible. Just fantastic."
Taylor said part of the challenge of his new location is getting rid of the misconception
about the type of person he is.
"In spite of what people see, what they hear as far as where I've come from and what I've
done, they automatically assume I fit into a certain type of mold.
"I think the biggest challenge has been really trying to fit in. To really be natural, for
a guy who lived in a very unnatural society for so long, it was kind of awkward for me at
first. I didn't know really how to be myself ... and be comfortable here," he said.
"Those who have taken the time to know me have taught me that it's really okay to be
myself and enjoy life."
He said the biggest reward in owning the salon is he's able to create an atmosphere
where everyone can feel as though they have a place there and be comfortable, and not
having to worry about unpleasant gossip.
"You feel that people here care about you, they care about your needs, they love you.
"We recognize that truly, without them, we wouldn't have what we have. Without their
support and who they are, we wouldn't be where we'd be.
"The privilege to serve is a great experience that some people don't get," he said.
He welcomes input from clients and said people may even come in with pictures of what
they want done to their hair.
"It's all about them, it's not about us. The narcissistic mentality doesn't exist here."
Taylor has four stylists that work for him and is currently searching for others.
Taylor said it all adds up to an experience clients are sure to enjoy.
"People can pretty much walk in and know they're going to walk out just thrilled to no
end."
He credits famous stylists Paul Mitchell, Vidal Sassoon and Jon Peters for inspiring him.
He said if he started over, he's do nothing different.
"I never tire of this job, I never tire of what we do as far as elevating us to higher
levels of excellence. We don't ever feel like we're lax," he said.
"My greatest accomplishment of all," Taylor said, "is my wife, Tiffany, and my four
beautiful children."
As advice to young entrepreneurs, Taylor said a person must be willing to admit he or
she doesn't know everything and be willing to learn.
|
|
1394 County Hwy 283, Building 10 / Santa Rosa Beach, FL / 850-231-0605 / By Appointment Only
|
|
|
|
