A Journey into Entrepreneurship in the Salon Industry by Rebecca Taft
- Owl's Brew
- Mar 28, 2024
- 3 min read
Even as a kid I had always been interested in cutting hair. Yep, I was that girl that cut my
Barbie dolls’ hair. (No regrets, my Malibu Barbie rocked the Dorothy Hamill haircut I gave her
with my mom’s cuticle scissors!) I’ve been working in the salon industry for over 25 years and
after finishing my MBA I finally opened a salon of my own, in 2021. During a
pandemic…because why not?!
To say it’s been hard is an understatement, but to say it’s been a huge, fun, learning experience is the truth. I rented space at a salon prior to opening my own, so I’d already been working for myself, essentially, for 15 years. When I lie awake at night wondering if I’m marketing correctly, if my Google ads are optimized efficiently, how I’m going to pay my rent AND make a profit, it’s stressful. But it’s like taking care of a baby: if I’m going to worry about anybody’s baby, it’s going to be MY baby!
Most of my career has been spent working around women, and just a few men (both gay and
straight). It’s interesting when I talk to female clients who are engineers or work in a typically
male dominated workplace, because their experience is so different from mine. I sometimes
wish I had more male colleagues, but typically that’s not what the salon industry looks like.
Since I’m currently working solo and looking to attract renters to my salon (as many salons are)
I get a lot of stress relief and camaraderie from my friends at the gym. We see each other
multiple times throughout the week and occasionally socialize together. I also still have some
close friends from business school but none of them are entrepreneurs. It’s hard for them to
relate to what my life looks like: I’m not getting a paycheck every two weeks, I don’t get paid
vacations (aside: I’ve NEVER had paid vacations) and that sometimes I have way too much free
time on my hands when I’m not with a client (which also means I’m not generating revenue). It’s very stressful, but I love it.
I’m connected with some of the business programs at local colleges and universities, and I’m often invited to volunteer as a judge at their business competitions. Some of these students
have such great ideas and I’m so inspired by them! I wish I’d been half as creative as they are
and embraced twice the amount of risk I did at age 20, like they do. You have to be a certain
kind of person to be an entrepreneur; as one of my friends describes it: a fearless idiot.
I’m a little fried at the end of the week but I can’t imagine a better way to unwind than with some Owl’s Brew Blackberry Half & Half. The sun setting after a hot summer afternoon, some friends on my patio, and the chance to SIT after standing in the salon would be an excellent way to end my day.
-Rebecca Taft has been in the salon industry for over two decades. She received her MBA from
SUNY Albany in 2020 and after a brief career change away from salon life, she quickly realized
she missed being behind the chair. In 2021 she opened her own salon, Modern Hair, located at
116 Wolf Road in Albany, NY.
Really enjoyed this look into Rebecca Taft’s journey it’s inspiring to see her passion and drive shine through in the salon industry. The way she blends creativity and business smarts gives off such a confident, cool energy like a BTS Arirang Hoodie moment.
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This story about Rebecca Taft’s journey into entrepreneurship is truly inspiring and highlights the dedication and vision needed to build something meaningful. It’s always motivating to read about individuals turning passion into a successful career. As a parent, I value learning paths that encourage creativity and independence. While exploring topics like the New York University ranking, I noticed how strong educational foundations can support entrepreneurial thinking. Stories like this show how the right mindset and opportunities can lead to great achievements.
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Rebecca Taft’s journey into the salon industry showcases innovation, perseverance, and creative vision. From building a loyal client base to navigating business challenges, her story inspires aspiring entrepreneurs to pursue their passions with determination and strategy.
Just like wearing a 2049 blade runner coat instantly gives a bold, futuristic, and commanding presence, Taft’s entrepreneurial approach highlights confidence, style, and forward-thinking leadership—making a memorable impact in the competitive salon industry.
I love how honest and detailed Rebecca is about the realities of building something from the ground up in the salon world. Her story is such a good reminder that entrepreneurship isn’t always glamorous, but it can be deeply fulfilling when it aligns with what you genuinely love. It also made me think about how many salon owners and stylists are adding small side hustles—like selling products, partnering with brands, or even curating pieces from used clothing sites that fit their clients’ style—to diversify their income and express their creativity beyond the chair.