Today we’d like to introduce you to Taylore Woods.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Taylore. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
My story begins with my parents getting into the haircare industry over 30 years ago. They left their 9-5 jobs and decided to start their own product line named after my sister Ashley, and myself, called Ashtae. When I graduated from UNC Chapel Hill in 2013, I had the opportunity to either keep working in Chapel Hill or join the family business full-time. After writing a detailed Pro/Con list, I took the leap to join the family business. Through Ashtae, I’ve had the flexibility to really find my way, hone my gifts, and explore anything and everything. I started my own property management company on the side called TayloreMade, LLC and even took time off to work at other places all around the U.S.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
I don’t think anyone who ever became an entrepreneur has faced a smooth road. There have been times where I 100% quit and thought I wasn’t coming back because the dynamics of a family business, especially in the beginning, can be tough. Boundaries between parent/daughter and employer/employee can be crossed if there aren’t established and clear cut lines. In 2016, I shipped my car to California, rented a room from a girl, and started applying for jobs out there. I still have one of the application videos I created to this day. But I kept getting pulled back emotionally. I knew I needed to be with Ashtae. It took years to get to a point of mutual respect and appreciation for each others’ expertise and knowledge in the company. I’m grateful we are there now.
Ashtae Products – what should we know? What do you do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
I’m the CEO of our family businesses. I’m formally the CEO of Ashtae Products, a professional haircare brand that sells products to licensed cosmetologists across the U.S., Canada, and Caribbean Islands. We also sell online retail to the general public. I also manage TayloreMade, LLC which is a property management company for residential short and long-term rentals. Lastly, I help my parents with their commercial real estate, WO9 Enterprise, and their personal brand, Mike and Mona. They have a monthly membership for entrepreneurs, events, and online courses.
So that’s what I do (in short!). It’s a lot, but honestly I love it. My gift is finding technologies to streamline organizations that in turn increase profits and reduce wasteful expenses. I happen to do that in a variety of capacities and hope to do that for other small businesses in the future.
What is “success” or “successful” for you?
I define success as my overall impact on my generation. While I’ve achieved certain levels of success in some areas, I feel as though my mission and purpose of impacting millennials isn’t complete. Success for me would be influencing my generation to take risks and do the same for their families – become the CEO of your family. I think when I see that, I will really feel as though my purpose is being fulfilled.
Contact Info:
- Address: 1325 S Eugene St
Greensboro, NC 27406 - Website: www.ashtae.com
- Phone: 336-272-1115
- Email: twoods@ashtae.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/ohemgeetaylore or www.instagram.com/ashtaeproducts
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/ashtaeproducts
- Twitter: www.twitter.com/ashtaeproducts
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/ashtae-products-greensboro?osq=ashtae+products
Image Credit:
Dubai Photos – Wayne Robinson, Headshot – Andre Dawson, Other product photos – (Ashtae Staff)
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