Salon Republic Founder and CEO Eric Taylor to take over the reins to guide the Beauty Federation into its next chapter.
The Professional Beauty Federation is pleased to announce Salon Republic founder, Eric Taylor, has been named Board Chair and CEO. In his new role, Taylor will be responsible for driving the beauty/barbering association’s growth, expanding the breadth and scope of its advocacy on behalf of beauty professionals, establishment owners and other industry stakeholders, and deepening the Beauty Federation’s relationships within the industry.
Taylor’s Salon Republic was the first studio-concept salon in California, the largest beauty and barbering economy in the nation. His first site was opened in Southern California in 2000, and now Salon Republic has over 22 locations in four states. Taylor aims to bring his entrepreneurial spirit to the Beauty Federation, as the trade association embarks on a number of new initiatives to serve its growing membership and continue to build its influence and stature among industry professionals, policymakers, regulators and the general public.
Eric Taylor is looking forward to taking the PBFC to a new level, stating: “The beauty industry has been good to me, and I want to give back. The PBFC’s mission is simple and one that I have been committed to since beginning Salon Republic, namely: raising the professional tide to lift the livelihoods and businesses of everyone in the barbering and beauty sector.”
Taylor will set out to expand the benefits of joining the Professional Beauty Federation for hairstylists, barbers, nail techs, estheticians and other beauty professionals. He will lead the vision, strategy and expansion of education initiatives both in-person and virtual, while informing our elected and regulatory officials, as well as the general public, about the vibrant, honorable and indispensable nature of our trade. Taylor and his Board colleagues will lead the Beauty Federation team and membership to reach a stronger level of advocacy for the critical issues facing the beauty industry now and in the future, especially as the industry recovers from the devastating impacts of the Covid pandemic.
PBFC Founder and former Board Chair, Bob Gross, welcomed Eric Taylor into his new leadership role, affirming “Eric’s enthusiasm and can-do attitude, as well as the respect and connections he’s earned and developed in our industry, will give an immediate and sustaining boost to the PBFC mission and help lift the lives of all whom we serve.” Fellow PBFC Founder and President and Chair Emeritus, Ted Nelson, added: “Eric’s thoughtful demeanor and acquired insights will well serve our beloved industry in his new servant-leader capacity. Eric will build upon our record of accomplishments, developed over the past two decades, propelling the PBFC to the next level of success and influence.”
The Professional Beauty Federation has served California beauty industry since 1999, stepping up its profile in a big way during the Covid lockdowns, defending industry professionals from their devastating impacts. The PBFC filed a series of federal lawsuits against the unjustified statewide lockdowns of our safe salons, spas and shops, as well as spearheaded a statewide grassroots and media-focused demonstrations campaign that successfully pressured Governor Newsom into reopening our safe skin, hair and nails shops. To help get our industry professionals back on their feet, the PBFC has assisted over 10,000 beauty professionals obtain the 100% forgivable federal PPP loans (and continues to work with each of them through the forgiveness process).
The Federation has now turned its efforts to leading a significant, nationwide campaign to get more stimulus money for hard-hit salon owners by creating a seamless, online/telephonic service that guides employers through the complexities of the Employee Retention Tax Credit (ERC). The Employee Retention Credit was launched by the federal government in 2020, but recent changes in the law have expanded eligibility to many businesses that previously did not qualify, including those salons that have already received a PPP loan. The Beauty Federation just helped a Fantastic Sam’s franchise owner qualify for over $180,000 in ERC payments. The owner had no idea he was entitled to these funds, having been assured by his trusted accountant he didn’t qualify; nor did he know how to amend his quarterly 941s to apply retroactively, so the Beauty Federation team provided a turnkey solution, doing all of the paperwork and filings on his behalf.