Rising Stars: Meet Taelor Quay

Today we’d like to introduce you to Taelor Quay. 

Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
Much like many other stylist, I started showing interest in this career path as a little girl. I did all my dolls’ hair, then friends, then family, then I decided after touring several colleges that this was definitely the path I wanted to take! Straight out of high school I enrolled and Paul Mitchell the school Columbus, where I learned the very basics and proceeded my education at a big-name salon in Columbus. Ten years ago, that was the place to be! 

I worked in that salon for about eight years, doubling as an educator for the new talent. After the hair trends started evolving past what we’d ever seen before, I started to outgrow my salon and moved to another salon in Dublin OH. This salon brought back the passion I started this career with. I traveled to various states and attended many classes leveling up my education. I gained a true confidence and learned so much in my year of working there- yet life circumstances pushed me into migrating to be my own boss. I started at a Salon Lofts just before getting married in 2020. Shortly after starting my own business, we were rocked with pandemic and a pregnancy! 

Returning from my maternity leave in end of 2020, I started at a brand-new booth rent salon called Kalon in the Worthington suburb of Columbus. Currently, I work alongside some of the most talented individuals in our area. 

As a working momma, I spend my off days chasing my toddler around and exploring new places between my hometown of Bellefontaine and my workplace in Columbus. 

I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
It has not been a smooth road! Anything but. Moving salons is a hairy situation (ha, pun intended) but my first salon had a non-compete which forced me to completely restart my entire clientele. My 8 years of literal blood, sweat, and tears growing 150+ clients were no longer mine for a year. Restarting career like that is very humbling! And then starting my own business and shortly after getting hit with the pandemic was more than a struggle, mentally mostly. Throw a pregnancy on there and whew! It was a tough thing to navigate, but I do believe all these obstacles put me in the correct place. 

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I am a hairstylist specializing in blonding and lived in color & extensions. Hair wellness is a top priority for me and I believe educating my clients is the most important part of maintaining healthy hair. 

If we knew you growing up, how would we have described you?
As I stated earlier, I’ve always had an interest in hair, so many of my side hustles included styling hair for events! Aside from that, I have a larger, blended family, so we stayed busy! 

I grew up in a smaller town of Bellefontaine, OH and graduated from a small country school where I still have the best friends I made while there. 

Contact Info:

• Website: www.topknottae.com
• Instagram: @Topknottae
• Facebook: www.Facebook.com/topknottae
• Other: Google my business Top Knot Tae LLC

Image Credits
Kayla Bell