From Passion to Purpose: Taylor McMillen's Whiskey & Willow Salon in Prescott
Valerie Fox Photography
Whiskey and Willow Salon is a true standout in Prescott’s beauty scene, brought to life by the vision and hard work of owner Taylor McMillen. Resilience, determination, and a deep commitment to building an environment that uplifts both clients and team members have shaped her path from a young enthusiast with a love for hairstyling to a successful salon owner. Every detail of the salon reflects her dedication to quality and community, creating a place where people feel not only pampered but genuinely valued. Taylor’s journey serves as an inspiring reminder of what’s possible with passion and purpose.
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From Early Passion to Purposeful Career
Despite an early fascination with beauty—"I spent hours doing hair and makeup for my friends in high school," she recalls—Taylor initially followed a traditional path, enrolling in a community college in San Francisco. Feeling unfulfilled, she recognized that something was missing. "I always thought that college was the only option because that's what my teachers and parents emphasized," she says. The turning point came when she acknowledged her lack of passion for her studies and her father suggested she try beauty school. "I never thought of that as an option," she admits. "Once I started beauty school, I knew I was exactly where I was meant to be."
After years honing her craft alongside other Prescott hair stylists, Taylor's dream of opening Whiskey and Willow Salon began to take shape. Inspired by the supportive atmosphere of a salon in San Clemente and her mother's entrepreneurial spirit, Taylor aspired to create her own space—a space that genuinely values stylists and provides exceptional service to clients. “I wanted to build a space where women feel safe, beautiful, and truly accepted,” she says, highlighting her dedication to maintaining a warm, inclusive atmosphere at the salon where everyone feels connected and valued.
Taylor's mother's influence played a significant role in shaping her ambitions. "Watching my mother run her own business was a significant inspiration for me," Taylor shares. "She's always marched to the beat of her own drum." The independence she observed in her mother's entrepreneurial journey resonated deeply. The freedom and creativity inherent in hairstyling captivated Taylor, and she aspired to amplify that. "This industry can be cutthroat, and it's my true passion to connect like-minded women and create a space to help them thrive," she adds. "I know I've succeeded when all of my girls are thriving and at their happiest."
Navigating Challenges and Celebrating Successes
The journey to opening Whiskey and Willow Salon was not without its hurdles. From navigating complex permits to battling imposter syndrome, Taylor faced numerous sleepless nights. "I'm a perfectionist, and I wanted everything to be just right," she admits. Yet, the rewards have been immeasurable. Witnessing her team of Prescott hair stylists busy, happy, and thriving serves as a constant reminder of her accomplishments. "Every time I see the girls working and enjoying themselves, I feel an immense sense of pride," she adds.
One of the biggest challenges Taylor faced was ensuring that every detail of the hair salon in Prescott matched her perfect vision. "It was quite a task to ensure we had all the necessary licenses and permits," she admits. "I didn't want to skip a step or miss anything, so that definitely led to a lot of sleepless nights." Despite these obstacles, she remained steadfast in her mission. "I had dreamed of it for so long, and I am so proud every time all of the girls are at the shop, booked, busy, and happy," she says, reflecting on the success of her beauty salon in Prescott.
Cultivating a Supportive Culture and Core Values
At the heart of Whiskey and Willow Salon lies a culture of fun and genuine support. The salon radiates a welcoming, positive energy where stylists uplift and encourage one another. "We truly enjoy each other," Taylor says, highlighting the camaraderie that permeates the salon. The core values of Whiskey and Willow Salon encompass exceptional customer service, a commitment to continuous education, and a dedication to cutting-edge techniques and products offered by the best hair salon in Prescott.
Taylor believes that this positive atmosphere not only benefits her team but also enhances the client experience. "Positive energy and uplifting everyone that walks in the door is essential," she emphasizes. This spirit permeates the salon services at Whiskey and Willow in Prescott. "Our culture is fun, plain, and simple," she adds. "We have so much fun at work, and that really radiates when you walk in the door." This supportive environment sets them apart among Prescott hair stylists and contributes to their reputation as one of, if not the best, hair salons in Prescott.
Fostering Strong Client Relationships
Building trust with clients is paramount for Taylor. She champions transparency and honest communication. "Being open about a client's hair goals and what's realistically achievable creates a foundation of trust," she explains. At her hair salon in Prescott, thorough consultations are essential to understand each client's needs, including budget, lifestyle, and desired look.
Taylor understands that some stylists may be tempted to say yes to everything in order to secure business, but she believes honesty is the best policy. "Being real and sometimes telling clients that their goal is unattainable makes them respect you," she notes. Maintaining strong relationships also involves keeping up with trends and continuing education. "Keeping up with trends and taking care of yourself to show up for them is important," she declares. This approach ensures that the salon services offered at Whiskey and Willow are always top-notch.
"The consultation is one of the biggest parts of the service," Taylor emphasizes. "That's where you go over goals, how to achieve them, budget, and hair care to preserve your color or style." She encourages clients to bring inspiration photos and be honest about their hair history. This thorough approach helps the team understand and deliver on client expectations.
Adapting to a Fast-Changing Industry
In a rapidly evolving beauty industry, Taylor and her team stay ahead by engaging with top creators on social media, collaborating on fresh ideas, and investing in ongoing education. "The industry has undergone significant changes over the years, which keeps us constantly adapting," she reflects. From simple highlights to complex hair extensions, Whiskey and Willow Salon's adaptability ensures they remain a premier choice among Prescott hair stylists.
"Techniques and services have done a full 180 in the last ten years," Taylor observes. "We've had to change the way we book, formulate, and generally operate due to the changes in our industry." She cites the evolution of blonding services as an example. "Back in the day, women would get a simple highlight—now a blonding service includes highlights, balayage, root melting, toning, etc. It's not just a simple single-process color anymore." The same applies to aesthetics, where new techniques emerge almost daily. "Our girls are on top of getting the best and newest products to stay ahead," she says, ensuring that their salon services remain cutting-edge.
Signature Services and Expertise
While renowned for their expertise in blonding and vibrant colors, the team's skills at Whiskey and Willow Salon extend far beyond that. Taylor takes pride in the diverse talents of her stylists, whether in precision haircuts or vivid color transformations. Upstairs, clients can indulge in top-tier waxing, facials, and lash treatments from highly skilled specialists. "We have a great mix of stylists who excel in different areas, so there's something for everyone," she says. Taylor draws inspiration from her team's dedication, motivating her to continue delivering her best work at the best hair salon in Prescott.
Taylor highlights the exceptional skills of the specialists upstairs. "We have Kelly, our waxing specialist, who is gentle and extremely knowledgeable and professional," she shares. "Lindsey is a queen when it comes to facials; her extensive knowledge and background in the medical field sets her apart from most estheticians in town." Danielle, who excels in lashes and brows, is another asset to the team. "Her favorite service is brows—you wouldn't think that a simple tint, lamination, and wax would do much, but the way it lifts and changes people's looks is amazing," Taylor explains. These services enhance the comprehensive offerings.
Taylor is particularly excited about the salon's expanding expertise in hair extensions. "A few of us just got our master extension certification," she shares. "We are feeling so inspired to start putting our new knowledge into action." By offering top-quality hair extensions in Prescott, Whiskey and Willow aims to meet the growing demand for this service. "We want to be the extension hub for Prescott and surrounding areas," she adds. This focus enhances their already diverse range of salon services in Prescott, ensuring clients have access to the latest techniques and trends.
"I may be biased, but I feel like we are the spot for blondes," Taylor says with a smile. "I somehow acquired five stylists that are, in my opinion, the best hair stylists in Prescott." The high caliber of her team keeps her inspired every day. "I walk around the whole salon in awe all day," she admits. "From the girls upstairs sending their clients down looking amazing to the stylists downstairs pumping out incredible hair all day every day." This dynamic environment solidifies Whiskey and Willow's reputation for exceptional salon services in Prescott.
Balancing Business and Personal Life
Balancing the demands of business with personal well-being is an ongoing challenge for Taylor. "I'm still working on it," she admits, expressing gratitude for her team's support in encouraging her to take breaks and recharge. Trusting her colleagues enables her to step away when needed, confident that the business will continue to run smoothly. Regular self-care routines, such as morning workouts, help her maintain the energy needed for her clients and family.
"It's nice because everyone at Whiskey and Willow is truly one of my close friends, and they keep me in check," Taylor says. "They make sure that when it's my day off, I stay out of the salon and do something to make me happy." The strong bonds within the team allow her to focus on personal well-being without worrying about the salon. "We work as a team and all work so well together, so it puts my mind at ease that if I leave for a weekend refresh or a vacation, I can truly trust the women there and know they'll hold the fort down," she adds. This trust is crucial in maintaining balance while running a successful hair salon.
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Looking to the Future
Looking ahead, Taylor envisions continuous growth for Whiskey and Willow Salon. With a waiting list of stylists eager to join, expansion is on the horizon. "People called me crazy, but I started talking about growing the salon right after our grand opening," she laughs. She dreams of adding more space and potentially opening a second location. The salon's commitment to education remains consistent, with plans to host more training sessions and become a leader in hair extensions in Prescott. "We will keep evolving and growing—that's our promise," she says, as Whiskey and Willow continue to solidify their place among the top salons in Prescott.
"A few of us just got our master extension certification and are feeling so inspired to start putting our new knowledge into action," Taylor shares enthusiastically. "We want to be an education-focused salon and host more classes for local stylists." By becoming the extension hub for Prescott and surrounding areas, they aim to elevate the standards of hair extensions in Prescott. "We are always taking new education, and the aesthetic girls upstairs are constantly taking new classes," she notes. No matter who you see or what service you receive here, you can be confident that you're receiving top-notch service and top-notch product."
The boutique, a collaborative effort reflecting Taylor's background in fashion and her mother's career in the clothing industry, adds a unique touch to the salon. She delights in selecting high-quality, stylish items, with the entire team contributing ideas. "We're all involved in picking out pieces, which makes it special," she shares. The boutique carefully curates its offerings to complement the aesthetic of the best hair salon in Prescott, focusing on both fun and quality.
"The boutique is one of the most fun parts for me," Taylor admits. "I basically just shop for myself in bulk, which is so fun." With a keen eye for quality, she ensures that every item meets her standards. "Before I purchase anything, I make sure that it's made with good-quality fabric, and it's something that I would spend my money on," she explains. The team at Whiskey and Willow plays a significant role. "I always keep a tab open on the computer for the website where we purchase all of our items, encouraging all the girls to come up and add items to the shop's cart," she says. "It's truly a group effort, and we all have similar styles with our own quirks, so it's fun to have a little piece of everyone's taste in the shop."
With passion at its core and a commitment to excellence, Whiskey and Willow Salon stands as a testament to Taylor McMillen’s vision. Through challenges and triumphs, she has built not just a business but a community where clients and Prescott hair stylists alike feel valued and inspired. As Taylor and her team looks toward the future, its foundation of support, innovation, and genuine care promises continued success.
