PBA connects with the CEO of Ashtae Products, Taylore Woods on the current challenges and future opportunities in the beauty industry for #BlackHistoryMonth!
Taylore Woods is the CEO of Ashtae Products, a family-owned business founded by her parents in 1994. A PBA member and a positive influence on the beauty industry, we’re honored to spotlight Taylore this month!
WHAT ARE YOU MOST PASSIONATE ABOUT EMBODYING AS A BLACK BEAUTY PROFESSIONAL?
Every day, I am extremely passionate about the mission of Ashtae, which is to help cosmetologists and beauty professionals create generational wealth from behind the chair to beyond the chair. I believe in closing the education gap in the minority community so we can level the playing field and everyone can excel beyond the chair.
“I believe in closing the education gap in the minority community so we can level the playing field and everyone can excel beyond the chair.”
WHAT IS THE BIGGEST CHALLENGE YOU’RE FACING AS A BLACK BEAUTY PROFESSIONAL RIGHT NOW?
As the CEO of a minority-owned hair care company, our biggest challenge is not being stereotyped as a line that’s just for minorities. Our company was created with the purpose of being made for Global Textures – literally everyone, all types of hair textures, no matter the race. We have to learn to remove race from our mindset and focus on hair textures – the chemistry, the density, the porosity, those are the things that beauty professionals have to learn how to cater to.
WHAT DO YOU THINK IS MOST NEEDED TO PUSH THE INDUSTRY INTO A MORE DIVERSE AND INCLUSIVE SPACE?
What we need most in our industry right now is inclusive education at every stage of the process. From the school programs and instructors to the course curriculum and continuing education beauty professionals receive 5-10 years into their careers. There needs to be more diversity and more discussions that reconcile cultures.
WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE YOUR YOUNGER SELF GIVEN WHAT YOU KNOW NOW?
If I were talking to my younger self (and even my future self), I would tell her to keep staying true to who you are, what the brand represents, and what the mission is. Don’t give up on those things no matter what! Everything will work out for your good.
“What we need most in our industry right now is inclusive education at every stage of the process.”
-TAYLORE WOODS
Follow Taylore Woods on Instagram @ohemgeetaylore.
