We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Diana Taylor . We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Diana below.
Hi Diana, thank you for joining us today and sharing your experiences and acquired wisdom with us. Burnout is a huge topic these days and so we’d love to kick things off by discussing your thoughts on overcoming or avoiding burnout
This topic is truly fascinating. It was during the pandemic that I came to the realization that I was facing burnout. While I’ve always been a dedicated worker and understand the importance of putting in effort for success, I’ve shifted my perspective. I now recognize that certain seasons may be busy as we establish systems and achieve goals, but I no longer subscribe to a lifelong hustle mentality. I’ve chosen to embrace a more balanced approach, allowing myself to enjoy daily life.
For me, the grind mindset used to mean planning every minute of every day, working from morning until night, and neglecting activities I enjoy. The pandemic forced me to pause and reflect. Despite loving my work, I didn’t miss the hectic pace of my pre-pandemic life. This realization prompted me to make changes. I began cooking more, exercising regularly, and reading more– activities I consider essential for personal growth.
Growth, to me, encompasses both business success and structuring my schedule to attend my son’s games, spend time with my husband and family, and prioritize self-care. Burnout manifests differently for everyone. I often seek guidance from God, I always have but sometimes when we’re moving to fast, we don’t slow down enough to listen. I ask for discernment and vision to align with my life’s purpose. My spiritual journey intensified as I dedicated more time to reading scripture.
During the pandemic, before things returned to normal, I transitioned from working in a salon to a private salon suite. Grateful for a growing client base, I made sure to reevaluate my priorities and condense my schedule accordingly. Moving into a salon suite, adjusting my work schedule, and launching my products were transformative decisions. To combat burnout, I identified my most productive time (mornings between 8:00 am-12:00 pm) and prioritized essential tasks during this time frame. As a salon owner with a product brand, I shifted client services to later start time, allowing time for productive activities in the morning.
Embracing change, personally I incorporated going to the gym three days a week before work and also have more time to cook. Professionally I’ve joined business groups with like-minded entrepreneurs who provided valuable insights into efficient business systems. I’m selective about joining multiple groups simultaneously, preferring to focus on those directly related to the areas I’m trying to develop in my business, currently marketing and social media strategy. While there’s always an underlying drive to explore what’s next and discover new ways to achieve business growth, I place real value on having downtime. Engaging in activities like gardening, cooking, and devotions helps me recharge. I do have routine in my life, but try and keep a tad bit of flexibility by paying attention to patterns that work for me and being ok with making a shift when needed.
Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?
I have 16 years of experience working in the beauty industry. I have dedicated the last 8 years of my career to specializing in hair coloring techniques for all different textures of hair. While achieving the desired look is always rewarding, I recognized that color-treated curly hair requires a unique approach for maintaining overall health and manageability which led to the creation of Color + Blow—a line of PH balanced, non-toxic, shampoo and condition bars loaded with nutrients, and handmade in small batches to ensure quality.
In the salon world, where the journey began, physical and emotional self-care are deeply connected. The salon experience, akin to therapy, allows guards to come down, and stories to be shared. The result? A feeling of lightness and wellness.
As a stylist who has met so many women over the years and formed lasting relationships, I believe in making time for yourself as the ultimate path to achieving balance. I recognizied the holistic importance of taking care of both hair and well-being and want my brand to stand behind that very same misson.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
Have Integrity: This is one of the most stand out traits I believe a person can have. Be honest in everything you do.
Be Coachable: Learning from people who have done the things that you are trying to do, but having the discernment to “take the meat and spit out the bones” of whatever doesn’t apply to you. You can learn from others without feeling the need to do everything the exact same way they did.
Confidence: You can humble and approachable while also being confidant. I believe you develop more and more confidence from repetition. Keep doing what you do over and over again to get to excellence and the confidence follows.
Before we go, maybe you can tell us a bit about your parents and what you feel was the most impactful thing they did for you?
My mother allowed me to be my creative self from a very young age. She has been an amazing example of what it looks like to evole over time. She’s never stopped growing. For example my mother ran a catering company while being a full time teacher and mother of four girls, she learned how to swim after she retired at 65 years old, and started a e-commerce business at 68 years old. She has never tried to tell me what I should be or influence me in any other way other than to pursue whatever my heart desires and I truly appreciate her for that.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.shopcolorandblow.com
- Instagram: @_dianarice @colorandblow
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/diana-taylor-094a3a25/
Image Credits
Photographer: @sarah.lizphotos
