The Professional Beauty Federation of California (PBFC) announces the appointment of Salon Republic Founder and CEO Eric Taylor as PBFC Board Chair. 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.

The first studio-concept salon in California with its first site opening in southern California in 2000, Salon Republic now has more 22 locations in four states. Taylor aims to bring his entrepreneurial spirit to the Beauty Federation, as the trade association embarks on new initiatives to serve its growing membership while continuing to build influence among industry professionals, policymakers, regulators and the general public.

“The beauty industry has been good to me, and I want to give back," Taylor says. "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 PBFC membership benefits 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 virtually, while informing elected and regulatory officials, as well as the general public, about the vibrant, honorable, and indispensable nature of the beauty industry. Taylor and his Board colleagues aim to 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.

Welcoming Words

“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,” states PBFC founder and former Board Chair Bob Gross. 

Fellow PBFC Founder and President and Chair Emeritus Ted Nelson adds, “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.”

PBFC Background

The Professional Beauty Federation has served the California beauty industry since 1999, stepping up its profile in a big way during the Covid lockdowns and defending industry professionals from the devastating impact. PBFC filed a series of federal lawsuits against statewide lockdowns of salons and spas, as well as spearheading statewide grassroots and media-focused demonstrations that successfully pressured Governor Newsom into reopening skin, hair and nails salons.

To help get industry professionals get back on their feet, PBFC has assisted more than 10,000 beauty professionals in obtaining the 100% forgivable federal PPP loans, continuing to work with each of them through the forgiveness process.

The Federation has now turned its efforts to leading a significant, nationwide campaign to acquire 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 salons that have already received a PPP loan. For more information on how industry employers can apply, visit federationplans.com/ERC.