How We Started
In 2019, our founder launched Taylor Melrose from a home office, driven by a need for skincare that celebrates melanin-rich skin, no alcohol ingredients that makes skin dry out or high aqua levels cheapening the quality of products and fills a crucial gap in the market. It began with persistence through countless “No’s,” a pandemic, and even more challenges. Undeterred, our founder took a grassroots approach, setting up a pop-up at a local Hollywood farmer’s market to connect with customers and find a community that resonated with the product he believed in so passionately. Taylor Melrose is proof that resilience and vision can turn obstacles into opportunities.
A Family Dream Born at the Hollywood Farmer’s Market, November 14, 2021.
Diversity, Taylor Melrose, Founder and DEI Certifications
About Taylor Melrose: Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI)
At Taylor Melrose, we are deeply committed to fostering an equitable and just society through respectful thought leadership and meaningful action. Our dedication to diversity, equity, and inclusion is woven into every facet of our brand, culture, and mission.
Our Legacy of Advocacy and Service
Our founder, Skylar Taylor, is a Key Club International alumnus and recipient of the prestigious 2000 Kiwanis Club International Distinguished Member of the Year Award. As a trailblazer in multicultural allyship, Skylar has dedicated his life to championing DEI in personal relationships, workplaces, and communities. This legacy continues to shape Taylor Melrose's approach to creating spaces of belonging and fostering authentic inclusion.
Certifications and Commitments
Authenticity matters at Taylor Melrose. We hold certifications as a Minority Business Enterprise (MBE), LGBTQ-Owned Business, and Disability-Owned Business Enterprise (DOBE), ensuring our alignment with the communities we serve. Beyond certifications, our mission is to amplify the voices of marginalized communities, encouraging others to lead with integrity and stand for justice through service and volunteerism.
Empowering Communities Globally
Our founder's humanitarian efforts have transcended borders. On a life-changing medical service expedition to Kenya, Skylar and a dedicated team worked with Choice Humanitarian and Youthlinc to impact communities in Mombasa, Nairobi, and Samburu Village. Their contributions laid the foundation for a secondary school that continues to serve local students today.
This global connection comes full circle, as Taylor Melrose now collaborates with a specialized neurodivergent virtual support team based in Kenya. This partnership reflects the rich and meaningful relationships that define our company ethos.
Volunteerism at the Core
Giving back is a core value at Taylor Melrose. Our commitment to service extends to partnerships with organizations such as Project Angel Food, Helping Hands, and Out of the Darkness Suicide Prevention. These collaborations reinforce our belief that collective action can drive transformative change.
Guided by a Lifelong Pledge
Embedded in our company's foundation is a pledge taken by Skylar in 2000, as a Key Club member:
"To build my home, school, and community; to serve my nation and world; and to combat all forces which tend to undermine these institutions."
This promise continues to inspire us as we strive to provide opportunities for service, build character, and foster a culture of inclusion in every aspect of our work.
Why We Care
At Taylor Melrose, we believe that caring is more than an action—it is who we are. Through intentional efforts, we aspire to create beauty and wellness products that honor individuality, community, and the power of connection.
Join us as we continue to champion diversity and build a more inclusive world, one purposeful action at a time.
Next step, Unique Markets LA in DTLA
Octavia Morgan suggested we apply to Unique Markets. With determination, we submitted our application, and in April 2022, we got the news: "CONGRATS! You are one of the 150 amazing sellers selected for our Summer Market from hundreds of applicants!" From this show it launched us internationally.