Cole Taylor, 35

Owner
Southern Leisure Spas & Patio
Flower Mound, Texas 

Cole Taylor grew up in a family business centered around landscape and pool construction, so he was no stranger to the demands and intricacies of the outdoor living industry. After earning a marketing degree in college and gaining valuable experience working at Boeing, Taylor realized that the corporate world didn’t align with his vision. This led him to partner with his father to establish Southern Leisure Spas & Patio, a retail venture that has since flourished.

“I love the product and the wellness benefits it provides to the customer,” he says. “It’s a fun, fast-paced environment with promising growth potential.”

With five retail locations currently under the Southern Leisure banner, Taylor has ambitious plans to expand the company’s footprint, aiming to double the number of stores to ten.

Despite his enthusiasm, Taylor knows there are areas the industry could improve upon. He particularly takes issue with high-pressure sales tactics, which often create a false sense of urgency and lead to subpar service after the sale. He is committed to doing things differently at Southern Leisure.

By focusing on integrity and customer satisfaction, Taylor aims to set a positive example in the industry. 

“I would like to be remembered as someone who always kept my word, did right by my customers and provided a place of opportunity for people to grow in their careers,” he says.