Joe Taylor

#6702 | Member since 1991
Virginia Beach, Virginia | 21 locations

Since 1927, four generations of the Taylor family have served communities around Virginia. Joe Taylor grew up with his sister and two brothers in Virginia Beach, home to their family-owned home centers, and still lives there today. For him, being able to serve the people he’s always known is why he loves being an independent business owner. Serving others is natural for Joe—as a child, he cooked and served hotdogs for their company’s annual garden party. In high school, Joe and his siblings were assigned to different departments every month to build a well-rounded perspective of the company.

Today, Joe oversees 11 Taylor’s Do it Centers and 10 Pleasants Hardware stores with his brother Russ and they’re proud to be the local choice. “There aren’t other independent home improvement stores in our town except for us,” Joe says. “We’re the clear alternative to the big boxes and we’re quite proud of that.” Niche product categories like STIHL, YETI, and beach-related gifts have given their stores a competitive advantage around their coastal communities. Across all locations, the Lawn & Garden and Outdoor Living departments continue to drive the business. “Customers shop Taylor’s for our expansive selection of grills, outdoor furniture, and seasonal items,” adds Joe. “And they see every day how we live out our community-first approach.”

The Taylor’s and Pleasants locations give back 10% of their profits annually to their local communities. “We’re very proud to be part of the fabric of the communities where we live, work, and play. We are thankful to be able to give back—it’s very rewarding!” His servant-led mindset is perfect for his role on the board. He enjoys working with other business leaders to steer the co-op in the best direction. “As a board of directors, it’s our job to hold the executive team accountable,” Joe says. “Together, as experts with different perspectives and backgrounds, we get to help protect the investments of our peers and ensure we all have the support of our co-op for many years to come.” 

At a glance

Area: Virginia
Store type: Home centers
Market: Urban/suburban
Core categories: Lawn & garden, outdoor living, seasonal, STIHL
Best advice: Don’t be afraid to fail
Favorite activity outside of work: Entertaining family and friends

HBSDealer Hardware All Star (2011)