Why do women in the Black community purchase their hair products from non-black suppliers?

Question

I am a person interested in starting my very own beauty supply center. I would like to know if Black women would prefer to purchase thier products from a Black supplier as opposed to someone outside of the community. After speaking with several sisters, I became concerned about people outside our community capitalizing from something that we place so much time and money into. I would like to solict any ideas about how you can be served better in the hair industry.

Answer 1

well its easier for Koreans in my area to open shops since alot of the products and hair are made there or close to it. i would highly suggest you open one in a black neighborhood. I'm tired of asking them questions and they dont know the answer but they hired a black guy to do security and answer questions. im from Detroit, hair capital and i have yet to see a black owned beauty supply. if it was one here i would drive there no matter where i lived. nothing against Asians but they own all the lee beauty supplys lol or nail salons. at least some nail salons have upgraded to tami taylor. its hard to discuss any hairstyles, hair, or relaxers with them. i dont understand why some salons dont have a beauty supply? and also one that is reasonably priced. please open up one if u can in whatever area you are in. im completely sure they would flock over immediately knowing that it is black owned and operated.

Answer 2

I must admit, I either go to Sally's Beauty Supply store, the korean store up the street, or (dare I say it) Wal-mart. Know that it is not because I prefer these places, it's just that there are no other options for me.

Like me, I believe most black women would love to shop at a black owned beauty supply store. It would actually make me feel more confident about the products I purchased only because who knows black hair better than a black person.

To appeal to those who may not agree with me, making sure that the products sold are different from those available at other retailers would definately set you apart. If I go into a black owned store and see the exact same products I'd see in Wal-mart, unless the prices were lower, I would think, what's the point.

I guess the main thing is making sure that you are there for us and not just the revenue (remember most of us are on a budget). Don't commercialize us, we get enough of that everywhere else. Give us products that are really going to work (whether exclusively black owned or not) Show us that you are willing to go above a beyond to take care of our hair care needs. Good luck!

Answer 3

I would initially say lack of finance or credit 2 get start up loans,usually if nonwhite have the ability 2 open anything having 2 do with beauty it is usually a salon,I own a salon and next door 2 me is a black hair care beauty supply,owned and operated by a black couple,and their business is thriving because of their knowledge and background,I think it is a excellent idea,and you would provide a very much needed service,provided it is in the right location

Answer 4

Black women wished that we can buy from our very own but it is the Asian industry-mainly Korean that has capitalized on the black hair market and has shut us out by not allowing us to have prices that identify with us as well as customer service representatives that do as well. How many stores have I entered asking for hair that would match my own and they give me this "hurry up and buy" look that not only is racially unacceptable but very upsetting. There is no where else where we can go. So we actually do not prefer to give our money away to just anyone--but before you think this is a bashing upon Asians or mainly Koreans as I may have targeted--why don't we look at the business practices of our own people. We never open on time, We close because it is someone's b-day or burial, We don't open on Sundays because of Church and close early on Saturdays--because of parties. Hiring of friends of family that is not reliable and although I discussed price issues with Koreans, blacks or african americans as well charge very high prices for some of their products and services because they know as well that we are desperate. Figure out how you can be better than all of this.. Connect with females who will help you run your business and make it the best-- do community service for the black women in your area and trust me-- you will shut down your competitors--

Answer 5

Not sure, but the reason why I do it is because I wear my hair in a natural style (no relaxer) and Aveda has some good products for my hair (doesn't weigh my hair down, smells good, and keeps it from looking dry). Bumble and Bumble has some good products too.

I can't seem to find any good products for non-relaxed hair by a black company. There are some oils for dreadlocks but that's all I've found.

Answer 6

No its not true I dont believe this but if u r still worried u can have 2 suppliers a black and a white

Answer 7

If it is an extremely intelligent-mature Black American woman, like myself-in particularly. She would not be concern about the lame representation of hair supplier. Be it Black, White, Jewish, Chinese, Mexican, the real-Africans(from the continent of Africa), Irish, West Indian, whatever.

She would be concern about the representation of convenience in purchasing the hair products. Not the color of a person skin. I am referring to a highly sophisticated-intelligent woman-black woman.

Have we learn anything. This is the 21st century. And we're still concern about promoting racial tension.

Answer 8

WELL CHARLES; maybe it's called"shopping around for the BEST price"and has NOTHING to do with OUTSIDE THE COMMUNITY[as YOU put it]

Answer 9

price is what matters to me not the color of the individuals selling it.