African Americans In The Hair Industry Says COVID-19 Is Crushing Their Business
African American hair stylists, salon and barbershop owners, are
struggling amid the Coronavirus outbreak, according to ABC News.
struggling amid the Coronavirus outbreak, according to ABC News.
The Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) has issued forgivable loans
totaling more than $512 billion to nearly 4.4 million small
businesses around the nation since April 3, according to the Small
Business Administration. But the funds have not reached African American
stylists.
totaling more than $512 billion to nearly 4.4 million small
businesses around the nation since April 3, according to the Small
Business Administration. But the funds have not reached African American
stylists.
Some stylists told ABC News that they have been without income for at
least seven weeks. Whitney Spencer, owner of Crown Salon Studio in
Little Rock, Arkansas, said the process of applying for loans and
unemployment is “confusing, slow and unreliable.” After applying for
unemployment and loans in March, she has yet to receive any money. “This
pandemic is crippling to us African American stylists who were built to
hustle” she said.
Little Rock, Arkansas, said the process of applying for loans and
unemployment is “confusing, slow and unreliable.” After applying for
unemployment and loans in March, she has yet to receive any money. “This
pandemic is crippling to us African American stylists who were built to
hustle” she said.
According to Nielsen, black customers invested a total of $473 million
in a $4.2 billion hair care industry in 2017 and in 2018 the demand for
black hair care was estimated at $2.5 billion, according to Mintel, a
market analysis firm.
in a $4.2 billion hair care industry in 2017 and in 2018 the demand for
black hair care was estimated at $2.5 billion, according to Mintel, a
market analysis firm.
“When COVID hit it was like losing my livelihood overnight,” Tiana
Brown, 34, owner of That Chics Hair Suite in New Jersey, told ABC
News.”I am a full-time stylist. That is my only income.”
Brown, 34, owner of That Chics Hair Suite in New Jersey, told ABC
News.”I am a full-time stylist. That is my only income.”
Big corporations see the need to help and have collaborated to provide
financial aid to help the black hair industry stay afloat. Basketball
legend, NBA Hall of Famer and serial entrepreneur Magic Johnson
(#magicjohnson) is partnering with MBE Capital Partners, a New
Jersey-based non bank lender, to fund $100 Million in small business
loans through his life insurance company, ohnson’s EquiTrust Life
Insurance Co.
financial aid to help the black hair industry stay afloat. Basketball
legend, NBA Hall of Famer and serial entrepreneur Magic Johnson
(#magicjohnson) is partnering with MBE Capital Partners, a New
Jersey-based non bank lender, to fund $100 Million in small business
loans through his life insurance company, ohnson’s EquiTrust Life
Insurance Co.
“We knew why the money was gone and couldn’t trickle down to small
businesses, especially small minority businesses, because they didn’t
have those great relationships with the banks, Johnson told Wall Street
Journal. “So this was easy for us to understand.” “This is, when
you think about it, life and death for so many business owners. They
have nowhere else to turn,” Johnson added.
businesses, especially small minority businesses, because they didn’t
have those great relationships with the banks, Johnson told Wall Street
Journal. “So this was easy for us to understand.” “This is, when
you think about it, life and death for so many business owners. They
have nowhere else to turn,” Johnson added.
Mayvenn hair (IG: @mayvennhair) extension company CEO, Diishan Imira
(IG: @diishani), started a GoFundMe to help get money into struggling
hairstylists pockets who the government has failed. “It feels good to be
able to do something when helplessness consumes our world right now,”
Imira told ABC News. “Black salons and barbers are the backbone for
black entrepreneurship and an integral part of our communities.”
hairstylists pockets who the government has failed. “It feels good to be
able to do something when helplessness consumes our world right now,”
Imira told ABC News. “Black salons and barbers are the backbone for
black entrepreneurship and an integral part of our communities.”
Stylists are trying to remain optimistic but, despite support, stylists
at some small salons say they might not survive the pandemic. “Even
after this is over, playing catch up could be hard for us,” Signature
Image Salon stylist Cierra told ABC News. “We have to learn a new way to
do business, and quickly.”
at some small salons say they might not survive the pandemic. “Even
after this is over, playing catch up could be hard for us,” Signature
Image Salon stylist Cierra told ABC News. “We have to learn a new way to
do business, and quickly.”
Teaching the importance of creating multiple streams of income. After
the closures of salons Nianib (@niani_b), like most, found herself
displaced from work.
the closures of salons Nianib (@niani_b), like most, found herself
displaced from work.
The hair care industry relies solely on a steady income clientele which stay-at-home orders discourage. Hair stylists rely on clients’ tips to support their income. Which encouraged Nianib to start a 5$ virtual braiding class via a private Facebook group.
Some stylists have resorted to following CDC guidelines and doing hair from
home like Crystal M. (@__c.2.b__) and Amore (IG: @braidsbyamore) of Los
Angeles.
home like Crystal M. (@__c.2.b__) and Amore (IG: @braidsbyamore) of Los
Angeles.
Surviving is the only option for me,” stylist and owner of That Chics
Hair Suite in New Jersey, Tiana Brown, said.
Hair Suite in New Jersey, Tiana Brown, said.
