Of course one of the first things my wife wanted to do moving back to the Los Angeles area was to go to a good weave shop in Crenshaw. Unlike most times where I would either stay in the car or just stay home altogether, I decided to tag along for the trip.
When we arrived and entered the store, of course as far as the eye could see–weave, weave, weave –and my wife was loving every minute of it!. Me on the other hand was just looking for a place to sit while my wife enjoyed her version of “Disneyland”.
It did not take me long to be reminded that Asians have somehow cornered the market when it comes to the sale of black hair products. From the cash register to the back of the store, all I saw were Asian storekeepers manning their “posts” all throughout the store. They were assisted by the many security cameras connected all throughout the store as well. There was also the occasional “shadowing” that took place from time to time.
I have absolutely no problem with Asians or their right to be in business in our communities. For me, it has been somewhat of a mystery with all the money that we spend in the black beauty care industry how WE tend to be almost absent when it comes to black beauty product distribution. Yes, I am quite aware of the fact that there are quite a few black-owned companies that specialize in developing these products, however, they still seem to be few in number in comparison to the rest of the industry.
I remember not too long ago having this same conversation with my wife. She told me flat out that in the past she knew of several black-owned beauty supply shops, but the prices were too high resulting in low customer turnout. There were also times the products that she needed were not available in the black-owned shops. This was rarely the case for the Asian-owned stores.
This whole scenario brings up the age old question: How do you effectively support black businesses when like in this case and others they price themselves out of the market? (I talked about this some time ago in Support Black Business! Also, check out this press release from the Philadelphia-area African-American Chamber of Commerce).
And before you answer that, WE know how we can be y’all. Some Negroes are quick to cut an attitude with you if you try to give some helpful advice (I have seen my share of this as I am sure you have as well).
Anyway, this recent trip to the beauty supply shop has sparked my interest in the whole Asian/African-American dynamic of this industry. I am sure I will be doing some reading on that on the days ahead.
It sure would be neat to see a blog that addressed weaving and braiding techniques with pictures. I think that would fly big time. Just a thought 
.
Some things to notice about Asian-run businesses vs. small shops:
1. Typically, Asian businesses are run by a family where most of the employees are related. Thus, salaries and benefits are lower because the employees are ‘part owners’ of the business.
2. Asian businesses are better at getting better wholesale prices on products from suppliers. They will join forces with other shops to get better price-discounts than single businesses can achieve.
Blacks tend to name-drop on products that seem to confer some status to them. Designer branded clothing (Reebok vs. Payless sneakers made in the same country). Designer hand bags (even the fake knock offs) displayed by women. No one can determine if hair products are the more expensive vs. the cheaper knock offs except by the beautician and the customer. So who cares if the weave is less than high quality? And how can the customer know which weave products are better? I doubt any regulatory agency is inspecting the claim of 100% human hair tags. Can most customers tell if the weave is 80% human hair?
I was just thinking if I talked about this subject it would be from a total different perspective that probably would be annoying to most. But I agree it would be interesting to see a blog on this subject. I’m sure we could learn a lot.
Hello.
Thank you Duane for your insight into this whole Asian-owned beauty supply stores.
I’m actually in the process of opening up a beauty supply store and I can’t tell you
how frustrating it’s been trying to work with distributors! I’ve even called the manufact.
and got referred to a distributor in my area of the state, but they were Asian and
not willing to send me a order catalog until I paid them $20. On top of all that, when
I finally decided to send a check it “got lost in the mail” or it was returned to me. I
still haven’t seen a catalog. I’ve been on website after website; call after call trying to
find a way around having to deal with an Asian distributor. How?When? did this
change come about that we would be BOXED/PRICED out of our own industry? To
add insult to injury, I found a website today, beautystorebusiness.com that talks
about an Asian organization crying ‘they want their share’ of this beauty supply
industry. What gets me is the fact that most of these shops are just thrown to-
gether. No nice paint, no nice carpet, boxes of inventory everywhere, you’re watched
like you’ve already stole something, you are treated rudely, they don’t know the
products – but black folks will continue to spend their money in these places!
My beauty supply store will be competitively priced right along with theirs, and as far
as them getting better deals – I will have to leave that to the Lord in dealing with
those who would do me harm.
yes, it is very sad being black and trying to get a head i’m also planning on opening a beauty supply store.but,all i have gotten was alot of negative talk from my own. some have even told me that they will still go to the koreans ,oh well.how do you think that made me feel.not good i tell you.but,i want give up my problem is finding the right connections.its hard every where you call every site you see is KOREAN ,ha .oh well.like i said i want give up where i live its one beauty store and 15 min drive from here is another one quess what. they are husband and wife .we had a few blacks that started a store but, it didn’t last want to know why .some blacks said that they were to high and they were but they couldnt charge what the koreans charge because,they didnt have the same connections.i wish every black person who wants to open a store succeed but more i hope that we support our own keep me in mind ,i will have all my black people in mine.when we want to turn from our own color think about the william lynch story if you dont know it please look it up.
iam in process of starting up my own beauty supply /party supply store. can i get some good advice also need some hair/party suppliers.