Columbia welcomes Black-owned beauty supply store
EDITOR'S NOTE: References to the shop being the first Black-owned beauty supply store have been removed.
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)
According to the Black-Owned Beauty Supply Association (BOBSA), less than 5% of beauty supply stores in the country are owned and operated by African Americans. However, that number increased after Sarah Brown opened her shop The Beauty Trap in Columbia.
The global beauty and personal care industry is expected to generate over $640 billion in revenue this year. In Missouri alone, there are over 1,500 beauty supply stores, according to a report from Smart Scrapers. Sarah Brown's new store, The Beauty Trap, is now on that list as a Black-owned beauty supply store in Columbia.
"It feels amazing. Actually, it was all like a dream, and it came true," said Sarah Brown, owner of The Beauty Trap.
According to multiple business reports, opening a beauty supply store can cost anywhere between $20,000 to $500,000. Brown managed to fund her store without any grants.
"I saved money. And I just took a leap and got money out of my savings and just put it all together, and I know it'll come back," Brown said.
BOBSA estimates that the Black hair care and cosmetics industry is valued at $9 billion.
Brown's passion for hair and beauty began 30 years ago when she graduated from high school. After gaining five years of experience working for others, she ventured into entrepreneurship.
She adds to Missouri's business landscape, which includes 133,000 women-owned businesses and 44,000 minority-owned businesses, according to the Missouri Business Outreach Office.
The beauty and personal care market is expected to grow at an annual rate of 3.33% over the next four years.
Brown hopes to open more stores in different locations.
