A Black Family Owned Beauty Business- The Advantages and Challenges

For Black History Month, I wanted to recognize and share with you a family that has been operating a black-owned beauty school for 20 years.  On this podcast of Natural Hair Education, I have two special guests, my mother, and my brother.  We are owners of the Creative Hair School of Cosmetology located in Flint, MI.  We are a fully accredited beauty institution that offers 5 programs; Cosmetology, Esthetics, Manicuring, Natural Hair and Instructors Training.  

This past October 2019 we celebrated 20 years in business.  Being in business for 20 years, we have had many obstacles and challenges.  Today I ask my family various questions around some of the challenges and advantages of having a family business. 

My mother who is the founder of the Creative Hair School of Cosmetology started the business in 1999.  She completed her beauty school training in 1996 and had a desire to open her own beauty school.  She faced many obstacles during this process as many other African American woman was opening beauty salons.  With no formal education, but with faith, prayer and grit, my mother followed her dreams and turned every no into a yes by pushing beyond what others thought was impossible.

My brother who is the director became apart of the business in 2013.  His background includes a bachelor’s in general studies from Indian Purdue Fort Wayne and heavy involvement in basketball, fitness and the arts. He joined the family business with the purpose of building the family brand and leaving a legacy.  

Back in October 2019, we celebrated 20 years of owning and operating a black-owned beauty school.  It has not been easy but having the support of family has helped in many ways.  

If you would like to know a few advantages and challenges of owning a family business, this episode will give you insight.

At the end of every episode, I like to dispell a hair myth, but today I have a fact finder.

After some research, I found a black-owned business that has been around for 138 years.  This business is E.E Ward Moving and Storage.  It was founded in the 1840s by John T George who served as a conductor on the Underground Railroad. He used his horses and wagon to help slaves escape to freedom through a network of hiding places and safe houses.

He later started a business by using his horse and carriage to help people move and transport.  His business has been passed down from generation to generation.  Eldon Ward joined the family business in 1945. He would become the last Ward family member to own the company.  Today Brian and his wife Dominique Brooks are owners of E.E. Ward Moving and Storage.  They brought the company to keep Mr. Ward's legacy alive.

Here is a link to our family-owned business:  https://www.creativehairschool.com/

To learn more about E.E. Ward Moving and Storage check out this article: https://www.cnn.com/2019/03/04/success/ee-ward-black-owned-business/index.html

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