Today we’d like to introduce you to Aisha Brown.
Hi Aisha, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I can’t tell you my story to entrepreneurship without including my husband & partner, Lamont Brown. We always knew from early on in our marriage that we wanted to own our own business, separately and jointly. And throughout the years we had ideas come and go. Some of those ideas were fleeting and others would kind of stick, like my brand I created years ago (Brown Vegan Goddess). Which had a little success in my eyes. It was a health and wellness brand that focused on holistic living that included eating plant-based, practicing yoga, gardening, spirituality, etc. I had a decent following on IG and Youtube, hosted some challenges on social media, and even had a speaking engagement at a local place of worship.
During that time, my husband and I started thinking about opening a wellness center to grow the brand and really start making a living in the health & wellness space. We had begun going through the motions of writing a business plan, going and talking to individuals at the SBA downtown, thinking about how we would fund it, sitting down with a business attorney, etc. We did all the things most people do who have the idea of going into business for themselves. But the lack of follow-through is what kills most dreams/ideas. And that’s exactly what happened with that business idea.
Years passed and my husband had been thinking about how untapped the beauty supply store market is for black entrepreneurs. We also would see in the news from time to time how unfairly treated and profiled black people would be when shopping in beauty supply stores that weren’t owned by black people, and we wanted to do something about it. We wanted to be the change. At the same time, we wanted to be an example for our children and show them that if they put their mind to it they can accomplish any goal in life.
So after several years of planning, starting and stopping, prayer, bumps in the road and perseverance we were able to finally open our beauty supply store! LA Beauty Supply is the 1st and only black-owned beauty supply store in Loganville, GA. And we are so proud and honored to be able to provide our people with quality products, great customer service and a top-tier shopping experience.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
There have been and will continue to be challenges when starting and owning a successful business. There are some challenges that are unique to the beauty supply industry. One of the biggest challenges in the beauty supply industry is getting various accounts with some of the more “popular” hair brands. But just because some brands choose not to give you an account does not mean the show doesn’t go on. Not at all. You pivot. You get accounts with those you can get accounts with and you market and push those brands. Because quiet is kept, all the hair comes from the same place, they just put a different name on the packaging.
And a beauty supply store is not just all about hair extensions. It’s so much more than that. And that’s why we choose not to dwell on the hair accounts we didn’t get. We choose to focus on our customers and provide them with quality and great customer service.
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Our store as I mentioned before is the 1st and only black-owned beauty supply store in Loganville, GA. We provide our customers with everything they need to feel and look their best! Not only do we have hair extensions, we also have the top haircare product brands in the industry, skin and body care products like natural soaps and oils, and we carry a variety of self-care items such as sage, gemstone bracelets, palo santo, incense and so much more!
WE LOVE WHAT WE DO & WE LOVE EVERYONE THAT HAS SUPPORTED US THUS FAR!
Before we let you go, we’ve got to ask if you have any advice for those who are just starting out?
For those just starting out, I would suggest don’t quit your day job too soon. If you are able to bring in income from your business right out the gate, AWESOME! But if not, don’t quit your day job just yet. Each person or team should do what works best for them.
For my husband and I, we decided I would continue working as a nurse part-time while he works the store full-time. It works best for our family and our business. It also helps that our children are both at an age where they can help out at the store, and pretty much be self-sufficient at home. We are truly the dream team 🙂
Oh, one more piece of advice. Just remember if it’s something you really want you have to be willing to do whatever it takes to make it happen. Consistency, Sacrifice and Patience. Period.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.labeautysupplyatl.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/la_beautysupply_atl/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/labeautysupplyatl
