10 African-American Entrepreneurs In The Black Hair Care Business

August 20th, 2010 - By TheEditor

by R. Asmerom

It’s no secret: the black hair care industry is big business. Very big business. According to marketing research company Mintel, sales of black hair care products in 2008 exceeded $165 million. Although a third of those sales went to corporate conglomerates like L’Oreal and Alberto Culver, who own many ethnic product lines from Soft-Sheen Carson to Mizani, there are still many independent African-American players in the hair product game. From old businesses like S-Curl manufacturer Luster Inc. to new product lines like Kimble Hair Care Systems, black entrepreneurs are thriving. Here, we included a list of 10 independently, black owned businesses that continue to fuel the ever-evolving market for black hair care products.

 

Miko and Titi Branch – Miss Jessie’s Original

"Miko and Titi Branch"

Behind Miss Jessie’s hair products are founders  Miko and Titi Branch. The sisters launched their company out of a Brooklyn brownstone and it’s been uphill ever since. Their unique blends of puddings and cremes are primarily targeted to those gals looking to  enhance their curls and waves. These type of products were barely present on the market. The sisters realized this market opportunity by drawing from their challenges with their own hair and from their experiences with “hair recipes” learned from their paternal grandmother, Miss Jessie. The duo has wracked up many accolades for their savvy entrepreneurship and hair treatments. The sisters have also opened up a salon in New York city to cater to their curly haired fans.

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  • Linda Gearke

    Excellent article! I am a product development consultant in the personal care arena. I help entrepreneurs bring their product concept (hair care, skin care, bath and body, cosmetics, etc.,) to market quickly and cost effectively. I’ve been doing this for 17+ years. Contact me at linda@personalcaremarketing.com if I can be of assistance to you.

  • http://www.bizlinkms.com Stephan Thompson

    What about Bizlink Management Software…the only Black Owned Software Development Company not only in Black Hair Care but in the Beauty Industry period….

  • grnmom

    CUSH Cosmetics is a new player in the market and is getting good reviews. They are all natural and organic.

  • Rikesha

    I also agree with Oyin Handmade. Love their hair and body products! However, with them being such a small company, I am not surprised they are not listed. I am surprised not to see mentioned McBride Laboratories named- makers of the Design Essentials Line and Sta Soft Fro from the 70's. And they are based out of Decatur, GA.

  • http://bit.ly/culturalsomme Denitria Lewis

    Another company left off the list is Oyin Handmade… Body, skin and hair care – by two young husband and wife entrepreneurs Pierre & Jamyla Bennu. There products are all natural and handmade – LITERALLY. Originally based in BK they are now a Baltimore, MD operation. www (dot) oyinhandmade (dot) com

  • Butterfly

    You forgot Jasmine Lawrence of EDEN Body Works! Started her NATURAL HAIR CARE business at the age of 13!

  • Curly Girl

    Another company from Atlanta playing an important role in the black hair market is Urbanbella, a black retail store focusing on only textured hair.
    Urbanbella is one of the only companies that teaches one of the most important aspects of all of this which is how to use all of these products Miss Jessie's, Jane Carter, Mixed Chicks, Darcy Botanical, Etc. They were the first (before Target to carry and recognize all of these products). Also, if you go to there store in Atlanta they give consultations (using the actual products on your hair to achieve the look wanted). This keeps you from having a closet full of products you can't use.

  • Jasmine

    Im really excited that they put the woman who created nouritress products up here. My hair used to shedd really bad and I started using Nouritress perfect hair vitimans about two years ago and my hair is thicker and longer then ever. Its amazing because I have tried so many other products that have not worked but this one really have worked.

    This is a really great product that I have recommended to so many of my friends and will continue to recommend them!

  • http://www.salonography.wordpress.com salonography

    I agree with some of your picks but the methodology is missing and Luster & Dudley opened the door to Mixed Chicks and Miss Jessies because the internet, bloggers, celebrity endorsements and online outlets were not available when Luster & Dudley hit the scene.

    I do appreciate the gains that these black owned products have made but the true test is whether they endure like some of the pioneer products or sell to big corporations for the big pay day when their brands hits the apex.

  • Martha

    You guys are forgetting about Cocoa Butter Sisters by Chas Melecio. Atlanta based company who started the business when she saw a great opportunity to use her home remedies and years of creating her own line of lotions to develop a line of all natural haircare products for her family and friends. Her feedback was so positive that she decided to start Cocoa Butter Sisters. Her site is http://cocoabuttersisters.net – She may be a "small" company, but I love her products and felt she deserved a big shout out!

  • Shavon

    I went to Miss Jessies in May 2010 and was highly disappointed. I could've did my hair myself for better results and they charged me over $300. I felt stupid after seeing the end result. If you don't have long hair or extremely short hair please do not go to the salon for styling and just use the products at home on your own. It was the worse hair experience I've ever had and I would not recommend the salon to a friend or foe!!!!!!!!!!

  • Harold

    You focused principally on marketers of products, leaving out out some pioneering salon owners, such as Anu Prestonia of Khamit Kinks. She's had 30+ years in the business of natural hair care. Check out their website http://www.Khamitkinks.com

  • http://thegiftedhealer@yahoo.com venus

    I have an idea for a product that caters to people with dredlocks and suffer from problems with visible lint that is almost impossible to wash out. Does anyone know how I can get my product manufactured or even sell the idea to an already established company. Nothing like it exists on the market.

    • http://www.theconceptengineers.com Johnathan

      Hi, I saw that you are interested in starting your own line of hair care products. I can definitely help you. My company is called the Concept>Engineers, INC. I work with startup to mid-size companies helping them develop and market personal care products from conceptualization to commercialization.

      I have worked in the ethnic hair care industry for over 10 years in marketing; working on global brands like Dark & Lovely, Optimum Care, Let's Jam! The brands that I have most recently worked with my clients to launch are SimplyHEALTHY Hair http://www.simplyhealthyhair.com and Entwine Naturalle Couture http://www.facebook.com/entwinecouture for the natural hair fashonista.

      You can check out my portfolio and if you would like to speak further feel free to give me a call 773.680.6382.

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