Statesboro’s initial Black-owned elegance supply retail store hosts grand opening party

STATESBORO, Ga. (WSAV) — The 1st Black-owned magnificence supply retailer to open up its doorways in Statesboro held a grand opening function on Saturday.

Business enterprise owner LaShayla Lanier runs Tru Hair Palace, when sister Yachi Lee operates Keona’s Kloset, a garments boutique situated upstairs.

Lanier, who also will work as a rural carrier with the United States Postal Services, claims the notion for opening up a splendor shop of her have came to her final June. 

“I basically believed of the notion overnight,” Lanier advised WSAV.com NOW. “God just spoke to me and reported, ‘it’s time for a transform,’ so I was like, ‘this is what I’m destined for, I want to do a hair retailer, a Black-owned elegance offer retail store full of essentials.’”

Inside of the to start with hour and a 50 % of the shop’s ribbon chopping, dozens of thrilled buyers experienced presently filtered in.

Statesboro Mayor Jonathan McCollar also stopped by the store, situated at 3 Simmons Buying Centre off North Most important Road, to congratulate the women of all ages on their important milestone.

Keep personnel required patrons to dress in masks and sanitize their arms just before browsing.

Lanier says it felt mind-boggling to get started her path as an entrepreneur.

“Since I started this journey, the community that has been behind me and the assistance has just designed me experience like, ‘I possess this, this is what we’re supposed to be undertaking,’” she mentioned.

Tru Hair Palace sells just about almost everything beauty-similar, from human hair extensions and wigs to nail polish, mink lashes and make-up.

Meanwhile, Keona’s Kloset gives the community a wide range of trendy garments attire.

“If you want to look like an Instagram model, that is in which you have to have to be,” Lee mentioned.

The sisters say they also aid community Black organization house owners by carrying and selling some of their merchandise.

A Nielsen report showed that Black people expend around $1 billion per year on natural beauty and cosmetics.

Regardless of this, it has not been as prevalent for Black enterprise owners to function splendor provide merchants.

It is a large component of why Lanier made a decision to open her doors. 

“I felt like which is some thing that belongs to us as Black gals, you know, a splendor provide retailer,” Lanier said. 

“We have generally Korean females [owning beauty supply stores], but we know what we like,” she stated. “A Black female understands what she wants in her hair, we know what we want our experience to seem like, so I stated, which is something that belongs to us.”

Alivia Lloyd served Lanier with her company’s branding by way of her advertising and graphic style and design agency, King’s Land Internet marketing.

Lloyd, who states she became the very first Black marketing and advertising business owner in Statesboro in excess of 9 many years back, states a business enterprise like Lanier’s is desired in the city.

“I believe this is anything which is likely to encourage more individuals out of the Black local community to open up corporations,” Lloyd instructed WSAV.com NOW. “I think now we’re really heading to make a footprint in the upcoming economically, in the local community and in the city.”

Statesboro-Bulloch Chamber of Commerce President Skip Alford shared in a cell phone interview with WSAV.com NOW that he was happy of Lanier’s group and what they’ve achieved in the community.

Lanier’s mother shares the similar sentiments.

“She’s like her father, she’s ambitious,” Verna Lanier claimed. “I’m so proud that she’s the initial, and I hope she will not be the previous.”