Columbia, Missouri (KMIZ)
According to the Black Owned Beauty Supply Association, less than 5% of beauty supply stores in the country are African-American owned and operated, but that number is on the rise since Sarah Brown opened her store, The Beauty Trap, in Columbia.
The global beauty and personal care industry is expected to generate more than $640 billion in revenue this year. According to a report by Smart Scrapers, there are more than 1,500 beauty supply stores in Missouri alone. Sarah Brown’s new store, The Beauty Trap, makes it onto that list as Columbia’s first Black-owned beauty supply store.
“It feels amazing, it’s all a dream come true actually and it’s come true,” said Sarah Brown, owner of The Beauty Trap.
According to multiple business reports, it can cost anywhere between $20,000 and $500,000 to open a beauty supply store, so Brown financed her store without any grants.
“I saved money, then I took the plunge and took money out of my savings and put it all together, and I know the money will come back,” Brown explained.
BOBSA estimates that the Black hair care and cosmetics industry is worth $9 billion.
Brown’s passion for hair and beauty began 30 years ago when she graduated from high school and after five years of work experience she embarked on the entrepreneurial journey.
According to the Missouri Office of Business Outreach, Missouri’s business community is home to 133,000 women-owned businesses and 44,000 minority-owned businesses, and her contribution will help to increase those numbers.
The beauty and personal care market is expected to grow at 3.33% annually over the next four years.
Brown hopes to open more stores in different locations.
