Sunday, December 29, 2013

B.O.B.S.A Celebrates As We Enter 2014


As we enter the 2014 New Year, we want to extend our sincerest thanks to all B.O.B.S.A members. Thank you all for your continued support.  In 2013, we have made strides into gaining attention from mainstream media because of our growing strength in numbers.
In looking to the year ahead, please look for our ad in the USA Today’s Black History Month edition. Here is a preview of what is to come in February.
 
 
 

Sunday, December 22, 2013

Metro Salon Pro Magazine

Check out B.O.B.S.A in the new edition of Metro Salon Pro Online. Metro Salon Pro is a free publication that is distributed  in local salons, grocery stores, coffee houses, colleges and universities, and other businesses in your neighborhood.

 

Monday, December 16, 2013

B.O.B.S.A Shows Off Its Natural Style At The NZURI Natural Hair Show

 The Show
 
The Natural Hair Models
 
 Off Da Hook Booth
 
The Mascots
 
B.O.B.S.A  Booth

Sunday, December 15, 2013

HAS THE KOREAN BEAUTY SUPPLY INDUSTRY REACHED ITS SUMMIT?


By Dr. Edward Tony Lloneau       

 The Korean Beauty Supply Industry is very strong; in fact, the largest beauty supply network in this country is Korean.  Jenny’s Beauty Supply with 8 distribution warehoused in 8 major cities is a strong example.  Sally’s Beauty Supply is the largest beauty supply chain of stores in America, with over 2,300 stores in the U.S.  But collectively the Koreans have over three times that many.  Most are bigger and stock a larger variety of products, including local and regional products.  However, the Korean stores for the most part are located in mostly Afro American communities.  The reason for this is because the main focus of sales are for commercial hair, ie… wigs, hair for weaves, braids, extensions and all forms of hair augmentations.   Afro American woman are the major consumers of these items.  The Koreans control the major source of import of this hair through there home land of Korea.  Afro Americans are only 12% of the country’s population, but are consumers of over 33% of hair care products in America.  These facts make for good business sense for the Korean Beauty Supply Stores to be located in the Afro communities. Koreans control 60% of the beauty supply industry in America, but they are only 3% of the population.

With the preceding in mine, this leads us to the reason for this article.  When the Korean’s first came to this country in groups after the Korean War and the North Korean conflict in the late 1960s, they discovered the demographics of commercial hair and the correlation of hair and hair care products as it related to the Afro consumer, and they opened stores in the predominately Afro communities to service that demographic.  At first the community was apprehensive and untrusting of the Koreans whom they felt had infiltrated there turf.  Also most of the Koreans could not speak English, so communication was difficult.  But because the Korean stores had what the populist wanted and needed without having to go outside of the area and at competitive prices the blending of the two cultures over time became acceptable.

The first generations of Koreans over came the many barriers of doing business in a some what hostel environment dating back to the late 60’s and early 70’s.  The second generation for the most part assimilated into the family business and the language barrier became less of a concern in the late 80’s and mid 90’s.  But when the third generation came on the scene, many of them had other goals and ambitions that did not include the Beauty Supply Business.  This was the beginning of the slow down of the Korean dominated Beauty Supply Business.  Many of this generation went to Colleges and Universities and came out with skills and diplomas that related to high Tec Industries and professional careers.  In fact, Asians are the second largest minority enrolled in institutes of higher learning in America.

Another factor that leads to the slow down of the Korean Beauty Supply business is OVER SATURATION years ago the Koreans were careful not to compete against each other in the same vicinity, but now they are competing within a close proximity of each other.  The Korean Beauty Supply market is over saturated in the Afro community especially in large metropolitan areas.

Another factor that leads to the slow down of the business is that when the Koreans first set up shop in the Afro communities the community was over 90% black.  But now many areas are less than 50% black.  They have been replaces by the growing Hispanic population.  Hispanics have a different and much less need for the hair care products that translates to fewer sales coming from the community.  Hispanics are the largest minority in America. The disappearing Afro residence has assimilated into the mainstream population.

 

HOW TO ADDRESS THIS CONCERN; try to stock products that relate to the Hispanic market.  Hire sales people of that culture.  Place window displays that relate to the market.  This still will not replace the business from the lost Afro customer based on the information in the last paragraph, but it will stabilize sales and lead to other opportunities that you may not be aware of yet.

35 years ago the Afro community had only a few Beauty Supply Stores scattered through out the area.  Today there are locations in most every shopping area large and small within that community.  However, other mainstream communities in the cities have changed very little in this regard.  Maybe that is where the new opportunities are.  This will mean stocking high end items that relate to the professional market only, (as a segregated section) as well as general retail products.  The draw back is that rent and property costs are higher, but this can be over come due to the higher income bracket of people in these communities.

You may not agree with the suggestions here, but now you know how and why the market is in transition.

 


Mane Vendor Hair Extension Vending Machine

Congratulations to INSO Hair School - Atlanta Georgia
I am so excited to welcome one of our new hosts to the family. INSO Hair School in Atlanta Georgia received the Mane Vendor Hair Extension Vending Machine on December 5, 2013. The owner, students, and clients were amazed! The machine is simply beautiful, state of the art and blended right in to the elegant design of INSO Hair School. We couldn't get the machine ready fast enough, as we were programming the machine, the customers were standing there ready to purchase hair.
If you are a salon owner and would like to become a host  we will stock your salon with top of the line 5A Brazilian Human Hair and pay you on sales, please email     tressa@themanevendor.com
Or contact Tressa Eleby 1(855) 626-3836 ext 3

Take a look at the demo video....
 
Own Your Own Machine!!
For more information click the link
 
 

Welcome Primp Beauty Bar




We are pleased to announce the opening of Primp Beauty Bar. Mrs. Ayanna Dennis is the new proud store owner of this black owned beauty supply store.We welcome her to the B.O.B.S.A family and wish her much success.


PRIMP BEAUTY BAR

Ayanna Dennis

1515 U STREET NW

WASHINTON, DC 20009


202-387-1000

Tuesday, December 10, 2013

As The World Remembers Nelson Mandela, We Remember That Beauty Isn’t Skin Deep.


This week Nelson Mandela passed on at the age of 95. He was a beautiful inspiration to all of us as we remember him and the grace that he embodied in the face of adversity. We sang “Free Nelson Mandela” in our 20’s and in the Boomer years, we love him for all that he has accomplished.

(CNN) -- Freedom fighter, prisoner, moral compass and South Africa's symbol of the struggle against racial oppression.

That was Nelson Mandela, who emerged from prison after 27 years to lead his country out of decades of apartheid.


 His message of reconciliation, not vengeance, inspired the world after he negotiated a peaceful end to segregation and urged forgiveness for the white government that imprisoned him.

"As I walked out the door toward the gate that would lead to my freedom, I knew if I didn't leave my bitterness and hatred behind, I'd still be in prison," Mandela said after he was freed in 1990.

Tuesday, December 3, 2013

Student Suspended For Wearing Natural Hair Style


 Photo Courtesy of Click Orlando
A 12-year-old girl will be expelled from a Florida school unless she gets her hair under control, school officials have told her. Vanessa VanDyke, an honors student and violinist at the Faith Christian Academy in Orlando, tells WKMG that administrators have given her one week to decide whether to cut and shape her hair or leave the school, which she has attended since the third grade.
 More on Yahoo Shine: In Defense of Gabby Douglas' Hair
 Faith Christian Academy did not immediately respond to a request for comment from Yahoo Shine. And VanDyke’s mother, Sabrina Kent, could not be reached for comment.
But WKMG reports that the school’s handbook includes a section on hair that says it “must be a natural color and must not be a distraction,” stating examples that include mohawks, shaved designs and rat tails. However, notes Kent, “A distraction to one person is not a distraction to another. You can have a kid come in with pimples on his face. Are you going to call that a distraction?"
 
 

Black Hair Care Products Successfully Featured In Big Box Stores


The majority of Black haircare products are purchased at major mass retailers and at beauty supply stores, not from beauty salons. This is why when you pop into a Target, Walmart, Walgreens, and even a Duane Reed or CVS you’ll see an expanded assortment of products for Black or “multi-ethnic” hair including natural, coily, curly, or even nappy hair. Yes, these large marketers have got the hots for the business of Black hair.


How did it happen? You may remember when Chris Rock released the film Good Hair in 2009 and showed the “creamy crack” market. Black women were revealed spending thousands of dollars on weaves, scorching their scalps with chemical relaxers, and  many causing damage to their hair and their psyche.

 
The film led to serious discussions by Black women of alternatives and helped usher in the movement to natural hair. Since the release of Good Hair sales of chemical relaxers have fallen more than 30-percent according to market research firm Mintel. Weave sales have also declined adds BOBSA (The Black Owned Beauty Supply Association).

 Click To Read The Full Article

Tuesday, November 26, 2013

Vet Returns From Vietnam To Tennis Career


After Johnnie Ashe returned from his first tour in Vietnam, Arthur, stationed at West Point, was suddenly in danger of being sent over. Johnnie volunteered in his brother's place so that Arthur could continue his tennis career. Click here for full story.

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Sony Wigs Out Over the Smart Wig



...Now for some news you can't use!

Most large tech companies are either making wearable devices, or at least showing an interest in them. Sony's got a smartwatch, sure, but it's bored of such "in-the-box" thinking. Either that, or someone at Sony's been hitting the pipe, as the company's trying to patent what it calls a "SmartWig" (yeah, seriously). The application describes a standard wig that could "be made from horse hair, human hair, wool, feathers, yak hair or any kind of synthetic material," with a circuit board hidden among those luscious locks. That board can talk to a "second computing device" wirelessly -- such as a phone or even a pair of smartglasses -- and actuators embedded in the hairpiece could "provide tactile feedback to the user." In other words, the wig could vibrate when you receive emails and the like. The wig-chip could also include GPS and an ultrasound transducer, with different regions buzzing to give navigation cues. If all that doesn't sound ludicrous enough, how about an integrated camera? Or, get this, a laser pointer.

The filing goes on to claim a wig is the perfect hiding place for delicate electronics, as humans tend to "instinctively protect their heads more than other body parts." While its potential utility for guiding the blind is mentioned, Sony's apparently tested the SmartWig in a far less meaningful scenario: giving presentations. Switching slides by "touching side burns" is expected to be of some merit, as is an ability to sense facial gestures like the raising of eyebrows. It may be the wearable device Doctor Evil has been dreaming of, but for some reason, we doubt SmartWig could ever make it mainstream.

Sunday, November 17, 2013

A Flagship University-Basketball and Football


The Largest State in the Country with a flagship university......... And there are not black men in college what a shock????????? That’s because your job is to play basketball & Football......... SMH

 THE VIDEO

 

The black students at University of California, Los Angeles, sent a strong message about diversity at their school. Namely, the fact that there isn't much when it comes to African-American males, a troubling fact for one of the state's most elite institutions.

A group of students, led by Sy Stokes, posted a video voicing their concerns about the number of black students on campus, and their message is hard to ignore. Stokes, a third-year Afro-American studies student who identifies as black, Cherokee and Chinese, recites a spoken word poem in the video, citing blaring statistics about the university's diversity issue.

According to the school's enrollment statistics, African-Americans make up 3.8 percent of the student population. In the video, Stokes points out that black males make up 3.3 percent of the male student population, and that 65 percent of those black males are undergraduate athletes. Of the incoming men in the freshmen class, only 1.9 percent of them were black.

In an interview with the Daily Bruin, Stokes said he almost dropped out of UCLA during his first year because he felt isolated and uncomfortable. Although he eventually found his niche in the minority community, he said he wanted to raise awareness about the school's lack of diversity before the university's application deadline on Nov. 30.

“We had to do something to put our issues on the map,” Stokes said.

In an email statement to the school paper, Janina Montero, vice chancellor of student affairs, said administrators acknowledge the need for more diversity and are attempting to work within the state's admission parameters.

“We certainly recognize that the low numbers of African Americans and other underrepresented students on campus does lead to a sense of isolation and invisibility,” Montero said in her email statement. “It is difficult to eliminate this painful imbalance without considering race in the admissions process.”

The state of California voted down affirmative action in 1996 and passed Proposition 209, which banned state schools from considering race, gender, ethnicity or national origins in their admissions processes. Black student enrollment has severely decreased since that provision and critics are saying that has to change.

The students' video adds to the ongoing affirmative action debate both inside and outside of the state, raising awareness about diversity at institutions around the country. Stokes said he feels responsible for spreading the word about the unknown challenges of being a minority student at UCLA and the ongoing lack of diversity on campus.

"Being the cousin of Arthur Ashe, I feel as though it is my responsibility to uphold the strong voices of the Black Bruin community," he said. This school has experienced unacceptable instances of injustice recently, and many people are not aware of what is happening at this university."

Moisturize Your Hair This Fall With The NouriTress Portable Hair Steamer


 
 
Fall is here and many women complain of their hair being dry during this season, especially women with Natural Hair. To put moisture back in your hair, the best thing to do is to give your hair a Steam Hydration Treatment. These treatments are offered by most salons now-a-days for about $20.00 but you can save money by doing this treatment at home yourself.

 
Give yourself a Creamy Hot Oil Treatment by mixing NouriTress' "Steam It Super Moisturizing Conditioner" & "VitaOil" together in a bowl. Comb this mixture through your hair and sit under the NouriTress Hair Steamer for 15 minutes. Your hair will definitely feel softer and moisturized. Repeat this regime every time you shampoo & condition your hair for Natural Hair Clients and once a month for clients with relaxed hair.

 
Save 10% on the NouriTress Hair Steamer by using coupon code NTSTEAM1013 during checkout of your purchase. Coupon Valid thru 11/23/2013. To purchase click the link.

Pampered & Beautiful Beauty Supply

https://www.mypureremy.com/pamperedandbeautiful


Like Them on Facebook

It's Yours Hair Company


 
 
 



Women snatched and grabbed over $15,000 worth of hair from the racks in his store in Houston, Texas


http://www.blackeconomicdevelopment.com/four-women-arrested-for-stealing-15000-worth-of-human-hair/
 
 
You’ve got so many celebrities wearing this type of hair now, and so many women want that look” said store owner  Kehlin “Mr. Indian Hair” Farooq. Four women snatched and grabbed over $15,000 worth of hair from the racks in his store in Houston, Texas. The incident was caught on surveillance cameras (see video on this page) and four suspects have now been apprehended.

The average value for a bundle of hair is about $150 to 200 dollars.” Kehlin ‘Mr. Indian Hair’ Farooq, Entrepreneur


We know the economy is tight and people gotta eat — but dayyum. There are certainly better ways to get involved in the business of black hair.


 This is one of the reasons why organizers are planning the first ever International Black Hair Summit: The Business of Black Hair. The event is scheduled for October 22-25, 2014 in Montego Bay, Jamaica.

What say you?

 A thought from BOBSA By Sam Ennon

This is the reason we should organizers the black hair distributors in the United States. We do not condone what  these ladies did it would've been nice if they would approach the merchant and ask to sell here for him. These ladies deftly know where to go to sell the hair. It would be great if some way we could recruit them. Once they do their time, they know how to use social media in selling the hair.

 There is a lot of entrepreneurs men and women and our black community. Like these ladies that would be excellent sales reps, for the new and upcoming black hair distributors.

 
Keep in mind that Koreans control the distribution of hair in our black community through their brick-and-mortar stores.

something to think about.

Sunday, November 10, 2013

Up-Coming Events In The Barber & Beauty Industry


Don’t miss the beauty industry’s up-coming events throughout the USA on B.O.B.S.A.

Visit the B.O.B.S.A Blog on the Events page.

 

Friday, November 1, 2013

B.O.B.S.A Discount Card. Get The Best Beauty For Less

 
Bobobsawebbanner
 
 
It is a pleasure to introduce you to the Black Owned Beauty Supply Association new “Consumer Discount Card” which is now available to the public. The new Consumer Discount Card will give thousands of Black consumers the opportunity to receive special discounts from BOBSA’s Black manufacturers worldwide.

B.O.B.S.A is a worldwide organization that is both a forum for the exchange of innovative ideas and as a resource for current developments in the beauty industry. The B.O.B.S.A companies will provide ongoing discounts from 5%-25%, which amounts to tremendous savings to you. This will also recirculate Black Dollars back into the Black community, Connecting the Black Dots and Dollars, which is the mission of B.O.B.S.A.

We are proud to announce that the first "500" registrants will receive their Consumer Discount Card for $10, regularly priced at $25 (Annual Renewal Fee).

We hope you’ll join us. Visit http://bobsa.org for more information

Here are just some of the participating companies.

BLACK MANUFACTURES AND HAIR DIST

Angel Discount Hair                                                                                                        
AWNI Hair Dist.
CoHair (Colleen)
Global Skin Solution        
It's Yours Hair
iWeave
Jane Carter Solution                  
My Pure Remy Hair Dist.                                                                               
Nouri Tress                          
One Crowning Glory Hair Dist.
PPUI Jamaican Mango
STELLA Shampoos &Cond
Taliah Waajid Black Earth

And many more.

Sunday, October 27, 2013

Star In The Going Natural Video Diaries


Going Natural Video Diaries is a new series featuring you as the star!  Get featured, enter a contest or simply get ideas for new products and hairstyles.

 Click here for more Information



Enter To Win Free Hair For 1 Year!


Enter the iWeavehair.com Goldmine contest for a chance to win for hair for 1 year.
Click here for more information

Very Cool Large Selection Of Vintage Black History Photos


These are some great photos, some of them really take you back, so be prepared to take a while to look at them. You may have to do it in several sessions.   Click Here to View.
 
 

Monday, October 21, 2013

Carol’s Daughter Campaign Declares That Beauty Is Colorless


 
 
The Brand formerly designed their beauty products for the African American market but now have expanded their reach to include other ethnicities. This comes as a slap in the face to those that have struggled for many years to promote the company and keep the black dollars circulating through the black community. These dollars fund our programs in our communities.   Read more here…

Sunday, October 20, 2013

Thirsty Roots


 
 
 
Our Beautiful Daughter with one of her signature Twist Outs #thirstyroots #naturalhair #blackhair #cute 

"Seal in the Moisture" with Thirsty Roots® Apricot Castor Oil - BUY NOW at: 
http://thirstyrootsstore.com/

Team LaRan 6th Anniversary Celebration



Team LaRan will be celebrating its 6th Anniversary with a powerful team of Guest Educators come be INFORMED, INVOLVED and leave INSPIRED!

 When: Monday, December 2, 2013

Time: 9:30am - 5:00pm

Where: Double Tree Hotel N. Vineyard Ave Ontario, CA 91762

Schedule:
9:30-10:00am - Business Building Strategies
Lorenzo & Wanda Griffin


10:15-11:45am - Hair Cutting
Celebrity Stylist DaRico Jackson

12:00-1:00pm - Power Lunch
Keynote Speaker Lorenzo Griffin

Come and hear the amazing journey...never shared in public before "From the Projects to Prosperity"

1:15-2:45pm - Fabulous Finishing & Hair Augmentation
Lorisa Johnson Demetris Pierson Rochelle Mason & Carolyn Melendez

3:00-5:00pm - Hair Loss & Camouflage Techniques
Doris F Mosley

Investment:
Class Only (Without Lunch)...early bird $35, At The Door $45
Power Lunch Only....$25
Class & Lunch....early bird $45, At the Door $60

*Early bird expires November 2nd
Authorized Ticket Distributors

Southern California:
Lorenzo Griffin- 951.686.4376
Tanya Langston - 310.200.0581
Donovan Gordon - 909.633.6865

Arizona:
Darnell Colbert - 602.790.2004
Colbyco Distribution - 623.451.7931

Texas:
Alfarata Griffin - 210.863.8933

Las Vegas:
Raymond Turner - 702.234.1197

Cat Fight on Real Housewives of Altlanta!


 Catchup on  the latest between  bridesmaid Marlo Hampton and NeNe only on Bravo’s Latest Real Housewives Drama on Madame Noire.

Monday, October 14, 2013

BOBSA Welcomes 3H Hair


3H has started its retail, 3H Beauty, 5 years ago. As always, our priority was to provide the best quality products and customer services. With the love and support from many of our 3H customers, now 3H Beauty is available at 6 different locations just in California.

3H also provides wholesale services to hair related professionals such as stylists, distributors, and retail owners. We are currently providing 3H hair products nationally including places as New York, Texas, Atlanta, and California.
Please feel free to contact us for more wholesale information.


Immanuel Dunskin is the current General Manager/CEO of 3H Beauty retail department. He has been in prison for the past 23 years. While no other companies gave him the chance, 3H was able to provide him with care and job opportunity that made him the successful, professional hair business owner today.

Greetings! From Going-Natural

 
I am super exited to tell you that the new site is up and running! It is absolutely stunning and I am not just saying this because I want you to visit the site. Actually I hope you like the new going-natural.com even more so I even added some incentives like the sales in the nappshop. Hopefully you won't let these deals go and you leave comments because your feedback was instrumental in taking the site to the next level.
 
Of course I got some great updates too! The new design is just to give you an idea of what is about to come this season.
Starting with the book Afro State of Mind of Lurie Daniel Favors, I will also begin to do more giveaways. You better read on to understand the rightful fuss that is going on about this book. If you subit a comment, you might get a free copy. Click here to read more and comment to get a free copy of Afro State of Mind ..
Lurie is also one of my favorite models. Her gorgeous 4C natural hair just loves my products and you can see that in the hair, can't you? So she made several videos about how to detangle 4C hair, how to Twist it and how to make a Twist Out using the Twist Out Hair Milk and the Curl Keeper. Take a look, I am sure you will love what you see: A Twist Out with 4c Natural Hair.
Another staple this season will be more featured natural hairstyles from salons. Talented natural hair stylists were my inspiration when I was living in Amsterdam, Holland and had no one to go to and still today they keep on baffling me with their incredible styles. So check out the Natural Hairstyles of the Woven Wool and let us know what you think.
 
Last but not least, I got a small update on my braid locs. With everything going on I hardly had time to take pictures, let alone blog extensively about them but I think you get can an idea of how it's going. Even more important, I hope you don't make the same mistakes. Check out My Braid Locs journey blog: Happy with my Braid Locs