Young, Gifted and Black: A New Generation of Business Owners thriving in the Black Hair Industry

The rise of the ‘young Black entrepreneur’ has been well documented over the last few years with more and more people opting to be their ‘own boss’.   In a recent study by Channel 4 and Clear Channel, it showed that 62% of Black and Multi Ethnic entrepreneurs started their business aged under 30. The Black Hair Industry has seen this surge of young, ambitious Black entrepreneurs, particularly women, using their business acumen and natural talent to set up thriving local businesses.

A study by Habia revealed that there are over 35,000 beauty salons in the UK, but only 1% Afro-Caribbean hair specialist registered salons.   However, despite the low representation of registered Afro Salons, Black women are still making their mark in this industry. 

Inspired by hairdressing pioneers such as Dyke and Dryden, there is a new, younger generation of hair stylists who are also Business Owners. They possess sought-after skills and expertise and have used digital media to promote their services in the Black hair industry – which for many has been an attractive and lucrative business proposition.

But who are these women that are ‘bossing’ it in the industry?

Savannah Kelly-Smith and Stephanie Lebby, both aged 26, recently opened salons in South London and are excited about their future. Having started at a very young age, they have deep ambitions ladies to create a sustainable business for themselves in the Black Hair Industry that will last for years to come.

The Voice spoke to the young entrepreneurs to find out more…

Savanna Kelly-Smith

Savanna Kelly Smith is the CEO and Business Owner of Savs Styles, specialising in Braiding. Her salon is located at 21 Rowan Rd, London SW16 5JF.

V:  Tell us how you got started in the hairdressing and beauty business? 

Savannah: I’ve always been naturally gifted with the ability to do hair. I started by doing hair for family and friends when I was very young. I started getting paid for it at age 15 and have naturally progressed to launching my own full-time business. I’ve been doing hair for over 10 years now.

V: What is the biggest challenge you face as a female black entrepreneur in the UK? 

Savannah: One of the biggest challenges in the Black Hair Industry is not having direct access or connections with brands that my white counterparts have naturally enjoyed. Also, it is harder to be recognised by big brands and Black women are often left out of mainstream networking events, when we have a lot to offer in terms of expertise and skills.

V: What is it like running your own business?  What are the challenges?  What do you love about it? 

Savannah:  I do, at time find it challenging to keep up with trends and find new creative ideas to stay relevant. It is a constant challenge to run the operations of a business efficiently, but also find time to tap into your creative side. However, the thing I love the most about running my own business is having freedom over my time. It’s so important to pursue your personal goals and desires outside of work and having your own business gives me the flexibility to do that.

V) What plans do you have for your hair business in the future? 

Savannah:  I plan to have multiple salons and a training academy. I hope to have an in-person and online training academy which will give me the freedom to work all over the world as I love to travel . I actually offer 1:1 braiding classes now where I teach people of all abilities to perfect their skills. I’m working on developing a bigger masterclass where I can share my expertise with a larger group of people. It is an amazing blessing to have a career based on your natural talents so I’d like to encourage other women to enter the Black Hair Industry and help them along the way. read more