Through Ebony Eyes: An Opportunity For Salons In The Far West End

Here is a question that presents a quandary for African-American women in Short Pump: Where can a black woman get her hair done? Well, when I first moved here, the answer she has to go to another part of Richmond. Most of the women I knew either went to Downtown or Southside. First of all, […]

September 2, 2010; 11:27 PM • by Sharyn Mann

Here is a question that presents a quandary for African-American women in Short Pump: Where can a black woman get her hair done? Well, when I first moved here, the answer she has to go to another part of Richmond.

Most of the women I knew either went to Downtown or Southside. First of all, it is a myth that a black person has to have a black person do their hair. The gender and origination is not the key, rather its can the person analyze the hair and perform the processes that are required, especially a relaxer. A relaxer does exactly what the name says– it relaxes the texture of the hair to make it more manageable.

When not relaxed the hair is in what is referred to as a “natural” state. Natural hair is okay, but it also takes care and specific products to maintain it’s beauty and health. If a stylist does not know how to properly do a relaxer, it could cause hair loss and damage to the scalp because of the strong chemicals it contains. I have been fortunate in finding good stylists that have been trained on relaxing and coloring techniques, as I like to change my look quite often.

I did happen upon a beautician in the Far West End who was Caucasian. She would not do relaxers but she was fabulous at cutting and styling. She was so good in fact that when a movie company came to Richmond to film “Major Payne,” they hired her to work on the set and she was gone the whole time they were filming.

Even comedian Chris Rock recognized the impact of the $9 million dollar a year black hair industry and made a film about it. According to a survey by Tresemme, women, on average, spend $50,000 on their hair over their lifetimes. Those numbers are staggering enough to warrant expansion in the business. There is definitely a business opportunity in Short Pump, but I can also understand that there must be some hesitancy and concern as to if there are enough customers to support it. But in looking around the salons at Regency and Virginia Center Commons Malls, I would say there is enough clientele to support such an establishment if properly advertised.

Fortunately with the growth of Short Pump has come an option for black hair care. Bubbles Salon and Elizabeth Arden Day Spa and Salon can properly accommodate African-American clientele. They are both located in Short Pump Town Center.

September 2, 2010 11:27 PM 0