Today we’d like to introduce you to Essence Shabazz.
Essence, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I graduated from Regency Beauty Institute in 2013 in St. Louis Missouri and to go to beauty school in my family‘s home state to be with my great grandparents. Shortly after I graduated beauty school,I came back home from Minnesota to become a traveling hairstylist. I continued as a traveling hairstylist for about three years. I realized I needed a physical location for my clients.I opened a small suite salon on Ford Parkway in Saint Paul Minnesota. As I worked there for two years, I realized I did not just want to be behind the chair stylist. I wanted my beauty brand to make a difference in grow into something bigger. I started connecting with people and received a few ideas. One day, I went to Sammy’s eatery Avenue on West Broadway in North Minneapolis where the owner Sammy gave me the idea to open a black owned beauty supply. I realized there were not many black owned beauty supply stores in the Twin Cities, so I wanted to be one of the few to make a difference. I did a lot of research and came upon a beauty supply store in Los Angeles Angeles called The Girl cave LA. I went to California to take her course on how to open a beauty supply store. I then came back home from Minnesota to start my vision of a salon and beauty supply together. I did not have enough money to open a retail store so I started doing pop up shops. Shortly after the launch of my beauty supply brand announcement covid 19 hit and I also got the news that I was pregnant with my son. Those two events put me & my business plans back. In 2021 I thought of creating a mobile beauty supply truck to deliver products and services to my clients. People were still scared to be around each other at the time so I thought that would be a great way to keep my business afloat. My Beauty supply mobile truck launched in August 2021. The beauty supply truck was a great idea but I still needed a bigger space for all of my retail inventory and a space to service my clients who still wanted to come to the salon. After many letdowns, I finally found a space on Randolph in St.Paul not to far from my first location. My grand opening is now set for April 16th,2022. It has been a long journey but it was worth the wait.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
It has not been a smooth road. I remember in 2017 when I first started I was looking for funding from everywhere to expand, because I didn’t have a lot of credentials I would always get denied. I started funding my business myself and I am just now receiving help from other resources. Funding for a woman owned minority business was almost nearly impossible.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
We are a black owned beauty supply store with connecting express hair salon. We are where beauty and community meet, meaning we will be heavily involved with youth and young adults in college. We are looking forward to providing a safe space for youth and young adults to grow, connect and give business tools and resources to help succeed. Our beauty supply will be known for creating a platform for other small businesses that have a products to sell, we will also be known for our impact in the community and one of the very first beauty supply stores in the state of Minnesota to have a mobile delivery truck. Our Express salon will be known for amazing customer service, fast and quality service to help with your desired image. E.Bazz in all specializes in quality products, hair services and mobile delivery services. What sets me apart from others is that I am one of the few black owned beauty supply stores in the state, we have a salon attached to our store and we have a mobile delivery truck. Another highlight is that we will be actively involved with our community which a lot of beauty supply stores are not. I am most proud that I have made it this far, I am proud that I never gave up on my brand and now I am creating a legacy for my family and children to see. I want my readers to know that our Grand Opening is April 16th 2022 from 12-6pmand I want everyone to come out, the ribbon cutting will be at 1pm. I want them to know I am a platform for their products so please email [email protected] for a shelf to sell their products in a prime location. We are also hiring for stylist and beauty advisors. Overall I just want people to know we will make a difference this store and this brand is more than just about the beauty industry we are community driven ready to make a difference.
What are your plans for the future?
Our plan for the feature is to open many more stores within the state and maybe even out of state. Our next venture will be something special that I don’t want to expose yet but stay in touch via social media @E.beauty Supply.
Pricing:
- Booth rentals available : $200/week
- Shelf rent in store and online :$200/month, this could change depending on the product being sold
- For service prices visit ebazzbeautysupply.com
Contact Info:
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: Ebazzbeautysupply.com
- Instagram: E.bazzbeautysupply
- Facebook: E.bazzbeautysupply
Image Credits
Jabari Holloman
David Kenyon
