Mother-son duo Nneka Slade and Kameron Coleman have inked a seven-figure deal to expand their Black-owned beauty supply store across Ohio.
This remarkable achievement marks a significant milestone for the pair, who acquired their first store, Play Beauty Supply, in Richmond Heights in 2020.
Black Entrepreneurship Flourishes in Ohio Beauty Industry
Slade, 49, and Coleman, 25, are breaking new ground in an industry where Black ownership is rare. Their success story began with an e-commerce venture selling hair extensions.
After building relationships with hair salons and stylists, they took the bold step of opening a brick-and-mortar store.
“We never dreamed about this happening,” Slade told The Akron Beacon Journal. “We didn’t even know what was going to happen but if we failed, we were going to fail big, something like this doesn’t happen.”
Expanding Footprint: From Richmond Heights to Maple Heights
The expansion deal comes on the heels of their recent acquisition of Star Beauty Plus in Maple Heights this March. This rapid growth demonstrates the duo’s business acumen and their ability to meet the needs of their target market.
Their success is rooted in a perfect balance of skills and perspectives. Coleman brings modern marketing strategies and technological know-how, while Slade contributes her extensive industry experience and organizational skills.
Bridging Generations: A Winning Business Formula
Despite their age difference, Slade and Coleman have found strength in their generational divide. Coleman explains, “She leans on me to bring in the new 21st-century ideas, the delivery, websites, marketing. It’s a balance with each other.”
Slade echoes this sentiment, stating, “We learned a lot about each other. I’m more of the left brain-organized, structured, and Kameron is more of the right brain-creative, risk taker. There’s a nice balance that happens.”
Meeting Unmet Needs: Curated Products for Minority Groups
With three decades of experience as a cosmetologist, Slade understands the unique needs of her clientele. Play Beauty Supply carefully curates its product range to cater specifically to minority groups.
This approach has resonated deeply with customers. Slade shares, “People that come in now to the store are excited to see that it’s Black-owned. They come in shedding tears because they can buy the products they need for their hair.”
Community Impact and Future Prospects
The success of Play Beauty Supply extends beyond business metrics. It’s become a beacon of representation and empowerment in the community.
Customers travel from far and wide, including Akron and Canton, to support this Black-owned business.
