Beauty Supply Institute is a well-respected training and consulting organization founded by Devin Robinson, a former business & economics professor. Since 2007, his organization has helped open more than 100 Black-owned beauty supply stores across America, Canada and the Caribbean islands.
Devin has always had a passion for helping Black entrepreneurs own beauty supply stores because very few of the ones that sell Black hair care products are actually owned by the people who buy these products. Even more, there have been several incidents of racism and discrimination against Black consumers who support non-Black owned beauty supply stores. This inspired him to write the best-selling book Taking it Back: How to Become a Successful Black Beauty Supply Owner
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A real asset to the community
In 2010, Devin’s Beauty Supply Institute began hosting two bi-annual conferences; one on the west coast and one on the east coast, to educate individuals on the overall business, how to get in and if is best for them. So far, the conferences have been held in various cities including Atlanta, Los Angeles, Las Vegas, Houston, Cleveland, St. Louis and New York.
In 2016, his organization expanded into hands-on training by moving its headquarters into a 5,000 square foot facility that now houses its headquarters, training rooms, consulting rooms and a fully functioning beauty supply store.
And in 2018, Devin established the Beauty Supply Lending Group, which offers a few funding options for aspiring store owners – from traditional SBA loans to non-traditional loans only requiring a minimum 551 credit score. Interest rates are competitive and start-up loans can go as high as $150,000 for future owners and up to $400,000 for existing store owners.
The joy of giving back
Devin comments, “This has been a vision I’ve continuously worked to bring to life ever since I was threatened with a golf club in 2005 by a Korean beauty supply store owner while I was shopping. To have assisted so many people in realizing their own dream of store ownership while bringing jobs and money back to my community is a dream come true.”
Regarding his
organization’s services, he further comments, “We are the absolute best at getting aspiring owners to their grand openings. We have classes, conferences and detailed training to get you there.”For more details about the Beauty Supply Institute, visit the new location at 5015 Floyd Road Suite 300, Mableton, Georgia. Or visit their official web site at www.beautysupplyinstitute.com or follow them on Facebook.
This article was originally written by BlackBusiness.com.