February is here, friends, and with this winter month comes a recognition and celebration we think is hugely important–not just to the beauty industry but to the world. Yep, it's Black History Month, and this year (and every year, really), we want you to find new and exciting ways to show your support and loyalty to the Black-owned salons, shops, and spas you love.
Not sure where to start? Don't sweat it; we've got you! Keep reading for some unique ideas about how to find and support black-owned salons this month (and every month after).
KEY TAKEAWAYS: In this blog, readers will learn actionable steps to help them support and celebrate black-owned beauty salons during Black History Month and beyond, like how to find these shops, what they can do to support them, and how they can get them on the map.
How to Find & Support Black Beauty Pros & Shops During Black History Month (& Every Month)
Look for Badges on Yelp
Not sure how to tell if a salon or shop is black-owned? Look for badges on Yelp! This feature helps you determine which shops are the ones you're looking for. If your efforts are dedicated toward seeking out a black-owned business, Yelp (and other search engines, too!) can help you find them.
Peruse Their Social Media
One of the best ways to get the root of a salon's ownership is to check out their social media. Do they post about it? Is it obvious on their platforms? Is it a proud point of conversation for them? You can usually tell when you peruse any business' socials what they stand for, what's important to them, and what information they want front and center. And in this case, you should (hopefully!) be able to tell which businesses are black-owned.
Spend Money at Black-Owned Salons
The most obvious way to show your support for black-owned salons is to spend your money there. Get a haircut, have your nails done, get a facial–whatever they offer that you're keen on trying, opt-in and support their establishment. Experience their salon and services fully, find your favorite things, and see if the salon is a good fit for you. Your money is a great way to support you, but your continued loyalty is even better (we'll explain why in a minute!)
Direct Them to a Reliable Cosmetology Liability Insurance
Some say the best support you can give someone is a safety net (it's us, we say it). One of the biggest mistakes a salon or spa can make is opting out of cosmetology liability insurance–the second is choosing a liability insurance that doesn't cover them well and doesn't care about their success. If you have a black-owned spa, shop, or salon in your life that doesn't have high-quality hair stylist liability insurance, sometimes the best support you can offer is to direct them to a company that cares about them. (Psst. That's us!)
Promote & Share About Them
Want to support your local black-owned salons but aren't in a position to do that in a monetary way? Trust us; there are plenty of other ways to tackle this without dipping into your bank account. Take to the social platforms, your inner circles, and your networking groups, and share the news about the black-owned businesses you support. Word-of-mouth referrals and social posts are a great way to get more people in their doors, and that's something everyone has the power to do.
Leave Reviews for Others to See
If you've had first-hand experiences with the salons you want to support, make sure you're leaving them reviews! It's no secret that the more positive reviews a salon (or any business) has, the more likely a new customer is to take a chance on them. So, share your positive experiences, brag about them, and make sure potential customers know what makes them special. Want to go the extra mile? Ask the salon where they prefer you leave a review–Google, Yelp, etc–and potentially leave reviews in several different spots.
Advocate with and for Them
Whenever a black-owned salon has a social or community-based belief that aligns with your own, join up with them and advocate for their cause. Support in the causes that actively matter to them is bigger than just throwing a few bucks their way–become an ally and advocate for them in the spaces where it matters and makes sense. Do they organize a toy drive every Christmas for their favorite charity? Be a part of that! Get the word out! Are they advocating with the city to repair the sidewalk in front of their salon? Go to the commission meeting and help them get their city support. Whatever it might be, they could use your support, your presence, and your loyalty.
Become a Regular
Don't just support your black-owned beauty salon during Black History Month–show them you really value their services by becoming a regular. When you make their salon your go-to shop, you're not just adding to their income; you're becoming a loyal customer they can count on. Support like that can be hard to come by for any salon or shop, and it's especially meaningful when they can make connections with customers who appreciate them and value them (like you!).
Are you on the hunt for more beauty advice like you found in this blog? You're in the right place. Beauty Insurance Plus is here to offer tips, insight, and career-boosting advice on the reg–make sure you subscribe to BIP for updates on the inside scoop!
