The article continued to say:
The startup’s co-founders say that the investors were less swayed by the numbers; they were more persuaded by “pattern matching.” This means, according to Mitchell, that investors look for a business model that has worked in the past without many hiccups — and young white men typically fit that pattern.
In other words they have nothing to compare it to, nobody has ever cared enough before to spend on black hair so how can you convince them that there is money in the black hair industry now?
Can we be mad at that? Maybe just a little bit – let’s think back to before natural hair was popular. We did not have as many black owned businesses dedicated to our hair as we do now and if we did they certainly never made themselves known.
The point is, black women and men have always spent money on their hair, and the general hair industry is where it is now because of a sizable contribution from black women. We didn’t just start caring for our hair when the natural trend became popular, we did so long before that too. Seems like a no brainer to me, but hey their loss.
Wipe your tears though this story has a happy ending, the girls did very well raising their own money to fund their startup, they used crowd funding websites to help, entering competitions and winning money for their accomplishments.
They also got innovative creating their own iPhone App proving that where one door closes there are a million more available for you to open, so bring your sanitizer because it isn’t going to be easy.
I loved this story because in the month of February is where you hear the most about the accomplishments of black people, we really should hear about it all the time but that’s another post.
The girls did not have it easy, kind of like our accomplished ancestors, the struggles might be different but it is still a struggle. We need to get to the point where we can take control of our own destiny and accomplish everything we can despite the ignorance, racism, classism and all the categories that are designed to keep an individual in a box.
I will end with the advice that the young women gave as they told their story.
[We] advise minority women entrepreneurs to save their money, anticipate challenges in majority-dominated sectors, and be willing to learn and grow with their companies
Nuff said.
Erin Gray says
They don’t need the white men in order to be successful
Kim Edwards says
So, why do we need white investors? Why convince them that we’re worthy?
Frankye Campbell says
Amen!!!
Bonnie NoClyde Monroe says
they don’t know nothing about black hair anyway.
Ashley Houston says
They shud be trying to convince black entrepreneurs, we shud be investing in ourselves.
Mia Eubanks says
Exactly
Stella Willneverloseher Groove-Thang says
Hell, half of us don’t sport our own hair anyways…so are they really not supporting our hair????
Hmmm
Yanna-Sweetiepie Griffin says
No need to convince white male investors .. Mayb they should get A loan from a private black owned bank .. keep our money n our community so we can grow & improve them !
Steffanie Scott says
The remedy would be to patronize black owned businesses-stop giving our money to those who choose not to buy from us.
Middle Child says
Why do they need to invest in our hair? Please explain
Middle Child says
That’s why we lost control of our industry in the first place the wrong investors making money off of our hair.
Christina Ervin says
We should find other blacks to invest in our hair. That’s how you build the black community and business. Black using there green dollars in black businesses. We have to build and support each other not go ask the white man. That’s how we end up not owning anything. Look at all white people own more of BET, Ebony, Jet, Essence. We don’t own most of what our black people started.
Teressa Hickmon says
They do invest, they invest in only weaves things that are not good for us. Stay natural and fight. A true investor will come. Amen!
Teressa Hickmon says
Invest Color. That’s right Christina. Blackenomics is the real Black Power, Not destruction!
Starr Jay says
We don’t invest in each other no cohesion. Our down fall. Smh
Jewish ppl do so well
Adenike Matthews says
Wtf…this sounds so backwards. ..we don’t need white males to b convinced of anything. ..damn
Jean G. Jernigan says
You shouldn’t want the white man in it
Adenike Matthews says
Everything happens for a reason…these white investors said no…so these women could learn to go get it on there own…we don’t need outsiders investing and EXPLOITING US…as soon as the white man gets a hold of it….whatever it is looses its significance. …look at the hip-hop industry…
kalexa1 says
Exactly. Well said.
Katrina Killian says
They know its a money machine… they dont want us to make money on us lol
DEBORAH WINSTON says
BUT WE CAN NOW W/O THEM!….SEE MY LINK…
Assata Knox says
Do they have a website? I’m game.
Kelly Hall says
Turn back to the community!!
Arry Marie says
If anything, we should be investing in the black community
Beulah Walker says
The Asians, have that solded out….Black Hair…
Tana Hickman says
That’s crazy! Who cares about them investing. Ain’t you tired of beggin? On to the next, keep it movin! SMH
She EarthAngel says
White men actually do listen to Black women. Ladies, you will be successful in getting them to invest!
Teresa Jessie says
Their loss……
Kayla Williams says
Personally, I think whoever doesn’t choose to invest in the black hair market is missing the boat. My question is why does it matter who is investing as long as someone is? I wouldn’t be offended if there were a tanning salon run by African Americans. Not EVERYTHING has to be a divisive issue. And, btw… some white folks do know about black hair… such as those of us who hare or are raising black children and have made it our business to educate ourselves about what is best for those we love. Just my .02
NubianPrize says
That’s why we need to get together & support our own ! But be careful, because once we get successful then they’ll try to buy us out or take over the company. That’s what they do to each other ,so you know they” do it to us !!
GOD BLESS THE CHILD WHO’S GOT HIS OWN !!!!
Barbara J McClain says
They don’t understand about our hair and when you do try explain they out in space …
Charles Williams says
They don’t care about you wake up you don’t get it wake up
Pamela Smith says
They wouldn’t even dare support something that isn’t going to do them personally any good. Support something that will uplift or give our kings and queens some recognization?? Ain’t gonna neva happen!!!
Yvonne Roper says
Those potential investors will be sorry!! Just rub it in their faces later.
Shawneequa Iman Dicks says
I would not be surprised if they came out with something like – African Hair Butter- ‘for the Crowns of our Kings and Queens.’ They are just giving them ideas. Sure. We will take a look at your product. After receiving all ideas- we do not think it is a great idea to for our company to fund your line of products at this time, but I have black: friends, boots, pants, socks, hair and I even had a black eye for two whole weeks.That proves that I am not turning you away because your black!! If it does not have the proud lady on it- it is not black owned and I’m not buying it no matter how ethnic the name of the company sounds.
Sandy Liesdek says
Well don’t go to them! Find different investors, go on Shark. Honestly why should they invest?
Socearre Moskalski says
They are the ones earning all the money in the hair industry! They know Blacks are the ones that spend the most in the hair industry. They are not unaware of the lucrative business that is Black Hair…. They don’t want to share their empire! They are always willing to make money off of us but not ensure we make money within our own community. Disturbing
Dawn says
Stop complaining and keep looking for someone who will support you. Stop falling back on the ‘poor little black person’ excuse. It’s embarrassing.