Ricky Ranier and Chardai Tisdale are business owners in the Charlotte area making sure that black-owned products are in the front of stores and not just shoved off collecting no attention in the back of stores as it has been for years! They started a company in the Ayrsley area of Charlotte, which is the only black-owned beauty supply store and salon, called Black Balled Beauty! The company is home to many products owned by small businesses and hosts weekly vendor events in-store allowing for the business to increase visibility! We had the pleasure of speaking with this amazing duo and here is what we discovered!
| What is the inspiration behind the name of your company? Black Balled is something that happens when you are ostracized or pushed out of particular spaces and we feel that POC has had that happen to them in the beauty industry. Whether it is having to conform to beauty standards that aren’t our own or being forced to shop in locations that don’t understand our hair types and needs. We are looking to take back that space. What has been the most difficult part of running a successful business during the pandemic? Of course, closing the salon was hard but that was what inspired us to branch into a full retail space. Making the products that I would use on my client’s hair available for them to utilize at home was important. So while it was difficult the important part was finding a way to pivot. But we did have some issues with shipping and logistics but it has worked out as we continued. Do you feel there is a lack of support for black-owned businesses? Why or Why not? We don’t feel that it was a lack of support but just a feat to change people’s minds and remind them we are here and they don’t have to rely on the beauty supply stores they have been used to. Once they visit us and see that it’s more than just products but it’s a place you can get education and advice, we see the return customers and support. How has the support been in the community you reside in? It has been great, we have a number of beauty salons and barbershops around us that support. Charlotte, NC has a great community of black-owned businesses and supporters who are proud to support, so we are very appreciative of that. It’s been a hot summer, as fall arrives and temperatures cool, how often should people be washing their hair? Haircare is very individualized, what works for one person may not work for the next, regardless of texture. I always recommend a visit to a licensed stylist who can assess your hair and your scalp and give you advice that is custom for you. One thing that is universal is the use of moisturizing shampoos for most African-American textures and also the use of clarifying shampoos in case there is a need for removing product build-up. We carry all of those products and also offer consults if needed. What are some products you recommend to keep hair moisturized and prevent breakage? There are some great hair oils on the market that prevent breakage. We carry amazing oils from Taliah Waajid, Mielle’s Organics, and even a lot of our local brands from Charlotte. But oils that you should use usually contain fatty oils such as avocado oil or coconut oil. You also want to follow up on any product usage by covering your hair with a silk scarf or sleeping on a silk pillowcase. I often advise people who want to see growth to take advantage of protective styles but remember to oil your scalp and try to not keep them in too long. Many ladies & gents are splurging on hair growth oils, do you believe they actually help with growth? Actually, some do when implemented into the right regimen. There are some great growth stimulation ingredients to look for such as rosemary and tea tree. Things that open the hair follicles, but again these have to be accompanied with the right shampoo schedule, conditioner, nutrition, water intake, etc. Many say the hair is like a plant and what you eat determines the health of your hair, are there any vitamins, or foods that should be part of a daily diet to establish healthy growing hair? That is true and also still very individualized to the person, a great diet with the right amount of water intake, balanced nutrition, the appropriate vitamins, all contribute to hair growth. Your stylist should even be able to tell you if certain medicines are stunting your hair growth. I highly suggest investing in a stylist even if just for a consult and consistent trims. Having someone who cares about the health of your hair vs the style is very important. What’s next for your company? We are preparing to open our online store where items are available for order. We are expanding our branding hair and luxury hair extension brand, and most of all looking to open other locations. We want Black Balled to be a household name when it comes to beauty supply stores. Different cities and states are our ultimate goal. |
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