Diversity in the haircare industry

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black woman with big afro hair portrait

Diversity in the haircare industry. In the words of Author Chan, “Diversity is fact, Equity is choice, and Inclusion is an action.” These profound words resonate deeply with the evolving landscape of entrepreneurship, particularly in the world of barber shops and hair salons. For decades, these establishments have been quintessential symbols of entrepreneurship and cultural diversity within our communities. They have embodied community, consistency, and continuity in a world that is constantly in flux. As one of the oldest professions known to humanity, they have represented a rite of passage, where fathers took their sons and mothers took their daughters, for some of their earliest bonding experiences.

However, as our communities have grown and become increasingly diverse, a disheartening reality has emerged: a significant portion of the haircare industry failed to take the necessary actions to provide an inclusive approach that can keep pace with today’s globalised local communities. This failure became profoundly evident through personal experience. I recall traveling over an hour from my Shoreditch apartment to South London for a simple haircut because none of the nearby salons could cater to my hair’s unique texture.

My co-founder and I embodied this stark disparity in experiences. She is a white female, while I am a black male and for every 1000 hair salons that could cater to her hair type, only one would 1 cater to mine (1% out of 35k registered hair salons in the UK) . Yet, we both attended a diverse university, grew up in multicultural communities, and maintained a diverse circle of friends.

My family is a melting pot of backgrounds, and we’ve enjoyed shared experiences regardless of race, gender, or class. However, the hair salon or barbershop was not a place where my diverse friends, family, and I could enjoy those shared experiences. This realisation of inaction within a vast portion of the industry ignited a mission within me to establish the brand Chop Chop London, with a resounding call to action: “No Gender, No Texture, Just Hair.”

It was clear that change was overdue – an innovative approach to haircare services was required. We needed a system that earnestly considered the needs of my millennial generation and, even more crucially, the demands of the generations that followed, Generation Z and Generation Alpha. Representation matters; feeling included matters; equity in price, opportunity, and experience matters. Customers no longer seek mere transactional relationships; they demand to know why a business exists and how it actively addresses the social and environmental issues that concern the community.

In today’s dynamic landscape, the conscious consumer in not interested in a transactional relationship. As evident in the disruptive changes witnessed in the banking sector, the most transactional of professions, consumers desire more than just products and service. They want businesses to stand for something beyond profit, to contribute positively to society, and to embrace diversity in all its forms.

With Chop Chop London, my vision is to prove that inclusivity can be achieved, that it can become the norm rather than the exception. This involves not only retraining our industry professionals but also reshaping our collective mindset to prioritise inclusivity. By demonstrating the success and benefits of an inclusive approach, we aspire to inspire other businesses within the industry to follow suit. It is our hope that we can create a ripple effect and normalise inclusion across the entire haircare industry.

In conclusion, as the world continues to change and diversify, businesses must evolve and adapt. The haircare industry is no exception. It’s time to heed the call for inclusivity, recognising that diversity is a fact, equity is a choice, and inclusion is an action. In doing so, we can ensure that our businesses not only thrive but also serve as beacons of positive change within our communities.