SalonCentric recently hosted an exclusive educational event for 30 beauty entrepreneurs who are recipients of the 2024 L’Oréal USA Inclusive Beauty Fund. The 40 newest recipients now join the prior 32 Inclusive Beauty Fund recipients—formally named BeautyBlazers by SalonCentric—in receiving business development support that enables them to grow their beauty businesses.
During the kickoff event, BeautyBlazers were provided with a collaborative learning environment where they gained insights into branding, scaling, and enhancing their beauty businesses. They were able to develop tangible growth strategies and expand their professional networks and resources. Helping to achieve these goals was an impressive lineup of beauty brands, brand founders, beauty influencers, and industry thought leaders who provided expert insights and guidance across various topics via panels, keynote sessions or special networking moments.
Industry VIPs in attendance included SalonCentric #ItTakesAPro Team Artists: Daniel Mason-Jones, motivational speaker, salon owner, and leadership guru; Mireya Villareal, founder of Pink Pewter, influencer, and motivational speaker; John Mosley, also known as Popular Nobody, award-winning barber and educator. Additional presenters were Maude Okrah Hunter, founder of The Black Beauty Roster; Tippi Shorter Rank, celebrity hairstylist, L’Oréal Professionnel Color Artist, and Global Artistic Director for Mizani; Michelle O’Connor, Global Artistic Director for Matrix; LaToya Stirrup, founder of Kazmalaje and a 2021 BeautyBlazer; and more.
“At SalonCentric, we are committed to empowering small business owners with the tools, resources, and connections they need to thrive,” said Kareema Wilson, Vice President of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Belonging at SalonCentric. “This event is more than just education; it’s about creating opportunities for these BeautyBlazers to scale their businesses strategically and sustainably.”
A total of 40 $10,000 grants were awarded through L’Oréal USA’s 2024 Inclusive Beauty Fund grant. These grants provide financial support and resources to small businesses and entrepreneurs across the beauty industry. Administered in collaboration with both the NAACP’s Economic Empowerment Fund and the Hispanic Federation, L’Oréal partnered with Global Giving to provide these one-time grants to small businesses and entrepreneurs in the beauty industry across the United States.
In addition to the grant funding, awardees also received $500 in SalonCentric ProRewards points, guidance on SalonCentric’s Beauty Tech tools, and support on business development support. This kickoff event was one of many events planned throughout the grant cycle.
