Crown Talks 004

Kitchen Beauticians: How my Great Aunt’s Hair Salon passed down a legacy of beauty entrepreneurship 

Honestly, hair and beauty has always been a part of my life from the very beginning. Some of my favorite childhood memories are from playing in the salon with my cousins, washing and folding the hair towels for some extra fun money. A time was had! This shaped my perception of beauty because the black salon experience will always be elite. It is such a safe space that everyone deserves to be a part of.

My great aunt opened Paulette & Madelyn’s Beauty Boutique in the late ‘60s. Located in the historic Jackson Ward of Richmond, VA where Black owned businesses thrived during a time of segregation and racial discrimination. 

As the business grew, Aunt Paulette started teaching her children, nieces, son in law and any individual who wanted a chance at a career in cosmetology to be a part of her dream. 

The business expanded to include barbers & nail techs. As a family owned business we attended prominent hair shows. The famous Bonner Brothers hair show out of Atlanta, GA & the International Hair Show of New York. We also competed in local hair shows around Richmond, VA. 

Although the business has closed, the gift of cosmetology has been passed on to the next generation of our family. We have emerging cosmetologists, nail techs, braiders & lash techs and more.

-Régan Mason for Soft Rows