Inclusion in the Salon Industry

Keya Neal shares the challenges she faces when trying to change the narrative about inclusion in salons as well as corporate offices.
Curl Specialist, educator, and industry activist Keya Neal has spent the past few years working with the largest brands in our industry to educate them on diversity & inclusion. She shares the challenges she faces when trying to change the narrative in salons as well as corporate offices.

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Summary

Curl Specialist, educator, and industry activist Keya Neal reflects on the significant changes in the beauty industry over the past three years, focusing on the evolution of the guest’s career from a stylist to an educator and consultant. They discuss the challenges and opportunities in promoting diversity within beauty brands, the impact of acquisitions on black beauty brands, and the shift towards direct-to-consumer sales in the beauty industry. The conversation highlights the ongoing struggle for representation and quality in beauty products.

Keya also delves into her experience with the HBO docu-series ‘Not So Pretty’, exploring the challenges and narratives within the beauty industry. The conversation shifts to the complexities of navigating social media as a beauty professional, followed by a personal story of growth and leaving a toxic work environment.

Takeaways

  • The acquisition of black beauty brands often leads to quality degradation.
  • Consumers often grieve the loss of beloved brands after acquisition.
  • Building relationships with clients is crucial for business.
  • Direct-to-consumer sales have changed the salon landscape.
  • Diversity and inclusion require collective effort from all levels.
  • The beauty industry must adapt to changing consumer behaviors. There’s room for both education and profit in retailing.
  • Affiliate relationships can significantly reduce margins for beauty professionals.
  • The ‘Not So Pretty’ series highlights the darker aspects of the beauty industry.
  • Personal experiences shape our contributions to industry conversations.
  • Leaving a toxic environment can lead to personal growth.
  • Unity in the beauty community is essential for progress.
  • Education and community engagement are crucial for industry transformation.
  • Time is running out for the beauty industry to become more inclusive.

Chapters

00:00 Revisiting the Past: A Three-Year Journey
05:40 Evolving Roles: From Stylist to Educator
11:16 C-Suite Insights: Bridging Diversity in Beauty Brands
17:26 The Impact of Acquisitions on Black Beauty Brands
21:21 Navigating Direct-to-Consumer Sales in the Beauty Industry
28:41 Innovative Retail Strategies in the Beauty Industry
32:46 The Impact of ‘Not So Pretty’ on the Beauty Narrative
36:59 Navigating Social Media as a Beauty Professional
44:15 Personal Growth and Leaving Toxic Environments
53:55 A Call for Unity in the Beauty Community