The BOBSA Connection

San Jose Celebrates Juneteenth with Pete Escovedo, Jon B. , and Chico & James DeBarge | Bible Way Hosts Church In the Park Services

2007-05-28T04:20:00.000-07:00

Click on image to enlarge:
Sponsorship, Vendor Booth, Advertising and Volunteer Opportunities Still Available!
Contact (408) 292-3157 or visit our website at www.sjaacsa.org/juneteenth.htm

www.sjaacsa.org/juneteenth.htm | www.myspace.com/bayareajuneteenth

E-mail: sjaacsa@yahoo.com OR CALL (408) 292-3157

BOBSA Asks For Your Help To End Discrimination In Beauty Industry

2007-05-19T05:02:00.000-07:00

James Neusom jneusom@yahoo.com
City Lights Reporter

Greetings Family,

Recently I've received numerous emails from BOBSA (Black Owned Beauty Supply Association) members asking me to support BOBSA's efforts to launch a congressional hearing into unfair business practices and discrimination, by Korean owned beauty supply and wholesale hair distributors.

BOBSA's (www.bobsa.us) mission is to encourage and facilitate the establishment of Black owned beauty supply stores nationally and internationally. They provide guidance to entrepreneurs in the development, purchase, and operations of Black Owned Beauty Supply Stores. BOBSA serves, within this industry, as an advocate for vocational training, job placement, and educational scholarships to the black community.

Currently the African American purchasing power for black hair care products is eight billion dollars annually. Based on a national survey and feedback from their membership base of over 600 Black owned business, they have reason to believe that both the South Korean Government and the American Government, under various support programs have aided South Koreans from Korea to the United States to establish black hair care product businesses.

African American women are the single largest purchasers of wigs and hair extensions both natural and synthetic in the United States, if not the world. The US Congress passed legislation shortly after the Korean War that prevented the importation of hair and hair manufactured wigs from China and India, only allowing those products to enter America through South Korea. This single act alone was the beginning of a monopoly of Korean owned businesses in South Korea and the United States. It is BOBSA's belief that money given to the South Korean Government has been funneled back in to the United States via Korean owned banks and various business organizations to finance control of this industry.

BOBSA recently conducted a national survey and produced a documentary (Black Hair) inquiring about the various discrimination practices that have been institutionalized by these various Korean owned organizations. The results of this survey showed this monopoly had an adverse impact on the African American hair care industry, black owned businesses have been forced out of the market impacting jobs and the recycling of money within black communities. In simple terms black products are not getting retail shelf space, black business owners are being forced in to unfair credit terms and in many cases denied the opportunity to even purchase products for their stores and customers.

BOBSA is asking for your active support in pressuring the US Congress to investigate their finding. They are asking for you to contact your local congressmen/senator, and local media to request they investigate discrimination in the hair products industry.

DATA COLLECTION SURVEY
Click here to complete the survey.
-------
Note from BOBSA:
This online survey expires 5/26/07
You will soon be able to complete this survey on the BOBSA Web site.

Do you have questions about this survey?
Contact: sam@bobsa.org Chairman of BOBSA (Black Owned Beauty Supply Association)

Upcoming Event in the Oakland, CA area

2007-05-13T20:03:00.000-07:00

Here are some events that we think may be of interest to our Oakland, California readers

May 19 - Grant Writing Basics

Learn How To:
Identify potential funding sources (government,private and corporate)
Become skilled at communicating with funders
Prepare budgets for different funders
Work effectively with grant writing consultants
Become proficient in managing an awarded grant

Call (510) 530-0770 to reserve your space or download a registration form at www.alverna.org

May 19 - You Are a C.E.O Seminar

Learn what you must do to:
Be successful
Build wealth
Fulfill your dreams
Work effeciently and effectively
this seminar is for professionals, executives, college student, entrepenuers, small buisness owners, and those who want to succeed in life
www.youareaceo.com

Source: Oakland African American Chamber of Commerce

Your Own Store…Do you know what it really takes?

2007-05-11T05:51:00.000-07:00

In addition to the business plan, the marketing, and the finances, what else goes into getting your store up and running? Gumption. Yes, gumption. Do you have that? There is more, too. "Sticktoitiveness". What? Yes, sticktoitiveness. We go even further…good old elbow grease. Over the next few months, BOBSA will feature new beauty supply stores and how they get from the planning table to the grand opening.

Here’s a peek courtesy of Platinum Styles Beauty Supply, Las Vegas, Nevada.

The full picture story will be in the BOBSA Gallery soon.

As seen on the BOBSA Web site, these are the resources and qualities needed for beauty supply store start-up:
• Financing
• Ingenuity
• Patience
• Competitiveness
• Ability to work with others
• Willingness to learn
• Strong work ethic

Are you ready to explore the possibility of owning your own beauty supply store? See how BOBSA can support you. Click here for more information.

We also have developed BOBSA Online Beauty Supply Stores that are available for purchase. Four of those that are purchased and online are:
• www.BobsaCA.com
• www.BobsaIL.com
• www.BobsaTN.com
• www.BobsaNJ.com
Check them out!

New BOBSA Member Store

2007-05-10T06:29:00.000-07:00

Introducing:

LIVING SPRING BEAUTY SUPPLY
138 FRIES MILL RD #7
TURNERSVILLE, NJ 08012
609-922-6682
OWNED BY ROBERT AND MONICA AJAYI

You will soon be able to view the full cycle of setting up the store at the BOBSA Web site. Our gallery will be opened soon!

SBA - A Great Small Business Resource

2007-05-08T16:42:00.000-07:00

The U.S. Small Business Administration exists to "to aid, counsel, assist and protect the interests of small business concerns, to preserve free competitive enterprise and to maintain and strengthen the overall economy of our nation." If you are a small business owner or interested in becoming one, take some time to peruse the SBA web site. You will find services, tools, and resources to help you start a new business or grow your existing business. Visit http://www.sba.gov

At our organization level, we bring BOBSA members the critical resources they need to set up Brick & Mortar Beauty Supply Stores. We also have developed BOBSA Online Beauty Supply Stores that are available for purchase. Four of those that are purchased and online are:
* www.BobsaCA.com
* www.BobsaIL.com
* www.BobsaTN.com
* www.BobsaNJ.com

If you are ready to strive for independence and financial stability, visit the BOBSA site for more information on starting your own beauty supply store.
http://www.bobsa.org

BOBSA Business Directory

2007-05-07T08:25:00.000-07:00

BOBSA's business directory will be finalized soon with new features.

To capture all of the information that we need to maintain a complete directory, we are encouraging BOBSA members, who are business owners in the hair and beauty industry, to go the website and complete the business registration form. This will capture pertinent information such as business summary, category, web site, telephone number, et cetera.

To access the form, go to http://www.bobsa.org. Click on Directory, then click on the link "Click here to register your business".

We thank everyone for their feedback as we strive to serve the BOBSA community effectively.

Thank you for viewing the BOBSA Web site.

BOBSA Members on the Move - Oh, The Convenience of Online Shopping

2007-05-05T04:56:00.000-07:00

See what some of our BOBSA members are doing. Today we feature our online store owners. They bring you convenient and cost-effective shopping at the click of a mouse. For instance, why bother with the traffic today? Spend your Saturday with your family, your friends, yourself. Now, you can shop for your favorite beauty and hair products online at BOBSA online stores. Shop anytime. Delivered anywhere.

If you have family and friends living or traveling abroad, send them the BOBSA link http://www.bobsa.org to help support the BOBSA mission.

Support the BOBSA mission. Support our BOBSA members. Support a BOBSA store near you.

BOBSA Online Store Owners:
BOBSA Online Store of California
Owner: Mrs. Nakia Hopkins
Email:nakia@bobsabeautycalifornia.com or rnhopkins@aol.com

BOBSA Online Store of Illinois
500 N. Michigan Ave, Suite 300
Chicago, IL 60611
Email: trobertson@bobsabeautyillinois.com

BOBSA Online Store of New Jersey
Owner: Theresa Thompson
PO Box 455
Leonia, NJ 07605
Email:slayergirl66@msn.com

BOBSA Online Store of Tennessee
298 Sam Ridley Pkwy E.
Ste 110
Smyrna, TN 37167
Email:contact@bobsabeautytennessee.com

Coming Soon!
BOBSA Online Store of Florida
Owner: Earl Owens III

We will feature our store owners often on this blog. It is our way of connecting them to you. Remember, we connect the black dots.

BOBSA’s mission is to encourage and facilitate the establishment of African American owned beauty supply stores nationally and internationally. We provide guidance to entrepreneurs in the development, purchase, and operations of Black Owned Beauty Supply Stores. BOBSA serves, within this industry, as an advocate for vocational training, job placement, and educational
scholarships to the black community.

Out of Queens, NY: Mixed Reaction On Fate Of Jamaica Coliseum Mall

2007-05-04T05:20:00.000-07:00

Mixed Reaction On Fate Of Jamaica Coliseum Mall
Queens Chronicle - Rego Park,NY,USA
At WI Beauty Supply, Asian women ring up purchases as customers browse through bins of fuchsia, turquoise and polka dotted headbands and hair elastics. ...

Many small business owners face similar issues impacted by revitalization and rezoning laws, etc. As the article states, "other shopkeepers worried about small businesses being forced out when there are no more affordable places to go."

Has this ever been your experience. Do you wonder if this will ever happen to you? Read the article by clicking on the link below and share your thoughts.

Read more in the Queens Chronicle:

Small Business News

2007-05-02T05:10:00.000-07:00

This is an article warning businesses about “Bogus Billing” scams.
Yellow Pages Association™ Kicks Off National Small Business Month ...
Business Wire (press release) - San Francisco,CA,USA

LAS VEGAS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Over the past year, millions of dollars have been paid in settlements to small businesses that have been taken advantage of by ...

These other articles may be of interest to you if you are a small business owner.

Small business confidence up in April
Cincinnati Business Courier - Cincinnati,OH,USA

A more stable housing scene, and a resilient job market, made small business owners feel better about the economy in April, National City Corp. said. ...

KING5.com (subscription) - Seattle,WA,USA

To paraphrase a song sung by a Tony Award-winning star of stage and film musicals, Ethel Merman, “There’s no business like small business. ...

Small Business: Ins and Outs
Business Tennessee - Nashville,TN,USA

These days, whether the task in question is accounting, IT services, marketing or payroll, many small business experts almost always say it’s best to ...

Out of New York: Brooklyn's own small biz beauty

2007-05-01T05:14:00.000-07:00

BY PHYLLIS FURMAN
DAILY NEWS BUSINESS WRITER

Monday, April 30th 2007

New York Daily News - New York,NY,USA

"Her hair is very healthy. She swears by it." While there are legions of beauty products that appeal to African-American women - an industry segment that ...

Click here to read article. Click on "comment" below to share your thoughts.

Interesting Articles That Came Across Our Desk

2007-04-30T06:13:00.000-07:00

From time to time we share articles and news that come across our desk that we think may be of interest to you in the hair industry. Here is one from FayObserver.com a North Carolina publication.

“We have to blame ourselves for creating a culture that accepts the negative portrayal of African-Americans and women.” Curtis said it’s a short distance ...

Another article we'd like to share is one by Paul Street...his take on Barack Obama's speech at the University of Iowa. Click here to read.

Has any or our readers seen or heard this speech? Please share your thoughts by clicking on the "comment" button below.

Hair Extravaganza 2007

2007-04-27T07:12:00.000-07:00

Sunday, May 20, 2007
6:05pm - 10:00pm

Marriott Oakland City Center
1001 Broadway
Oakland, CA 94607

Info: 707-642-0551 | 951-686-4376

Click on the image for further details:

Special Event by BOBSA Ohio Chapter

2007-04-26T05:31:00.000-07:00

BOBSA
Black Owned Beauty Supply Association
Ohio Chapter
Presents:
“Connecting The Dots”
Cosmetologists, Barbers, Nail Techs, Massage Therapist,
Estheticians, Distributors, Manufacturers, and Black owned
Beauty Supply Store Owners.
Come Join Us!
Enjoy food, music, and networking

When: Sunday, May 20, 2007 @ 8pm – 2am
Where: Rhinos Live 11473 Chester Rd., Sharonville
Why: To support, promote, and enhance the growth of the African American Hair Care Industry in the open economic market!

Tickets: $10.00/Additional $10.00 towards
BOBSA Membership
Contact: BOBSA Ohio Chapter
1-888-813-0267

Grooving with “The Second Wind”
Cincinnati’s Jazz and R&B Band,
& after party with DJ Chris Paul

2007-04-25T19:45:00.000-07:00

News That Came Across our Desk Today

2007-04-24T06:00:00.000-07:00

Here are a few links to news relating to African Americans that caught our eye today and that we thought may be of interest to you.

The New York Press talks about "More Changes to the Dictionary" referring to the term used to describe tightly curled hair.

From the Pittsburgh Post Gazette: Black and beautiful: African-American women haven't had an easy time in the fashion world...

and more...

A black forefather died 100 years ago
Bangor Daily News - Bangor,ME,USA
For a time Fred had worked with his brother Frank and Frank’s son Fred W., according to Maureen Elgersman Lee in her book "Black Bangor: African Americans ...

Hip-hop's Simmons: Remove offensive words
SI.com - USA
Their discussions are about the corporate social responsibility of the industry to voluntarily show respect to African Americans and other people of color, ...

Phillips: Rappers' only talent is pimping musical trash
Austin American-Statesman (subscription) - Austin,TX,USA
Even before the social movement of the 1960s, African Americans were keenly aware of the cultural damage caused by images of blacks with bad grammar, ...

Feel free to post your comment on any of these articles.

Open Friday: Planning for Next Week

2007-04-20T06:10:00.000-07:00

Today, we leave this blog open for any hair and beauty industry-related issue you wish to post a comment on. As you end the week and plan for the new one, think about the things you wish to achieve professionally and personally over the upcoming week. Then think about a month from now, next year, the next five years. But start with the small steps to reach the big goal.

Please share your thoughts on what's helping you reach your goals, or what's stopping you from achieving them. Think on them when you plan for next week.

Click on the comment button to post. Thank you.

Happy Friday!

Own A BOBSA Online Business

2007-04-19T09:34:00.000-07:00

BOBSA Online Stores, LLC exists to fulfill part of the BOBSA mission: to assist entrepreneurs in owning and operating Black Owned Beauty Supply Stores nationally and internationally.

The online stores differentiate themselves with the BOBSA approach:
• BOBSA focuses on a broad range of products – a whole product line that meets all hair care needs
• BOBSA supplies hard-to-get items and items by local and regional manufacturers
• BOBSA recognizes the effectiveness of technology in getting products to customers via cost-effective, convenient, and fast channels – online stores.

To locate a BOBSA online store, visit http://www.bobsaonlinestores.com. This provides a directory to stores where you can shop for hundreds of products, specialty items, and BOBSA exclusive items.

The BOBSA Organization

2007-04-18T08:33:00.000-07:00

The BOBSA organization offers many benefits that reflect the reason BOBSA exists. Foremost, BOBSA “Connects the Black Dots” nationally and internationally, by connecting manufacturers to black beauty supply stores, to salons, to the black Cosmetologist and ultimately to the entire Black community.

Networking and participation opportunities exist at BOBSA with ongoing roundtables, conferences, trade shows, seminars, and workshops. Co-op buying allows hair salons and beauty supply stores to cost-effectively acquire merchandise for their businesses. As the organization grows, new benefits, such as group medical insurance, are being offered to members.

How is Your Cultural Health?

2007-04-18T08:10:00.000-07:00

Have you been thinking about your personal health, the health of the economy, the health of your business...? How about your cultural health? See how well you fare at The Cultural & Political Health 101 Club

The BOBSA Gift Shop

2007-04-18T05:28:00.000-07:00

Support the BOBSA Gift Shop. Connect the dot gifts T-Shirts and more. The Black Owned Beauty Supply Association is on the move. Black Dot gifts remind us of our mission and help spread the word.

Click here to start shopping!

Our Condolences to Virginia Tech

2007-04-17T07:32:00.000-07:00

We extend our heartfelt condolences to the students, faculty, staff, families, and friends of Virginia Tech. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.

What is Your Small Business or Career Issue?

2007-04-15T20:51:00.000-07:00

Many issues impact the black hair industry and small businesses in general: access to capital, access to adequate health insurance, easy access to professional hair and beauty products. The list goes on. The U.S. Chamber of Commerce states that, "acquiring capital is a driving concern for small business owners," (2005). Read the survey results of Access to Capital: What Funding Sources Work For You? here.

This is an opportunity for your to post comments on your top issue from last week. Your issue can be taken from the media, your personal experience, or the experience of others. Your post should focus on legal, financial, ethical, social, or other factors that impact your career in the hair and beauty industry.

What Kind of Hair?

2007-04-15T20:35:00.000-07:00

The media is still ablaze from last week's events surrounding the term, "nappy-headed hos" that Don Imus used to describe the Rutgers University's women's basketball team. This is an issue for many African Americans, sparking debates everywhere with many television and radio stations re-arranging their programs to accommodate these debates.

What is your take on this issue?

Click "Comments" to share your thoughts.

BOBSA Online Stores

2007-04-14T21:37:00.000-07:00

Have you checked out our BOBSA online stores?

Visit us here: http://www.bobsaonlinestores.com and choose a store near you.

Support Black Manufacturers and Black Beauty Supply Store Owners.

Shop BOBSA.

Welcome to the BOBSA Blog

2007-04-14T20:47:00.000-07:00

Dear Members and Friends of BOBSA:

In our continued effort to provide you with up-to-date information and a forum for peer support, we have created the BOBSA Blog. Please view our blog often to read current posts and to post your comments as well.

Guidelines for posting:

Please be mindful of your comments as this is a public blog.
Please refrain from derogatory remarks and obscene language.
Do post helpful tips for BOBSA members and others in the hair and beauty industry.
Do feel free to discuss current events that impact our careers in the hair and beauty industry.

We hope you will find this mode of communication helpful and that you will use it to your benefit and the benefit of others.

Happy posting!