Local salon embraces Detroit
Vogel, Roshelle and Martinez, Michael
Issue date: 12/9/09 Section: Features
| |
|
"I like the laid back atmosphere," says Amandla Potter, sitting on a black, worn couch in the waiting area. "Judge Mathis" is playing in the background, the dialogue drowned out by the R&B music coming from a nearby stereo.
Planted ferns and a fish tank are between the chairs and couches, on which are scattered colorfully decorated pillows. These decorations aren't usually seen in a hair salon.
Neither is plywood.
Happy to Be Nappy, established in 2000, is in transition. Troubled by Detroit's crumbling economy, Wyndella recently downsized her salon to half its original size. Now there are plywood dividers separating each hair station, waiting to be painted.
"I have totally, totally, totally with a capital T noticed a decrease in business," she said. "Ten years ago Essence magazine reported we were making a quarter of a million dollars a year. And now? Yeah, right."
When Wyndella opened her business, she chose Livernois Avenue because of its reputation as the Avenue of Fashion. She says Livernois is a "very busy retail street," but the neighboring storefronts suggest the road traffic hasn't translated into business.
Nearby, at 18937 Livernois Ave., Dixon's Barber Shop stands dark and empty. A bright red "CLOSED" sign rests on the inside of the windowsill. To its right, the shell of another former business stands alone.
Further down, the windows of 18951's old tenant are broken, its doors barred.
Still, Wyndella says she remains committed to the community she grew up in. It's that community, she says, that will keep the business open despite the rough times.
"The most successful businesses represent who you are and what you do," she says. "We are not going anywhere because people feel like this is home to them."
In addition to being a natural hair salon, Happy to Be Nappy also has a book and gift shop. There is jewelry displayed behind glass cases and African art showcased throughout the room.
Wyndella also created her own non-chemical based hair product line that she sells and uses on clients.
"I'm doing what I love to do," says Wyndella, rubbing her Na'Tribe twisting cream into the locks of Paulette Holloway.
Holloway, who usually comes in twice a month for her 30-minute touch-up session, hasn't been to the shop in two months because of the economy. Although money is tight, she returned to the salon because of Wyndella's attitude and experience.
"The people here are personable and friendly," Holloway says. "She always provides the best service for her clients."
In addition to working at the shop throughout the week, Wyndella offers educational seminars about different hairstyling techniques. The single mother of five hopes to create business opportunities for others at a profession that is currently helping her pay her way through film school.
Born in Detroit, Wyndella spent much of her childhood in Chicago, where her father was a state legislator. She began styling hair at age 14, and has done so ever since.
Wyndella considers herself cultured, having traveled to Ethiopia. She proudly displays aspects of her African-American heritage throughout the shop, from the decorative tribal masks inside to the controversial name on the store's green awning.
Her shop's name - Happy to Be Nappy - reflects a phrase that friends and family used to describe her when she was young, but it also has a deeper meaning.
"Nappy is something that blacks relate to," she says. "All of it is equality. I think that you're just as cultural when your hair is straight as you are when your hair is nappy. It's about being comfortable wherever you are with your hair."
Wyndella admits that some customers don't understand the meaning behind the name and like it for the wrong reasons. She wants clients to understand that while the name does support a particular stereotype, it does not reject other forms of hairstyles.
"That's a stigma I won't accept. I'm the type of person that busts through stereotypes," she says.
Wyndella is looking forward to pursuing a career in film and eventually move to Los Angeles, but she plans on leaving the salon in good hands. Her daughter and other employees are committed to keeping the salon open for returning clients.
After all, it's the customers who have brought the salon success to this point.
"I feel like Happy to Be Nappy belongs to the community, not me," Wyndella says.
Be the first to comment on this story