Who says you can’t buy hair gel on campus just before chemistry class? The Black Women behind empowering brand The Beauty Genie are granting wishes through hair and beauty product-filled vending machines at Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) nationwide. The Beauty Genie founders Ebony Karim, Quintella Rodgers, and Swanzetta Lewis combined their entrepreneurial qualities to form a beauty brand that caters to providing accessible Black haircare products for all hair types and textures.
The Beauty Genie vending machines are set to provide students with easy access to high-quality and affordable beauty products on campus, including bonnets, gels, braiding hair, shampoos, conditioners, and edge control. This is particularly important for students attending HBCUs in rural areas where beauty supply stores are not readily accessible without transportation.
Amid the success of its first official vending machine placement at Chicago’s Union Station, the innovative brand is poised to launch on prominent HBCU campuses just in time for the Fall 2023 semester. The brand recognizes the significance of offering top-notch products to Black students and their desire to have accessibility to essentials like bonnets for box braids or bundles for a sleek middle part.
EMOIR Magazine caught up with the three women behind the rising beauty empire for an exclusive peek into their endeavors.
EMOIR: What inspired the name and plans for The Beauty Genie? Why did you decide to establish your brand through the use of vending machines?
Quintella: The Beauty Genie name came about through a lot of brainstorming among us three. We knew we wanted a catchy name, a name that would describe in a few words our purpose, and what our business would provide.
EMOIR: What do you hope to accomplish by having these vending machines nationwide on HBCU and PWI campuses?
All: Our mission is to nourish hair care deserts with accessible and quality products. While we have openly embraced our natural beauty more as a society, there are still many unserved areas where students lack access to their ideal beauty items. The Beauty Genie hopes to be a positive force in the beauty space by empowering students through product offerings and other interactive engagements.
EMOIR: How can Black Women college students benefit from The Beauty Genie?
Quintella: The women who utilize our vending machines will benefit from convenient access to quality hair care products while learning about caring for their hair with integrated infomercials and styling tips. Our product offerings are carefully curated by professionals, ensuring the inclusivity of all hair types and textures.
EMOIR: How would you describe the quality in terms of material in, say, the gels, bonnets, braiding hair, and shampoos?
Quintella: The products we chose to provide are mostly paraben and sulfate-free that can be used on any hair type, without worrying about damage to your hair, whether you’re natural, relaxed, or texturized. For example, we chose satin bonnets which prevent dry hair. We also have gels and edge control that are alcohol-free, which also can alleviate the drying of hair. Our customers have a variety of options to aid in their beauty goals.
EMOIR: What has the entrepreneurial journey been like for The Beauty Genie? What are the rewards and challenges of operating this growing business?
Ebony: Quintella and I both have entrepreneurial backgrounds, hers being a salon owner and mine owning and operating a consulting firm. Our combined experiences as business owners give us an edge in making sound business decisions relating to any new venture. The ability to create and develop innovative ideas with like-minded women is invaluable. While the vending business is new to our entire team, we’ve learned a lot in the areas of import and exporting, logistics, and supply chain management.
EMOIR: Black beauty is still stigmatized and not heavily represented as it should be. As former HBCU students, what kind of message does The Beauty Genie send to Black Women?
Quintella: It’s ok to embrace who you are, so we will make sure your crown is taken care of with quality hair care products and that you understand how to maintain healthy hair while doing so.
Also, “Good Hair” means “Healthy Hair’ and we are blessed to be able to wear our hair in many different styles, from short and cropped, to braids to bone-straight or natural curls.
– Ebony Karim
EMOIR: How can your brand and business encourage other Black Women to start their brands and succeed in their new business ventures just as you three ladies have?
Quintella: As Black Women entrepreneurs who didn’t come from a background of wealth, we saw a need and understood how important it is. We decided to personally fund the start of our business, believing in ourselves and our mission should motivate any Black Women to take a risk and bet on themselves.
Ebony: Black Women are known for building, uplifting, and supporting one another. These are ways that Black Women show up for each other. By empowering ourselves, we empower others.
EMOIR: What’s next for The Beauty Genie in the coming months to the following year?
All: What’s next for the Beauty Genie is to continue building our brand by expanding and installing machines in more school locations and airports in the years to come!
