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They stored product in the
barber shop, in the truck and finally in a building they had
access to, before opening up on Nebraska Avenue – first at
547, then 901 and, now, 902.
Business was good back in
the day when there was no competition, he notes, but not so
much anymore. Others have moved into the black beauty supply
market and chipped away at Powell’s clientele.
“Now you can go anywhere
and get product,” he says. “If it weren’t for our loyal
customers we wouldn’t be in business.”
Staying in business is
Powell’s challenge these days in the face of that
ever-growing competition. And he would warn others not to
even try to go into the retail end of such a business.
“Go into the manufacturing
end of it,” he advises. “The retail is too hard to control.
Start at the bottom with manufacturing.” |
