Today we’d like to introduce you to Cadie Maganga.
Cadie, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
My story started in Africa. I am originally from Gabon a country in Central Africa. I came to USA to go to school to get a better life and seek for more opportunities. From there, I started braiding to make extra money to support myself, since my family was paying for my tuition. While braiding, I realized that the industry was great and at the same time I realized that there were more ways to make money and impact my community. Upon graduating, I got a job as a nurse and continued exploring entrepreneurship opportunities. There were several business opportunities that allowed me to expand my thoughts on possibilities to be an entrepreneur. I worked full time and didn’t like the routine of clocking in clocking out. I wanted to be my own boss. So I worked night shift in my full-time job and day shift at the salon to make it happen. While working at the salon, I realized that most of the supplies used by stylist and customer were coming from Asia and the black community was number one consumer of those products. I also found out that African American women spent 8 to 15 billions a year on hair care products. These motivated me to own a hair supplies store.
My clients drove to go look for hair care products in Asian owned Beauty supply stores nearby. To make it easier for my clients, I started supplying hair care products myself. I did this to inspire my own community and help save time to my clients and give them that peace of mind. Labelle became one stop shop for braids and hair products.
What guided me to where I am today was by Jehovah’s grace first and by always keeping in my heart those words of Joshua 1:9 “Have I not commanded you? Be courageous and strong. Do not be stuck with terror or fear, For Jehovah your God is with you wherever you go.” Second of all, working hard two full-time jobs to make it happen kept me humble. Staying connected to the right people also helped me mature and my business to a productive way. In addition to staying humble, wanting to give back to my community has also pushed me in the right direction to launch the “You Can Foundation”. This foundation is another way to inspire others to become entrepreneurs. Today I’m proud to say that I’m working through my goal by providing a nice clean and comfortable facility, one stop shop full salon and beauty supply that is impacting my community. Now I’m retired from my two full-time jobs to focus on my business…..it was not easy but worth it.
Has it been a smooth road?
It was not a smooth road, but God made it possible. I had to deal with my studies, with my mother who didn’t understand why I gave up on my dream to become a doctor and turned into entrepreneurship (laugh). I remember when my mom called me in 2015 to ask me that question “I heard that you don’t want to pursue your school but want to be a stylist, what happen?” I responded to my mom “you sent me here to go to school and get a job and make money so I found another road to make money and live well is it wrong?”. She said as long as you are okay, I’m (….). Also working full time. But I was challenged by the fact that the industry is control by Asian Americans and I was determined to change it. So I worked hard, and with the help of few friends, mentors, and savings I was able to launch LaBelle Braiding and beauty Supplies first store in November 2017. As I complete this today I already have a franchise in Fort Worth, TX and I’m looking forward for more. My biggest challenge was to set up my accounts with Asian suppliers because they wanted to remain in control.
So let’s switch gears a bit and go into the Labelle Braiding & Beauty Supplies story. Tell us more about the business.
At Labelle Beauty we provide top notch natural hair care services and beauty products for a wide range of beauty needs! We offer multiple braids and protective styling services to our clients and sell the best beauty products on the market in our store…We do braids, eyelashes and sell beauty supplies product. We specialize in all types of braids such micro, box braid, feeding etc…natural hair care and sewing. My proud as a company is we are in 2-in-1 beauty supply and hair salon shop. Great customer and taking proud of clean. Labelle Beauty isn’t your typical beauty supply we only put the best products on our shelves and we also use our platform to give back to our community. When customers shop with us, they can be assured that their money is well spent. We offer elite customer service and have been servicing some clients for ten years.
How do you think the industry will change over the next decade?
Where I would like to see the industry goes is in the next 5-10 years, I would like to see more African American women become owner of hair supplies stores.
Contact Info:
- Address: 3936 S Polk St # 112 Dallas TX 75224
- Website: www.labellebbs.com
- Phone: 214-372-9001
- Email: labellebraiding@gmail.com
Image Credit:
Tal Campbell
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