Katossa Glover has broken new ground by opening the first ever full-service Black woman-owned hair and nail salon in Charlotte’s Northlake Mall in November 2023.
The owner of “Applause! Hair Designs” since 2014, Glover secured a prime retail spot in Northlake Mall back in 2020 with dreams of expanding. But the COVID-19 pandemic forced a temporary shutdown, disrupting her entrepreneurial ambitions.
“I’d never seen a full-service Black salon in the mall. And it was honestly a dream of ours, and I didn’t know it would come to fruition,” said Glover.
But through determination and resilience, Glover has now achieved her vision.
Overcoming Obstacles to Build a Thriving Business
The pandemic may have slowed Glover down, but it didn’t stop her rise. When restrictions eased in 2022, loyal clients “rushed the door” to return to her hair salon.
Capitalizing on the enthusiastic response, Glover expanded next door by opening Northlake Mall’s first ever Black-owned nail salon this November.
“But when we came to Northlake, they embraced us and they’ve been supportive ever since,” Glover said.
The grand opening weekend exceeded expectations, with clients packed in from open to close. Glover has built an inclusive, vibrant community hub focused on top-notch service.
Uplifting the Local Community
For Katossa Glover, her salons aren’t just places to get your hair and nails done – they represent her goals of uplifting community and giving back.
Glover named her business “Applause!” because she wants every client to “feel like you are really applauding them, that they’re worth it.”
Her shops welcome all Charlotte locals, aiming to make them feel special. As Glover says:
“It is about being a Charlotte native. Literally, my goal is to give back to Charlotte, whoever that is.”
Katossa Glover sets an inspirational example as a barrier-breaking business owner who overcame obstacles to achieve her dreams of enriching her local community. She represents the best of Charlotte’s entrepreneurial spirit.
