When an industrious Black woman called Nichole Ashley Moss struggled to find hair products for her family in Corvallis, Oregon, her husband encouraged her to open her own store.
She took the advice to heart, launching the trailblazing beauty shop Soulful Strands – the first ever Black-owned business of its kind in the small college town.
Local Mom Fills Gap in Natural Hair Care Offerings
Moss got the idea for the store when she spent over $400 stocking up on items for her family on occasional trips to Portland. With few Black residents in Corvallis, there were no local shops catering to textured hair needs.
Frustrated, Moss tapped into her recent business degree to open Soulful Strands downtown. Though space is limited, she filled the shelves with diverse hair extensions, tools and products sourced globally.
While still small, the inclusive shop has quickly become a cherished local resource. College students, African immigrants and braiding salon clients are frequent customers grateful for its existence.
Envisions One-Stop Shop for Black Hair and Beauty
Though she currently sources inventory from China, Moss hopes to one day exclusively sell items from Africa. She also plans to expand offerings to include more beauty, fashion and lifestyle products celebrating Black culture.
“I want my whole shop to be a one-stop shop,” Moss told local reporters, envisioning the future growth.
Promotes Appreciation and Understanding of Black Hair
At its heart, Moss sees Soulful Strands as an opportunity to positively shift perceptions of curly, coily and kinky hair in Corvallis.
“Your hair is like a plant. You got to water it, and if you don’t, it’ll die,” she explains. “It’s causing me to learn a lot more working here.”
Through the pioneering store, Moss sparks connection and understanding between community members of all backgrounds. Soulful Strands fills a void while empowering locals to nurture their natural textures.
