4th Annual The FabulouslyUnique Natural Hair and Beauty Expo (FABU)
The FabulouslyUnique Natural Hair and Beauty Expo (FABU) was nothing short of amazing. Presented by Alikay Naturals and held at the Florida State Fairgrounds, Florida Center. In its fourth year, the Expo is the love project of Rochelle Graham-Campbell, CEO and Founder of Alikay Naturals and Creator of the L.O.C. Method. With the chief goal being to “empower, educate and encourage” owners and consumers of hair, skin, and health/wellness brands.
This year’s FABU Expo featured information packed workshops such as: Loving My Hair With Style the Natural Way, Mommy and Me Styling: Braiding 101, Your Healthy Hair Regimen, Revolutionary Womb Wellness: How to Save Your Womb; Roots of Healthy Hair: Solutions for Thinning and Hair Loss, How to Grow Long Natural Hair Through Protective Styling, and 5 Steps to Twistout Perfection.
The MainStage segments were phenomenal and uplifting, and equally as powerful. They covered the following: Sisterhood Circle, Kids & Kinks Panel, Natural Hair Styling Demo, Musical Performances, and Natural Hair Is Art, The Blogger Chat, Beauty Boss and Black Love Panels.
One of the biggest take-aways came from the Beauty Boss Panel which featured: Aisha Ceballos-Crump, Honey Baby Naturals Founder and CEO, Rochell Graham-Campbell, CEO of Alikay Naturals , Ylorie Taylor, VP of Eden Body Works, Andrian “Dr. A” Carthon, CEO of Naturally Nadine, Jaunita Henderson, CEO of Chocolate Kinks and Kurls, Susan Oludele of Hair By Susy, hairstylist to Beyonce and Solange and Shuntay Lundy, Creator and Founder of Black Girl Sunscreen. According to the panel, Investing in an accountant and legal support during the early stages of your entrepreneurship journey is well worth it. Protecting your ideas and managing your business successfully are habits that all business owners can most certainly benefit from.
Furthermore, African-American and Hispanic representation in the hair and body care industry is extremely important. Their market share, while growing is still somewhat small. Large corporate outlets continue to dominate both markets. The brands represented on the panel, all have a successful track record and demonstrate that with sacrifice, self determination, vision, faith and ambition you are truly unstoppable and that which seems impossible is indeed possible. Brick by Brick they are making their presence known with the intention of dominating the industry.
Public support for the expo was outstanding. Most booths had lines full of customers. Business owners were excited to answer questions from potential customers. Presentation and branding was on point. If you are a business owner or desire to be one, the FabulousUnique Natural Hair and Beauty Expo should be on your must attend list. Sometimes, seeing what’s possible is the push you need to overcome fear and step out on faith in order to achieve the dream. Its the perfect place to get questions answered from professionals in the field. In business one must be a willing student that’s always ready to learn. When those opportunities are in your backyard, seize them. Then go on to apply that new found knowledge.
