Taking it Back System
In 2005, Devin Robinson was shopping for cosmetic supplies in an Atlanta inner city Beauty Supply store, when the owner threatened to hit him with a golf club after profiling him as a thief. Robinson, a salon owner was so shocked at the owner’s behavior that after he left quietly, he decided that something must be done. He returned to his new salon and made a risky decision to open his very own beauty supply store. With no industry experience, only a desire to give patrons an alternative to a poor shopping experience elsewhere, Robinson depleted his savings to open his first store. His store became an instant success. Nestled on the western corridor of Atlanta, the success of his first store (A New Look Beauty Supply) enabled him to open two other stores within the next 18 months.
He didn’t stop there. He appeared in the Black Hair Documentary as one of the few nationwide Black owners and then wrote a book called, “Taking it Back: How to Become a Successful Black Beauty Supply Store Owner,” that teaches others how to get into the business. He agrees that it is a tough industry to break into because of the secrecy among Asian distributors and other retailers but he has been letting the secrets out of the bag. He was featured in Ebony magazine’s May 2008 issue and on March 4, 2009 a guest on the nationally syndicated Michael Baisden show. He stated, “My latest endeavor is sure to enrage the Beauty Supply gatekeepers!”
On March 5, 2009 he was appointed as the New Vice President of Al Sharpton's National Action Network in Atlanta.
Taking it Back University is a place where Robinson provides all of the contacts and resources a person will ever need to get into the beauty supply business. From strategic lease locations to funding sources, and everything in between, Robinson finds it appalling that the stores are rarely owned by Blacks but are always full of black customers. He decided to charge others on how to economically benefit from this thriving industry.
He helped to organize the Black Beauty Supply Association to gather all of those interested in this industry. He stated, “Even in a recession this business posts profits. It is as stable as the oil industry. It’s less of a Black thing and more of an economical thing!” The Taking it Back University is the Very first of its kind for this industry. Until now, no one has created resources for Blacks wanting to get into this business, even though they make up 97% of the consumers.
Learn about it
http://www.youtube.com/
With over 25,000 books sold out of the bed of his pickup truck and through his website, he believes Blacks would like to once again become top competitors in this industry. In 2008, Barnes and Nobles entered into a distribution agreement with Robinson to carry this book.
With $9 billion on this industry’s table, he is not walking away without getting some of that filtered into black hands. “This mission is greater than me,” he said. Robinson has now become the self-appointed beauty supply ambassador of this charge.
To schedule an interview or appearance with Devin Robinson please contact:
Going Against the Grain Group at 786-325-6788 or log onto www.takingitbackblack.com for more book info.
Contact:
Going Against the Grain Group
Public Relations
Yassin Hall
Ph: 786-325-6788
Photo:
http://www.prlog.org/
