Youngest Black Beauty Supply Store Owner At 16

Paris McKenzie created history at barely 16 years old when she started Paris Beauty Supplyz in Brooklyn.

Her success as America’s youngest Black beauty supply company owner has inspired hundreds of others across the country.

McKenzie grew up immersed in the beauty industry. Her mother opened a hair salon before Paris turned one year old, giving her early exposure to customer service and product knowledge.

By age 10, she was already working in her mother’s salon. She gained useful experience in the profession by moving up from sweeping floors and washing chairs to becoming a shampoo lady.

Despite her early start in beauty, McKenzie initially had different career aspirations. “Everybody used to say I would take over my mom’s store when I got older.

“When I grew up, everyone used to think I would take over my mom’s store. I said, ‘No, I want to be a doctor.'”

Her path to ownership began when the beauty supply store next to her mother’s salon went up for sale. McKenzie, who had saved money from her job, jumped at the chance without hesitation.

The racial dynamics of beauty supply companies influenced her decision. “I’ve never been in a beauty supply store owned by a Black person,” McKenzie added, referring to experiences of being followed while shopping and racial profiling.

Industry numbers highlight this disparity. Of the approximately 9,000 Black hair salons in the United States, only around 3,000 are owned by Black people; most are operated by Korean Americans.

McKenzie made improvements to her store to better serve her community. She focused on creating a welcoming environment where customers could take their time and on making products accessible for Black women.

Her experience working at her mother’s store has improved her understanding of business.

There, she learned to assess customers’ needs quickly and recommend appropriate products based on their style.

Building an Empire While Pursuing Medicine

McKenzie’s ambitions go beyond retailing, as she also launched a second business, “La Eiffel Beauty Bar,” to broaden her entrepreneurial portfolio while still seeking further education.

Despite her business success, she remains committed to her medical dream, which is to be an orthopedic pediatric surgeon.

Her Twitter statement gained unexpected celebrity attention. Janet Jackson and Bella Hadid both shared her accomplishment on social media, propelling it to global attention.

The public’s response has been overwhelming. Customers have gone from Texas and South Carolina just to meet the young entrepreneur who has become a role model.

McKenzie’s impact extends to inspiring other young entrepreneurs. One customer brought her daughter across state lines with a notebook full of questions about starting a business.

Her brother Oshane helped create the LLC and assisted with store operations. The family business model extends to her younger sister Shawntelle, who helps customers and does homework between sales.

McKenzie takes pleasure in offering products for every hair type and texture. Her knowledge about natural hair care comes from personal experience transitioning from relaxed to natural hair at age 12.

She understands the challenges Black women face with hair care. “Keeping your hair moisturized is very important in natural hair,” she continues, emphasizing the value of knowledgeable guidance.

The store represents more than just a business initiative. For McKenzie, it means reclaiming locations where Black customers spend money but are rarely represented in ownership.

Looking ahead, McKenzie hopes that her enterprises will be self-sufficient enough to allow her to attend an Ivy League school.

Harvard and Stanford top her list as she pursues her dream of becoming a pediatric orthopedic surgeon.