CHARLOTTE, N.C. — A company that promised to help Black entrepreneurs open their own beauty supply businesses and position them for success failed to follow through on that promise, according to shop owners in multiple states.
"It's crushed my dream"
Inspired by what America could offer, Majorie Stewartson left Haiti and immigrated to the land of opportunity. She opened The Queens Beauty Supply and Fragrances on Beatties Ford Road at the beginning of 2024, fulfilling a lifelong dream. Almost 10 months later, she's on the brink of closing.
"It hurts," she said shaking her head. "You feel like you failed. I thought I was doing something to better myself and my kids and in the long run, I hurt myself."
Records show Stewartson paid Beauty Supply Institute $70,000 in 2022 to help get her store up and running. While BSI did come through with the furnishings, the entrepreneur said the beauty supply company failed to ship any start-up inventory, as promised, for her to actually sell, forcing her to buy whatever supplies she could with the money she put away for her future. A video Stewartson recorded on the day she opened shows empty shelves and display cases.
"Hair, chemical, wigs, extensions," Stewartson said. "Everything here I bought. BSI don't provide no supplies to me."
The lack of products, she said, has left her with added debt, a limited supply of outdated merchandise and few repeat customers. As a result, Stewartson said she doesn't even have enough money to cover rent.
"There's people coming. They're looking for stuff, but we don't have what they're looking for," she said. "I invested my whole life, my retirement account, my savings, everything. We can't keep up anymore. It's crushed my dream."
Far from the only one
Others have shared similar experiences. Stewartson is one of four business owners in North Carolina who've filed formal complaints against BSI with the North Carolina Attorney General's Office. A spokesperson said the office is reviewing those cases from Charlotte, Durham, Fayetteville and Raleigh.
Multiple entrepreneurs across several states have said they invested more than $50,000 only for BSI to let them down. Some were even driven to bankruptcy.
BSI founder Devin Robinson previously called those revelations "very hurtful." The company has touted BSI's track record of successfully opening more than 220 stores over the last two decades, but earlier this year, Robinson said the company simply grew too fast for demand.
"It is not all on us and none of it is a nefarious act," he said in April. "It's business."
In a recent phone interview with WCNC Charlotte, his attorney described the current situation as bleak following unexpected financial challenges, but said Robinson has not given up yet.
"The fact that he is still running the company and trying to get things turned around is very strong evidence that he's doing the best he can," Brad Fallon said. "He's still working day and night trying to get this turned around for the benefit of all of these people in this situation and for himself."
Empty shelves, broken promises
Majorie Stewartson named her beauty supply shop in honor of "The Queens," her daughter and two nieces. Not only is she the first person in her family to own a business, she's also a role model for the next generation, which makes her current situation that much more heartbreaking.
"I cry every day. I put faces for my kids, but I do cry every day," she said. "Just trying not to give up. Try to fight to hold on to it. I refuse to give up. I have a 17-year-old daughter, because if I give up, what example is she going to follow?"
Despite the grim outlook, you can see the hope in her smile when she scores a rare sale, but she knows she can't survive without BSI's support.
"That's what their company said, helping Black woman reach their dream to help you open your beauty supply store, but it's crushed my dream," Stewartson said. "If they come through, I will get through it. Every day I wake up, I say, 'How long am I going to keep going?' I'm just working with faith."
Contact Nate Morabito at nmorabito@wcnc.com and follow him on Facebook, X and Instagram.