Sebastian Jackson has noticed Metro Detroit's racial divisions even in the most innocuous places, like barbershops and hair salons. The Wayne State University student is doing something to overcome those barriers with his own business, The Social Club Grooming Company.
The barbershop/beauty salon will take over a former barbershop on Wayne State University's campus on Anthony Wayne Drive. There it will be able to provide the beauty and pampering needs of just about anyone who walks in, regardless of skin color.
"One of the reasons people don't get along is we don't understand each other," Jackson says "The more we know about each other the more those barrier die."
Jackson, who is senior pursuing a bachelors in public relations, worked at the barbershop that used to occupy the space. When it closed he decided to take it over, preparing to open The Social Club Grooming Company this spring. The barbershop/salon will employ four barbers, four stylists and a nail technician. The staff of 11 people will be able to service whomever walks through the door.
"We're very diverse," Jackson says. "We have black barbers and white barbers and other stylists. Most barbershops or salons are black or white. We serve everyone."
The Social Club Grooming Company will also recycle the hair it cuts, sending it to a California-based company that uses recycled hair to clean up oil spills. Jackson wants to get 100 other barbershops and salons recycling hair in the same way within the next year.
Source: Sebastian Jackson, owner of The Social Club Grooming Company
Writer: Jon Zemke
Read more about Metro Detroit's growing entrepreneurial ecosystem at SEMichiganStartup.com.
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