Few people are aware that the concept for the Texas International Hair and Tradeshow got started simply as Vince Shelton’s way of finding a more efficient way for his wife, Kim to spend less time in the beauty salon all day on Saturday so that she could have more time with family. I remember sitting in his living room back around 1998 or ‘99, and him saying: “Man, Kim leaves this house sometimes in the morning going to the beauty shop and she’s gone all day, and that just makes no sense.” (Quote recalled from brother)
So Vince came up with the idea to start a website so that ladies could simply go online to find a stylist, view their work, and make an appointment. The website was called D’Styles.com and he had a staff of about 5-6 people working with him to canvas the city to sign up stylists in addition to a web developer to maintain the site. D’Styles.com eventually grew to include barbers as well.
Vince then leveraged his 10-plus years in the sales business to begin offering products to the salons which he personally delivered himself before establishing a team to assist with this task. This essentially launched into a full-time venture as an independent distributor to the salons around the Dallas/Ft. Worth metropolitan area. Over time and with the new relationships established, he partnered with another local distributor and put on his first hair show.
Drawing from his high school and college days where he threw some of the biggest parties in the D/FW and Texas area, he then leveraged his 15-plus year passion as a successful event planner and entertainment broker to establish himself as an independent operator. Under the mentorship of Mr. Russell Chew of Chews Hair Affair out of DeRidder, Louisiana, and combined with his love for people, along with his desire to assist newcomers in making a name for themselves in the industry, the Texas International Hair and Tradeshow was born.
From the start, the emphasis was always on finding the most cutting-edge model for providing educational and empowerment opportunities to the independent stylist and barbers in the industry. The result has been the successful launch of new platform artist, show MCs and new industry educators to name a few. As a strategy for variety and growth, Vince moved the show around to different Convention Centers within the D/FW metroplex and North Texas area, including Dallas, Mesquite, Marshall, and Arlington for the 2016 show. Always brainstorming strategies, one of the last conversations he and his brother and business coach had was to introduce a “never before seen” cutting edge collaborative “business model” to fortify the collective strength of the independent stylist, barbers, and distributors in the industry.
Around 2007, Vince along and his brother, embarked on a trip to China to secure a relationship with up to five manufacturers of human hair extensions to add to the D’Styles line of product offerings. In 2013 Vince’s wife Kim Shelton; who had been his number one supporter for all these years, officially joined the staff to quickly learn the business and become a key component in the show as well as a beloved figure herself in the hair industry. Accompanied by a host of family members (which Vince has included from day one) as key supporters, Kim has assumed many roles that Vince has personally managed himself. In 2015 the Texas International Hair and Tradeshow celebrated its 15th anniversary since its inception.
A native of Dallas, at 51 young years Vince passed through transition on Sept. 2, 2015. He will be missed profusely by his family, friends and the hair industry as a whole.
He is survived by wife of 26 years, Kim Shelton, and they were blessed with three children, Shekelah Shelton, Tiara Shelton, Vincent E. Shelton, Jr. and his oldest daughter Ashlee Sewell, mother Berneice Shelton, Grandmother Pearlie Yancy, sister Pamela Shelton, brother Henry C. Shelton, Jr. (Vanessa), two grandchildren Terrance and Chase Jackson and a host of other family and friends. He was preceded in death by his father Henry C. Shelton, Sr. and oldest sister baby Beverly.
Although it’s a bit early to speculate; with the continued strong love and support from family, along with a mastery of the business model in a relatively short period of time, we’re certain that Kim will carry on the tradition of the Texas International Hair and Tradeshow well into the future and continue the legacy that her beloved husband started 15 years ago, all in the interest of having her at home with the family for a few more hours on Saturday afternoons.
