Tamika Turner has opened the first natural hair school in Tennessee and the response has been tremendous. On June 2, The Institute of Beauty opened its doors and according to Turner, business is already booming and bringing a much-needed boost to Shelby County’s economy.
“We didn’t expect it,” Turner recently told News Channel 3, WREG. “Our goal was to have 20 students. Now we have 24 students and we have 15 students on the waiting list,” she said.
The Institute of Beauty in Bartlett, Tennessee, which caters to working students, offers night classes and operates at a lower cost. As for the inspiration behind the budding institution, Turner saw a need and decided to fill the void.
The 15-week course allows students to earn while they learn, as they spend seven-and-a-half weeks receiving education and training and another seven-and-a-half weeks trying their hand at a salon, for pay. “It’s huge because a lot of women are transitioning from relaxed hair to their more natural hair and it is really a big market now,” student Stephanie Macklin told WREG.
In fact, Turner revealed prospective students from all over the state come through her doors — with demand reaching to Memphis. Of course, this creates more opportunity for The Institute of Beauty to open a second location by the end of the summer, as more and more women are ditching their perms to embrace a more natural look, said the Tennessee entrepreneur.
Now this is how you leave your mark. What are your thoughts on Turner’s thriving school? Sound off in the comment section below.
Meanwhile, for those interested in the school or for more information, you can check them out on Facebook or at www.iobtn.com. You can also reach them via email at primallctn.com. Wishing Turner continued success.
