Devin Robinson, founder of the Beauty Supply Institute, teaches during a recent class

Beauty Supply Institute is hosting the 2012 Beauty Supply Entrepreneurship Winter Conference in Las Vegas, Nevada on February 18, 2012.

This is the type of news that makes me happy. It's so important for Black people to engage in business. We must do it for our very survival. Entrepreneurism and business ownership equals survival. We must get in business and unite with others in business and pool our resources and knowledge for success. That's why this story makes me happy. Check it out.

For the past 2 years, Beauty Supply Institute held the Beauty Supply Entrepreneurship Conference in Atlanta, Georgia. Now, it expands the annual conference into Las Vegas, Nevada. The conference has led to multiple black store owners within months of attending, despite not having the capital or direction to open. The conference consists of 6 classes, take-home materials that covers store layout, obtaining funding, selecting a location and more. Classes include "Avoiding Industry Pitfalls", "Determining Start-Up Costs", and "Getting Distributor Accounts."

Michelle Simons, owner of Desired Beauty Supplies in Hampton Virginia, attended the conference in 2011 and said, "I was skeptical to work with Beauty Supply Institute because there are a lot of scams out there, but attending the conference was the best investment we ever made! My husband and I attended with little knowledge or funding but after the conference was able to open our store within three months of attending."

The Atlanta conference has attracted attendees from all across the United States and Canada. Devin Robinson founded Beauty Supply Institute after opening and running his own successful stores, writing the book How to Become a Successful Beauty Supply Store Owner and making multiple appearances on nationally syndicated Michael Baisden radio show and other media platforms and publications.

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Robinson comments, "This industry has plenty of pitfalls and secrets that make it difficult for African-Americans to succeed. We level the playing and give everyone an equal economic shot. I've always viewed the problems in this industry as an economic hate crime against blacks, so we simply get stores opened properly and make existing ones better."

 
The beauty supply market is a $15 billion market where blacks spend 96% of the money, but own only 3% of the stores.

The conference will take place at Circus Circus Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada on February 18, 2012. Conference and room package are available at a special conference discounted rate. Seats are limited. Registration includes conference admission, lunch and materials. Registration closes on January 31, 2012 or when capacity has been reached. To register, visit www.beautysupplyconference.com or call 202-684-6699.