Building Brands, One Style at a Time 

Social media has transformed the hair industry into an accessible pathway to entrepreneurship for Black Gen Z. 

By the time her client walks out the door, 21-year-old Jazlyn Clark has positioned her ring light, captured photos and videos of the finished style, and has begun planning her next Instagram post. Every hair appointment is another opportunity to showcase her work and grow her digital platform. For many young hair professionals, social media has become an extension of their business, a marketing tool, and a gateway to entrepreneurship. 

For decades, Black-owned hair salons and barbershops have served as important spaces within the Black community. Historically, they have been gathering places where people exchanged news, expressed creativity, and celebrated Black culture. 

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Hairstylists and barbers act as pillars of the community, fostering a sense of connection and self-expression. For Black Gen Z barbers and hairstylists, entering the hair industry means continuing a tradition of community building and empowerment that has existed for generations.

“I love making people feel better about themselves or just being a safe space for people to vent and be away from stress,” Clark says.

Unlike their parents, Black Gen Z consumers are no longer relying on word of mouth or business cards to find hairstylists and barbers. Social media platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube function as modern-day business cards and portfolios where young entrepreneurs can build recognizable personal brands long before opening a salon or barbershop. 

For Black Gen Z hairstylists and barbers, social media allows them to reach audiences beyond their local communities, which ultimately can significantly increase their income. 

“Being consistent, learning the algorithm, and also learning your target audience is gonna help you with the business aspect and the social media aspect,” Clark says. 

According to the United States Census Bureau, young adults today “prioritize economic security over starting a family, reflecting the rising burden of housing, food, gas, and other costs.” As a result of the rising cost of living, many young adults are choosing to move out later and pursue trades or “side hustles” to earn and save money. 

“It started as a side hustle, and as the word spread, and as I saw that I was making more money than I was working that regular job, I was like, let me go ahead and make it legit,” Clark says. 

Clark began doing hair as a teen while working at Dairy Queen. “I was like 15, doing my own hair, and then I would just ask people, ‘Let me do your hair,’” she says. Clark explains that eventually people started asking her to do their hair. 

For young adults, barbering and cosmetology offer an accessible pathway to financial independence. Gen Z, more than any other generation, prioritizes self-care and beauty as part of personal wellness. Given that 98% of Gen Z use some form of social media, the cosmetology and barbering trade is especially profitable. 

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The barbering and hairstyling profession is projected to grow faster than the average for all occupations. They are quickly becoming a popular way for Black Gen Z, either as an alternative to a four-year degree or as a profession pursued alongside higher education.

Many aspiring young stylists and barbers can easily learn techniques through online tutorials before even going to school for a license. Clark explains that before going to beauty school, she learned a lot from watching her cousins or practicing on dolls. However, when she was ready to advance her skills, she used social media for help. 

“As more stuff became trending, I’d see little tutorials and stuff on Instagram. I was honestly just picking out every little [piece] of information.” 

Today’s young hair professionals are not just styling and cutting hair; they are digital creators. Black Gen Z is leading the charge in setting haircutting and hairstyling trends, and social media turns these trends into income. Clark’s Instagram features her completed styles and before-and-after videos. She has also created fun and comedic TikToks with her clients, some of which have amassed millions of views. Posting a tutorial of a virtual hairstyle or haircut or a before-and-after image can attract thousands of potential clients and expand a young professional’s reach on social media.

By blending creativity, technique, and digital marketing, Clark, like other Black Gen Z hair professionals, is redefining what entrepreneurship looks like for a new generation. They are proving that entrepreneurship is not limited to a building or a salon chair. With technology, young stylists and barbers can make their mark globally within the industry, expand the legacy of Black hair, and create their own economic opportunities for years to come. 

The post Building Brands, One Style at a Time  appeared first on Waymaker Journal.