The University of Michigan was failing Black students when it came to providing hair products made for kinky curls. There was a need for products, but the university wasn’t rising to the occasion. So, two students decided to take matters into their own hands and create their own natural hair beauty vending machine to provide affordable supplies for Black students around campus. 22-year-old friends, Mia Wilson and Rico Ozuna-Harrison, created the YOUniversity Beauty vending machine, which is located in the school’s Union building for all students to access. We’re instantly in love with their tenacity to pick through the hairy situation at their school to help others rock a new look.
The products are budget-friendly for college students.
When Wilson and Harrison brought a Black hair product vending machine to the university, they made sure that each product was affordable for college students, like themselves, to afford. For example, Do-rags are $5 and a well-sized container castor oil is $10. They get an A+ for accessibility.
They didn’t want other Black students to struggle.
Even after graduating from University of Michigan in 2021, Wilson, remembered how she used to travel to other cities just to get the hair products she needed, including driving an hour to her hometown, Clinton Township, to stock up on supplies. She didn’t want others to have to go through that and also felt for the people who weren’t able to travel to other cities for supplies. So, she and Harrison created their own business to bridge the gap.
They formed the business Innovending LLC.
The YOUniversity Beauty vending machine was the first joint venture between Wilson and Harrison after the duo formed Innovending LLC. They launched their vending machine in October 2021.
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They listen to what people need.
Wilson and Harrison ask students what they need in terms of natural hair supplies and try to make sure they deliver with a variety of products in stock. After all, no head of hair is the same, and people use various products to make sure their curls are poppin’.
They give advice for those wanting their own vending machines
It’s sad, but true. There’s a huge gap in the haircare industry when it comes to accessing natural hair products. This is why Black beauty vending machines could potentially thrive anywhere they’re placed. Wilson and Harrison use their TikTok page to provide suggestions for where people could put these vending machines and see a high purchase rate.
They remind people that vending machines have basically endless possibilities
For those in collective need, there are solutions. Wilson and Harrison are showing people that it’s not okay for populations to have their needs ignored and there’s also a lucrative market for those that are inspired to start vending solutions. Whether it’s natural hair products, specific health supplies, cultural snacks or other items that are scarce in some cities, the demand is there.
They were awarded a $10,000 grant.
After entering OptiMize’s Social Innovation Challenge at their university, the duo was awarded $10,000 to go toward their business, which made all the difference. Their first vending machine was $7,000, with supplies and other costs taking up the rest of the grant. However, they quickly noticed that their investment was paying off with happy customers frequenting the vending machine.
The University of Michigan was supportive.
For many students, especially Black and students of color, gaining support from a predominately white university is rare. Fortunately, for these young entrepreneurs, their university gave the green light for them to install their vending machine on campus.
So far, people are loving the vending machine
With more and more supplies for the vending machine in demand, it’s safe to say customers are happy. Only time will tell if Wilson and Harrison are able to expand their business, but in the meantime, the students at University of Michigan have the two of them to thank for bringing the first Black beauty vending machine to their school.
Let us know what you think of the YOUniversity Beauty vending machine in the comments and if you believe it’s a winning idea.
