The Gallery Beauty Supply: Sisters Combine Talents In Southgate Business
When sisters Ameela and Armani Covington were growing up, they had one thing in common – a love for all things beauty. They enjoyed getting their nails done, their hair styled and shopping for the latest beauty products.
“We would always go to different beauty supply stores and noticed a lack of representation,” Armani says. “We thought, ‘Wouldn’t it be cool to own a beauty supply store that catered to African Americans?’”
The sisters went on to further their education. Ameela, 24, studied cosmetology and Armani, 26, went to Wayne State University in Detroit to pursue a degree in Business Administration. After graduating, that childhood dream arose again. The two started talking about how their combined experience in beauty and business might be the perfect recipe for a partnership.
Fresh out of school, the sisters knew they didn’t have the capital needed to start a business. They talked about getting a small business loan, but were told that they didn’t have the credit to get traditional lending from a bank.
And that’s where Michigan Women Forward stepped in.
Through Michigan Women Forward, they were able to acquire a small business microloan to help them open The Gallery Beauty Supply in January 2023. The Southgate-based beauty supply shop sells everything from hair extensions and hot tools to make-up and jewelry.
With their MWF loan, the sisters were able to prep their store space with paint, flooring, fixtures and shelves, and buy inventory to stock up for their opening.
“We couldn’t get credit with vendors, so that was really huge,” Armani says.
She and her sister have learned a lot about business during the first year and are hopeful for it to grow.
“It’s been such a blessing. The community has really embraced us,” Armani says. “I don’t know that we could have done it without Michigan Women Forward.”
The Gallery Beauty Supply is located at 15570 Northline Road in Southgate.
