As queer, Black women in the beauty industry dealing with discrimination from clients, Christin Brown and her wife made a business decision not to show their faces on their websites.  But as their business grew, they decided to put their identities at the center of their business. Christin now exclusively styles natural, curly, unmanipulated hair at their Santa Barbara, California salon –  and she couldn't be happier. Christin and Blake discuss the importance of pride in all aspects of your identity - including in your business as a stylist. Plus, a short history of Black hair that you won't want to miss.

Follow Christin on Instagram @curlfactor, and find her salon company @fullspiralsalon, and boutique @puralunaapothecary.

SUMM IT UP is produced by Andrea Muraskin. Tim Fisk is the executive editor. Find all of our past episodes at summitsalon.com/summ-it-up-podcast, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your favorite podcast app. 

Follow Summit Salon Business Center on Instagram @SummitSalon, and on TikTok at SummitSalon. 

Follow host Blake Reed Evans on Instagram @BlakeReedEvans and on TikTok at blakereedevans. His DM's are always open! You can email him at [email protected]. 

Visit us at SummitSalon.com  to connect with others in the industry. Sign up for our newsletter, Your Weekly Game Plan to stay on top of our events and trainings.  Get in touch with Summit and let us know what you think of the podcast or what topics you’d like us to cover next.

Happy Pride! 

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Follow Summit Salon Business Center on Instagram @SummitSalon, and on TikTok at SummitSalon. 

SUMM IT UP  is now on YouTube! Watch extended cuts of our interviews at www.youtube.com/@summitunlocked

Find host Blake Reed Evans on Instagram @BlakeReedEvans and on TikTok at blakereedevans. His DM's are always open! You can email Blake at [email protected]. 

Visit us at SummitSalon.com  to connect with others in the industry.