Syreeta Scott is an entrepreneur with over 20 years of experience in business ownership and also the founder of Duafe Holistic Hair Care, a natural hair care salon in North Philly. Scott ventured into the hairstyling industry after “getting sick” of working for corporate America. According to her, she was an underwriter at All States and by 2001, she launched Duafe Holistic Hair Care and a second business, The Sable Collective retail boutique in 2016.
Scott noted that she launched her salon business with $400 and has grown the business to a premium status where she now styles celebrities like Jill Scott, Ava DuVernay, Questlove, Smokey Robinson, Janet Jackson, Sonia Sanchez, and Lisa Cortés.
Scott recently unveiled plans to shake up the natural hair care industry through a multi-million dollar expansion projection by demolishing her present location on the 3100 block of N. 22nd Street to create a four-story facility with 6,000 sq. ft.
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The $34 million expansion project will reportedly be financed through loans and community-based leading firms. When completed, the commercial space is expected to house not less than 26 salon suites owned by individual stylists; an educational training center for aspiring hair professionals.
“The hope is that we’re not just creating jobs,” said Scott. “We’re creating stability. We’re fostering entrepreneurship and financial independence. We’re helping people create their legacy!”
In addition, the top floor will be for nine affordable luxury housing units aimed at helping the community. “We’re calling this a business incubator for natural hair care,” said Scott, according to mychesco. “We are teaching people how to become entrepreneurs, and we’re engaging the community. The goal of this new chapter of my business is to help men and women create their own legacy under the umbrella of Duafe.”
According to mychesco, “the company currently hosts 17 independent stylists – all with LLCs – and all will be given the opportunity to own their own suite as part of the new business model and keep 100% of their revenue, with Scott charging only a nominal fee for rent.”
Being a business owner has not been easy for Scott, particularly in the community she grew up in. “As a leader people are watching you and I display what I am teaching. I used to think, ‘it’s not personal; it’s business.’ But to me, the business has been extremely personal. I take care of my community because I started all of this on the shoulders of so many people. People were kind enough to teach me more, so if I can do it, I do,” she said.
