>>> FUNDING FOR "NJ BUSINESS" BEING PROVIDED BY NJ SCHOOL OF BUSINESS.

A GAME-CHANGING FORCE OFFERING PROGRAMS LIKE FINANCIAL TECHNOLOGY OR BUSINESS ANALYTICS AND DATA SCIENCE.

WE'RE STEPS AWAY FROM THE EXCHANGE PLACE IN JERSEY CITY AND MINUTES FROM WALL STREET.

LEARN MORE AT NJCU.EDU/GAMECHANGER.

>>> THIS WEEK ON "NJ BUSINESS BEAT."

NEW JERSEY IS FLUSH WITH EXTRA CASH BUT BUSINESS OWNERS SAY THEY'RE NOT GETTING A FAIR SLICE OF THE PIE.

>>> PLUS MAJOR DEVELOPMENTS FOR THE STATE'S LARGEST CITY AS NEWARK EXPANDS ITS AFFORDABLE HOUSING AND WELCOMES THE ENTERTAINMENT INDUSTRY IN A BIG WAY.

>>> AND BEAUTY IS BIG BUSINESS, SO WE'RE PUTTING IT IN FOCUS THIS WEEK.

WE HIGHLIGHT THE HUGE GROWTH FOR THE INDUSTRY AND TAKE A LOOK BEHIND THE SCENES AT SOME OF NEW JERSEY'S FASHION AND BEAUTY HOUSES.

THAT'S AHEAD ON "NJ BUSINESS BEAT."

♪ >> THIS IS "NJ BUSINESS BEAT" WITH RONDA.

>>> HELLO.

THANKS FOR JOINING US ON "NJ BUSINESS BEAT."

IF YOU'RE WATCHING ON YOUTUBE, MAKE SURE YOU SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS YOUTUBE CHANNEL TO GET ALERTED WHEN WE POST NEW EPISODES AND CLIPS.

THIS WAS A WEEK WHERE THERE WAS A LOT OF FEAR ABOUT WHAT IS NEXT FOR THE ECONOMY.

RECESSION, INFLATION, STAGFLATION, ALL OF IT WAS BEING TALKED ABOUT.

UNNERVING INVESTORS.

IN TRENTON THIS WEEK, THE POSSIBILITY OF A RECESSION WAS MENTIONED AS A CONCERN DURING BUDGET TESTIMONY FROM NEW JERSEY'S DEPUTY STATE TREASURER, AND IT'S A REASON WHY THE MURPHY ADMINISTRATION WOULD LIKE TO KEEP BILLIONS OF DOLLARS IN A RAINY DAY FUND.

BILLIONS SET ASIDE IN A FUND?

YEP.

YOU HEARD ME RIGHT.

NEW JERSEY IS ROLLING IN CASH WITH BILLIONS AND BILLIONS OF EXTRA REVENUE DUE TO STRONG TAX COLLECTIONS, ACCORDING TO THE VERY LATEST FORECAST FROM THE STATE TREASURY DEPARTMENT.

IN FACT, NEW JERSEY'S FISCAL PICTURE IS BEING DESCRIBED AS INCREDIBLY STRONG WITH A NEW STATE REVENUE FORECAST FOR THIS FISCAL YEAR OF $51.4 BILLION.

THAT'S $4.5 BILLION HIGHER THAN THE REVENUE FORECAST MADE TWO MONTHS AGO.

FOR THE NEXT FISCAL YEAR, THE STATE PROJECTS REVENUE OF $50.6 BILLION, ALSO BILLIONS MORE THAN WHAT WAS FORECAST IN MARCH.

AS YOU MIGHT IMAGINE, A LOT OF PEOPLE WANT DIBS ON SOME OF THIS MONEY.

FOR SOME TIME, BUSINESS LEADERS HAVE BEEN REQUESTING THAT THE STATE ALLOCATE FUNDS TO HELP REPLENISH NEW JERSEY'S UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE FUND IN ORDER TO EASE THE TAX BURDEN ON BUSINESSES WHO HAVE TO PAY INTO IT.

LATE THIS WEEK, THERE WAS EARLY MOVEMENT IN THE LEGISLATURE ON A BILL TO PROVIDE BUSINESSES WITH SOME RELIEF.

WE CAUGHT UP WITH GOVERNOR PHIL MURPHY EARLIER IN IN THE WEEK AND ASKED ON HIS THOUGHTS.

HE DIDN'T MENTION IT AS PART OF HIS TOP THREE PRIORITIES FOR SPENDING.

>> THE THREE PILLARS ARE GOING CONTINUE TO BE A VIGOROUS SURPLUS.

BECAUSE OF CONCERN ABOUT THE ECONOMIC WATERS WE'RE HEADING INTO LATER THIS YEAR AND BEYOND.

SECONDLY DEBT REDUCTION AND OUR BALANCE SHEET, WHICH WAS WRECKED WHEN WE INHERITED THE STATE OVER FOUR YEARS AGO.

WE HAVE GOTTEN HEALTHIER.

AND THIRDLY, PROBABLY MOST IMPORTANTLY, CONTINUING TO PUT A TON TO WORK IN PROPERTY TAX RELIEF.

>> THE GOVERNOR'S BUDGET INCLUDES ANCHOR, A PROPERTY TAX RELIEF.

THE PRESIDENT AND CEO OF THE NEW JERSEY BUSINESS AND INDUSTRY ASSOCIATION SAYS WHY NOT INCLUDE BUSINESSES IN THE PROGRAM?

>> CURRENTLY THE ANCHOR PROGRAM ONLY PROVIDES PROPERTY TAX RELIEF FOR HOMEOWNERS AND RENTERS.

WE KNOW NEW JERSEY BUSINESSES PAY ALMOST 50% OF THE PROPERTY TAXES IN THE STATE OF NEW JERSEY, THEREFORE, THEY SHOULD BE INCLUDED IN THE PROGRAM.

NOW WE HAVE ALL THIS EXCESS MONEY, WOULDN'T IT BE A GREAT OPPORTUNITY TO PROVIDE PROPERTY TAX RELIEF TO NEW JERSEY BUSINESSES?

WE SHOULD DO IT NOW.

>> BUSINESS IS BOUNCING BACK IN ATLANTIC CITY'S CASINOS, ACCORDING TO THE STATE DIVISION OF GAMING ENFORCEMENT.

THEY WANT $230 MILLION FROM GAMBLERS IN APRIL.

IT'S AN INCREASE OF 24% FROM LAST APRIL.

THE FACULTY DIRECTOR OF THE LLOYD D. LEVINSON GAMING AND HOSPITALITY SAID THERE WAS NO EVIDENCE THAT RISING GAS PRICES AND INFLATION CURTAILED SPENDING ATTI AT CASINOS THIS SPRING SO SHE'S REMAINING OPTIMISTIC ABOUT THE SUMMER.

>> IT WAS UP OVER 2021, BUT IT IS ALSO UP OVER 2019, WHICH WAS PREPANDEMIC.

SO I THINK THAT WAS THE BIG RELIEF FOR THE INDUSTRY AND A GOOD SIGN FOR WHAT WE HAVE TO EXPECT FOR THE SUMMER.

>> IT'S BEEN A PRETTY GOOD YEAR FOR JOB GROWTH IN NEW JERSEY AFTER A LONG ROAD BACK FOR THE HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS NEW JERSEYANS WHO LOST THEIR JOBS DURING THE PANDEMIC.

THEY HAVE ALMOST RECOVERED FROM THE DIFFICULT DAYS.

THE STATE LABOR DEPARTMENT SAID THE GARDEN STATE HAS REGAINED 95% OF THE JOBS LOST IN MARCH AND APRIL OF 2020 WHEN PANDEMIC LOCKDOWNS HIT THE STATE HARD.

NEW JERSEY'S ECONOMY HAS BEEN ADDING NEW JOBS FOR 17 STRAIGHT MONTHS, INCLUDING NEARLY 15,000 POSITIONS LAST MONTH.

NEW JERSEY'S UNEMPLOYMENT RATE HAS NOW DROPPED TO 4.1%.

HOUSING COSTS CONTINUE TO RISE AND LOW-INCOME RESIDENTS, IN PARTICULAR, ARE STRUGGLING.

IN NEWARK, THE CITY RECENTLY ANNOUNCED PLANS TO INCREASE AFFORDABLE HOUSING FOR LOCAL FAMILIES WHO EARN $32,000 OR LESS A YEAR.

TO MAKE IT HAPPEN, THE CITY WILL PROVIDE DEVELOPERS WITH A TOTAL OF $20 MILLION TO HELP COVER THEIR CONSTRUCTION COSTS.

ONE OF THE DEVELOPERS SELECTED IS SIRI MORRIS OF ASESSION CAPITAL PARTNERS.

HE WANTS TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN HIS CITY.

WHAT WAS IT ABOUT THESE PROJECTS IN NEWARK, THE IDEA OF BRINGING MORE AFFORDABLE HOUSING TO THE CITY THAT INTRIGUED YOU AND MADE YOU WANT TO GET INVOLVED?

>> HONESTLY, YOU KNOW, ME BEING A LIFELONG NEWARKER, I THOUGHT ABOUT HOW I GREW UP AND HOW THINGS PROGRESSED.

WE WANT TO SEE THINGS PROGRESS FURTHER.

WHEN THEY CAME OUT AND DISCUSSED THE DIFFERENT DEFICIENCIES WE HAD IN THE CITY, YOU KNOW, IT'S SOMETHING I SAW AS AN OPPORTUNITY.

I COULD JUMP IN AND OTHER DEVELOPERS LIKE MYSELF TO ACTUALLY MAKE AN IMPACT IN THE COMMUNITY AND SERVICE TO THE AVERAGE NEWARKER.

THOSE WHO HAVE BEEN HERE SINCE MY GRANDMOTHER'S TIME.

>> HOW HAS AFFORDABLE HOUSING CHANGED OVER THE YEARS?

I THINK SOME PEOPLE HAVE IN THEIR MINDS A RATHER DATED IMAGE OF WHAT AFFORDABLE HOUSING IS.

>> PARTICULARLY IN THE CITY OF NEWARK, WITH THE AFFORDABLE HOUSE DEVELOPERS LIKE MYSELF AND OTHERS OUT THERE, YOU KNOW, WE PAY CLOSE ATTENTION TO THE QUALITY AND CRAFTSMANSHIP OF THE PROJECTS WE HAVE.

WE PAY ATTENTION TO THE ACTUAL USES AND MIXES OF RESIDENTIAL ARE AFFORDABLE.

WE'RE THOUGHTFUL IN THE PROGRAMMING THAT WE DO HAVE IN OUR PROJECTS SO THAT, YOU KNOW, WHEN THE PROJECTS GET OLDER AND OLDER, YOU KNOW, THE UPKEEP IS STILL TIPTOP SHAPE.

WE HAVE THE PROGRAM AND SERVICES THERE TO SERVICE OUR NEW TARGET CONSUMER, WHICH IS THE AVERAGE RESIDENTS OF THE CITY OF NEWARK.

>> THE CITY IS PROVIDING MILLIONS OF DOLLARS FOR THE INITIATIVE.

HOW IMPORTANT IS THAT?

I'M GOING TO BET THAT CERTAINLY INFLATION IS HITTING YOUR BUSINESS LIKE SO MANY OTHERS.

>> YEAH, IN ORDER TO PROVIDE THE AFFORDABILITY, YOU NEED SOME SUBSIDIZE TO HELP THE DEVELOPERS MAKE THE PROJECT.

WHEN THE INITIATIVE CAME UP AND A SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT OF DOLLARS THAT THEY PLACED ON THE TABLE FOR US TO SUBMIT OUR R & P AND FOR US TO BE SUCCESSFULLY AWARDED, I THOUGHT IT WAS INTELLIGENT FOR THE CITY TO SEE THE GAP IN TERMS OF THE AFFORDABLE HOUSING WE NEED, BUT ALSO SEE THE GAP IN FINANCING FROM A FINANCIAL STANDPOINT AND DEVELOPMENT SIDE.

>> WHAT PROJECT, IN PARTICULAR, WILL YOU BE WORKING ON?

WHAT IS THE TIMELINE FROM STARTING CONSTRUCTION TO COMPLETION?

>> I'M WORKING ON A FEW PROJECTS, HONESTLY.

THE ONE IN PARTICULAR IS THE WEST SIDE VILLA.

IT IS 69 UNITS.

IT'S DTWO PHASES, TWO BUILDINGS.

ONE IS 36 AND ONE IS 33.

CURRENTLY RIGHT NOW WE ALREADY GOT APPROVED FROM THE ZONING BOARD, WHICH IS GREAT.

WE'RE WORKING WITH THE CITY OF NEWARK AND THE DEPARTMENT TO GO WITH THE REST OF THE COMPLIANCES.

IN MY ESTIMATION, FINGERS CROSSED, HOPEFULLY WE'LL HAVE PERMITS BY THE END OF THIS YEAR, MAYBE FOURTH QUARTER NOVEMBER.

WE LOOK TO BREAK GROUND SLIGHTLY AFTER THE WINTER, MAYBE LIKE MAY OF 2023.

>> THANK YOU FOR SHARING SOME WORDS WITH ME ABOUT NOT JUST THE BUSINESS BUT WHAT IT MEANS TO YOU PERSONALLY.

I APPRECIATE IT.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH.

YOU KNOW, I WANT TO SAY I WANT TO THANK THE MAYOR AND THE ADMINISTRATION FOR REALLY, YOU KNOW, BEING THOUGHTFUL AND UNDERSTANDING, YOU KNOW, THE ISSUES WE HAVE AS DEVELOPERS AND THE GOOD INTENTIONS WE HAVE AND WANT TO DO IN THE CITY.

I LOVE PARTNERING WITH THE CITY ON INITIATIVES LIKE THIS.

I HOPE THAT NEWARK CAN BE THE MODEL FOR OTHER COMMUNITIES THROUGHOUT.

>>> AND THE PUBLIC HOUSING PROJECT IN THE SOUTH WARD WILL BE REBORN AS A FILM AND TELEVISION PRODUCTION STUDIO.

GREAT POINT STUDIOS, LIONS GATE, AND THE NEW JERSEY PERFORMING ARTS CENTER WILL PLAY A ROLE AS THE STAUDIO BUILT WITH NJ PAC CREATING EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS AND INTERNSHIPS FOR NEWARK HIGH SCHOOL AND COLLEGE STUDENTS.

THE STUDIO IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN OPERATING IN 2024.

THE MAYOR SAID IT WILL CREATE HUNDREDS OF JOBS.

>> THIS IS A FULL CIRCLE MOMENT FOR US COMING BACK TO THE MOMENT HERE.

IT'S INCREDIBLE WE COME BACK TO THE MOMENT THE OLDEST AND FIRST HOUSING PROJECT BUILT IN THE CITY OF NEWARK.

WE DO THAT ON THIS COMPLEX THAT HAD SO MANY, YOU KNOW, DIFFICULT DAYS, PARTICULARLY IN ITS END.

>> NO DOUBT NEW JERSEY IS TRYING TO GROW ITS ENTERTAINMENT BUSINESS.

WHILE IT'S GETTING LESS ATTENTION, THE BUSINESS OF BEAUTY AND FASHION IS ALSO EXPANDING HERE.

WE'RE PUTTING THE INDUSTRY IN NO KUS THIS WEEK AS WE SHARE THE NUMBERS BEHIND THE GROWTH AND INTRODUCE YOU TO SOME SUCCESSFUL NEW JERSEY ENTREPRENEURS WORKING IN BEAUTY AND FASHION.

THE BEAUTY BUSINESS WAS IMPACTED BY THE PANDEMIC BUT THINGS ARE LOOKING PRETTIER NOW.

HERE IS ONE CASE IN POINT, AS MASKS HAVE COME OFF, LIPSTICK HAS COME ON!

THE NDP GROUP SAID LIP MAKE UP IS THE FASTEST GROWING MAKEUP CATEGORY THIS YEAR AND COMPANIES THAT SELL BEAUTY AND FASHION BRANDS ARE DOING WELL.

IN 2021, BEAUTY RETAILER ULTA SALES SURGED 40% OVER THE PRIOR PANDEMIC YEAR.

TAPESTRY, THE FASHION COMPANY BEHIND LUXURY BRANDS LIKE COACH AND KATE SPADE, SAW ITS FISCAL YEAR REVENUE JUMP 16%.

LVMH, WHICH OWNS LOUIS VISTTON AND OTHER BRANDS SURGED TO AN ALL-TIME HIGH.

WE SPEND ON AVERAGE EACH YEAR MORE THAN $1750 ON CLOTHING AND $740 ON PERSONAL CARE.

IT'S A LITTLE HIGHER WHEN YOU REMOVE 2020, WHEN THE PANDEMIC CURBED SPENDING.

IN NEW JERSEY, RESIDENTS INCREASED THEIR SPENDING ON CLOTHING AND ACCESSORIES BY MORE THAN 28% AT THE START OF THIS YEAR COMPARED TO LAST.

PERSONAL CARE SPENDING INCREASED NEARLY 14%.

WE CAUGHT UP WITH THE OWNER OF AN EDGE WATER SALON WHO HAS MADE BEAUTY HER BUSINESS.

YOU'LL RECALL DURING THE HEIGHT OF THE PANDEMIC, SALONS WERE SHUT DOWN AND PEOPLE DID THEIR BEST WITH HOME HAIR CARE.

TINA PEARSON'S SALON EXPERIENCED A DROP IN BUSINESS THEN BUT REBUILT.

SHE LEARNED HOW TO PIVOT AND ADAPT, EVEN BEFORE COVID-19.

TINA, NICE TO HAVE YOU ON "NJ BUSINESS BEAT."

WE FOCUS ON THE BEAUTY AND SELF-CARE BUSINESS.

LISTEN, HOW HARD WAS IT TO HAVE A SALON IN THE MIDDLE OF A PANDEMIC?

HOW DID IT IMPACT YOUR WORK AND WHAT ARE YOU SEEING NOW?

>> IT WAS ONE OF THE MOST CHALLENGING THINGS I'VE HAD TO DO.

I'VE BEEN IN THE BEAUTY BUSINESS FOR 25 YEARS NOW.

AS YOU COULD IMAGINE, YOU'RE RESPONSIBLE FOR SO MANY THINGS ON A DAILY BASIS.

RIGHT.

YOU WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT THE STAFF IS FEELING SAFE, FEELING COMFORTABLE, AND SHOWING UP TO W WORK, AND YOU'RE DOING EVERYTHING POSSIBLE KEEPING THEM SAFE AND THE CLIENTS SAFE.

SO THAT LOOKS LIKE, YOU KNOW, NOT HAVING AS MANY CLIENTS IN THE SALON AS MAYBE NORMALLY.

I'VE SEEN, YOU KNOW, HERE WE ARE NOW IN MAY, THE SALON HAS COME BACK TO WHAT WE CONSIDER ALMOST NORMAL.

WHERE WE'RE TAKING MORE CLIENTS.

WE'RE STILL -- WE WORK BY APPOINTMENT AND GIVE CLIENTS IN AND OUT REALLY FAST.

WE DON'T LAP TOO MUCH BUT WE DON'T HAVE TO DO THE ONE CLIENT AT A TIME, AS WE WERE DOING AS SOON AS WE REOPENED IN JUNE OF 2020.

>> A LOT OF SALONS HAD TO CHANGE THEIR CONFIGURATIONS.

YOU KNOW, SLIDES BETWEEN THE CHAIRS.

I MEAN, DID YOU FEEL A BIG IMPACT HERE BOTTOM LINE?

>> THE SALON HURT A LOT.

WE DID GO INTO VIRTUAL APPOINTMENTS IMMEDIATELY AS SOON AS WE CLOSED DOWN.

WE STARTED TO DO VIRTUAL APPOINTMENTS.

THOSE DID WELL.

WE DID A LOT OF CURB SIDE PICK UP.

WE HAVE OUR OWN PRODUCTS SO A LOT OF CLIENTS CAME AND PICKED UP THEIR PRODUCTS AND WE WOULD HAVE VIRTUAL SESSIONS SHOWING THEM HOW TO USE THE PRODUCTS.

THE BUSINESS WAS IMPACTED BUT, YOU KNOW, GREATLY.

>> I GUESS, YOU KNOW, YOU'RE IN THE SAME BOAT SO MANY BUSINESSES I TALKED TO.

YOU HAVE TO FIGURE OUT A WAY TO PIVOT, IF YOU WANT TO CONTINUE.

>> YEP.

>> I APPLAUD YOU FOR FIGURING SOME OF THESE THINGS OUT AND TRYING TO MOVE FORWARD.

I'M ALSO INTRIGUED.

YOU MENTIONED YOU'VE BEEN IN THE BEAUTY BUSINESS FOR 25 YEARS.

WHAT DO YOU THINK SOME OF THE BIGGEST CHANGES ARE THAT YOU'VE SEEN IN THE BUSINESS?

>> WELL, ENTREPRENEURSHIP IS ON THE RISE.

AS AN ENTREPRENEUR MYSELF, YOU KNOW, I APPLAUD IT AND I THINK, YOU KNOW, IF YOU ARE AN ENTREPRENEUR OR DESIRE TO BE ONE, THEN YOU ABSOLUTELY SHOULD!

HOWEVER, IT AFFECTS WHAT HAPPENS.

IT CAN AFFECT THE CONSISTENCY OF THE SALON.

IT'S LEGAL TO HAVE SUITES IN NEW JERSEY.

SO STYLISTS THAT TRADITIONALLY WANT TO WORK AS A TEAM, THEY'RE OPTING TO MOVE OUT ON THEIR OWN.

THERE'S A TRANSITION.

THEY GO AND LEAVE AND THEN REALIZE, WHOA, WAIT, ENTREPRENEURSHIP MAY NOT BE FOR ME.

THEN THEY COME BACK.

>> ARE YOU OPTIMISTIC ABOUT THE FUTURE?

>> VERY OPTIMISTIC!

WHAT WE DO AND WHAT WE OFFER AND EXPERIENCE WHEN YOU'RE IN THE SALON, YOU KNOW, OBVIOUSLY WE CAN GIVE YOU TOOLS AND SHOW YOU HOW TO DO YOUR HAIR AT HOME BUT IT'S NOTHING LIKE THAT EXPERIENCE AND THE EXPERTISE OF STYLISTS THAT ARE PASSIONATE ABOUT WHAT THEY'RE DOING.

I KNOW THE INDUSTRY IS NEVER GOING TO DIE.

YOU KNOW, IT'S ALWAYS GOING TO BE, YOU KNOW, YOU ALWAYS NEED TO GET YOUR HAIR DONE AT YOUR SALON.

>> IT'S BEEN GREAT HEARING ABOUT YOUR BUSINESS AND SEEING WHAT YOU'RE UP TO.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME TODAY.

GOOD LUCK!

>> THANK YOU.

THANK YOU SO MUCH.

I APPRECIATE THE OPPORTUNITY.

>>> ONE GROWING AREA OF THE BEAUTY BIZ IS BLACK HAIR CARE.

IT'S NOW A $2.5 BILLION MARKET.

MEANTIME, AFRICAN AMERICANS SPEND $54 MILLION ON TEXTURED HAIR CARE PRODUCTS ACCOUNTING FOR 86% OF THE MARKET.

ONE NEW JERSEY RESIDENT FOUND A BUSINESS OPPORTUNITY.

THE BEAUTY EXPO CONTINUES TO GROW.

WHAT LEAD YOU TO COME UP WITH THE IDEA FOR THE EXPO IN NEW JERSEY THAT YOU LAUNCHED A FEW YEARS AGO?

>> WELL, I FELT LIKE IT WAS DEFINITELY NEEDED.

I'M A NATURAL-HAIRED GIRL.

I WAS TRAVELING TO PLACES LIKE PENNSYLVANIA AND NEW YORK TO FIGURE OUT WHERE I NEEDED TO START.

THAT'S WHY I DECIDED TO TART -- START THE EXPO.

I IMAGINED OTHERS WERE FEELING THIS WAY, AS WELL.

>> YOU STARTED WITH THREE DOZEN VENDORS.

HOW HAVE YOU SEEN IT GROW?

>> I'VE SEEN IT GROW TREMENDOUSLY!

WE HAVE OFFSHOOTS OF THE EXPO.

WE HAVE SMALLER NATURAL HAIR GATHERINGS, AND, ALSO, PEOPLE TRAVEL FROM PENNSYLVANIA, CONNECTICUT, NEW YORK.

THEY TRAVEL BECAUSE THEY LOOK FORWARD TO THE EVENT EACH YEAR.

I'VE ALSO SEEN IT TURN INTO A FAMILY EVENT SO PEOPLE BRING THEIR SIGNIFICANT OTHER.

>> AND HOW MANY VENDORS DID YOU HAVE AT THE LAST EXPO?

>> FOR THE LAST EXPO, WE HAD ABOUT 50 VENDORS.

>> SO I'M SURE YOU'VE SEEN THE STATS, BUT DEPENDING ON THE BLACK COMMUNITY, NATURAL HAIR HAS RISEN A LOT OVER THE LAST COUPLE OF YEARS.

IT'S PROJECTED TO CONTINUE TO RISE.

WHY DO YOU THINK THAT IS?

>> I THINK BECAUSE IT'S BECOMING MORE ACCEPTED TO WEAR YOUR NATURAL HAIR AND CARE FOR YOUR NATURAL HAIR AND WOMEN WANT TO EMBRACE THAT.

THEY LOVE BEING THE NATURAL THEM.

I DON'T WANT TO FORGET THE BUSINESS ASPECT.

MANY SEE IT AS AN OPPORTUNITY, LIKE I DID, TO CREATE PRODUCTS FOR WOMEN WITH NATURAL HAIR.

>> IN TERMS OF GETTING THOSE PRODUCTS OUT, ARE YOU SEEING PRODUCTS OUT MORE IN THE MAIN STREAM?

IN THE PAST MAYBE IT WOULD BE HARD TO FIND CERTAIN PRODUCTS AT SOME OF THE BIG RETAILERS YOU HAVE TO GO INTO A SPECIALTY STORE.

>> RIGHT.

I SEE VENDORS SECURING DEALS WITH LOCAL COMMUNITIES.

SOME OF MY VENDORS IN THE PAST HAVE AGREEMENTS WITH BIG BOX COMPANIES.

THE NEW JERSEY NATURAL HAIR BEAUTY EXPO IS A COMMUNITY EVENT.

MANY ENTREPRENEURS LOOK FORWARD TO IT TO SHOWCASE THEIR ITEMS AND OPEN THEMSELVES UP TO AUDIENCES THEY WOULD OTHERWISE NOT BE ABLE TO REACH.

>> GENERALLY HOW MUCH OF THE ENTREPRENEURS ARE BASED HERE IN NEW JERSEY?

HOW MUCH OF A MARKET IS THERE HERE?

>> I WOULD SAY 80% OF THE ENTREPRENEURS ARE BASED IN NEW JERSEY.

>> THAT'S PRETTY IMPRESSIVE IN TERMS OF A NUMBER THERE.

>> YES.

THANK YOU.

>> WHERE DO YOU SEE YOUR BUSINESS GOING?

THE EXPO BUSINESS GOING OVER THE NEXT COUPLE OF YEARS?

>> WE STILL WANT TO MAKE IT ABOUT NATURAL HAIR.

I FOUND WE ARE DELVING INTO OTHER AREAS FOR THE BLACK COMMUNITY LIKE FINANCE AND WELLNESS, WHICH IS SUPER IMPORTANT.

>> IT'S BEEN GREAT HEARING ABOUT THE SUCCESS OF THE EXPO AND WHAT YOU'RE UP TO NEXT.

THANK YOU STOP FOR YOUR TIME.

>> THANK YOU FOR INVITING ME.

IT'S APPRECIATED.

>> SHE TALKED ABOUT HOW WOMEN WANT TO EMBRACE THEIR NATURAL HAIR.

IF ONLY OTHERS WOULD.

NEW JERSEY U.S.

SENATOR CORY BOOKER AND CONGRESSMAN BONNIE WATSON-COLEMAN ARE THE AUTHORS OF THE LEGISLATION KNOWN AS THE CROWN ACT.

CREATING A RESPECTFUL AND OPEN WORLD FOR NATURAL HAIR ACT.

THAT BILL WOULD MAKE IT A FEDERAL CRIME TO DISCRIMINATE AGAINST SOMEONE WEARING HAIR STYLES, INCLUDING AFROS, BRAIDS, AND CORN ROWS.

THE STATE OF NEW JERSEY HAS ITS OWN HAIR ANTI-DISCRIMINATION BILL ON THE BOOKS, BUT THE FEDERAL LEGISLATION HAS STALLED.

HOWEVER, PRESIDENT BIDEN RECENTLY ANNOUNCED HIS SUPPORT FOR THE BILL.

THE CONGRESSWOMAN TOLD ME ABOUT THE DISCRIMINATION PEOPLE HAVE FACED.

>> THE WAY YOU WEAR YOUR HAIR, THE KIND OF HAIR YOU HAVE HAS IMPACTED YOU IN THE WORK FORCE AS AN ADULT.

IT'S IMPACTED YOU IN SCHOOLS.

IF YOU'RE A STUDENT.

IT HAS IMPACTED WHETHER OR NOT PEOPLE CONSIDER YOU WORTHY OF A PARTICULAR POSITION SIMPLY BECAUSE OF THE WAY YOU WEAR YOUR HAIR.

>> BEAUTY AND FASHION OFTEN GO HAND AND HAND, AND THERE IS ESTABLISHED FASHION SCENE IN NEWARK.

PRIOR TO THE PANDEMIC, SEVERAL FASHION SHOWS WERE HELD IN THE CITY ORGANIZED BY ONE LOCAL RESIDENT.

MARCO HALL IS A SELF-TAUGHT DESIGNER FOR THE "NEW YORK TIMES" IDENTIFIED AS ONE TO WATCH ON NEWARK'S FASHION SCENE.

HIS CUSTOM-MADE DESIGNS HAVE BEEN WORN BY CELEBRITIES INCLUDING RIHANNA AND ALICIA KEYS.

HE'S CURRENTLY DESIGNING FOR THE AMAZON SHOW HARLEM.

I KNOW YOU'LL ENJOY GETTING TO KNOW HIM AS MUCH AS I DID.

>> YOU'VE BEEN A FASHION DESIGNER FOR SEVERAL DECADES.

HOW DID YOU GET TO WHERE YOU ARE TODAY?

>> I JUST STARTED ON THIS JOURNEY.

I KEPT GOING.

MEETING PEOPLE AND SETTING MYSELF IN PLACES AND AROUND PEOPLE WHO KNEW MORE THAN ME.

I DECIDED TO CONTINUE ON THE JOURNEY.

I MET PEOPLE ALONG THE WAY TO HELP ME WITH MY CAREER.

NOW WE'RE HERE.

>> YOU MENTIONED, TOO, YOU GREW UP WATCHING A RELATIVE SEW AND IT INTRIGUED YOU.

>> YEAH.

MY GREAT GRANDMOTHER, THE WOMEN FROM THE SOUTH LOVED MAKING QUILTS AND THINGS AND SEWED THEIR OWN CLOTHES BACK IN THE DAY.

I WATCHED MY GREAT GRANDMOTHER MAKE QUILTS AND BLANKETS AND STUFF.

I WAS INTRIGUED.

I LOVED TO MIMIC HER BY SEWING BY HAND AND TAKING THINGS APART AND PUTTING IT BACK TOGETHER.

I EVENTUALLY FOUND A SEWING MACHINE AND STARTED WORKING ON A SEWING MACHINE AND IT GOING TO A CAREER, ACTUALLY, AND NOW IT'S MY LIFE!

>> WHERE DO YOU GET YOUR INSPIRATION FROM?

>> I LOVE FABRICS.

I LOVE COLORS AND TEXTURES AND PRINTS.

IF I SEE SOMETHING IN THE STORE I LIKE, I BUY A PRINT.

I LOOK AT IT AND STARTS TO TELL ITS OWN STORY.

>> YOU'VE HAD A LOT OF SUCCESS.

YOUR FASHIONS HAVE BEEN WORN BY CELEBRITIES.

YOU'VE WORKED ON SHOWS IN TERMS OF HELPING TO BRING IN DESIGN AND FASHION ELEMENT.

ARE YOU KIND OF PINCHING YOURSELF A LITTLE BIT?

>> IT'S BEEN AN INTERESTING RIDE.

PEOPLE SEE MY LOVE AND WORK IT AND PASS IT ALONG TO DIFFERENT STYLISTS AND EVEN TO CELEBRITIES!

I HAVE WONDERFUL PEOPLE IN MY LIFE WHO ARE WORKING IN THE INDUSTRY WHO SEE MY WORTH AND THEY TELL SOMEONE ABOUT ME AND THE NEXT THING I KNOW, THEY'RE HERE.

SO IT'S DEFINITELY THAT'S BEEN THE SURPRISING PART WHERE PEOPLE BELIEVE AND SEE THE WORK AND WANT TO TRUST ME WITH THEIR VISIONS.

THAT'S A BEAUTIFUL PART OF IT.

>> HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE THE FASHION SCENE IN NEWARK?

I KNOW THAT YOU'VE BEEN INVOLVED IN SOME EFFORTS, REALLY, TO PROMOTE DESIGN AND FASHION WITHIN THE CITY.

>> NEWARK IS VERY ECLECTIC.

THEY MIX AND MATCH FASHION.

>> TALK TO ME ABOUT THE BUSINESS SIDE.

ARE YOU ABLE TO MAKE MONEY THAT YOU'RE COMFORTABLE WITH?

>> I THOUGHT THE PANDEMIC WOULD HAVE CAME AND WIPED ME OUT BUT THANK GOD I HAD LOYAL CUSTOMERS WHO WANTED TO BUY STUFF TO SUPPORT AND JUST TO SUPPORT TO MAKE SURE I STAY IN BUSINESS TO KEEP ME HERE.

AND I SEEM TO HAVE WORKED MORE DURING THE PANDEMIC THAN I DID THE PREVIOUS YEAR BEFORE THE PANDEMIC.

>> IT'S BEEN GREAT CHATTING WITH YOU AND HEARING ABOUT YOUR JOURNEY AND HOW YOU'RE MAKING YOUR IMPRINT ON FASHION IN NEWARK!

THANK YOU SO MUCH.

GOOD TO MEET YOU.

>> YOU'RE WELCOME.

SAME HERE.

>>> THAT'S OUR SHOW FOR THIS WEEK.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US FOR "NJ BUSINESS BEAT."

WE'RE ON HIATUS NEXT WEEK FOR THE MEMORIAL DAY HOLIDAY.

WE'LL SEE YOU IN TWO WEEKS.

THANK YOU FOR WATCHING AND YOU ENJOY THE REST OF YOUR WEEKEND!

ENJOY THE REST OF YOUR WEEKEND!

>>> FUNDING FOR NJ BUSINESS BEAT, PROVIDED BY, FOR MORE THAN 110 YEARS, NJ-BIA HAS BEEN FOCUSED ON THE ADVANCEMENT AND SUCCESS OF OUR MEMBERS.

WE'RE THE VOICE REPRESENTING ALL INDUSTRIES.

WORKING TOGETHER, TO HELP BUILD A MORE PROSPEROUS NEW JERSEY.

THROUGH ADVOCACY, SUPPORT, NETWORKING AND BENEFITS.

NJCU SCHOOL OF BUSINESS.

A GAME-CHANGING FORCE.

OFFERING PROGRAMS LIKE FINANCIAL TECHNOLOGY.

OR BUSINESS ANALYTICS, AND DATA SCIENCE.

WE'RE STEPS AWAY FROM THE EXCHANGE PLACE PATH TRAIN IN JERSEY CITY AND MINUTES FROM WALL STREET.

LEARN MORE AT NJCU.EDU/GAME CHANGER.

AND IBEW LOCAL 102.

PROUDLY SERVING NEW JERSEY'S