Fareed ’Reed’ Johnson

Shaping a Beauty Supply Store Around a Diverse Community

Story by: Voleer Thomas

Fareed “Reed” Johnson is the owner of Blush Hair Extensions, which is currently located at 530 North Main Street in Downtown Gainesville. Blush Hair Extensions sells natural hair products, cosmetics, and bundles of hair.

The name for his business was created when he was looking for something feminine and wanted to sell products that will make customers blush. That’s how the name ‘Blush Hair Extensions’ was born. Johnson is from Gainesville, Florida. Although his professional background is in the justice area, he is currently a commercial driver outside of his business.

The beauty supply store opened its doors in March 2018 and along his journey he learned many lessons working in the beauty supply industry. Before opening the store, Johnson had a mobile hair extensions business.

He continued with his vision as an entrepreneur when he ended the mobile business and began his search for a location and found a building on Main Street which he said will provide more accessibility to customers. “My top priorities are to build an inventory that reflects the community’s preferences and promotes the most healthy hair care,” Johnson said.

“I also intend on developing a community relations program that focuses on developing entrepreneurial skills in the local youth.” Johnson loves connecting with the community and interacting with customers. He wants the products to reflect those who buy them.

Running a business has its fair share of obstacles, and Johnson uses strategies he developed to keep the business going. “Persistence,” Johnson said. “Not giving up will keep you in business and working off the weaknesses of competitors and using those strengths to connect to customers.” As an owner, Johnson wants to cater to the community’s needs by carrying products they are interested in. “We want to only carry products that interest our local market,” Johnson said.

“It takes time to cycle through customer requests and understand what is in demand and what is obsolete. We’re just being patient and also learning from our customers.” Johnson said the feedback he has received since the opening of the beauty supply store has been promising. “It’s an honor to have come this far from the idea stage,” Johnson said. “However, there’s plenty of work to do still.” Johnson plans on expanding inventory and is looking forward to taking their marketing team to the next level. In the meantime, Blush Hair Extensions will be closing its doors on Main Street but will continue the operation of retailing hair extensions until the new location is open.

Johnson said instead of signing a new lease after the beginning of the year, he believes it would be best to relocate. After speaking to other business owners as well as customers, he realized there were characteristics at the current location that he said will limit the growth of the business. Some of those characteristics are rear building parking, in store lighting, and limited signage and advertising space on the building. Closing the store down and relocating was a hard decision to make but Johnson is ready for the next chapter of Blush. “It’s bittersweet,” Johnson said. “It’s the end for the caterpillar but the beginning for the butterfly.

The next location will offer so much more and will reflect the learning lessons of the previous location.” Johnson said they are in the planning phase for the new location and this time they will be collaborating with a beauty supply consulting company out of Atlanta. He hopes their experience in the industry will help his business grow. “Soliciting their help will ensure the right products and operations are in place to truly have a successful store,” Johnson said.

The new location of the store and the date of it opening is pending but Johnson said he intends on remaining in the Main Street area.