The creator of Lush’s new afro hair care range believes businesses across the 海角视频 have a responsibility to offer more employment opportunities to people within the black community.
Sarah Sango has been working at the Poole-headquartered cosmetics retailer for three years - and is behind a new range of products for black hair.
The former hairdresser, who has 19 years experience and has worked at Fashion Week in London, Paris, Milan, New York and Cannes, said when she joined Lush she noticed there were no products that she and her family could use.
“On my first day at Lush I was introduced to the HairLab team and had a tour, and I noticed there was a gap in the range,” Sarah told BusinessLive .
“I took products home, but there were none I could use. Hair balm - known as a hair grease in the black community - wasn’t available.”
Sarah, whose sister used to make hair products at home using eggs and avocado, decided to bring the concept to Lush.
She worked with cosmetic scientist and product inventor Daniel Campbell on the range, which was designed to meet the needs of afro-textured hair.
“Lush knew the diversity and inclusivity was needed. A minor challenge was getting the natural ingredients and formulas right,” explained Sarah.
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“I was used to buying high street products which contain paraffins and oils which give a nice finish but aren't healthy and are not made by black people. I did have some concern about the finish with the natural products - and it took a good two years to perfect.”
Sarah’s products were initially launched in five stores - and are now in every Lush branch in the 海角视频 as well as internationally.
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She says being a minority is a challenge and in order to be heard you have to have a louder voice and, sometimes, be demanding.
But Sarah also believes it is a company's responsibility to find out about the black community in the region it is based - and reach out to them too.
“Businesses need to give more opportunities for employment. I have come in as a woman and created products and if anyone from my community comes into the stores they can identify with the firm.
“Have staff who represent what you are selling. Allow employees to share their ideas. Make sure you listen to black staff members," she added.
Don’t miss
The launch of Lush’s new afro hair care range, spearheaded by Sarah Sango, highlights the significance of inclusivity and representation in business. Sango's innovative products reflect a thoughtful approach to filling gaps in the market while addressing the needs of underrepresented communities.
By embracing diversity not just in product lines but also within their workforce, businesses can foster a deeper connection with their audiences and drive meaningful change.