At first, Hi Texture Hair Salon owner India Bertin thought that when she pitched the idea to her staff, it would take some convincing. Asking them to volunteer some of their free time seemed like the biggest hurdle she would face – but she was wrong. Despite her fears, Bertin’s team members were eager to support her in starting a program for area teens to learn how to embrace their natural hair texture. Not only would they volunteer their hours, but many would even donate money from their own pockets.

The Vision

“Ever since the establishment of Hi Texture in 2012, I've harbored a vision of launching a community outreach program beneficial for pre-teens and teenagers,” Bertin shares. “Previously we collaborated with local schools and small businesses to organize back-to-school events. However, a significant shift occurred following the events of the last few years. We received an influx of feedback from parents regarding their children's hair-related struggles. This led to the creation of a program tailored specifically for this age group.”

Bertin could not ignore her concern about this vulnerable age group facing hair-related bullying and peer pressure to fit in at school, as well as the impact it has on their concerned parents.

“I know from my personal experience growing up that it’s a challenge,” she says. “I wanted to reach this group of young women who are struggling with self-identity and self-confidence to let them know that first of all, you’re enough just as you are. Secondly, as cosmetologists, how can we help you? So that was the first step in figuring out what we could create to give them some tools, just enough to help them understand the basics of self-care.”

The Execution

In 2020, Hi Texture first introduced Teen Texture Camp, a free, hands-on, back-to-school seminar tailored to 10- to 15-year-olds, and the program has only grown in the years following. For the half-day seminar, the kids get to participate in educational sessions, hands-on learning, product giveaways and activities geared toward enhancing confidence. The team teaches important haircare techniques to both girls and boys, covering everything from cleansing and conditioning to styling their hair at home. The camp also serves the purpose of introducing them to the world of cosmetology.

The camp is a labor of love by the Hi Texture team. Steadily growing the program each year, the team has garnered the support of the community and sponsors. This past summer in 2024, they were able to secure a larger venue to accommodate even more attendees. Since the program’s inception, the turnout has grown from just a handful of kids to almost 90, and the demand is still growing.

The Impact

Teen Texture has a wider impact than just the children who are in attendance. The Hi Texture team wants their campers to be generous with their newly learned information.

“We emphasize to the kids that knowledge is power,” Bertin says. “We encourage them to not only keep it inside, but to pass it onto their friends. Especially if they witness someone being bullied about their hair, or someone who might not know how to do their hair. During each session, we talk about how they can pass that knowledge on that they learned today to impact someone else.”

Also given an opportunity to pass on knowledge are the local cosmetology students that Hi Texture invites to help teach the Teen Texture program. Bertin expresses that while volunteering, the beauty students get to experience a different, more philanthropic side of the industry.

The Salon Today 200

According to Bertin, winning the 2024 SALON TODAY 200 Award in the Best Practices category of Philanthropy helped to raise awareness, creating more opportunities for Hi Texture to connect with sponsors who made the Teen Texture program expansion possible.

To the many salon owners who are inspired by Bertin and wish to start programs of their own, her advice is to just do it. Whether it’s for one child or a group, for half a day or a whole week, the point is to make a positive impact on the confidence of young people in a society that does not usually do so.

“It’s important for me to continue the mission and grow the camp because the real story is that, when going about their day-to-day lives, our teens are sometimes impacted negatively by social media and the things people say as it relates to their self-image,” Bertin explains. “I want young people to have the knowledge and skills to do their own hair so that they may counteract those negative forces by saying, ‘I am enough; I am confident.’”