THERE'S SPACE FOR EVERYONE. TaNevia Johnson, pictured, opened Legacy Hair & Beauty Supply in 2023 with a vision to meet the needs of Black community members, with hopes to one day expand her offerings. As of this spring, she was able to do just that. 

While Legacy Hair & Beauty Supply’s original space on Eau Claire’s Menomonie St. was small, its mission was significant: provide a place where everyone could find hair care goods.

Owner TaNevia Johnson has called the Chippewa Valley home for over a decade. Originally landing in Eau Claire while studying psychology at UW-Eau Claire, she put longterm roots down – and quickly discovered a lack of resources focused on Black hair care.

“When I went to college here, no one did hair braiding, so I had to learn how to do my own hair (beyond the basics),” TaNevia said. “ Thankfully, Eau Claire is getting more diverse as the years go on; the issue now is, we need a safe space for everybody.”

Since Legacy Hair & Beauty Supply’s recent relocation (2404 London Road, Eau Claire) – and expansion – the business has been able to begin carving out a path toward becoming a resource for all. Its original location was tight on space, thus leading TaNevia to stock “the essentials” of Black hair care.

While certainly seeing support as Legacy Hair met that community need, TaNevia still yearned to reach more people.

“(Before) I felt like I was limited in what I could do; I didn’t have the space to make it where everyone could get their products in one location. The big thing in this area, when it comes to beauty and hair, is it’s just so separated,” TaNevia said. “Now, it’s a kind of one-stop shop where we’re doing everything health and beauty.”

 Beyond hair texture, Legacy Hair & Beauty Supply is growing to serve folks of all backgrounds and age as well. "I think my youngest client, whose hair I braided, is two years old," TaNevia said. "I have a client that's 80, too."

As of this spring, Legacy Hair has grown both its product and services, now offering braiding, eyelash and eyebrow services, and cosmetology services including hair cuts and coloring for men and women at its London Road storefront.

As a mom of two, TaNevia brings an inherent community-builder energy into her business. “My vision has always been that there could be a mom with a child that’s a different ethnicity than them, and they can get their hair done and their hair products in the same place,” TaNevia said.

With a background in managing and operating both restaurants and retail stores, TaNevia was able to enter the world of entrepreneurship with knowledge in HR procedures, training and onboarding, and profit and loss. In growing her own team, she was able to implement that expertise while adding her own flair.

Today, TaNevia cultivates a work atmosphere focused on positive collaboration, she said. Legacy Hair is also host to The Twisted Scissor Salon, furthering the business’s ability to meet more needs and people.

"I think once people step foot in here, (they'll see) it's a place for everyone."

TANEVIA JOHNSON

OWNER, LEGACY HAIR & BEAUTY SUPPLY

As of late, Legacy Hair’s most sought-after services include hair braiding and hair coloring. “Hair braiding has really taken off,” TaNevia said. “(Braiding is something I’m) excited for because I love the transformation of braiding; when someone comes in to get their hair braided and leave feeling confident – I love that.”

Product wise, Legacy’s own lines of facial and hair oils attracts a wide range of individuals, she continued. For example, Length by Legacy – the business’s hair oil line – has notably been purchased by folks of all ages and for all uses.

“(The hair oil) works for all hair textures and types, so we have people who have alopecia that use it; people who are going through cancer treatment; I used it during postpartum; and the funniest reason, is for parents who bring their kids in after they’ve cut their own hair and need to grow it back,” TaNevia said. “Guys love it for their beards too.”

Now looking ahead to year three of business ownership, TaNevia said one of her initial hurdles continues to be a significant one today: spreading the word the business is open and ready to serve all.

“This is a welcoming space to bring all cultures, people, men and women – no matter who you are – together in one space to pamper themselves,” she said. “Once the community knows that, I think the response will be even better than it already has been.”

Perhaps the most most important lesson entrepreneurship has taught the psychology graduate and young business owner, is perseverance.

“I think it’s easy for people to look at business owners and think ‘wow, they’re doing so great.’ What people don’t see is how I’m showing up whether I make $1 or make $500 that day; I’m showing up when I might not make a sale for a whole week.” TaNevia said.

As Legacy Hair continues to listen to its customers on how to better meet their hair care-related needs and spread awareness of its ultimate goal to fill a wide community of people, TaNevia encourages folks to stop by.

“I think once people step foot in here, (they’ll see) it’s a place for everyone,” TaNevia said.

Legacy Hair & Beauty Supply is located at 2404 London Rd., Eau Claire • Operating hours are 11am-5pm from Tuesday-Friday and 11am-6pm on Saturday • Keep up with the business on Facebook or reach out at legacyhairandbeautysupply@gmail.com