Afroempreendedorismo feminino: análise do comportamento de consumo e das demandas para abertura de um salão especializado em cabelos afro em Ouro Branco - MG
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Abstract
This study aims to analyze consumer behavior and the demands related to the establishment of a salon specialized in afro-textured hair in the city of Ouro Branco, Minas Gerais, Brazil, articulating the fields of female entrepreneurship, Afro-entrepreneurship, and the appreciation of Black aesthetics. The research is characterized as applied, with a qualitative approach, using semi-structured interviews conducted with Black women with afro-textured hair residing in the municipality. To ensure the confidentiality of the participants, they were identified by alphanumeric codes, and content analysis was applied as the data analysis technique.The results revealed determining factors in the choice of afro-specialized salons, such as welcoming environments, representativeness, technical expertise, safety, and cultural sensitivity related to Black identity. The findings also indicated a scarcity of specialized services for afro-textured hair in the municipality, leading many women to rely on self-care practices or to travel to other cities in search of specialized services. The interviews showed that identity-related, symbolic, and emotional attributes, associated with technical specialization, directly influence the consumption behavior of these women. Furthermore, the analysis of the marketing mix revealed relevant business opportunities, especially in light of the limited local supply of services tailored to the specificities of afro-textured hair, the consumers’ willingness to pay for specialized services, and the appreciation of spaces that promote a sense of belonging and cultural recognition. It is concluded that the establishment of a salon specialized in afro-textured hair in the municipality proves to be pertinent in view of the experiences and challenges faced by the interviewees, as well as the central role of afro-textured hair in the construction of identity and Black representativeness. Moreover, such spaces go beyond the aesthetic service dimension, constituting territories of welcoming, recognition, cultural affirmation, and resistance, in which technique, affection, and belonging function as practices of confronting racism. Thus, the afro salon emerges not only as an entrepreneurial venture but also as a symbolic and political space capable of strengthening the self-esteem and autonomy of Black women. For future studies, quantitative research is suggested in order to broaden the market diagnosis and support strategies for the implementation of the enterprise.
