Beauty Industry Pros Agree: It's Time to Close the Tech Gap

April ANHC PRO National Roundtable Recap by Elaine Truesdale

As ANHC PRO's Founder, it is always my pleasure to lead our national roundtable discussions. At the April ANHC PRO National Roundtable, beauty industry professionals from across the country gathered to discuss a topic that’s becoming impossible to ignore: AI & Tech Innovations in the Beauty Industry. The verdict from participants? The beauty industry is behind—but not for long.

The open discussion made one thing clear: technology has the power to transform beauty businesses, and ANHC PRO is helping lead that transformation.

We kicked things off by spotlighting several Black-founded innovations already shaping the industry's future:

• 🔬 MYAVANA HairScope – A handheld analysis device giving stylists personalized insights into hair health.

• 🏠 SalonHome – A tech-powered platform bridging salon expertise and at-home beauty care.

• ✂️ ShearShare – A space-sharing app that allows stylists to rent chairs by the day.

Special guest Morale Ocain joined the session to speak about her smart chair, which is currently in development, and her role in the Atlanta Black Chambers’ Black Beauty Industry Initiative (BBII). She shared that she and her client, Dr. Tina Woodard, are collaborating with the Georgia Institute of Technology to develop the chair. She also highlighted how BBII is pushing innovation and collaboration among Black beauty entrepreneurs in Atlanta and beyond.

To my surprise, Square came up repeatedly during the discussion—not just for its payment processing, but for its affordability and the free booking component, which many stylists rely on to manage appointments and keep overhead low.

Attendees also discussed the tools they’re currently using and what’s missing. Most everyone uses social media and booking software. Many of the participants also use AI tools like ChatGPT and create graphics with software like Canva. In an effort to expand beyond working behind the chair, we explored ideas like developing ebooks, online courses, and custom apps. The consensus: the industry needs more education and access to tools that make tech feel approachable and useful.

📌 What’s Next: Business Tech Webinar

ANHC PRO is planning a special edition of the Beauty Business Mastery Webinar Series focused entirely on tech in the beauty industry. Expect deep dives, expert insights, and real-world examples of how to bring your beauty business into the digital age.

🗓️ May Roundtable: Legal Essentials

Join our May National Roundtable Session on Monday, May 19, at 10:00am ET, where we’ll discuss Licensing, Compliance, and Legal Essentials—must-know info for beauty professionals navigating business ownership. 🔗 Register at this Zoom link or visit anhcpro.org/events to learn more, and it will focus on Licensing, Compliance, and Legal Essentials—an important topic for all beauty professionals navigating the business side of the industry. Join us on the third Monday of the month at 10:00am ET.

🔗 Register at this Zoom link or visit anhcpro.org/events to learn more