beautystorebusiness.com
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September 2017 33
Jason
Bennett
HairUWear tackled an undeveloped niche,
changed the haircare landscape and struck
skyrocketing success—while maintaining its
family-owned values for nearly 50 years.
By Tracy Morin
hen Michael Napolitano, owner, president and CEO of HairUWear, launched
American Hairlines in 1980 with wife, Denise, and mother, Eleanor, he couldn't
have predicted the explosion in popularity of hairpieces, extensions, wigs and
accessories in the coming decades; but he did have a strong premonition. Even years
later—after acquiring Eva Gabor International in 1996 and introducing Great Lengths in
1997—many skeptics remained.
"Everyone thought I was crazy," Napolitano says. "In 1997, there was virtually no hair
extension business in the United States, outside the ethnic markets. But I didn't believe that."
His hunch proved correct—and drove him to play a major role in reigniting consumers'
passion for the category. Beauty Store Business recently chatted with Napolitano and a few
key executives in his thriving enterprise to learn more about the company's humble roots and
meteoric rise to becoming the No. 1 alternative hair company in the world.
Ready
to Wear