Detroit entrepreneur opens 175th Motor City Match business, filling gap in cosmetology education

• Detroit native Kanika Free founded The Salon Professional School of Cosmetology to address low state board exam pass rates
• The Salon Professional School of Cosmetology offers cosmetology, manicuring, instructor trainee programs, and Michigan State Board refresher courses at affordable rates
• $55,000 grant supported the build-out of the 2,000 sq ft cosmetology school
• Motor City Match has awarded $19.1M in cash grants; 85% of overall winners are minority-owned businesses, 70% are women-owned and 67% are owned by Detroit residents

Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan and the Detroit Economic Growth Corporation (DEGC) today celebrated the grand opening of The Salon Professional School of Cosmetology, located in the Outer Drive-Hayes neighborhood. This marks the 175th Motor City Match business to open in the city of Detroit, another milestone for the small business incubator program.

According to salon founder and instructor Kanika Free, The Salon Professional School of Cosmetology came out of a need she discovered after becoming a licensed hairstylist some 13 years ago. 

"I noticed a few things within the privately-owned and corporate-owned schools I taught at: the students would graduate and not really have any job placements, not know what to expect, or not pass the state board," Free said. "I realized I could be a little more beneficial for adult learners who need a bit more flexibility. (The Salon Professional School of Cosmetology) came out of a need in the area and industry."

Mayor Duggan congratulates business owner Kanika Free on the opening of her cosmetology school.

The Pershing High School grad originally went on to college for education and then social work, but ultimately decided to pursue her passion for cosmetology. Her varying educational backgrounds have come full circle, as Free has embraced her passion for teaching and cosmetology. The cosmetology school came to life in 2021 in a small suite in Southfield, but Free always envisioned bringing the business back to her hometown of Detroit.

"I love being a hairstylist and I love teaching, so let me do both," Free said. "It's a dream come true. I love Detroit - when we opened in Southfield I was just itching to get back to Detroit. Detroit has a special resilience, and once we say we're going to do something we really grind it out and do it."

The Salon Professional School of Cosmetology has graduated 16 students in the past 2 1/2 years, boasting a 90% state board pass rate and full employment in their field. The school offers a hybrid learning environment, combining three days of in-person instruction with two days of virtual classes. Free says this flexibility has drawn students 30 and older seeking career changes while balancing work and family commitments. The school prides itself on smaller class sizes, focusing on a more personable learning environment.

Owner Kanika Free gives Mayor Duggan a tour of her business.

"The small class size created a safe space for me to open up and be vulnerable about my struggles and fears of cosmetology while receiving the attention and encouragement needed to build confidence and improve techniques," said Bryanna, a former student, in a testimonial on the school's website. "When you enroll, you become family, the opportunities afforded to me through the school have opened up my view on the industry and pushed me to look beyond the chair."

The Salon Professional School of Cosmetology can accommodate 24 students each in its day and evening programs, offering affordable payment plans as low as $350 monthly. The school is pursuing accreditation to accept financial aid in the future. Free envisions the Whittier location as the first of many, with plans to expand throughout the city and beyond.

"What Kanika has built here is exactly what we love to see in Detroit," said Mayor Duggan. "She spotted a gap in cosmetology education, stepped up to fill it and now she's helping Detroiters launch new careers. The Salon Professional School of Cosmetology is our 175th Motor City Match success story, and it's a great example of how we're growing opportunities in our neighborhoods."

Mayor Duggan joins DEGC officials, business owner Kanika Free, family, and friends for ribbon cutting.

Located at 11019 Whittier, The Salon Professional School of Cosmetology currently has three staff members, including Free. The $55,000 grant awarded by Motor City Match in Round 24 helped with the cost of building out the space, which was described as a "shell" when work first began.

"Kanika's passion for teaching and cosmetology, plus her determination to bring The Salon Professional School of Cosmetology to Detroit is both inspiring and admirable," said Sean Gray, vice president of Small Business Services at the DEGC, which manages the Motor City Match program. "We love when native Detroiters are able to identify and provide answers for the needs of their community, or in this case, industry."

Through 27 rounds of Motor City Match:

• Total cash grants: $19.1 million (Total leveraged investment: $102.7 million)  
• 85 percent are minority-owned businesses  
• 70 percent are women-owned businesses  
• 67 percent are businesses owned by Detroit residents

About Motor City Match

Motor City Match is a unique partnership between the City of Detroit, the Detroit Economic Growth Corporation (DEGC), the Economic Development Corporation of the City of Detroit (EDC) and the U.S. Department of the Treasury through the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA). Competitive financial assistance is supported by a broad partnership of Southeast Michigan community development financial institutions and corporations including, Bank of America, Fifth Third Bank, Ford Foundation, Hudson Webber Foundation, JPMorgan Chase & Co., Knight Foundation, The Kresge Foundation, New Economy Initiative, and the W.K. Kellogg Foundation. Motor City Match applications are available quarterly. More information is available at MotorCityMatch.com.   

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