When Winnie Ogweta opened Winnie’s Beauty Salon in South Portland, she set out to do more than style hair. As the first Black-owned salon in South Portland, and one of just a handful across Maine, her business represents an important milestone and a new opportunity. As a licensed hairstylist, Winnie wanted to create a space where clients could find both quality service and inspiration to pursue their own careers in the beauty industry.
Growing up in Portland as a South Sudanese immigrant, Winnie always knew she wanted to create something of her own. She recognized that hairstyling could be a fulfilling and successful career, even though it was not always seen that way in her community. “Opportunities for owning a business are not usually recognized as a career with the background I come from,” she explains. “Being able to represent this is very important to me.”
Winnie’s journey to business ownership was not easy. As the first in her family to take this path, she had to figure out each step on her own, from registering an LLC to finding local resources. Determined to find guidance, she searched online and discovered the Maine SBDC, where she connected with Business Advisor Chris Cole.
“I remember meeting with Chris for the first time and sitting in her office for an hour just getting out everything I had been thinking about,” Winnie recalls. “At this stage, it was just an idea. She helped me transition what I had in my head and bring it to life. Without her advising me, I would not have been able to open my business.”
Now that her salon is thriving, Winnie has even bigger goals. She envisions expanding to new locations, launching a hair product line, and opening a hair school. “The power is believing that I can do it,” she says. “The hardest part was getting that first door knocked down, but now that I am here, the opportunities are endless.”
For anyone starting a business, she emphasizes the importance of seeking support. “Opening a business can be overwhelming, and it is easy to lose sight of your vision. Having a business advisor is like having a voice of reason. They are there to support you in any way they can.”
Winnie’s story is one of persistence, growth, and proving that with the right mindset, anything is possible.