The Crown Collective, a UC Santa Barbara student-founded pop-up beauty supply business, hosted their first pop-up shop on Feb. 24 in front of the Student Resource Building.

Around 65 people came to the pop-up. Some of the most popular products included bonnets, body scrubs and shea butter. Iris Guo / Daily Nexus

Sydney Scott, a third-year psychological & brain sciences major, and Love Alexius, a third-year sociology major, co-founded the Crown Collective after seeing a lack of accessible Black hair care products in the local community. Scott and Alexius spent the past fall quarter developing, marketing and fundraising for their business, and this first pop-up is a culmination of their efforts.

The pop-up, held from 3-5 p.m., offered a wide range of beauty products at affordable prices, including wig and hair accessories, hair products, combs and protective hair wraps. The Crown Collective sourced all its products from wholesalers.

Around 65 people came to the pop-up. Many customers said they were excited to shop at the pop-up due to limited accessibility to Black haircare products in Isla Vista and Santa Barbara.

“I know that finding stuff for my hair is impossible in I.V.,” Jazmyn Jackson, a third-year sociology major, said. “Target doesn’t have anything. Amazon has a few things. So seeing products I know and recognize at a reasonable price and sold by students I know makes [the Crown Collective] a go-to.”

Janae Gayle, a fifth-year pharmacology major, said pop-up shops like the Crown Collective are essential to college students looking for accessible haircare products for different hair types.

“They provide a space where people can find the products they need to care for their hair — something that’s often hard to do here. These events also serve as a form of recognition, like saying, ‘Hey, we see you.’ They’re also welcoming spaces. Even if you don’t have curly or kinky hair, it’s a good spot to find out more about different hair and how to take care of it,” Gayle said.

Samia Mungai, a third-year political science major, felt that the pop-up catered to the Black community at UCSB in a way that hadn’t been done before.

“The Black population is so small here, and there’s a lack of quality supply,” Mungai said. “I think it’s nice that they’ve identified gaps in the market and catered to the small Black community to let us come together and interact in things that we like and need.”

According to UCSB’s Office of Budget & Planning, Black students make up 5% of the undergraduate student population and 6% of the graduate student population for the 2024-25 academic year. 

Olayinka Bossa, a third-year biopsychology major, said she was happy to support a Black-owned business while buying the products she needed.

“I was really excited to see a lot of haircare when it comes to things like wig installs and hot combs,” Bossa said. “They’re usually pretty expensive in Santa Barbara and downtown, so getting them here at an affordable price — and from a Black-owned business — is really nice to see.”

Beyond accessibility, customers saw the Crown Collective as an important step toward increasing Black representation on campus.

“It’s important because there needs to be more representation for the Black community in Santa Barbara,” Bossa said. “There are no Black haircare stores in Santa Barbara, and the closest ones are in Oxnard or Lompoc, which is like a 40-minute drive away. So being able to just go down the street for more affordable haircare and from a student who’s supporting the cause makes a big difference.”

Luna Gedde, a third-year biopsychology major, shared this sentiment and pointed out the importance of inclusivity on campus.

“I think it’s important to recognize our differences and the things that make us feel welcomed and comfortable in our environment,” Gedde said. “Having these items helps us feel included in our community.”

Scott reflected after the event that she felt proud of the way the pop-up went.

“I just feel very accomplished and very satisfied with the way that the pop-up turned out,” Scott said. “[I’m] definitely learning what worked and what didn’t so that we can have more successful pop-ups in the future.”

Scott said some of the most popular products included bonnets, body scrubs and shea butter, some of which appealed to a broader target market beyond haircare. 

“We had some non-Black folks come and buy things too, like the lip gloss, which was really popular as well,” Scott said.

The Crown Collective plans to continue hosting pop-ups, with Scott and Alexius working on a concrete schedule and brainstorming new ideas for future events. The co-founders aim to host a pop-up shop at least once a month.

For some students, the Crown Collective’s first pop-up was more than a place to shop; it was an example of empowerment for UCSB’s Black community.

“I feel so proud to see [Scott and Alexius] out here,” Bossa said. “They’re two of the most powerful Black women on campus, and they’re rocking the stage.”