The First African American Owned Business in Pooler
Theresa Wright remembers the day she opened her hair salon business like it was yesterday. It was almost 20 years ago. Pooler basically consisted of a few neighborhoods and a few businesses off Highway 80.
She was born and raised in Sylvania, Georgia, but after graduating from high school she attended Savannah Technical Institute where she earned a degree in business. She worked in banking for 15 years, and one day she made a decision that would change her life. While working at the bank one day, she decided she would go back to school. This time she wanted to go to the Savannah School of Cosmetology, and now as they say, the rest is history.
“I always wanted to do hair,” said Theresa. “I knew I would like cosmetology school, and I did.”
Then, as Theresa says, God stepped in and planned her next 20 years.
One day, after she had graduated from cosmetology school, Theresa went to the beauty supply store to pick up some supplies. While shopping for her supplies, she ran into a sign that advertised salon furniture for sale. Knowing she would need salon furniture if she was to do hair, she ended up calling the number and buying all the furniture.
She had no place to put the furniture so she stacked it in her living room at home. “At that point, I hadn’t given much thought to where I would like to open a hair salon,” says Theresa. However, one day after church she received a phone call. It was the landlord of a building in Pooler where she had bought the furniture from. The same space she had purchased the furniture from was available for rent.
“I was scared because I didn’t have a lot of clients,” remembered Theresa. “He gave me a good deal on the rent so I said okay, and I signed the lease. Now, 20 years later here we are.”
On November 1, 1989 Theresa opened the doors to her Another Success Hair Salon. She quickly garnered respect from people, establishing a hair salon that serviced everyone. “From the beginning we have been here for anyone no matter what their nationality or race,” stated Theresa.
Seeing a need for men’s haircuts, she put a small barbershop inside of her shop where her eventual son-in-law and current owner of Nu Impressions Barber Studio, Bruce Bailey, would get his start.
Another Success was the first African-American owned business, and she had established a good clientele. However, one day she received a letter in the mail stating that she and other business owners in the plaza would have to move. “Pooler was growing and the City needed the space to expand their offices,” said Theresa. “I was disappointed and scared, but what could we do. That’s when God stepped in again.”
Faith had guided her this far, and God would bless her again as she found another place to house Another Success, not far down Highway 80 where she had begun. She ran her business there for another five years before another opportunity would come her way when Pooler Park West strip mall was developed. “I had often drove by that property and thought I would like to put my business there.”
When 80 Park West opened, Another Success was the third business to open it’s doors, and for the past 20 years, Theresa’s Another Success has been ahead of the trend.
In 1989, she named her business for the successful business climate in the West Chatham area, not to mention her great success she has with hairdos. Many of her clients today have been with her from the very beginning. Connie Adams, a resident of Savannah, has been coming to Another Success since Theresa first opened her doors. “I didn’t realize how long it’s been,” said Adams. “I come out here for the great service. It’s never crowded, and I am always pleased with Theresa’s work.”
As one of Pooler’s oldest running businesses, Another Success seems to be deserving of the name Theresa came up with 20 years ago. “We’re focused on our continued quality customer service, and I’m also looking forward to welcoming licensed stylists to come to my shop and chase their dream.”
Theresa has been married to her husband, Willie, for 38 years. “He’s played an important role in the business,” says Theresa. “He has always helped me when I needed help and now he manages the salon.”
Another Success is a staple of what the Pooler business community has become.
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