URBANA, IL (Chambana Today) — Entrepreneur Merveille Luyeye Scroggins will share her journey as a business owner during an upcoming panel discussion focused on entrepreneurship at the Campus Instructional Facility.
Scroggins, owner of ML Beauty Bar at Market Place Mall, is one of several panelists scheduled to speak at “The Entrepreneurial Path: A Panel Discussion with Business Owners” on Tuesday, April 28. The event will run from 5:30 to 7 p.m. in Room 2039 and will feature local business leaders discussing how they started and grew their ventures.
“It means a lot to me to be recognized and included as a Black entrepreneur,” Scroggins said. “I am honored to share my story, and bring awareness to anyone who wants to start their own business.”
Scroggins’ path to entrepreneurship began with a childhood interest in beauty and evolved into a business that now spans multiple countries. Before opening her Champaign salon in November, she launched and operated three salon locations in her home country, the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Her Champaign business, ML Beauty Bar, offers services including skincare, makeup, facials, waxing and permanent makeup, with both walk-ins and appointments available. The salon is staffed by four employees and led in part by store manager Piper.
During the panel, Scroggins plans to speak about building a business from the ground up, starting with selling beauty products locally before expanding into full-service salons.
She is also expected to discuss her focus on inclusive and holistic beauty care, including services tailored to a variety of hair types and support for women experiencing hair thinning or loss, such as those in perimenopause or undergoing cancer treatment.
Her work also emphasizes natural products, including the use of iYURA items made without sulfates, binders or additives and crafted using traditional Ayurvedic methods. Scroggins also develops some of her own formulations, including a hair treatment made with 32 natural ingredients.
The April 28 panel will include prepared questions and an opportunity for students to engage directly with panelists about topics such as funding, networking and overcoming challenges in business.
The event is free and open to the public.