When customers walk into Rahim’s Beauty Supply Store just off East Oak Street in Carbondale, they’re immediately met with the distinct scent of hair products and essential oils. The store offers a wide selection of wigs, clothing and accessories, making it a go-to destination for customers seeking both beauty and style.

Before opening his storefront in Carbondale in 2009, Abdul Rahim Khalil spent years traveling with a truck of beauty products, driving to different areas in Illinois and across the nation to build his business and raise money while pursuing studies at Southern Illinois University. 

Although he initially planned to enter the clothing industry, a compelling article in EBONY magazine inspired him to shift his focus to beauty supplies. Today, his store stands as the only Black-owned beauty supply store in Carbondale and the surrounding deep southern Illinois region, underscoring its cultural and economic importance.

Before establishing his business in 1995 by selling products from the back of a truck, Abdul Rahim Khalil faced a tumultuous personal journey. Spending 22 years in and out of the penitentiary due to struggles as a dope fiend, Rahim credits his healing to receiving the right guidance in his life.

“What really turned me around was my mother and Islam, and Allah brought me both.” Rahim said.

Following his release, he pursued higher education, earning both a bachelor’s and a master’s degree in Social Work. After receiving his degree from SIU, the business found its permanent home in Carbondale, where it has continued to serve customers from diverse backgrounds for 16 years.

Black-owned businesses remain a minority in Carbondale. In the beauty industry especially, ownership can shape the kinds of products and knowledge available to customers. Rahim emphasized the importance of the Black community supporting Black-owned businesses as a way to strengthen the culture and promote economic empowerment. 

“We built this country. Black labor was the foundation of America’s economy—but we still don’t own our fair share of it,” Rahim said.  “There’s got to be a reason why you only see a handful of African Americans in this business. It’s expensive to get into, and access to capital is a real barrier.”

Over the years, Rahim’s Beauty Supplies has become more than just a retail space. It has grown into a community hub, connecting people through shared experiences of culture, style and entrepreneurship. Rahim also reminds customers that the beauty industry is about more than just products—it’s deeply tied to identity and self-worth.

“When you talk about beauty, you’re talking about self-image. And for some people, that means feeling like they have to look like someone else to feel accepted. But it should be about improvement and self-love,” Rahim said.

The store’s 30-year history reflects resilience and adaptation, from its beginnings as a mobile operation to its established storefront today. The journey also illustrates the challenges and triumphs of being a Black entrepreneur. Rahim expressed the desire for more Black-owned business but also sheds light on the financial difficulties. 

“I tell people who say they want to open a beauty supply store, ‘I hope you’ve got $100,000.’ That’s the kind of investment it takes just to get started,” Rahim said.

For many customers, Rahim’s Beauty Supplies fills a critical gap in the market by offering products that are often difficult to find elsewhere in Southern Illinois for the African American Diaspora. A common phrase used by Rahim is, “If it’s not here, I will go get it.”

Staff reporter Yahri Edmond can be reached at [email protected]

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