In this episode of Boss Files, it's a story about hair, but really so much more.

It's about discrimination. It's about the revitalization of an iconic American city.

Let me introduce you to Detroit Blows, a blow-dry salon that's contributing to Detroit's comeback.

I think for a city that fell on hard times and had to be patient and had to rebuild new things and new industries and try and figure out how it crafts in existence for itself that's not reliant on a single industry.

Right.

And we're able to be a piece of that, but also be a model for a business that really has reinvestment at its core.

Actress Sophia Bush is teaming up with entrepreneurs Neabats and Katie Cockrell as a partner and investor.

They say many hair salons are, quote, traditionally segregated places and are committed to building an inclusive space for women of all colors.

You see groups of people overlapping and building a community that wouldn't have been happening otherwise

because historically those people have been separated into separate areas, spaces, businesses.

And that feels like this beautiful, tiny revolution.

It feels like a way to steer a ship.

Plus, the power of what women can do when they come together and lift each other up.

The salon's philanthropic arm, Detroit,

funds other female entrepreneurs in Detroit

and helps them grow their businesses. I sat down with Sophia Bush and Nea Bats in front of a

live audience at the Fashion Tech Forum in New York City. Here's our conversation.

I don't think there's anywhere I'd rather be on a Friday afternoon than talking about a city that I love, Detroit, that I've loved and covered for a decade as a journalist. And with two women that I admire so much having learned about you over the last few weeks. So thank you for what you do. And I'm excited to share their story with you. So congratulations on what you've done with your partner, Katie Cockwell, who's in the audience as well, the three of you. And let's jump in. What would you like to add, Nea, first? Where was the

genesis of this idea? I think it very much came from trying to solve for what you want to see in the world

that doesn't exist, trying to make sure that you can have an experience that feels inclusive

and one that feels accessible.

And those are always sort of issues that we've dealt with in a community like Detroit,

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