Obama re-branding a bull’s eye hit for salon

13 January, 2009, 16:43

Changing just two letters in its name made a Chicago hair salon’s business flourish. Ossama's Hair Design has become Obama’s. The owner believes the new president won’t object.

The salon saw grim days following the 9/11 terror attacks. Customers were reluctant to come to a place which reminded them of the notorious Al-Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden.

Back in 2001, sales at Ossama’s plunged 50%, recalls owner Mike Elsheikh, who was a hired stylist at the place at that time. Eventually he bought the ill fortunate business, reports Chicago Sun-Times newspaper.

Yet when the star of Barack Obama shined bright on the national politics skies, Elsheikh saw his big chance to turn the tables. He licensed the “Obama Hair Design” name on spec during the presidential campaign, and after the Democratic nominee did win the poll, he renamed the salon.

Elsheikh, an Egyptian-born U.S. citizen says the business has already improved, with many old customers hailing the change and new ones being attracted by the neon sign.

During the election campaign the similarity between the names of the popular senator and the wanted terrorist gave grief to some newspapers that misspelled Barack Obama’s name on several occasions, but for Elsheikh it seems to have been a boon.