April 19, 2026
‘Can Do It Better’: How Brett Cowart Built Length & Locs From The Roots Up
Cowart explains how she went from a personal solo stylist to having a family-run operation.
For Brett Cowart, the hair industry isn’t just about aesthetics; it’s about overcoming “hair trauma” and building a legacy. Based in Clinton, Maryland, Cowart has turned a personal necessity into a multibrand enterprise, navigating physical setbacks and the complexities of government-style contract administration to ensure her business, Length & Locs, thrives in an up-and-coming area and competitive online market.
Cowart spoke to BLACK ENTERPRISE about the transition from her solo styling to a family-run operation and why she believes she can always “do it better.”
BE: Tell us what made you decide to go for it and start this business?
I still am the only person who does my hair because I have hair trauma. I would braid my hair, and when the full loc phase came about, I would do all these full locs on myself and clients. Once I perfected the method, I was like, “Oh, I got something going.”
BE: How did you begin the process of filtering out how to actually make money, rather than just “playing with hair”?
Before I went full throttle with the hair business, my background was in subcontracts and contract administration. I already knew how to do price analysis, comparing rates, and all that stuff. It was easy to slide over because I knew what a profit margin should actually be based on, analyzing rates in the government world.
BE: Initially, you were the only one working. Is that still the case?
No. Things got busy, and I had a cousin who had no experience; she came in and picked it up. Then I had a college student, my son’s girlfriend; she didn’t have a job, and she picked it up, too. She’s still working with me, and that’s how we are still pumping out locs. It’s a family affair.
BE: What are the names of your businesses?
The first one I call Sweet CDIB, which stands for “Can Do It Better.” That goes with all my businesses. The new shop is Length & Locs. I’m venturing now into expanding the loose bundles business because we already sold them, so I’m making it all collide.
BE: What do you want people to know about Length & Locs specifically?
It’s the best of both worlds because I have tested all the hair for the loc extensions and all the hair for the bundles. I’m one of those people who switch up a lot. I know what it’s like to get trash hair. I am the worst customer because I’m so picky, so I give the customers everything I would want.
BE: You mentioned your family is involved. How many children do you have?
I’ve got a 23-year-old and a 6-year-old. My son, 23, actually runs the inventory and does the orders. He’s basically mini-me. He doesn’t love it, but he better go ahead and contribute to this generational wealth! He’s building something.
Cowart’s journey from a basement tinkerer to a business owner in the DMV area is a testament to the power of “doing it better.” By combining a meticulous eye for quality with the analytical rigor of contract administration, she has created a sustainable model that involves her family and serves a community that, like her, is tired of “trash hair.” For Cowart, the goal is clear: building a brand that lasts for the next generation.
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