Sarah moved to St. Louis with her daughter Lelia, seeking better economic opportunities. St. Louis was a burgeoning center for Black communities and businesses.

In St. Louis, Sarah worked as a washerwoman, facing back-breaking labor and low pay. This experience motivated her to seek a more sustainable and lucrative career.

Sarah began working as a commission agent for Annie Malone, a successful Black hair care entrepreneur and the founder of Poro College. This experience provided her with knowledge of hair care products, sales techniques, and business operations.

Sarah Breedlove decided to start her own independent hair care business, diverging from Annie Malone's Poro College. The exact reasons for the split are debated, but ambition and a desire for greater autonomy likely played a significant role.