Chinyere offers Caribbean inspired fitness dance classes virtually. As a former athlete, she is passionate about helping people get into shape in a way that is empowering and fun for them. Her classes feature Caribbean dancehall music and energy and help women to feel free and invigorated.
Sunshine owns and runs a clean and all-natural beauty supply store, with a focus on curly-haired textures of all types. With almost 20 years as a hairstylist working in the beauty industry, Sunshine now wants to change traditional beauty standards with a curated selection of clean and toxic-free natural hair products. Her shop provides a collective space where black-owned companies can expand their reach and consumers can feel confident in knowing every selection was created by someone who can identify with their needs.
Cherice is the owner of a brick-and-mortar studio teaching sewing classes to kids and adults. She hopes to package her sewing curriculum to sell to other educators to earn a passive income, as well as start a training program for folks looking to start a career in design and fashion. Cherice hopes to bring more participants to her events via social media marketing in order to increase sales.
Tiffany has significant experience in social work and understanding systems of oppression, which she blended with her knowledge of wealth, personal finances, and financial literacy to offer financial coaching primarily to marginalized communities with the goal of improving their relationships with wealth. Because she understands the systems at play, she is able to meet her clients where they are. She hopes to continue building partnerships and brand awareness for the business.
Castel, Vanessa, and Alma are the owners of an intergenerational e-commerce family business selling all-natural beauty and skincare products. They pride themselves on sustainability and sell their products at local farmers markets in Tennessee. They would like to improve their digital marketing to improve brand awareness and increase sales, as well as improve their inventory.
Benigna has always loved fragrances, which is why she decided to develop her own fragrance brand. She is currently selling directly to customers and retailers, but hopes to begin selling to wholesalers in the future. She uses high quality, expensive ingredients, and is very proud of the luxury product she has created.
Angela is running a "one-stop shop" tourist destination for Lake Fayetteville, Arkansas. The business started as a family-owned boat and bike rental shop, but Angela took over and has expanded to offer an inclusive environment where folks can enjoy food, drink, and activities regardless of their ability. Angela hopes to improve their business marketing to increase sales and attract more tourists from local college towns.
Nadia is the owner of a finance consulting business in NYC. They offer community-based programming on topics of financial literacy, raising capital, entity selection. She also offers small business finance consulting services– provides CFO services, due diligence, acquisitions, business formation, development and consulting. In addition to creating a financial education app under this company, Nadia would like to increase the community impact of her services and partner with more organizations and schools to provide services.
Nicole owns a natural soap and skincare e-commerce brand. She makes small-batches of these products by hand because she believes that your skin is your best outfit, and you should treat it with the best products. Nicole is looking to increase overall sales and the sales of her men's skincare products, improve branding on the website and social media, and eventually hiring a team.
As a full-time mental health counselor, Latrina created her lifestyle jewelry brand to empower and inspire women, especially women of color. Each piece is unique and has an affirming and empowering message, to inspire positivity through something we all love – jewelry.