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As we celebrate Black History Month, we spotlight Novo customers who are creating the history of the future. These entrepreneurs are following their dreams and making an impact in their communities. Read on to learn more about their businesses, their specific struggles, and their inspiring advice for aspiring entrepreneurs.
Nantale Muwonge
Nantale is the owner of Black Girl PR. Nantale says, “Black Girl PR™ is a digital PR firm focused on helping Black womxn in e-commerce curate content that gets publicity and media coverage so they reach more people and have a bigger impact. We support them through the process of creating an online experience that captures the attention of the people who need to know about them.”
When asked about the specific challenges that Black business owners back, Nantale says, “Black entrepreneurs don’t have equal access to funding due to systematic racism and are denied at higher rates when seeking capital and loans. Furthermore, Black entrepreneurs make less money on average, and we’re underserved when it comes to mentorship and support. When available, support typically discounts the challenges we face, rendering it useless. Also, bigger brands and other creators often steal from Black entrepreneurs because historically they’ve been allowed to get away with it. For entrepreneurs who don’t have intellectual property protection (which can be costly), this theft can be fatal.”
Their advice for aspiring entrepreneurs: Specialize in one thing, and don’t spread yourself too thin. Get really good at delivering that one thing. And then once you have the right systems, processes, and support in place to provide this service or product efficiently and sustainably, then and only then consider other options to diversify your offerings.
Jae Joseph
Jae is the owner of Bao Essentials, “a premium skincare care whose hero ingredient is the superfood papaya. Targeted melanin, pigmented skin, scarring, acne, and anti-aging. We are a Caribbean heritage-owned business whose roots stem from the use of natural elements as healing agents and sources of beautification.”
When asked about the specific challenges that Black business owners face, Jae says, “Access to resources, money, and proper channels of money and distribution.” It’s important for Jae to identify Bao Essentials as black-owned because of the importance of representation.
Their advice for aspiring entrepreneurs: Go easy on yourself, be patient, but keep going!
Micheal McElveen
Micheal is the owner of Velma-Jean Studios. “Velma-Jean Studios is a Black-owned impact studio based in Chicago, IL, building tech, consulting, and media enterprises that generate greater access to and activate capital, capacity, and collaboration in communities. Our consulting group, Velma-Jean, provides investors, philanthropy, and SMBs with impact strategy, evaluation, and implementation. Our studio beta app, Jean-ie, empowers entrepreneurs, enterprises, and communities with vision maps, social accountability, and expert resources to tackle the most common obstacles to achieving goals.”
When asked about the specific challenges that Black entrepreneurs face, Michael says, “Social, economic, and environmental inequities disproportionately burden Black communities and discourage and limit entrepreneurial aspirations. Not only do Black entrepreneurs beat the odds navigating school-to-prison pipelines and public health crises (to name a few), but we are also obligated to empower and directly support our communities while operating with fewer resources and more constraints.”
Their advice for aspiring entrepreneurs: The difference between who you are now and aspire to be is radical accountability -- an unwavering commitment and discipline to achieve a goal. Maximize your ingenuity, accept all appropriate help, and value relationships.
Andra Eugene
Andra owns and operates Andra Who Designs, a branding and UX strategy firm for Shopify merchants in the beauty industry. She works with brands on everything from strategy to ideation for their website and even packaging.
When asked about the specific challenges Black entrepreneurs face, Andra says, "the lack of generational wealth in our community is big because I remember vividly growing up during the first recession back in '08 and hearing the kids in school. They told me how they got summer jobs for their family businesses. And you know, I asked my parents about that, and they're like, we don't have anybody that does that. And I'm like, why not? We should start a business. What are you guys doing? Let's get to it."
Their advice for aspiring entrepreneurs: Just do it! You never know what your light is and what your God-given talents are. And entrepreneurship is really the only time where you can make an income out of your inherent talents directly that is God-given to you, So do it.
Anita Francois
Anita is the owner of Black Travel Summit, an annual global event that expands and enhances the voice of Black travel industry professionals, entrepreneurs, and travelers. Anita was inspired to start the business after realizing the need for more representation among black-owned businesses, entrepreneurs, suppliers, and travel and tourism.
When asked about the specific challenges faced by Black entrepreneurs, Anita speaks of the lack of funding and the things that follow. “The funding also kind of ties in with the ability to be able to market yourself, right? Market yourself effectively and have a wide reach with your marketing strategies, right? It falls in line with funding as well because you don't have the money to market yourself.”
Their advice for aspiring entrepreneurs: It sounds basic and maybe even cliche, but find what you love and go with it because when you find what you love, that is enough motivation to keep you going.
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