Displaying items by tag: Startup

South Los Angeles businesses are experiencing a renaissance. COVID-19 has presented obstacles and setbacks, however, our community is resilient and local leaders are leveraging every available resource to support entrepreneurs and ensure they can thrive despite this crisis.

Seventy-two percent of black-owned small businesses are profitable, according to findings from the latest Small Business Trends report released by small business financing company Guidant Financial. This is a five percent yearly increase, with last year’s report showing 69 percent of black small businesses as profitable.

When Rosa Duffy opened her bookstore, For Keeps, more than two months ago, she had little to no expectations for the place. According to her, she was aware of the challenges going in, but once she started spreading the word about her plans, the feedback seemed reassuring.

Tiffany Miller is known for wearing a flower in her hair. One day, while out and about she noticed a woman wearing the same flower in her hair. Miller said the feeling was akin to showing up to a party in the same dress as someone else. So, she decided to create her own flowers and from there, it turned into her brand FlyBlooms by Funky Fly Flowerchild.

Entrepreneurship is alive and well, even if the face of small business is evolving with the times. Autonomy in management and making dreams a reality are the reasons most cited by entrepreneurs looking to open a small business.

Nearly half of all respondents in the annual The UPS Store “Inside Small Business Survey” said they’d be optimistic about opening a small business this year. Of respondents who hope to open a small business, top motivators include being their own bosses [38 percent], followed by believing in the power of their own ideas [17 percent] and creating their next career paths [15 percent].

Resources for entrepreneurs are now available in Dallas’ southern sector with the opening of the Dallas Entrepreneur Center at the Southwest Center Mall in Oak Cliff. More than 450 individuals recently toured the new offices at Redbird and talked with business owners about opportunities available to help launch their businesses.

Three young D.C. entrepreneurs aim to serve some heart-warming hope and hospitality as they open their first venture, The Village Cafe, inside Union Market. Kevon King, Mahammad Mangum and Ryan Williams who met as kids, and bonded at Woodrow Wilson High School, maintained a friendship, and recently agreed to make a change in their career trajectories.

Southwest D.C. just got a little sweeter, with the opening of a brand new soda pop shop right in the heart of the District’s beloved Wharf.

Initially a father’s dream, the “Southwest Soda Pop Shop,” run by four dynamic young Black sistas (literally), made its official debut in early May, on the 1100 block of Maine Ave. and is already getting rave reviews from customers and fellow business owners alike, for the store front’s unique savvy sweetness.

Certified minority business enterprise firm specializes in custom architectural signage, brand identity and signage surrounding mergers and acquisitions, for local and national chains

When Arielle Martin is not selling a home, she is selling products that will make your home leave a lasting impression on whoever enters it. The 23-year-old real estate agent is also the creator and owner of Front and Scenter luxury candles and handmade fragrances, which specializes in coconut-soy wax candles and room/linen sprays. Martin started her candle business in December 2017 and the flame has been burning hot ever since.