Photo courtesy of Sweet Shots Cupcakes
Sweet Shots Cupcakes is based out of South Fulton, GA and is owned by Miranda Lewis. Who doesn’t enjoy a good cupcake and who doesn’t enjoy a good cocktail? Well you can get the best of both of these worlds with Sweet Shots Cupcakes.
Sweet Shots Cupcakes are liquor infused and come in flavors such as Pucker Up Lemon Drop and Apple Martini. Call on Miranda for that next professional or personal event!
Photo courtesy of LinkedIn
A Customer's Point of View is based out of McDonough, GA and is owned by Evelyn Arnette. Evelyn grew up in Brooklyn and like most New Yorkers, she moved to Georgia for the slower pace. Before launching her mystery shopping company, she personally was a mystery shopper back in the early 90s.
A Customer's Point of View provides companies with mystery shopping services in order for them to better get a handle on opportunities for improvement. The company also provides mystery call services and even mystery riders that can be beneficial to transportation companies.
Photo courtesy of Riley's Ribz
Riley's Ribz is owned by Antonio and Caryn Riley and based out of Chicago, IL. This husband and wife team created their sauces and rubs after winning their first entered "Rib Off" in 2009. Their products consist of 2 rubs and 2 sauces that range from sweet to spicy. You can purchase their products online or at local Chicago-area stores.
Photo courtesy of Black Life Coaches
Tajuana Ross is also know as The LinkedIn Professor. Just as the name suggests, Tajuana teaches individuals how to maximize their LinkedIn profiles. I first heard about Tajuana while she was a guest on a podcast that I regularly listened to. She shared several strategies on how to set up your LinkedIn profile to reflect professionalism. Her teachings are also spelled out in her book. I have utilized several of her tips to update my own personal LinkedIn profile.
Photo courtesy of Production Paradise
Naturalicious was founded by Gwen Jimmere and is based out of Detroit, MI. Gwen is originally from Cleveland and is the first Black woman to hold a patent for a natural hair care product! When she launched her company, she was on the verge of homelessness as a divorced mother of a 2-year old.
Naturalicious is a 3-step process that gets rave reviews from users for reducing the overall amount of product they have to buy. This phenomenal product can be ordered online or found in retailers nationwide, namely Sally Beauty Supply stores!
Photo courtesy of Black News
Negast Footwear is based out of Lithonia, GA and is owned by Tarik Edmonson. Tarik looked up to Reginald Lewis. (If that name doesn't look familiar, read the book Why Should White Guys Have All The Fun?) He launched his brand in 2015 after realizing that there was not a lot of offerings in the space.
Negast's custom footwear puts an African spin on such popular sneakers and Chucks, Air Max and Timbs. They can be ordered online or found at select retailers such as The Shrine of the Black Madonna in the West End of Atlanta.
Photo courtesy of Twitter
Yoga Wellness by Kasey is owned by Kasey Cromer. If you've studied anything about successful people, you know that meditation is one thing that many of them have in common. Seeking to learn more about this practice, I had a personal session with Kasey. Now I understand why meditation is so important and popular. As business owners, our minds are usually going 100 miles a minute. But while learning with Kasey in a public park, I was totally able to clear my mind. And I totally forgot that people were playing basketball nearby while others were running around with the kids! I definitely recommend reaching out to Kasey to learn mental freedom.
Photo courtesy of LinkedIn
Hypefan is based out of Atlanta, GA and is owned by Derrick Brown. I met Derrick at the new Braves stadium where he had a booth promoting his HypeStick. The flagship product of the company, HypeStick is an inflatable promotional item that allows companies and sports franchises the opportunity to market themselves. HypeStick got its debut at the Macy's Day Thanksgiving Parade. If you are looking for a unique way to market your company, check out the Hypefan website.
Photo courtesy of Blog Talk Radio
CamiCakes is owned by Andra Hall and has 7 locations through Georgia and Florida! For my fellow Georgia residents, you can find CamiCakes in Camp Creek, Buckhead, Smyrna and Vinings. A true entrepreneur, Andra created the company while dealing with the numerous surgeries that her 1-year was going through. She buckled down and went after her dream of baking by creating a business plan and refinancing the house with her husband in order to launch her company.
CamiCakes makes some of the best cupcakes you will ever taste! (Red velvet is one of my favorites.) And if you're not a big cupcake fan, you can indulge in a layer cake or some ice cream. CamiCakes also provides shipping for those of you who just can't make it to one of the storefronts.
Photo courtesy of Voyage ATL
Bartender on Board is based out of Avondale Estates, GA and is owned by Tanya Foster. Like most of my connections, I met Tanya in person at a networking event in Atlanta. But that was only after she reached out to me to introduce herself and her company. I was impressed with the passion she has for portraying a professional image for both her company and her clients.
Bartender on Board (BOB) is an upscale alcohol beverage caterer and bartending service. The company is licensed as an alcohol caterer so you don't have to purchase and then transport the spirits - BOB takes care of it for you. Tanya and her staff also make great wine recommendations so when you're about to throw that next party, call on Bartender on Board!
Image courtesy of NY Daily News
Brooklyn Boy Knits is based out of Brooklyn, NY (go figure) and was founded by Louis Boria. As the fall weather starts to settle in, it's time to begin thinking about updating your cold weather attire. Louis received notoriety when he was "caught" knitting on the train. The photo, which was posted on social media, helped to push his company to another level.
Brooklyn Boy Knits offers hats, scarfs, baby items and more. Louis makes most of his items out of wool, so you know they're going to be warm!
Photo courtesy of The Da Vinci Institute
Almenta International is based out of Atlanta, GA and is owned by Dr. Mary Ritz. Dr. Ritz received her Ph.D. in Customer Centricity from The Da Vinci Institute and is a certified trainer by John Maxwell. Originally from Zimbabwe, Mary and her husband recently relocated to Atlanta from Tallahassee.
Almenta International consults and trains firms in the areas of customer management, leadership and team/workforce development. For over 10 years, Dr. Ritz has traveled domestically and abroad working with numerous clients of various sizes.
Photo courtesy of LinkedIn
Vital Tactical Solutions is a Georgia company owned by Michael Crowder. Michael and I connected at a networking event that focuses on the growth of Black-owned businesses. We spoke briefly about our individual aim to advance businesses within our community and quickly scheduled a followup call.
During our call, I learned about how Vital Tactical Solutions sells firearms and ammunition. They also provide security and firearm training. Michael started the company after he was mistreated by a local firearm dealer who he had done a lot of business with in the past. He spoke about how many of our White counterparts grow up with a respect and appreciation for firearms while they are taboo in our community. Michael aims (no pun intended) to change that narrative so if you are in need of product or training, check out Vital Tactical Solutions.
Photo courtesy of Twitter
Canna Bistro is owned by Swan Simpson and is located in Atlanta, GA. I had the pleasure of meeting with Swan during a recent lunch meeting arranged by a mutual friend. Her business acumen was only outdone by her knowledge and love for the health and wellness of the Black community.
Canna Bistro sells smoothies and brownies infused with CBD oil, the healing property that is found in marijuana (without the THC which causes the "high" feeling). The oil is extracted naturally using water at their facility in Colorado. In addition to Canna Bistro, Swan is the CEO of Swan Simpson Media Group where she also serves as publisher of Black American Moguls Magazine that reaches 2 million! This Sister is doing some big things and is definitely worthy of our support.
Photo courtesy of MadameNoire
Spendefy is an Atlanta-based company that was co-founded by Eldredge Washington and Antwon Davis. My first experience with their Black-owned business database occurred while shopping for a pet grooming. A simple Google search led me to my current groomer, who happened to have a listing on Spendefy. I have since used the service to find several other business that I currently patronize.
When I first met Eldredge, I understood first-hand the company's passion for uplifting the community. He shared with me how important it was for them to create an avenue for our people to support each other economically. They have also been fortunate enough to share their vision with CNN, Black Enterprise, Ebony and others.
Photo courtesy of Ramunda Young, Inc.
Mahogany Books is a family-owned bookstore in Washington, DC that is owned by husband and wife team Derrick & Ramunda Young, along with their daughter Mahogany. Imagine the joy that Mahogany feels every time that she walks into the company that her family owns which bears her name! The Young family not only strives to influence their daughter but also local children through their give-back program, Books for the Block.
Mahogany Books ran exclusively as an online retailer for 10 years before adding a physical location in November 2017. Its focus is on books that are written by, for, or about people of the African Diaspora. So forget Amazon, order your next literary piece from Mahogany Books!
Photo courtesy of The Robinson Law Group
The Robinson Law Group was founded by Bobby Robinson and has offices in both Charlotte and Atlanta. I was introduced to Bobby's practice after meeting a member of his team, Justin Norman. What intrigued me about this company was their dedication to make law legalese palatable for the average person (see what I did there).
The Robinson Law Group's areas of focus include business contracting, intellectual property and government and regulatory adherence/compliance. The firm also understands the challenges that some small businesses face so they provide tailored flat fee legal services.
Photo courtesy of Medium
My Crowning Jewel is based out of Hamden, CT and is owned by Veronica Chapman. Veronica caters to the needs of Black women who want to look stylish while also having a way to protect their hair at night. My Crowning Jewel is a head wraps company that provides silk offerings for nighttime use and colorful styles for day wear.
Veronica is also passionate about teenage unemployment. She is the founder of Boxxout which "exists to provide teens in low-income communities with engaging, innovative, and practical workshops and events where they can employ the 21st Century skills required for success".
Photo courtesy of myajc.com
The Victory Spot is located in Fayetteville, GA and is co-owned by Speech and his wife Yolanda Thomas. Yes this is the same Speech from the Grammy award-winning group Arrested Development! I was introduced to their performing arts center by a fellow member of the Georgia Greater Black Chamber of Commerce, to which they both belong.
The Victory Spot provides showcases, workshops and classes in music and dance. It's roots began in 2015 and has always had the mission to provide children and adults with an avenue to fully express themselves. There have been students from all over the world who have successfully attended The Victory Spot. You can also see Speech and Yolanda's daughter, Zoe Renee, as one of the lead roles in BET's "The Quad".
Operation HOPE is a non-profit located in Atlanta, GA that was founded by John Hope Bryant in 1992. I was first introduced to Mr. Bryant at the annual HOPE Global Forum in Atlanta earlier this year. His prowess as a CEO was on full display as he led several fireside chats with CEOs of billion-dollar companies! The more I was exposed to Mr. Bryant and his works, the more impressed I was with what he has accomplished over the past few decades.
Operation HOPE is focused on "moving America from civil rights to 'silver rights' with the mission of making free enterprise and capitalism work for the underserved". One of their unique initiatives is the HOPE Inside program which is located in local financial institutions and public service buildings. This program equips the community with financial knowledge, including increasing their credit scores because as John puts it, "there has never been a riot in a 700 credit score community".