Meet My Founder Friends (and their Small Businesses)
Here are a handful of the founder friends that I've made over my life and career. I can't wait to showcase more amazing WOC in 2023 so I'm ending 2022 by bragging about these 6 entrepreneurs!
Happy (almost) New Year everyone! Sure, I could talk about myself and everything I’ve accomplished (and failed at) this year, but that’s not the energy that I want to walk into 2023 with. I never could have gotten to the point in my career and personal life where I felt secure and confident enough to take the bold steps necessary to become a successful freelancer and journalist, or to move out of the USA, without my friends. Some of these women I’ve known for most of my life, some of these women are new additions but all of them are beautiful souls who also have a small business that I’m excited to highlight in this EOY newsletter.
Before I start this round up, I really want to encourage you (my dearest, most illustrious reader) to invest in your friendships in 2023. Romantic relationships are great, and we’re all born into a family without our choosing, but friendships are different. A good friend can get you through the hardest time of your life and lift you up to enter spaces that were untouched previously. I’ve seen friends gather after someone they love has had a MESSY divorce, and I’ve seen friends fly across the world for each other. I’ll be talking more about how beautiful, wide-reaching, and life-changing a good friend can be in later articles but, for now, here are some of my friends :)
If you have the means, please support their businesses and, in the very least, follow their socials.
Shayla Cabrera, CEO & Founder or Tiaplanta LLC
How I met Shayla
I met Shayla through an article that I was writing for Food52 about how farming and gardening helps the mental health of Black agriculturalists (HERE is the article, if you’re interested). What started out as a standard zoom interview quickly grew into a connecting of the minds and we’ve stayed in touch ever since.
Tell us about your business!
We are Tiaplanta, an NJ-based Microcultivator for Adult Recreational Cannabis use. We started out as small plant shop in McGuinley Square, Jersey City. We were offering plant consultations, plant styling and plant parenthood workshops (we still do until now!) to our community. As we take our green thumb into the Cannabis Industry, we aim to produce premium cannabis flowers for our beloved customers and share the magic of these medicinal and recreational plants.
Where can people purchase your products/services?
New Jersey and New York City
Where can people learn more about Tiaplanta?
Instagram: @Tiaplanta / Facebook: Tiaplanta / Website: www.tiaplanta.com
Aamira Garba, CEO of LoveLee Wine
How I met Aamira
I met Aamira in the very beginning of my newsletter. She was one of the first people that I interviewed using my old format (If you want to see my 30 minute interview with Aamira about her business, you can check it out HERE). During our initial interview, she was still studying to be a somm and now, a few years later, she has officially arrived! Since meeting her, I’ve been able to feature her on the socials of Create & Cultivate and in an article for Greatist.
Tell us about your business!
Black-owned wine brand specializing in expertly crafted California wines. Owned by a certified sommelier.
Where can people purchase your products?
Domestically (within the USA)
Where can people learn more about LoveLee Wine?
Website: www.loveleewine.com | Instagram: @loveleewine
Misha, Owner of Melonbun Nails
How I know Misha
Misha is actually my longest friend :) I’ve known her since we we’re in Mrs. Scott’s class in the 4th grade and in the Hansen’s Sunday School together at EAG (a very Pentecostal church that eventually disbanded because of embezzlement). I made a viral TikTok (almost 600k views) about that nonsense that you can watch HERE. Misha is one of my favorite Virgos (and that’s saying a lot because I LOVE you guys and don’t understand why you get so much hate) and I trust her with my life.
Tell us about your business!
I am a press on nail artist specializing in anime & character nail art! With Melonbun Nails, I create detailed and intricate press on nail sets that are easy to apply and remove, of luxury quality, and completely customized for my clients! Every set is hand-painted with love, and designed to be the set of your dreams. I want my clients to feel like they are receiving one-of-a-kind masterpieces they can be proud to treasure and wear over and over.
Where can people purchase your products?
At the moment I only ship within the US but I plan to expand to ship more globally as well!
Where can we learn more about Melonbun Nails?
Instagram: @melonbun.nails | TikTok: @melonbun.nails | Youtube: @melonbunnails | Twitter: @melonbunnails
All links: withkoji.com/@melonbun.nails
Mother-daughter duo, Imani & Delmeshia of Tafari Wraps
How I know Imani
Years ago, Imani actually hired me as a model for a photoshoot for her products. I’ve loved her products ever since and have kept in touch throughout the years! She’s also been featured on the OG Heart to Arts newsletter during its inception.
Tell us about your business!
Boston Magazine’s, Best of Boston, 2022 recipient, Tafari Wraps is a lifestyle brand eradicating the stigma of Black inferiority through bold, eco-conscious boutique wearable art, home décor and hands-on programming. We celebrate the landscape of Africa and the vibrancy of the Caribbean while uplifting the spirit and restoring dignity. Our focus is on the beautification of people and their home by centering bold African textiles and reshaping our relationship with and to Africa and its cultures. Tafari Wraps offers cultural competency to folks within and beyond the African Diaspora through our hands-on workshops; Creating Textiles with Adinkra Symbols and our Wrapshop: The Art & Fashion of African Head Wrapping. We received an Official Resolution from the City of Boston and State of Massachusetts for our work promoting “Health, Wellness and Diversity” and have been endorsed by the American Cancer Society and Lupus Foundation for our work with hair loss thrivers, providing breathable and fashionable alternatives to cranial prosthesis. Tafari Wraps is healing for our community and beyond.
Where can people purchase your products?
Our products and services can be purchased nationally (within the USA) and have shipped to Canada.
Where can we learn more about Tafari Wraps?
www.tafariwraps.com | IG @tafariwraps | Tik Tok @tafariwraps.com
Melissa B. Johnson, Founder of Signature Melissa
How I know Melissa
My mom and Mama Melissa have been coworkers for 19 years! Fun fact, my mom created Melissa’s first ever business card YEARS ago and now she has a thriving event planner business. Also, I call her Mama Melissa because I grew up calling her “Mrs. Melissa” and while I’m technically an adult now, it still feels weird.
Tell us about your business!
I am an Event Planner/Designer providing personalized attention to detail. I specialize in small and corporate events including but limited to Weddings, Baby Showers, Sweet Sixteen and Repast.
Where can people purchase your services?
The East Coast (of the USA)
Where can we find you to learn more about Signature Melissa?
Facebook: Signature Melissa | IG: Signaturemelissa
Y. Parks, Founder of Loveworn Goods
How I know Y. Parks
We were coworkers during one of my longer freelance contracts and bonded pretty quickly. I remember when Y was introduced to the team and I thought “YES! Another Black lady!” While my contract has ended for that job, she and I still stay in touch and are cheering for each other’s successes via social media <3
Tell us about your business!
I started selling pre-loved clothes online as a way to make extra money while unemployed and to help clean out my closet. All my life, I used shopping to cope with stress or treat myself. After being especially susceptible in 2020, I ended up with more swimsuits, bags, and other miscellaneous clothes than I could ever wear. I committed to selling clothes that I did not currently fit, that still has tags, or that I hadn't worn for months. Pretty soon, I found that I really enjoyed the process and the community. Now, I also thrift and swap clothes that I source to resell online.
Where can people purchase your products?
Domestically (to the USA)
Where can we find you to learn more about Loveworn Goods?
IG @loveworngoods | TikTok @loveworngoods
I’ll be experimenting with new methods of conducting more personalized interviews business owners and content creators in the new year so stay on the lookout! This holiday season was particularly crazy so I kept it brief so that everyone can spend as much time with their loved ones as possible. I’m very excited to share more POC owned businesses (with a focus on Black women owned businesses) in 2023 and beyond! I’ll be doing regionally and industry specific round ups, highlights on some popular influencers and content creators, and so much more.
If you’d like me to do a round up of Black woman owned businesses in your area OR in a specific industry, please let me know in the comments!
In the mean time, here’s a quick Journal Prompt for all of us as we enter into 2023:
Journal Prompt:
When you think of a good friend, who comes to mind? What are the qualities they possess that make them a good friend?
For the Paid Subscribers
Imma be talking about Wednesday, the insanely popular Netflix series, and 3 takes on it that I haven’t seen anyone talking about on TikTok. Come rant with me tomorrow at 12 PM EST!
HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE! I hope this is a beautiful beginning of a beautiful chapter for all of us.