Supporting Black Businesses

During this unprecedented time, be sure to consider financially supporting black-owned businesses. Like most businesses, they are dependent on the purchase of goods/services to sustain their existence and compensate for expenses related to operations. Financial support also provides employees with wages, while the state, national, and global economy continues to react to the evolving impacts of COVID-19. Although some small business owners will apply for the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) (deadline is Aug. 8), not all applicants will receive capital from this loan. Purchasing from a small business can allow that entity to sustain itself longer than anticipated and extend hope for the workers and owner(s) of such businesses. 

For Karen Guinn, owner of Karen Guinn Customs, the desire to reschedule design requests for summer wedding dresses, inundated her inbox once COVID-19 modified daily habits on a global scale. In response, Karen’s clothing design business pivoted to more focus on residual income, such as downloadable sewing patterns, as well as producing cloth face masks to generate the revenue needed to sustain Karen Guinn Customs. April Denise, the founder of Belle Essentials skincare line, continues to use this time to “create more products that are not only beneficial to the body but also to the community.” Belle Essentials has experienced a rise in the demand for its skincare products as well as fabric face masks. Additionally, COVID-19 has led April to partnership opportunities with other small Black-owned businesses. Both business owners have decided to remain optimistic about the future, actively focus on meeting customer needs, and continue to cultivate relationships that may lead to business opportunities in the future. 

Karen Guinn

April Denise

As a consumer, if financial support of small business is not possible, great alternatives include:

-Sharing, liking, and commenting on social media posts of the business

-Creating social media content of prior purchases and tagging the business

-Writing positive reviews about previous purchases

Nia J.
Content Writer for EDG
@njrrtt