NOTE: This post (repurposed from December 2020 and August 2021) contains affiliate links.  When you click through, I’m rewarded for your interest, at no cost to you, of course! 🙂 

Some of the easiest ways I’ve found how to support Black-owned businesses are:

• Sharing their information; it helps with public awareness, which can in turn reduce their advertising costs.

• Giving referrals; it’s ‘street cred’ in terms of social proof and the all-important Know – Like – Trust factor.

• Purchasing their products / services; an infusion of cash will increase their capital, giving them the means to build and grow.

Other touchpoints not to be overlooked include:

• simply being present
• providing testimonials
• words of encouragement
• personal and emotional support
• consuming and utilizing resources and educational materials
• group and event participation
• brainstorming
• beta testing

EVERYTHING COUNTS.

In no particular order, and being updated as often as possible, this is a ‘work-in-progress’ running list of my touchpoints with Black-owned businesses (each of which I’ve gained something of value from), and may fall into multiple categories:

Specialists: Karmen Kendrick Creative, Xayli Barclay, Cynthia Jones / LoveWinx, Carol Sankar, Precious L. Williams, Ashley M. Fox/Empify

Coaches: Auntee Rik, Ari Hale, Jordan Gill / Systems Saved Me, Romaine Brown Palmer, LaShanda Henry, DeKesha Williams, Latesha Byrd, Tiffany Aliche, Quanisha Green, Tian Connaughton, Kyshira Moffett, Amber Crudup

Authors / Speakers: Shirelle Thorne, Precious L. Williams, Dee Bowden,

Musicians: the Late Eric Marner

Manufacturers: Freedom Paper Company, The True Company, DewBurst, Champ Boxers,

Entrepreneurs: Mannequin Madness

Platforms: Black Junction, We Buy Black, Shades of Commerce, Calendly,

Indie Yarn Dyers: The Crochet Cove, Sassy Black Yarns, Lola Bean Yarn Co, Neighborhood Fiber Co., Swanni Heart Yarn, Passion Knits Yarn, Naima Bond, Fully Spun, Ancestral Fiber Co, Prema Witch Handmade, BzyPeach, Birch Hollow Fiber, Queen’s Yarn Boutique, Off The Hook Flyy / Flyy Dyed, Rhythm Knits, Onyx Fiber Arts, Kitty Pride Fibers / Dye Hard Yarns, AT Haynes House Yarns, Urban Girl Yarns, Mitchell’s Creations

Indie Doll Designers (Knit / Crochet / Fabric): My Kinda Thing (University), My Pretty Brown Doll, TLP Brown Sugar Babies, The Christian Crochet Addict, Hand Knit Gorgeous Dolls

Indie Knit & Crochet Designers / Teachers (besides myself): Shirley Paden, Slip Stitch Needlecraft, Tracey Rivers, Jeanette Sloan, Shanna C. Givens, Creations by Courtney

Indie Artisans / Vendors: Melanin Makes, Pink Crescent Cosmetics, Bubbly Moon Naturals

Textile Artists: Sahara Briscoe, Lorna Hamilton-Brown

Foodies: Sweetwater’s Coffee & Tea, Bk Chef Danielle, Mother’s Seafood,

Purveyors: Symphony Chips, Elma’s in Harlem, DD Liquors, Blk & Bold Coffee, Serengeti Spices, Heather Johnson, Kat Juice LLC, Amour Geneve Wine (Blue Wine, y’all!)

‘Cousins’: Tiffany Waddell Tate, Angela ‘Amazin’ Tate (hope y’all don’t mind since we have the same last name!)

Braiders:  Magic Fingers Studio (and ANY of her graduate braiders)!  Mine is Tea’s Hair Styling Box, 

Co-Working / Event Space: Cloe’s Corner, 

I still have to add many of the people I’ve met over the past year, so be patient with me as I continue to work on the list.  If you know anyone I should now…lemme know!

Algorithms.  Vanity Metrics.  Likes.  Follows.  Audience.

One of those things is not like the others.  Lemme explain.

There is no shortage of discussion about any of them, but I’d argue that among them, the most important is audience.

Have you ever had your engagement ‘fall off’ without a plausible explanation?  Regardless of which platform you’re on, there will be algorithims, and one tweak can throw off your whole game plan.  They are designed to benefit the platforms’ goals…not yours.

Vanity metrics…likes and follows…have been given emotional values, leaving some to feel defined by them.  People can take them…or the lack thereof…personally, as if it were a reflection of themselves, especially if there are issues of low self-esteem or bullying.

Audience.  These are your people.  The ones who silently ‘stalk’ you online, consume your content, engage in conversation, follow you and generally orbit your aura because they like what you have to say, share your kindred spirit and support your business by sharing your information, purchasing your products, etc.  #ThisIsMe

An audience is why you want to build your email list.  This is where you develop deeper relationships with people who know, like or trust you enough to opt-in.  They are picking up what you’re putting down…don’t sleep on this level of engagement!

Remember the last time a platform went dark?  Were you able to conduct business? Speak to your people?  Are all your eggs in one basket…still?

Build your email list.  I recommend ConvertKit (referral link).   Let’s talk about it!