Starter Story: Shayla Sadler // Empowered for Purpose
"We want joy to be seen as a human right, not something accessible based on privilege."
Starter Story: Ebony Archie & Coresa Hogan // MEMFOLK
"We want joy to be seen as a human right, not something accessible based on privilege."
Starter Story: Miriam Omura // Miriam Norris Omura Art
“Even if you don’t realize it, you are always a businessperson when you are an artist.”
Starter Story: Sarah Lydick // Sarah’s on Main
“It’s so good to have a place that can keep you accountable of what you’re trying to do and accomplish.”
Shop Small, Strengthen Your Community
The best way to support your small business community this season is to be a customer.
Shopping Our Community: Staff Favorites from our 2020 Holiday Gift Guide
Shop this years staff picks for the Holiday Gift Guide.
Starter Story: Christine McLean // The Red Pincushion
“It’s so good to have a place that can keep you accountable of what you’re trying to do and accomplish.”
Black Dreams Matter, Every Day
Meet nine Black business starters who are paving the way for dreams.
Starter Story: Micheala Angelena // DrawnLovely
“CO.STARTERS has been a guide for growing DrawnLovely into not only a healthy business but one that can make an impact in our community.”
Starter Story: Dan Fowler // Reunion Shoe Co.
“CO.STARTERS isn’t about making a plan to set in stone—it’s much more about giving you the tools you need to make a plan. They’re all necessary tools, the basic building blocks an entrepreneur needs.”
Starter Story: Will Lovelady // Stix N Smoke
“I had to start thinking about customers and clients, and how to best communicate with them about my business. It made me think about how to continually grow the business.”
Starter Story: Tara Taylor // She Got the Nerve
“I used to be afraid of charging people, but CO.STARTERS really helped me to understand my value and the value of my time.”
Starter Story: Javela Singleton // Gifted Hands Artisan Soap
“You find value in what you already know, what you can share with everyone, and what others can share with you.”
Starter Story: Kazim Abbot // The Academic Consulting Agency
“When life gives you lemons, make a lemonade stand, because when you make a lemonade stand you help people you never would have known.”
Starter Story: Felicia Jackson // CPR Wrap
“I never thought about owning my own business. I am a medical professional and am always trying to find a solution to a need. I saw a need and my path was set before me.”
Starter Story: Jaylin Randolph // H.i.L.i.F.
"The best part about CO.STARTERS is that you learn in a personal, realistic setting and you are surrounded by people who have succeeded and failed in business. It’s eye-opening.”
Starter Story: Xion Lester & Ronnie Lacy // Summer Pack-It
“It was very helpful to be around a community of entrepreneurs and have a support system of people who are facing the same things you are facing."
Starter Story: Ashley Gladney // Mobile Mommy
“CO.STARTERS was that push I needed to launch… Because everything is laid out, you have no choice but to move forward. You just have to have the will to do it.”