SHOPPE BLACK

Monetizing Your Personal Brand: An Inside Look with Tiffany Battle

11 mins read
Tiffany Battle

In today’s digital age, the creator economy is booming as more and more individuals are finding ways to monetize their personal brands. From social media influencers to content creators, the opportunities to turn one’s passions and talents into a profitable career are endless.

In this interview, we caught up with Tiffany M. Battle, the creator behind The Werk! Place, to gain insight into her journey as a creator, and the techniques she has used to monetize her personal brand.

From brand partnerships to TV hosting and affiliate marketing, Tiffany shares her experience and insights on how to turn a passion for fashion into a thriving career.

Tiffany Battle

What inspired your love for fashion?

My love for fashion actually started with trips with my mother to the mall on most Sundays after church and brunch. You know we love brunch!

Initially, I would go to the toy stores while my mom shopped at her favorite retailers. Then something changed and before I realized it, I was living out my pre-teen dreams shopping at Rave, Claire’s, 5-7-9, Wild Pair and the like!

How would you describe your style?

Style is my art; clothes are my medium. My style is a fresh breath of fun! I’m a mixed print, patterned, texture fiend. I firmly believe in coloring outside of the lines with my clothing.

When did you realize that you could monetize your personal brand? What are some ways you are doing so now?

I have a story about that. Like to hear it, here it go!

During one of many trips to New York for New York Fashion Week, I was standing in line to enter a fashion show. I received a call for an opportunity at the Essence Street Style Festival with an automotive brand offering a cute little penny. It was definitely the most lucrative opportunity at that point in my journey. They wanted me to come to the festival and be a co-host at their tent.

I was so taken aback by the opportunity, I didn’t even negotiate it! I just agreed to whatever terms they were offering (Note: ALWAYS negotiate!). I was on the verge of tears because it was at that moment that I realized there was some real money to be made in this industry.

The primary ways in which I’m currently monetizing are the following:

  • Brand Partnerships – Through partnerships with brands that I love, like, and want to explore, I create authentic engaging content sharing their products, services, and experiences with my readers.
  • TV Host – Being a host on CLEO TV’s Boss Girl’s Guide is really just an extension of what I’ve been doing for over 10 years in the online space. I’m able to take the CLEO TV audience on the journey with me to a few of my favorite spots, meeting and greeting the owners, and giving the goods to live a bossy life. While the season has come to an end, the reruns are currently airing on CLEO TV.
  • Affiliate Marketing – Through affiliate marketing, I’m able to link to products, retailers and brands that I’ve highlighted on my site and social media channels and receive commissions on any sales generated from those links.
  • Speaking Engagements – I share my experience on the following topics with in-person and virtual audiences: 
  • Career Transitions: As a former Chemical Engineer turned Creative, I have a lot of experience in the trials and tribulations of switching career paths.
  • Highlighting Black brands and Businesses: I partner with retailers and non-profits who’ve made diversity and inclusion a priority to bring awareness and encourage spending with Black brands and businesses. 
  • Live Shopping Events: This is probably the most fun as I’m able to take an audience virtually shopping with me. It’s during a live shopping session where I can spend time explaining the thought process behind some of my selections and how I would style looks with the pieces. It’s super engaging and a great way to connect with audiences online.

Tiffany Battle

What future trends do you foresee in the creator/influencer space?

I believe there are going to be more opportunities for creators in the MetaVerse, in direct selling on the behalf of brands, and more evolution with creator-founded products, services, and experiences.

What are some best practices for brands who want to work with influencers?

  1. Approach creators with mutually beneficial opportunities. Make sure that the brand actually aligns with what the Influencer authentically showcases. Creators can be some of the best brand evangelists to drive sales and engagement if the partnership is aligned.
  2. Be prepared to pay! Some creators can take years and countless hours of content creation to cultivate an authentic and engaged following and that’s extremely valuable. If you don’t show up to your job for free, please refrain from approaching a creator with an extensive campaign brief where the only compensation is product and exposure. If there ever comes a time when bills can be paid with exposure and product, this approach may work. Until then, find the budget to pay creators for their time, talent, and access to their audience.
  3. Longterm Partnerships Equals Longterm Payoff! As consumers, we need to see something several times before we fork over the money to try it. The more times a consumer sees a creator talking about a brand, product or service, the more believable the partnership is and the more likely a reader will take action. 

Tiffany Battle

What advice do you have for creatives that are trying to figure out how to land brand deals?

Your online presence is your resume.

Everything you do on your online space has the potential to land a brand deal. So, keep that in mind when creating. If there are brands on your wishlist, take a look at the campaigns that they are rolling out.

It’s pretty simple, if you want to work with skincare brands, talk about skincare in interesting, fun, and/or educational ways. If you want to work with fashion brands, authentically share what you already love about certain brands. For instance, I used to always share my Nordstrom Anniversary Top Sales picks on my site and social media channels just because I love Nordstrom’s selection of brands, return policy and in-store customer service experience.

So, when I was given the opportunity to meet with the Public Relations for Nordstrom, I was able to pull up samples of work and speak enthusiastically about the brand. After many MANY years, I began to get paid work with Nordstrom.

Your Network Is Your Net Worth!

Who you know or meet and get to know can land you some of the biggest brand deals of your career. Attend the industry events in your city and be ready to socialize! If you live in a city that doesn’t cater to creatives, make it your business to travel to network. Before I permanently moved to New York, I religiously showed up for NYFW every season after becoming an Influencer. Every. Single. Season.

The more that I came to New York, the more I began to meet designers, the people behind the top PR agencies and other creatives. So, when I did finally transition, I had a Rolodex of connections upon arrival.

Make It Easy For Brands To Find You!  

Now that you’ve done the work by showing up online and networking in real life, the last thing that you want to happen is for a brand to be interested in working with you but you’re making them work to get in contact with you.

On all platforms, you should list the city where you’re based and your email address. Literally, make it super plan and super easy for a brand to reach out and present you with an opportunity to get paid!

Feel free to reach out with partnership opportunities and any clarifying questions here: thewerkplace1@gmail.com. You can also keep up with me and my shenanigans on Youtube and TikTok.

📸 Main Image shot by Karston Tannis

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Attorney Talk: Deal-Making in Private Equity

5 mins read
kimberly mann

Kimberly Mann is a corporate and securities attorney with a principal focus on private equity. She has an in-depth understanding of the legal, regulatory, and business opportunities and challenges that fund managers encounter.

In this interview, she shares her journey, approach to successful deal-making, interesting trends in her practice areas, and valuable advice for associates and law students looking to follow in her footsteps.

What inspired your decision to practice law?

I have always enjoyed the challenge of advocating for others, even as far back as grade school. I love investigating, negotiating and problem solving.

After working as an accountant for several years and saving money, I decided to enroll in law school in the evening program. I loved the work I did in law school and as a summer associate. My love of the work, the great experiences I had as a summer associate, and the encouragement from others led me to decide to practice law.

What is your approach to successful deal-making?

I approach each transaction by first understanding what the business deal is, what my client’s goals and objectives are, and what “success” is for my client. A deal is successful only if the client thinks it is a success.

Once we establish the ground rules and come to an understanding regarding fees, my goal is to create solutions that are practical and pragmatic from both a legal and business perspective.

What interesting trends you’re seeing in your practice areas?

One of the interesting and exciting developments in private equity and venture capital is that there are increasing opportunities for African Americans in the industry.

Founders and emerging managers of color are beginning to receive more funding from investors and the number of investors of color is increasing.

We are beginning to see an increasing number of fund managers (sometimes referred to as “GPs”) of color. Those managers are getting opportunities to demonstrate their capabilities to institutional investors. It is a beautiful thing.

What do you enjoy most about what you do?

I enjoy working closely with fund managers to navigate through the legal, regulatory, and business opportunities and challenges they encounter throughout their life cycle. 

Whether it is at the formation phase, a challenge with a key person, or the excitement of an exit, I love helping them achieve great outcomes.

Also, a significant part of my practice involves representing investors, such as funds of funds and other investors in private funds. I enjoy counseling them on issues relating to their investments and helping them understand and negotiate investment terms.

What advice do you have for associates and law students who want to follow in your footsteps?

  • How much time do we have? I can think of a thousand things. Here are ten things that come to mind immediately:
  • Treat everyone as a prospective client because they are.
  • Stay in touch with friends and former classmates.
  • Keep your head about you when all around you are losing theirs.
  • Hard work pays off. Play the long game. There are no shortcuts.
  • Never lose sight of who you are and the values you represent. Maintain perspective.
  • The practice of law is a profession and a business. Client service is job one, but never forget about the economics.
  • Find mentors and sponsors you respect and trust, but remember that these relationships work both ways.
  • Seek excellence in all you do.
  • Be versatile. Learn new things. Be prepared for new opportunities.
  • Chart your own path, and don’t be afraid to take an alternate route.

On the subject of alternate routes, when I graduated from law school and began working in a law firm I decided that I would re-evaluate my career every year to make sure I was on the path that was right for me. That process has served me well and I recommend it to associates who ask me for advice.

Changing course can lead to great opportunities. By changing course two years ago and moving from a very large law firm (where I had worked for more than 25 years) to Shulman Rogers, new opportunities opened for my practice and for me personally. I think introspection is a key component of a long and satisfying career. 

by Tony O. Lawson

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Black Led Fintech, Lendistry Has Dispersed $9 Billion in Funding for Small Businesses

6 mins read
lendistry

Lendistry is a Black led fintech and technology-enabled small business and commercial real estate lender with Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) and Community Development Entity (CDE) certification.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Lendistry provided Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans to small businesses in all 50 states, becoming the #8 PPP lender in the country in 2021.

Everett K. Sands, the CEO of Lendistry, has over 20 years of experience in lending, including stints at both national and community banking institutions.

Through his leadership, Lendistry has reached 2nd place ranking among SBA Community Advantage lenders nationwide, received membership to the Federal Home Loan Bank of San Francisco, developed proprietary technology, and closed several strategic partnerships with over 34 community and national banks.

In this interview, Everett discusses the creation of the company, its growth through strategic partnerships, and future plans to expand its offerings to better support small businesses.

What gaps did you create Lendistry to fill? 

There are many gaps in the finance industry that historically make it harder for minority-owned businesses to access capital, and they’re still happening today. Bank consolidations have caused community banks, which are more likely to provide loans in lower amounts than a growing business is looking for, to close their doors.

Underserved communities don’t have bank locations in their neighborhoods, and even if they did, today’s business owners are too busy running their businesses during bank hours to go in for help applying. Systemic biases still cause minorities and women business owners to be seen as riskier, making them less likely to get approved even if they can find a bank to partner with. Lendistry was created to overcome all of these barriers.

We use technology to make our process accessible to anyone and to empower our team to walk applicants through the process. We set out to meet business owners where they are—online—and offer loans in lower amounts with underwriting processes that give them a fair chance, while also providing a community bank experience.

How has the business lending space evolved since you started your company? 

Credit profile (the business’s ability to repay, handle various market conditions, the repayment history of the owner and the management team) used to be the main deciding factor in lending. It’s still important, but the factors that traditional financial institutions are making are also based on operational efficiency.

Is the business run in a cost-effective way, and are its processes free of waste and redundancy? They ask those kinds of questions in the lending process now more than they used to.

Describe Lendistry’s growth over the past few years. How much have strategic partnerships played a role in that growth? 

We started in 2015, and in early 2020, we were a small team of about forty people in two offices in Southern California. Because we’re not a bank and we don’t take deposits, strategic partnerships are essential to deploying capital. At that time, Lendistry had established itself in CA as a partner for financial institutions that wanted to make sure their capital was reaching underserved communities in an impactful way.

When the pandemic started, that business model was ideal for responding to disruption. Strategic partnerships with banks and government agencies made it possible for us to step up and provide a rapid solution, especially with PPP and grant programs.

We have now funded over 600,000 small businesses and provided over $9 billion in funding. We have offices and local presences in NY, MD, TX, and a team of hundreds ready to help businesses from coast to coast.

What are your future plans for the company? 

The gaps I mentioned earlier can’t be filled just by providing small business term loans. Small businesses are evolving ahead of the financial industry, and predatory lenders are doing a good job of keeping up and making themselves look like the only option, which only holds businesses back, because after their quick funding comes unreasonable terms. So, at Lendistry our goal is to expand our offerings of lending products and be a responsible alternative in as many lending spaces as possible.

What advice do you have for other fintech founders? 

Focus on the needs of your clients and customers as the basis for your technology. This involves listening to them, paying attention to how they work, and building your tech to solve their problems.

Don’t try to convince your clients and customers that they need to adopt your technology and change their processes and structures. Lendistry is a customer-centric ecosystem, which is how we’re able to grow and build trust.

by Tony O. Lawson

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The Brooklyn Circus: Crafting a Legacy in American Style

4 mins read
The Brooklyn Circus

The Brooklyn Circus is a brand that is dedicated to telling the story of style throughout American history.

With a focus on the power of presentation and the importance of context, BKc is revolutionizing the way we think about menswear. From the construction of their varsity jackets to the looms where their denim is woven, every aspect of the brand is carefully curated to reflect a moment in time.

Ouigi Theodore, the Creative Director of The Brooklyn Circus, has cultivated​ a unique style that has garnered recognition not only among the fashion pundits of New York but also from streetwise fans as far away as Europe, South Africa, Japan, Korea, and the U.K.

We caught up with him to learn more about the brand’s inspiration and hear about their ambitious 100-Year Plan to change the way Americans dress, one iconic silhouette at a time.

What inspired the creation of The Brooklyn Circus?

We started The Brooklyn Circus in 2006 on the heels of another retail concept I launched a few years prior.

When I closed that business, I considered leaving retail but gave it a last shot and that was when The Brooklyn Circus was born. We launched The Brooklyn Circus in Feb of 2006 and never looked back. I am heavily inspired by humans—our drive, our will to exist, and the things we do to live and thrive.

How would you describe your brand?

The brand is a living organism, a conversation, and an experiment of sorts. With the varsity jacket at the heart of what we do, you can always see cues of scholastic and athletic references in the work.

Everything that we do is anchored in our history, our victories, and our struggles as a people. I have a history degree and studied graphic design, so you’ll always see the intersection of those things coming together in the stories we tell through our work.

It’s the heart of The Brooklyn Circus/BKc, our 100-year plan, and our essence.


How do you want people to feel when they wear your creations? 

It’s more about the experience and the community and of course the product which ultimately is a souvenir of the experience. People see the pride, joy, and attention to detail we put into our work. From the store experience up to the actual product.

What differentiates your brand from others? 

That’s a pretty broad question. We understand the competitive landscape but try not to dwell on that too much. We absolutely research who and what’s out there for sure to understand who is moving the needle. That said, I’d have to say what has differentiated us in the market is our commitment to Style + Character and The 100yr plan for sure.

What are your future goals for your brand? 

Our goal for the next 5 years of the 84 years we have on this 100yr journey is more retail experiences, and expansion into media, hospitality, and education. Build and open Universities and libraries to share The Brooklyn Circus/BKc approach to the history, design, and movement of Jah people.

What advice do you have for creatives trying to get into the industry?

Research, research, research. And be honest about your intentions and approach to everything you do. Work on things and ideas that will outlast you.

by Tony O. Lawson

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Black-Owned Handbag Brands You Should Know

3 mins read
Black-Owned Handbag

When it comes to accessorizing, a handbag is a must-have for any fashion-savvy person. From high-end designer labels to trendy streetwear brands, the options for handbags are endless.

In this article, we’ll be highlighting some Black-owned handbag brands that offer a wide range of styles, from classic and timeless to trendy and bold.

Black-Owned Handbag Brands

Ree Projects

Black-Owned Handbag

Ree Projects, an Amsterdam-based luxury brand founded by designer Desiree Kleinen, is quietly synonymous with its distinctive yet understated line of luxury bags. Created with the vision to empower women through thoughtful design, each design is rooted in the concept of functional elegance.

Yvonne Koné

Copenhagen-based designer Yvonne Koné presents a collection of key wardrobe staples that are both timeless and understated. With an architectural approach to form, materials and texture, her designs strike a balance between practicality and playful use of color, inspired by her African heritage.

Homage Year

Black-Owned Handbag

Every piece, accessory, and object created by Homage is infused with sociopolitical intention. Each creation serves as a tribute to the brand’s people, culture, and environment, and is a recognition of the brand’s place within these elements.

Peryton

Black-Owned Handbag

Peryton is a leather goods brand that caters to those who desire unique, high-quality pieces. Instead of following trends or seasonal fads, their goal is to craft something exceptional and long-lasting. They focus on creating products that are both beautiful and durable, for customers who appreciate the value of timeless designs

Anima Iris

Black-Owned Handbag

The Anima Iris collection features handcrafted pieces made by seasoned professionals in Dakar, Senegal. The artisans, who possess centuries-old African craftsmanship, add a unique touch of quality and attention to detail to create limited edition pieces.

N’Damus London

N’Damus London is an independent luxury British accessories brand epitomizing precision craftsmanship and style, synonymous with the creation of durable, high quality leather goods with classic and distinctive designs for men and women.

Petit Kouraj

Petit Kouraj creates unique, standalone pieces of wearable art that blend knitwear, sculpture, and cultural identity. The name “Petit Kouraj” is derived from the Haitian Creole phrase meaning “little courage”.

Agnes Baddoo

Black-Owned Handbag

Agnes Baddoo is a luxury lifestyle brand specializing in leather goods that are committed to consistently providing well-crafted investment pieces to a global discerning customer.

Amany Z

Black-Owned Handbag

Amany Z designs unique handbags that are both functional and sustainable. Their bags stand out for their quirkiness and practicality, offering a minimal and eco-friendly option as compared to traditional luxury accessories.

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Eunice Ajim: Building a $10 Million VC Fund to Empower Africa’s Tech Startups

1 min read
eunice ajim

Eunice Ajim is the founder of Ajim Capital, an Austin, TX-based venture capital firm that provides pre-seed and seed funding to early-stage startups in Africa.

In this interview, Eunice discusses:

  • Her evolution from founder to venture capitalist
  • Her perspective on the growing popularity of startups in Africa
  • Differences in investment opportunities across various African nations
  • Her personal experience obtaining funding as a fund manager
  • The technology industries that she has a particular interest in
  • Mistakes she has made and the lessons she has learned as a fund manager
  • Suggestions she has for individuals aspiring to become fund managers.

 

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Dr. Dre Selling Music Catalog Assets in $200 Million-Plus Deal

2 mins read
dr. dre

Dr. Dre is reportedly looking to cash out $250 million from the sale of his music-related assets.

Billboard reported that Shamrock Holdings and Universal Music Group are acquiring the assets in two separate deals; together, they are worth nearly $10 million per year.

Peter Paterno of King, Holmes, Paterno & Soriano has been Dr. Dre’s attorney for a long time, and he is said to have shopped the deals, which have been rumored for weeks but are now reportedly close to closing.

A source close to Dre confirmed the report, saying the final sale price is likely to be below the $250 million asking price, but well above $200 million. Representatives for the firm, Dre, Universal, and Shamrock either declined or did not immediately respond to Variety’s requests for comment.

Artist royalties from two solo albums and his share of N.W.A. artist royalties are said to be included, as well as producer royalties and the writer’s share of his song catalog in cases where he does not own publishing, which could include songs from his breakthrough album “The Chronic,” released in 1993.

According to Billboard’s sources, Shamrock (which owns some Taylor Swift master recordings) is buying this stake, which includes 75% to 90% of the package’s revenue, and UMG is buying the remaining 10% to 25%.

UMG has expressed interest in purchasing Dr. Dre’s assets, which could include the master recording of “The Chronic,” which is set to revert to Dre from Death Row Entertainment (which was recently acquired by Dre’s protégé Snoop Dogg last year) in August of this year, as well as his share of an Aftermath/Interscope joint venture with the Top Dawg label for Kendrick Lamar releases through that deal. Specifically, it does not include his share of Aftermath, the record label he co-owns with Interscope Records, his longtime label home at UMG.

 

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From Afrochella to AfroFuture: 4 Lessons in Navigating Trademark Law

8 mins read
afrochella

To celebrate the New Year, I journeyed from New York to Accra, Ghana for “Detty December”, a pilgrimage of Black people from all over the world to celebrate all things Black and beautiful through cultural events, sightseeing, eating good food, and lots and lots of partying.

When I tell you everyone was in Ghana this past month, I mean EVERYONE.

My girls and I checked out a popular hotspot called, “FrontBack” where we ‘casually’ partied alongside some of the greats like Jidenna, Masego, and none other than Wizkid, himself. We also grabbed dinner where we spotted Chance the Rapper and the extremely talented Michaela Coel.

The energy was so exhilarating that I watched the sun come up on more than one occasion while dancing to Afrobeats. To say we had a time is an understatement!

While in Accra, I attended Afrochella – a 2-day festival celebrating Africa’s diverse culture and the vibrant work of African creatives and entrepreneurs. The people were beautiful and the vibes were unmatched. There’s nothing like hearing your favorite Afrobeats and Ampiano artists singing and dancing to your favorite songs along with thousands of other beautiful Black people!

Although I was having an amazing time on my vacation, it’s often hard for me to turn off the “lawyer” in me and I caught a few things that had me thinking.

First, I noticed that there was a huge banner at the festival that stated, “Afrochella is…AfroFuture.” Then shortly after Burna Boy’s electric closeout performance, one of the showrunners thanked the crowd for their support and stated, “This will be the last Afrochella you will attend,” which left everyone a bit puzzled.

afrofuture
Credit: Afrofuture(Twitter)

Then I remembered that Goldenvoice – the organizer of the Coachella Music Festival – filed a trademark infringement lawsuit in an attempt to block Afrochella from promoting its festival because it caused a “likelihood of confusion” with Coachella.

Upon hearing the news, I hoped that the parties would come to an amicable agreement that would allow Afrochella to continue the amazing work it has done for the African diaspora without going bankrupt with legal fees.

Thus, when I learned that Afrochella announced its official rebrand to “AfroFuture” and its commitment to continue producing amazing events in the name of African culture, I was relieved.

Though it is safe to say that Afrochella built an amazing brand in its own right, when the name of your brand can be considered “confusingly similar” to other brands that were in the marketplace before you, it is extremely risky business to proceed.

Here are a few lessons we can learn from the rebrand of Afrochella:

1. Conduct a Comprehensive Clearance Search BEFORE Launching Your Brand

The very first thing I ask my clients when they tell me the name of their brand is if they’ve done a search to make sure no one else already has their name. Before investing all of your time, energy, and money, make sure there is no one else that can stake a claim to your brand. And I’m not talking about a simple Google search. This search is best left to an attorney who understands the way intellectual property protection works.

2. Consider Rebranding Sooner than Later

If you conduct a comprehensive clearance search and find that there is another brand already using the name you chose for similar goods, it would be wise to consider rebranding before you’ve made those hefty investments we talked about. An alternative to rebranding would be to reach out to the brand owner and see if you can buy the brand from them. If you have the means to do so, then it’s worth a try.

3. OWN Your Brand

It may come as a surprise, but you don’t legally own your brand until you have a registered trademark that says so. A trademark is anything that you use to associate your brand with your goods or services. So, a trademark can be a word, slogan, tagline, hashtag, or even a color or smell. Once you register your trademark, you will receive a certificate from the federal government that states you are the exclusive owner of your trademark.

4. ENFORCE your Rights

Having your registered trademark will not, on its own, stop others from using your trademark for their own purposes. This is why you must monitor the market and make sure that you reach out to those who are using your trademark without your permission. Some websites and social media platforms even allow you to file a takedown request but only if you can show that you have a registered trademark.

Though I learned so much about my people and was reminded of how amazing and resilient we are while in Ghana, it was made clear to me how important it is for us to ensure that we own and protect what we create. At the end of the day, we are the culture and the culture must be protected at all costs.

by Ashley Cloud Esq.

Ashley is the founder of The Cloud Law Firm, servicing creative entrepreneurs in all 50 states. You can visit thecloudlawfirm.com or follow @thecloudlawfirm and @yourfashionattorney on Instagram for more information.

Disclaimer: The information provided on this website does not, and is not intended to, constitute legal advice; instead, all information, content, and materials available on this site are for general informational purposes only.  Information on this website may not constitute the most up-to-date legal or other information.  This website contains links to other third-party websites.  Such links are only for the convenience of the reader, user or browser; Ashley N. Cloud and The Cloud Law Firm PLLC do not recommend or endorse the contents of the third-party sites.

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Ghanaian E-Logistics Platform Jetstream Raises $13 Million for Expansion

2 mins read
Ghanaian e-logistics platform Jetstream

Rapid urbanization and economic growth in Africa have contributed to a rise in e-commerce activity.

Simultaneously, the lack of developed transportation infrastructure and logistics networks in many African countries poses a significant challenge for businesses attempting to move goods across the continent.

This creates a significant market opportunity for e-logistics platforms that can assist businesses in overcoming logistical challenges.

Ghanaian e-logistics platform, Jetstream was founded in 2018 by Miishe Addy and Solomon Torgbor with the goal of giving African businesses greater visibility and control over their global supply chains.

Following a successful $3 million seed round, the company announced today that it has raised $13 million in a Series A round of funding.

Initially, Jetstream provided two services: logistics for cargo owners handling imports and exports, and financing for freight forwarders. Recently, however, they have consolidated these two services into a single one, focusing exclusively on cargo owners. According to CEO Miishe Addy, the pivot helped Jetstream in achieving product-market fit.

Since adopting this new strategy, Jetstream has experienced significant growth. The company estimates that its trade finance product has disbursed approximately $9 million in loans to date, up from $1 million at the middle of 2021. By the end of 2023, it intends to increase this by five times.

Additionally, in the past year, the company’s revenue has grown by 48% and its active customer base by 102%. Currently, 47% of the freight handled by Jetstream is transported via air, 44% via ocean, and 9% via ground.

Twelve of the 29 countries where the company currently operates are in Africa. The funds will be used to support Jetstream’s expansion into new countries and its ongoing technological platform development.

 

by Tony O. Lawson

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Black-Owned Ethical Clothing Brands You Should Know

2 mins read
Black-Owned Ethical Clothing Brands

The ethical fashion movement advocates for increased sustainability, fair labor practices, and transparency in the fashion industry.

Numerous talented and innovative Black fashion designers are at the forefront of this movement, and it is crucial to support and amplify the voices of those who may not always enjoy the same degree of visibility and representation.

This article highlights a few Black-owned ethical clothing brands that are noteworthy for their dedication to sustainability, ethical production, and cultural representation.

Black-Owned Ethical Clothing Brands

Autumn Adeigbo

Autumn Adeigbo is known for its bold, colorful prints and modern designs. The New York-based brand embraces sustainable practices by purchasing in limited quantities and producing only what is ordered, minimizing fabric waste, excessive manufacturing, and surplus stock.

Hope For Flowers

Black-Owned Ethical clothing Brands

Hope for Flowers by Tracy Reese places a premium on ethical, sustainable, and socially responsible sourcing and business practices. The collection is a statement of Reese’s commitment to the slow-fashion movement, incorporating her signature silhouettes, color palette, and penchant for pattern.

Taylor Jay

Black-Owned Ethical clothing Brands

Taylor Jay empowers women with beautiful, versatile, comfortable, sustainable fashion basics that easily adapt to any lifestyle. The Oakland-based brand partners with an ethically sourced, fair labor practicing factory in Oakland, to produce environmentally safe garments from certified eco-friendly textiles.

Aliya Wanek

Black-Owned Ethical clothing Brands

Aliya Wanek is an eponymous womenswear label that focuses on exploring the connection between one’s identity and style.

CanDid Art

Black-Owned Ethical clothing Brands

Candid Art promotes self-expression, individuality, and sustainability through custom abstract designs and ethically sourced materials.

House of Aama

Each House of Amma collection tells a story – heavily influenced by Black folklore – and everything from flowing dresses to statement swimwear is expertly crafted in LA following a low-waste model.

Gracemade

Gracemade is a faith-driven apparel brand designed and manufactured in Los Angeles, using ethical standards with the utmost respect for people, our local community, and our environment.

These brands are merely a sample of the many talented and innovative Black designers working to create a more sustainable and equitable fashion industry.

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