SHOPPE BLACK

How to Start Your Own Indoor Farm

4 mins read
indoor farm

The best kind of independence and security you can have is food security. Growing what you need right in your backyard, kitchen garden, or even indoors can make you feel empowered and reduce your dependence on expensive produce.

Indoor farming functions on the concept of utilizing indoor spaces for growing fresh vegetables, microgreens, herbs, and even flowering plants by leveraging the power of technology.

The concepts of aeroponics, hydroponics, soil-based & hybrid indoor cropping are rapidly catching people’s interest because of their high yield and relatively simpler management.

According to Mordor Intelligence, the indoor farming market is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 8.1% over the forecast period of 2022-27 – a statistic that is quite encouraging.

Here’s all you need to know to get started.

Selecting the Right Production Method

Today, many growers practice Urban Farming, where they use modern methods to maximize yields from smaller areas and try to grow crops indoors. There are various ways in which you can increase crop production. Some of them are Deep Water Culture, Nutrient Films, Media Beds, Aeroponics, Hydroponics, etc.

The method best suited for your space depends on the area you designate for cropping, the kind of crop you wish to grow, and the investment (time and money) you want to put into it. Lighting and water requirements are also some factors to consider when selecting a suitable production method.

Setting up Lighting

Setting up the right kind of lighting for your indoor farming system is essential to maximize the production and quality of crop yield. For example, hydroponics systems need a longer duration of artificial light – about 14 to 16 hours a day, while aquaponics would need about 13 hours of natural light.

The requirement is different for each system, so set up your indoor farm at a place where the surroundings can help meet its lighting requirements.

Gathering Tools

Nobody can professionally farm without the right tools. When researching urban farming methods, look up the tools you require to keep it functioning well. If opportunity allows, get some training to handle minor repairs or modifications yourself. It can help you figure out how to tweak the system for the best results.

Getting the Crop and Seeds

Once the setup is complete and the indoor plantation system achieves the recommended status (like required in hydroponics), you can start planting. Depending on what you are planning to grow, some crops need to be grown from seed, while some can be grafted. Acquire the starter sapling/leaf/seed/root, etc., and begin planting.

Monitoring and Maintenance

Once the planting is complete, all that remains is ensuring the health of the crop and the system. Monitor the status of your crops and indoor farming setup to see whether it performs as it should. If needed, acquire fertilizer or growing aid to help the saplings. Some indoor plantation systems need special fertilizers, like in hydroponics. Also, create schedules for every aspect of the plant’s health supervision.

Indoor farming can sound daunting at first, but you’ll ease into it once you grow familiar with the process, systems, and plants.

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7 Tips for Paying Off Your Credit Card Debt Faster

4 mins read
credit card debt

Credit card debt is something that looms over everyone’s head. And that’s okay! Having a credit card can offer many things to people: financial security, an emergency fund, extra spending cash, and so on.

However, interest charges are something that usually gets to the best of us in the end. But worry not!

Here are our top tips to pay off your credit card debt:

Too soon?

Dealing With Minimum Payments

Minimum payments will, most likely, not be enough to cut down your debt. Oftentimes, minimum payments don’t even cover your interest for the month. It’s always a good idea to pay more than the minimum on your monthly payments. Keep in mind it doesn’t have to be very much; a few dollars here and there can make a big difference!

Automatic Payments: Out of Sight, Out of Mind

Have you ever missed a payment for your credit card? I’m sure we all have— but that’s okay. Setting up an automatic payment helps you keep on track (even if it is just the minimum). From there, you can always add on more money if you so wish.

Interest Rates Can Be Negotiated

If you are finding that you’re barely covering your interest charges, it might be a good idea to strike up a conversation with your credit card company about getting a lower interest rate. This rate can make or break your bank account and your debt! Even if you think they won’t negotiate, it’s still a good idea to try.

Balance Transfer Your Credit Card

While this seems counterproductive, promotional offers of balance transfers can help you achieve your goal of smaller debt. Many credit card companies offer 0% interest on balance transfers for 18 months or longer. These transfers can help because it gives you more time to pay back the balance, with no additional fees attached.

Snowball vs Avalanche

No, we aren’t talking about going to a winter wonderland. There are two methods that many people recommend for decreasing your debt: the Snowball Method and the Avalanche Method. In the Snowball Method, you focus on paying down the smallest balance as aggressively as humanly possible.

During this time, you only pay the minimum on other debts. This method helps people feel more motivated. After you pay off that balance, you move on to the next.

The Avalanche Method focuses on paying down the debt that has the highest interest rate. So if you have two credit cards, one at 21.99% and the other at 19.99%, you would focus on paying down the 21.99% card.

While this does take longer to pay off debt, it saves you more money over the long run.

Personal Loans

You can always go to your bank to consolidate your loans. What this means is that all of your debt (or as much as possible) will move into one lump sum payment a month, as opposed to multiple payments.

Debt Settlement

Usually, debt settlement is a last choice resort. Most debt settlement requires that you have over $10,000 in credit card debt. Debt settlement is a negotiation between you and your credit card issuer to determine a payoff amount for less than you owe. Your account will be closed so you can no longer use your credit card.

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5 Tips on How You Can Maintain and Improve Your Gut Health

4 mins read

Did you know that more than half of your body’s immune system lies in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract? Clearly, your gut health is closely linked to your overall health and wellbeing. But, what exactly does it mean when people talk about a healthy gut?

Your gut is filled with microorganisms like good bacteria and yeast which promote healthy digestion. An imbalance in this gut microbiota can cause several gastrointestinal conditions, including irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), negatively affect your immune system, and even result in obesity, type 2 diabetes, and atopy.

So, maintaining the balance of small bacteria and other microorganisms that live in your digestive tract is crucial to ensuring your physical, mental, and immune health.

Top Tips on How to Maintain Gut Health

Exercise, Exercise, & Exercise

gut health

Engaging in any kind of physical activity keeps your colon healthy and ensures regular and clear bowel movements.

As per the Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans, adults should engage in at least 150 minutes of moderately intense physical activity each week.

They should also make muscle-strengthening exercises a part of their weekly exercise regimen. This is more so important for people who are prone to serious digestive issues such as irritable bowel syndrome.

Shift to a Nutrient-Rich Diet

gut health

The kind of food people eat can directly impact their gut. Ideally, you should consume smaller, more frequent meals. This can prevent the GI tract from getting overwhelmed.

Eating a balanced diet that includes all the necessary nutrients is directly linked to a happy gut. Try including the following food items in your diet:

  • Fresh, Unprocessed, and Clean Food
  • Mixed Diets Lead to the Growth of Diverse Microbiomes in the Gut
  • Fiber-Rich Vegetables, Legumes, and Fruits, Such as Raspberries, Green Peas, Broccoli, Chickpeas, Artichoke, Lentils, Banana, Beans, Apples, and More
  • Food Rich in Polyphenols, Such as Cocoa and Dark Chocolate, Red Wine, Grape Skins, Green Tea, Almonds, and Blueberries

Remember to eat at least 25 grams of fiber a day. You also need to chew your food thoroughly to make it easier for your digestive system to process. Additionally, make sure to drink at least eight glasses of water a day to keep the body hydrated.

Probiotic Supplements

Probiotics are known for their ability to reduce symptoms of certain medical conditions, boost immune health, improve depressive symptoms, and even promote weight loss. They also encourage the growth of good bacteria in your gut.

Probiotic and fermented food like yogurt, kefir, kimchi, tempeh, kombucha, and fresh sauerkraut must be a part of your everyday diet. Alternatively, you can also choose to consume high-quality probiotic supplements, such as Problk Health’s Gut Reaction – Probiotic Advanced Formula, to effectively improve your gut health.

Manage Your Stress Levels

Your stress levels and gut health can be directly proportional to each other. The more stressed you are, the more negatively it will impact gut health. This is why embracing an active lifestyle—complete with yoga, therapy, meditation, and journaling—is key to not just your gut health, but your overall physical, mental, and emotional wellbeing.

Limit the alcohol and caffeine intake

Both caffeine and alcohol act as digestive stimulants and can disrupt the digestive process. So, limit their intake for a healthy gut.

Maintaining your gut health should be an integral part of your healthcare regime. The team at Problk Health Vitamins will gladly help you find the right probiotic supplements to ensure a healthy gut and body.

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How to Start a Successful Nonprofit

4 mins read
nonprofit

Starting a nonprofit is an amazing way to make a difference in your community. However, it can be easy to get caught up in dreams of effecting change and underestimate the time and resources it takes to start a nonprofit from scratch.

The process can be pretty overwhelming if you’re not prepared. This article explains the steps you need to take to start and grow a successful nonprofit. Keep reading to learn more!

How to Start a Successful Nonprofit

1. Do Your Research

The first step to establishing a successful nonprofit is to conduct thorough research. Ask yourself some of the following questions:

  • Is there a need for your organization within your community?
  • Are there other organizations with similar goals working to fulfill the same mission as yours?
  • If there are other organizations, would teaming up with them to combine your energy and resources be more feasible?
  • Is starting a nonprofit the only solution, or are there other alternatives for you to consider, such as fundraising for a cause or establishing a chapter of a pre-existing nonprofit?
  • What hurdles will you face in the initial stages of your development, and how can you overcome them?

Consider these questions and try to find well-researched, practical answers for them. At the end of your research, if you find that your community would benefit from your organization, then follow the next few steps to successfully launch your nonprofit!

2. Develop a Business Plan

Like every other business, your nonprofit will also require a business plan that will serve as the elevator pitch to convince donors to provide funds for your organization.

Your business plan must include an executive summary of your goals, explain your organizational structure, describe your services and programs, outline your target demographic, propose a marketing strategy and a realistic financial plan.

This part of the process can take a while to complete as it requires a lot of dedication, hard work, and skill on your part.

3. Build Your Board

Your board of directors is a crucial part of ensuring your nonprofit’s success. The board oversees your organizations’ day-to-day operations, makes sure that all your activities promote your organizational mission, and helps secure the adequate funding required to execute that mission.

Recruit the right members to serve on the board by identifying key duties and responsibilities and drafting relevant job descriptions. Try to find board members who have expertise in finances, legal matters, and marketing. Also, look for well-connected people within your community who are comfortable asking for donations from their own networks.

4. Incorporate Your Nonprofit

The first step of the incorporation process is to choose a business name. Then decide on the legal structure of your organization; you can categorize your business as a trust, association, or corporation.

Ensure that all your incorporation paperwork meets state requirements before filing them. Finally, you need to apply for an Employer Identification Number (EIN). It serves as your organization’s social security number. All businesses need an EIN, irrespective of whether they have employees.

 

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5 Ways to Build Business Credit

4 mins read
Business Credit

Building business credit can help your company in a variety of ways. It can make obtaining specific types of financing, business insurance, or payment terms with suppliers easier or less expensive. It may even assist your company in acquiring lucrative business contracts.

Business Credit

In this article, we’ll go over how to build business credit in order to help your company grow.

1. Open a Business Bank Account

You should open a business bank account as soon as possible in order to establish business credit. A business bank account allows you to keep your personal and business finances separate. You’ll also be able to apply for business loans, merchant cash advances, and alternative lending products.

Your business credit score will increase if you use your business account to pay for business expenses such as utilities, commercial rent, and employee payroll. Strong business credit history will affect your business credit score positively if you use a dedicated bank account for your business finances and make on-time payments.

2. Get a Business Credit Card

Another way to keep your business and personal finances separate is to apply for a business credit card that is only for business-related purchases. This allows you to build your business credit score without dipping into your personal credit balance and negatively impacting your personal credit score. Purchase items for your business location, such as marketing materials or furniture, with a business credit card.

3. Set up Trade Lines with Suppliers

Establish trade lines (i.e. lines of credit) with your suppliers. Even if you start with low credit limits, developing these lines will allow you to build your business credit while also providing documented proof of your payment history.

Create trade lines with suppliers with whom you frequently rent equipment or purchase inventory. These trade lines require regular payments, which will improve your business credit score if you make payments on time. When you are successful with a few initial suppliers, you’ll have positive credit references to build upon with future suppliers.

4. Pay on Time or Early

Creating trade lines is only useful if you can pay on time. Make sure you have the procedures in place to pay your lenders and suppliers on time. Payments that are even just a few days late can damage your business credit report and lower your credit score. If you’re worried about meeting payment deadlines, identify any cash flow gaps that could affect your business.

5. Keep Track of Your Business Credit Score

Monitoring your business credit score is the best way to understand your business credit. You can do this by reviewing your TransUnion or Equifax business credit report. When you review your business credit report, you will be able to identify specific issues causing your score to fall, such as missed payments, outstanding balances, credit utilization, and current lawsuits on your profile. Knowing the exact details of your business credit report gives you specific items you can work on to improve your score.

Now that you know how important business credit is, you can take the necessary steps to improve it.

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5 Ways to Prevent Spring Allergies

3 mins read
allergies

Want to enjoy the beauty of spring without having to deal with pollen allergies? These five helpful tips are a good starting point to prevent watery and itchy eyes, runny nose, and sore throat this spring.

Top 5 Tips to Prevent Spring Allergies

Limit Your Outdoor Time

If you are particularly prone to allergies, it makes sense to limit your outdoor time. In spring, trees release billions of pollen grains into the air, which can trigger an allergic reaction when inhaled.

Try to stay indoors during the early morning hours and on windy days to avoid inhaling pollen. Alternatively, wear sunglasses and a mask as a preventive measure if you are heading out. You should also shower and change immediately once you get home.

Consider Natural Treatments

Instead of pills, consider natural vitamin supplements. For instance, you can consume Problk Health’s apple cider vinegar to keep your allergies at bay.

According to research, ACV has several natural healing properties, including the production of protective enzymes and antibodies in the mucus to curb allergies. ACV is also known to reduce body inflammation and help manage allergies better.

Eat Healthily

Consuming a vitamin-rich and balanced diet can help your body stave off allergies more effectively. Make sure to include allergy-alleviating foods, such as nuts, fish, apples, red grapes, and tomatoes, in your day-to-day diet.

Clean Your Home

You can keep your indoors clean by investing in a high-efficiency particulate air filter. These types of tools can successfully remove harmful irritants and make your home a pollen-free zone.

You can also consider buying indoor air-purifying houseplants, such as English ivy, bamboo, and snake plants, that naturally get rid of pollutants. Also, try to keep your windows shut as much as possible to keep the pollen out.

Seek Medical Attention

If your symptoms persist, consult with your doctor. Based on the severity and persistence of your allergies, they may prescribe eye drops or oral antihistamines to help alleviate the symptoms.

Some medicines might make you drowsy, so take them with caution, preferably at night. Also, remember that the symptoms won’t go away overnight. You can also talk to your doctor to figure out if allergy flu shots are the right option for you.

If your eyes start to water and you’re sneezing non-stop, visit your doctor and get a prescription for anti-allergy medications. Being proactive can stop the allergy in its tracks before it becomes a full-blown problem.

Looking for more suggestions to prevent or deal with springtime allergies? Problk Health Vitamins can help you find the solutions you need to live a healthier life.

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A Breakdown of Coffee Ingredients from Guatemala, Burundi, and Brazil

4 mins read
coffee

We all know that coffee can come in various flavors (here’s looking at you french vanilla coffee), and the beans can come from different countries.

You may know that Brazil is the largest producer of coffee in the world. But do you know what makes Brazilian coffee different from Colombian coffee?

Before we get too ahead of ourselves, let’s focus on three coffee beans: Guatemala, Burundi, and Brazil.

The Capital of Guatemala is “G”

Actually, it’s not. It’s Ciudad de Guatemala—but I bet I confused your brain enough to entice you to keep reading now. While I’m positive you’ve heard of Guatemalan coffee, do you know what makes it different from others?

Guatemalan coffee typically has a full-body flavor aided by hints of chocolatey cocoa and a sweetness akin to toffee. Depending on the growing region means that there will be slight changes to the taste of the coffee.

Coffee from Guatemala comes from one of seven regions: Fraijanes Plateau, Antigua, Highland Huehuetenango, Rainforest Coban, Volcan San Marcos, Nuevo Oriente, and Atitlan.

Each one of these coffees will have distinguishing characteristics in its flavor profile. Antigua coffee (one of the most popular kinds of Guatemala coffee) has a complex flavor profile while having hints of cocoa.

Highland Huehuetenango coffee tends to have a fruit-forward flavor, a floral aroma, and a sweet taste that stays on the palate.

Despite the fact you may be buying “Guatemalan coffee,” you have quite a choice in what you want to be drinking. We recommend our Carver’s Dream if you’re going to sip on some Guatemalan coffee.

Kenya Find Me A Burundi Pun?coffee

 

 

If you’re looking for a coffee that will have hints of fruit flavors, then this is the one for you. Burundi is often described as having a delicate berry flavor, rich body, and a floral smell with hints of pineapple, blueberry, or citrus.

While Burundi coffee isn’t one of the leading powerhouses of coffee, it offers a delightful and delicate taste. Much like other coffees, Burundi coffee has different growing regions. The central areas are Buyenzi, Kayanza, Ngozi, and Muyinga.

If you’re looking for a delicious Burundi coffee, you can always try Motherland coffee!

Brazilian Coffee is Extraordinary

coffee

We’ve already established that Brazil is the coffee kingpin. Most of the Brazilian coffee that you’ll find is Bourbon Santos; the name is due to the coffee being shipped out of the port of Santos. Coffee from Brazil is known to have a nutty flavor with a hint of chocolate.

Brazil also exports roughly 90% of the world’s espresso beans! All of those lovely macchiatos you’re buying most likely have Brazilian espresso beans in them!

Are you intrigued by Brazilian coffee? Don’t worry; if so, try the Brazilian Cake Lady blend.

Red Bay Coffee, strives to create beautiful coffee, fair relationships, and delicious living experiences every single day. Contact them at 510-399-2441 or email at care@redbaycoffee.com.

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Black Owned Beauty Brand Receives $1.2 Million Investment

2 mins read
black owned beauty brand

Herb’N Eden, an all-natural bath and beauty company, based in the Metro Atlanta area, has closed a $1.2M investment for business growth. Quinton and Terran Lewis founded Herb’N Eden in 2015 to bring natural skincare products to the forefront of the market.

Mercantile Venture Capital led the investment with participation from The Core Venture Studio.

This new funding will amplify their efforts, enabling them to efficiently meet the demands of their rapidly growing clientele without sacrificing what makes them so successful: their all-natural therapeutic products.

“Through our tremendous growth, we still maintained the same formula and process of making our products,” says Terran Lewis. “We know Black-owned businesses face challenges around funding and equitable partnerships. For us, it was important we remain the majority owners and stay faithful to the tried-and-true process our supporters count on us for.”

Before receiving this funding, Herb’N Eden received remarkable success through grassroots efforts such as in-house marketing, hiring local workers for their warehouse and store, and maintaining the direction of the product development. Investors were attracted by their ability to sustain growth beyond the pandemic year while remaining risk-averse and prioritizing customer communications.

“From $260,000 in 2020 to $2.6M closing out 2021, during the pandemic, is remarkable,” said co-founder and managing partner at The Core Venture Studio James Harris, one of the lead investors. “Their ability to scale their company while strengthening their relationship with their loyal customers drove Core’s decision to invest in the Herb’N Eden team.”

Quinton Lewis notes that the pandemic tested their resiliency. Rather than stop business when orders were backed up for months, they overly communicated updates to customers. As a result, they were able to see sustainable growth.

“It’s amazing to see what we could accomplish in such a short amount of time,” says Quinton. “In two to five years, we hope to continue to scale our business with the resources and connections made while also investing into the dreams of other Black entrepreneurs.”

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6 Ways To Increase Your Income Using The Internet

4 mins read
increase your income

A growing number of people are looking for ways to make more money online. Some of them are doing side gigs to make some extra money, while others are starting internet businesses that become their full-time occupation.

increase your income

Ways to increase your income online:

1. Affiliate Marketing

Affiliate marketing is a relatively easy and low-cost way to earn money online. You don’t have to have your own products or services to sell; affiliate marketing allows you to earn commissions from big corporations.

You advertise a company’s products or services on your website/blog or social media account, including links to the company’s offerings. Such affiliate tracking links ensure that you are credited for bringing a paying customer to the company’s website, and you are compensated with a percentage of the sale.

2. Online Freelancer Work

As a freelancer, you can offer skills-based services you are capable of providing remotely such as copy editing, graphic design, or IT support. If you can find enough gigs to support yourself, you can become a full-time freelancer. Alternatively, you can do occasional jobs to supplement the income from your main job.

3. Get Paid to Take Surveys

You can earn some money by taking online surveys, but don’t expect to roll in the cash. Survey sites rarely offer big payoffs, and most are more useful for earning gift cards than cash.  Swagbucks and Survey Junkie are two of the more popular survey sites.

4. Provide Online Courses

Online courses generate income once they’ve been created and are made available online. If you have a knack for teaching and a set of skills you’d like to share, consider creating online courses as a way to earn additional income.

It is important to know a particular subject area, but it is equally crucial to have the ability to engage students in your videos. If you are unable to keep their attention, they will not return for more classes.

5. Build Your Own E-Commerce Site

An e-commerce website is another way to earn money online, but it may require a bit more effort on your part. You would sell products from your website, either your own creations or those that are available commercially.

In the latter case, drop-shipping is the most popular and hassle-free method of fulfilling orders. You obtain the customers and take their orders, but a third-party stores and ships the products for you.

6. Publishing Online

Regardless of your current job, publishing nonfiction e-books is a great way to establish yourself as an authority in your field while also earning passive income. You don’t have to do anything after you’ve written and published the book to earn money from it.

Additionally, publishing your novel as an e-book—especially if it’s in a popular genre like romance, science fiction, fantasy, or mystery—has the potential to reach thousands of readers.

To make the most of these opportunities, you’ll have to stand out from the crowd and persuade customers that you’re the right person to work with or buy from.

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Black Owned Healthcare Fund Raises $72M, Becoming One of The Largest Fund Focused on Women’s Health

2 mins read
Black Owned Healthcare Fund

SteelSky Ventures is a Black owned venture capital firm focused on healthcare for women. The Atlanta-based venture capital firm recently announced the final close of its inaugural fund focused on improving access, care, and outcomes in women’s health.

The close of the fund brings SteelSky’s total assets under management to $72 million, making SteelSky one of the largest venture capital fund focused on women’s healthcare.

SteelSky Ventures was founded by Maria Toler Velissaris after she uncovered a gap in funding for women, and more specifically, women’s health.  To date, Maria has invested in over 20 female-led companies.

The League of Extraordinary Funders: Meet Maria Velissaris, SteelSky Ventures | by Grasshopper Bank | Grasshopper Bank | Medium
Maria Toler Velissaris, Founding Partner at SteelSky Ventures

“Women’s health is an area of tremendous growth potential, and SteelSky is building a pipeline of the next billion-dollar healthcare giants. We are proud to invest in entrepreneurs who are significantly progressing healthcare for women around the world,” Maria said.

SteelSky invests across the spectrum of women’s health indications and care modalities, including medical devices, consumer health, digital health, ePharmacy, and retail therapeutics. The fund’s innovative approach to women’s health also allows for investment in technology infrastructure that supports new and innovative care delivery models.

The fund’s limited partners include healthcare strategic investors such as the American Hospital Association (AHA), Eli Lilly, Blue Shield of California, MultiCare Hospital System, Henry Ford Hospital System, and Essential Access Health.

Tony O. Lawson

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