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This Black Owned Candle Business Won’t Let a Pandemic Put Its Fire Out

5 mins read
Black Owned Candle Business

Scent & Fire Candle Company is a Black owned candle business that makes products for those who enjoy using aroma-driven mood enhancers to beautify their environment.

We caught up with founder, Monisha Edwards to find out what she did to increase her sales in a time when many businesses are struggling.

Scent & Fire Candle Company founder, Monisha Edwards

What inspired you to start your business?

I started Scent & Fire Candle company because I have suffered from anxiety, stress, and depression for many years.

I started looking into holistic ways to alleviate stress and anxiety and stumbled upon aromatherapy. From there, I started getting into candle making. I created three signature scents for myself and being a brand strategist, I decided to design a mockup of my labels and posted them on Facebook.

Everyone wanted to buy my candles, so I set aside some time over a weekend and designed a website, ordered supplies to make more candles, come up with the name Scent & Fire, and registered the business.

I decided to use my candle company as a platform to educate about mental health, wellness, and the importance of practicing self-care.

 

What were your initial thoughts when you learned about the Coronavirus outbreak?

When I initially heard about the Coronavirus outbreak, I thought that it would be another Ebola or Swine Flu phase. I felt bad for the people who were contracting it and becoming ill, but I had no idea that it was what it is now.

Once I started hearing about the seriousness of the virus, I started taking extra precautions in my daily routines and started going out less often. When we were all encouraged to stay home, I basically self-quarantined even though I wasn’t sick. I have chronic asthma, so I definitely couldn’t afford to get sick.

How has it affected your business?

The Coronavirus crisis affected my business tremendously.  Sales from my online store decreased and by the time March came around, I had no income lined up, so I had to figure out how to make money to help me pay bills.

Black Owned Candle Business

What new strategies have you implemented or do you plan to implement in your business? 

My sales increased after I created a Quarantine based theme and playlists that came with the candles. The names are Socially Distant, Shelter & Chill, Living Room Flex, and Therapy In Place.

People thought that the names were really creative, and they also liked the fact that you could scan a QR code on the box that the candles come in, light the candle, and vibe out to some good music to create an experience right at home.

Once I did this, my story was picked up by the news, and sales increased even more due to people loving my story about how I basically “turned lemons into lemonade” during this tough time where many small businesses are struggling to keep doors open. I definitely made a great pivot with my candle brand, and I feel like things will do even better in the coming months.

I also plan to do more marketing via social media. I feel its essential because even after the Shelter-In-Place mandate is lifted, many people will still be cautious of going out in public or be in big crowds, and they will still be online more often than not.

Black Owned Candle Business


If you had one ask of your community right now, what would it be?

If I would ask that my community pray for and support all small businesses right now, especially black-owned businesses and establishments. We need you the most.

Share a post, buy a gift card, or patron a black-owned establishment as often as you can. Times like these are difficult and we are in dire need of support from our very own community.

 

–Tony O. Lawson 

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What Small Business Owners Need to Know About the New Stimulus Bill

9 mins read
small business owners

Congressional leaders reached an agreement with the White House on Tuesday for the relief bill to aid small-business owners. The bill, which includes a $310 billion refresh of the Paycheck Protection Program, has now been sent to the House for approval.

Here are answers to some of the most common questions about the future of the PPP program and alternative financing.

What’s happening with the Paycheck Protection Program?

The initial $350 billion for the PPP was designed to help small businesses cover payroll and other costs during the coronavirus pandemic. The program was exhausted as of April 16.

Lawmakers are now seeking to approve $484 billion to be allocated to small businesses, including $310 billion for the PPP program. House approval is expected Thursday.

I was approved for a PPP loan. Will I still get funding? How long will it take?

If you were approved and received confirmation from your lender, you can expect to receive PPP funds in around seven to 10 days. If you think you were approved, but didn’t receive any form of confirmation from your lender, it’s likely that you won’t receive a loan from the first $350 billion Congress put aside for this program.

Many bank clients believe they’ve been approved, but weren’t. The best way for a business owner to check whether or not they’ve been approved is to follow up directly with their lender. Many lenders have been proactive in updating their clients, and are planning to submit applications that weren’t approved by the SBA before the funding initially ran out.

How can I apply for the new round of PPP funds?

According to the SBA, lender enrollment and new loan applications aren’t being accepted at this time. Once the new bill is signed into law, the SBA is expected to announce when it will take applications for PPP again.

Small Business Owners

While waiting for PPP funding to resume, businesses should collect all required documentation for the program and send it to their bank lender. This enables the bank to prepare for submitting a client’s application as soon as the program opens again.

Tony Wilkinson, president and CEO of the National Association of Government Guaranteed Lenders, said that he expects funding to once again be gone in as quickly as a week.

“Lenders will be hitting the submit button on a significant number of applications as soon as it’s open,” he said.

If I applied to the first round of PPP, do I have to apply again?

Business owners don’t have to apply again if their application didn’t get approved in the first round. Many lenders have held on to these applications, and are prioritizing them in the pipeline for when the program opens up again.

How are lenders handling loans that didn’t get funded before the money ran out for the PPP?

Many lenders are continuing to process loans that didn’t get funded in the first round. They expect the process to move quickly when funds are available again.

Umpqua Bank, for example, has spent the past several days making sure small businesses have documentation and that their applications are completed and ready to go. The bank has had its teams working in shifts around the clock to get the high volume of applications completed.

“Our goal is to have as many small-business applications ready to submit to the SBA as soon as it reopens the PPP application process,” said Tory Nixon, senior executive vice president and chief banking officer at Umpqua Bank.

While it isn’t too late for business owners who haven’t yet applied, there is incredibly high demand. Reach out to your lenders as soon as possible to inquire whether they have the capacity to process your application.

“With the next round, it’s really a race against the clock to help as many small businesses as possible before the funding is again fully committed, which could happen within just a few days,” said Mr. Nixon.

The small-business loan program designed to keep workers employed is out of money, and some main street business owners hit by the coronavirus pandemic say that it simply isn’t enough to keep their business alive in the first place.

What can I use my PPP loan for?

PPP loans are primarily to be used for payroll-related expenses. At least 75% of the loan is required to be used for payroll; it is anticipated that no more than 25% can be used for mortgage interest, rent or lease payments, utilities and interest or debt accumulated since Feb. 15.

Utility expenses encompass necessities like cable and internet. Exceptions include personal expenses, including compensation above $100,000.

PPP funds must be used in 8 weeks to be forgiven. If unused or used for anything other than payroll or utility expenses, the loans aren’t forgivable and must be repaid, according to the Treasury’s fact sheet, which can be found online. Business owners will also owe money if they fail to maintain employee head-count.

Can I pay myself with the funds?

It depends on how the business is structured. If the business owner is a sole proprietor or salaried, they are entitled to pay themselves from the PPP. But if the business is an S corporation and the owner receives owner draws, then they aren’t entitled to use the money for their own pay.

For those who are eligible, the PPP can cover one’s salary up to $100,000.

Can I still get a traditional SBA loan?

For now, business owners can still apply for standard SBA loans, though a bank’s capacity to process them might be limited at this time. Call your bank first to ask if it can still be done in a timely manner.

While the money is available, standard SBA loans are a viable option for those who don’t qualify for the PPP, or are awaiting possible funding from it.

In addition, the SBA Debt Relief program is automatically suspending payments for all current and new borrowers for a six-month period. This includes principal, interest and fees for 7(a), 504 and microloans issued before this Sept. 27.

What about the Employee Retention Credit?

The Employee Retention Credit, which launched March 31, is a refundable tax credit implemented to help businesses to keep their employees on payroll.

Separate from the stimulus package, the tax credit is for 50% of up to $10,000 in wages for each employee if a business has been hurt by Covid-19, according to the IRS.

To qualify, a business must be fully or partially suspended due to the government order, or making less than 50% of comparable quarterly earnings.

Can I sign up for the Employee Retention Credit in addition to the PPP?

The Employee Retention Credit can’t be used in tandem with the PPP.

What resources are available for independent contractors or gig-economy workers?

Independent contractors and gig workers can collect unemployment. Businesses are encouraged to inform their contractors of this new benefit.

Independent contractors, sole proprietors and people who are self-employed are also qualified to apply for the PPP, according to the SBA.

Source: The Wall Street Journal

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This Black Owned Pepper and Spice Farm Wants To Bring The Heat To Your Kitchen

4 mins read
Black Owned Pepper and Spice Farm

Like many other Black owned businesses that have taken a hit in the past few months, Herban Farm is navigating how to survive and still serve the community.

We spoke with owner and operator, Ras Peynado to see how things are going.

black owned pepper farm
Ras Peynado, owner of Herban Farm

What inspired you to start a farm?

I was inspired by the story my mother told me about her and my father’s dream to own/operate an urban farm in Seattle, Wa. My parents never were able to realize this dream since father died in Jamaica, a poor rastaman.

I later took part of his humble lifestyle (farming) and turned it into a profitable lifestyle. I’m also inspired by my own passion for growing medical marijuana.

black owned pepper and spice farm
Ras and his late father.

How has the Coronavirus outbreak affected your business?

GREATLY! The Coronavirus completely devastated my business sales. I operate at Pike Place Market 4-7 days a week year-round depending on the season with a small sales agent team.

We primarily depend on tourism. Tourists that come into the city and even more on cruise ship tourism from April-October. Tourism accounts for 85%-90% of my sales and since March have not been able to set up at market due to the statewide lockdown in Washington.

Black Owned Pepper and Spice Farm

How has it affected your lifestyle?

It’s been hard however I have been able to keep busy living on my urban farm. Spring is always a busy time of year with the start of the farm season also a very expensive time of year.

I am continually investing in infrastructure, supplies, kitchen and farm expenses. It’s really hard to continue to do that without cash flow or capital during these times.

I keep a good spirit and stay to my work. I’m not the only one experiencing this. I miss being at my market surrounded by a community of over 100 farmers and 300 craftspeople.

What new strategies have you implemented or do you plan to implement in your business?

Working with local partners like Savor Seattle and the Atrium Kitchen At Pike Place to come up with creative ways to reach the locals. I create seasonings, sauces, vinegars and other infusions like my Hot Honey Sauce.

All new fresh flavors to use in the kitchen! This is the time when people are spending more time in the kitchen and needing to stay satisfied avoiding the same old stale flavors from the grocery store.

My partners have been able to gather other fresh local producers to create weekly boxes/bags that can be curbside picked up or delivered throughout the city services hundreds of customers so far.

 

If you had one ask of your community right now, what would it be?

To be patient with each other, to protect each other, to love each other, and to support each other.

 

Tony O. Lawson

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How This Black Owned Beauty Supply Store Is Readjusting To Changing Times

3 mins read
Black Owned Beauty Supply Store

Due to government-imposed mandates, many Black owned beauty supply stores have seen foot traffic decline or completely stop.

However, some have found ways to meet the demand for their products. One of those businesses is Glendale, CA based Blessed Beauty Supply.

black owned beauty supply
Lexus Allen, owner of Blessed Beauty Supply

What inspired you to start a beauty supply store?

I started transitioning to natural in 2015 and I became a bit of a product junkie. I started loving my natural hair/curls, keeping it healthy, and trying new products. I loved shopping for products but didn’t really know anyone else who enjoyed it as much as me.

So, I decided to open my own store where I could create a community/environment to meet other people who loved it as much as I do, and to help other women and men on their hair journeys.
Black Owned Beauty Supply Store

How has the Coronavirus outbreak affected your business?

Initially, the coronavirus slowed business down a bit but things have begun to pick up again. I’ve been getting new customers from all over the world, which is great. Beauty supplies, especially Black-owned products online are in higher demand now more than ever before.

What new strategies have you implemented or do you plan to implement in your business?

Luckily, I already had an online store setup. Having that in place made adjusting to the pandemic much easier. I’ve switched to solely selling online, and I’ve also implemented curbside pickup for those that live locally and don’t want to wait for shipping.

Although our shipping is pretty quick (usually 1-3 days). I’m still strategizing on any other ways I can make this time easier for my customers because I want them to always have a good experience when shopping with Blessed.

If you had one ask of your community right now, what would it be?

Support and patience. During this time and any, I ask that the community unconditionally support Black-owned businesses like they do other business or larger corporations such as Wal-Mart, Target, Sally’s, etc.

Black owned beauty supply stores need patience because we are working overtime to make sure all your beauty needs are being met right now. A lot of us are selling out of items and during these times it’s harder to restock on some things.

If I don’t have something at my store and can’t get it in a timely manner, I will gladly refer you to another Black-owned establishment that may have it. It’s all about support and patience right now, especially for me because I’m a fairly new business and learning as I go.

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How To Receive a $5000 Small Business Grant From the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation

1 min read
small business grant

Vistaprint announced April 14 it has founded the Save Small Business Fund in conjunction with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation, donating $1 million to help alleviate the financial losses owners are facing as a result of COVID-19 and help secure additional partner investors.

“Funded by corporate and philanthropic partners, the Save Small Business Fund is a collective effort to provide $5,000 grants to as many small employers as we can. We hope these supplemental funds will help you get through the next days and weeks,” according to the website.

This comes at a time when eight in ten U.S. small businesses report being negatively impacted by COVID-19, according to Vistaprint research.

The Save Small Business Fund application period begins noon Monday. Eligible businesses must employ from 3 to 20 workers, be located in an economically vulnerable community and show that COVID- 19 caused fiscal harm.

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation allows those interested in applying for the grants to check their zip code to see if they’re in an eligible location. Click here to check yours.

A short application will go live today, April 20, 2020, at 12:00PM PT.

The application takes about 10 minutes, the foundation said. More details are available at www.savesmallbusiness.com for more information.

-Tony O. Lawson

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Tarot and Oracle Decks Created For and By Black People

14 mins read
black owned tarot

I don’t remember what prompted me to buy my first tarot deck but I’m pretty sure that I bought it from a New Age spiritual shop in Union Square about a decade ago. At the time, I could only find one tarot deck with imagery that spoke to the aesthetics and narratives of Black people and I’m pretty sure that it wasn’t created by someone Black. In the absence of an African-centered deck, I settled on Aleister Crowley’s Thoth deck because I found the symbolism and illustrations very intriguing. They were a fresh departure from the uber Eurocentric traditional decks such as Rider Waite. 

For years the Toth deck has been my go to…that was until I hosted a tarot party at my house in February for Lunar New Year and my friend pulled out the absolutely gorgeous and mystifying Dust II Onyx deck. It literally took my breath away. Created by Courtney Alexander,  the cards are not only luxe, they literally pull you into their ornate imagery and symbology that is a reflective of the ancient mysteries of Africa and its Diaspora. After using this deck, it reaffirmed the importance of not only connecting spiritually with Black iconography when working with tarot, but also the psychological energy that occurs when using a deck created by Black folk.

I had the privilege of meeting Courtney in person which made me love the deck, all the more. Not that I needed any additional reasons. Even after enrolling in a Master Tarot Course, I was hesitant to start offering readings. But soon after working with Dust II Onyx, I started offering my services to close family and friends who have all find my readings super on point. In the words of Ms. Cleo, call me now! (I kid…but I don’t).

While it’s hard for me to imagine another deck that would capture my heart like Dust II Onyx (and I promise this isn’t an ad…), I thought it would be useful to compile a list of all of the decks that I’ve come across that utilize African Diasporic imagery and were made by Black people. Like all things in life, representation does matter, even when getting readings, life advice and spiritual consultations.

And while there are several other decks that exist with Black imagery, they weren’t created by Black people. I own a few myself because what matters most is how you as a reader, connect with the cards. But the point of this post is to stress what better way to connect with cards than when the people in the cards look just like you. In the words of the late great Miss Cleo “the cards dem neva lie.”

Happy Reading! Pun definitely intended.

– Shantrelle P. Lewis

New Orleanian, Sango crowned Olorisa, Spiritualist, Conjurer, Re-tired Curator and Socio-cultural Entrepreneur. Follow me on IG at @beaucouphoodoo.

black owned tarot

Tazama African Tarot

Tazama African Tarot is a wonderfully crafted collage art that embodies African ancestry through historical images. Every card has a vintage image of a real ancestor in African history, from both the African continent as well the African diaspora in the America’s and the Caribbean. Including the empress of Haiti, Masai warriors, Dahomey kingdom royalty just to name a few. The collage art was made by a young female collage artist from Nairobi in Kenya.

Dust II Onyx

Black femme queer artist, Courtney Alexander, Dust II Onyx is a rich and magical deck that captivates its audience via highly ornate collages created by its maker. The imagery features a pan-African centered iconography that was thoroughly researched. The 78 card deck comes in two sizes – 3.5 x 5 inches and a Travel Edition that measures 2.75 x 4 inches. Black-owned.

black owned tarot

Hoodoo Tarot

This 78-card full color deck boasts of celebrating Rootworks both past and present. Deep diving into the archetypes and personality that have reigned and been deified in Hoodoo culture, the Hoodoo tarot is great for hoodooists, conjurers, root workers and practitioners of New Orleans rooted Voodoo. The deck was created by Tayannah Lee McQuillar who is also the author of Rootwork: Using the Folk Magick of Black America for Love, Money and Success. 

The Afro Tarot
Afrofuturist artist Jessica Lofton aka Jessi Jumanji, uses several mediums and layered images that span the ages, to create a 78 card deck that interweaves Afro-surrealist imagery with the traditional meanings of the Rider Waite deck. It also comes with its own mini guide book and sturdy box for storage. Black-owned.

black owned tarot

AKAMARA Tarot Deck

Designed by Lolu, the “78 Card Tarot Deck venerating the various spiritual practices throughout the African Diaspora on rose-petal finish black cards with gold foil and silver ink.” Those who have reviewed it describe the luxe feel of the cards. It’s definitely at the top of my lists of decks to buy next.

Kaleidadope Tarot: A Dope Tarot
Influenced by the Twilight Zone, Krystal Banner’s Kaleidoscope deck, with its straightforward illustrations, was definitely created with 21st century imagery in mind. I’d go so far as to say that the deck would be appealing to many millennials for its minimalist nature and holographic edges. The official website also boasts that the cards are reiki-infused.

Shrine of the Black Medusa Tarot
Created by non-binary artist/writer Casey Rocheteau, The Shrine of the Black Medusa Tarot uses collage to “celebrate Black culture, queer magic, and hoodoo divination.” According to Rocheteau’s website, the deck is named for the legend of the African witch turned monster, Medusa, and celebrates “the pantheon of monsters within each of us, knowing that Medusa was more metaphor than monster and that Perseus was a buster.” Shrine of the Black Medusa follows the Thoth tradition. You can buy the deck here.

Afro Goddess Tarot Arcanas
This deck was created by a Black woman specifically for the use of Black women. The 79-card jumbo deck has illustrations of Afrocentric Black warrior goddesses. The first edition is sold out but you can pre-order the latest edition on Andrea Furtick’s site.

black owned tarot

 

ORACLE DECKS

UPDATED As of 7.16.20 – The TRUTH Decks

Created by twin sisters, the TRUTH Decks are two very pretty, colorful oracle decks that will help you gain insight and clarity into your everyday affairs. The 2nd Edition Truth Deck Oracle Cards articulates modern archetypal prompts such as: Ask for Help, Envious, Heal Money Issues, Repeating the Past and Soul Journey. The Reconciliation edition, is another colorful deck that packs lots of POP. Its suggested uses are love & relationship readings, questions about connecting with your higher self, understanding money blockages, healing messages for reconnecting with family members, and insight on repairing friendships. Both of these decks would be perfect for any millennial who isn’t committed to studying the science of tarot but could use a little spirit guide help to bring light to navigating the rough terrain that is life and most certainly 2020.

UPDATED As of 5.28.20 – The Black Gold Lenormand

A few weeks after I initially posted this article, someone sent me the link to Tea’s IG Account. I went to the page, of clearly fell in LOVE (so Gemini/Libra rising of me…I know) and of course backed the Kickstarter Campaign at the wholesale level because why buy one deck when you can buy five? It’s only the second Black-created Lenormand deck that I’ve come across. It’s US African-American centered, in terms of its folklore, archetypes, and iconography. Highly influenced by her elders and ancestors, the deck is an homage to Black American indigenous spiritual traditions. Conceived and created by Tea, the 36 card deck of beautifully designed black, white and gold cards comes with an 82-page saddle-stitched guidebook. There’s even an option to buy a deck and gift another. Given the fact that it costs about the same as some of these other decks on their own, why not pay it forward? After all, the Ancestors bless, those who look out for their kinfolk.

Adinkra Ancestral Guidance Cards

My best friend, who just so happens to be Akan by heritage, introduced me to this oracle deck. I loved the use of Twi words and Akan Adinkra symbols and their pronunciations. The 44 card deck is minimalist as color and design goes – the cards are white, gold and black.

OKANA  Oracle Deck

According to its creator Lolu, the Okana Oracle Deck is a “luxuriously printed 25 Card Oracle Deck on rose-petal finish black cards with gold foil. For use in working through our shadow selves and doing the work to make sure our true nature isn’t the catalyst for stagnation. Also used for re-establishing a path of communication between one and their ancestors, to answer the tough questions with the voice of a loving but honest elder.”

Flora and Fauna of Africa Deck

Created by Jessi Jumanji, I’ve never seen anything African-centered like the Flora and Fauna of Africa Deck. The 3.5×5 inch deck features over 100 different species of plant species and spirit animals. Each card delivers a message and affirmation. Example: The Okapi states “Embrace all aspects of you. Your uniqueness is your power. Let your spirit guide you.”

Goddess Oracle Deck

An Afrocentric modernized spin on the famed 1840 Marie Anne Lenormand deck, the Goddess Oracle Deck includes 37 cards, a 50-page guide book and a velvet protection bag. Although I personally use the traditional Lenormand deck when I want some very straightforward answers to dilemmas,  I’ll give this deck a try. And if you decide to pick it up – beware of the mice in your life.

Sibyls Oraculum: Oracle of the Black Doves of Africa

I just happened upon this deck. Created by the same sister who created the Hoodoo deck, Sibyls Oraculum: Oracle of the Black Doves of Africa enlightens its readers about the legendary Libyan Sibyls, African prophetesses of the classical world. Although she was Eurocentricized historically, Tayannah Lee McQuillar repositions her more accurately as the African prophetess who presided over the Zeus oracle temple in the Siwa Oasis. Here’s a slideshow I found detailing the hidden history of the Ancient African prophetesses in classical Europe.

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Guidelines for ‘Opening Up America Again’ Released

1 min read
opening up america again

Guidance for a gradual reopening of the U.S. economy have been unveiled. Read the White House’s plan for “Opening Up America Again” here.

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Michael Che To Pay Rent for 160 Public Housing Tenants To Honor His Late Grandmother

1 min read
michael che

Michael Che on Wednesday offered to pay one month’s rent to all 160 residents of an apartment building where his grandmother lived before she succumbed to COVID-19 earlier this month.

The “Saturday Night Live” star took to Instagram to announce that he plans to pay one month’s rent for all of the individuals living in his grandmother’s public housing complex.
“It’s crazy to me that residents of public housing are still expected to pay their rent when so many New Yorkers can’t even work,” Che wrote in the post. “Obviously I cant offer much help by myself. But in the spirit and memory of my late grandmother, I’m paying one month’s rent for all 160 apartments in the NYCHA building she lived in.”‘

https://www.instagram.com/p/B_BRjZXpkMd/

 

He called on the city to have a “better plan for debt forgiveness” for NYCHA residents, and asked Mayor de Blasio, Gov. Cuomo and Sean (Diddy) Combs to page him and come up with a plan.

 

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This Black Woman Owned Farm is Adapting and Thriving During a Pandemic

6 mins read
Black Woman Owned Farm

If you’re looking for a Black Woman-Owned Farm in Charlotte, NC, look no further than Mother’s Finest Urban Farm. We caught up with the owner, Samantha Foxx to find out more about how she and her business are doing these days.

Black Woman Owned Farm
Samantha Foxx, owner of Mother’s Finest Urban Farm (photo credit Allison Lee Eisley)

What inspired you to start a farm? 

I was inspired to get back in touch with nature after realizing the importance of self-sufficiency for me and my family. I think growing your food is a major step to having better health as families and an entire community.

Also, the aspects of self-sufficiency and having a good understanding of where our food comes from is so key. Working and learning together helps us create solutions that will decolonize our health and preserve our lives.

Black Woman Owned Farm

How has the Coronavirus outbreak affected your business?

We’ve been busy! I’m seeing more people grabbing hold of the messages I have been spreading since I started. People are investing more into their local farmers and seeing food as a source of wellness and having access to fresh quality produce is becoming more relevant.

We are working hard daily, to make sure that our community has access to quality produce. The beauty of supporting small family-owned farms is that in most cases there is only one set of hands that touches the food before it goes to your table.

Larger agriculture producers can travel for long periods and produce passes through several hands before it hits store shelves. We also have had more people signing up for CSA shares and investing to help us expand and supply as much produce to our community as possible.

Essentially, I believe farming is a community-centered task and I am happy to see more people becoming involved. Some individuals may not have space to plant or grow their food, but a CSA share is a good way to still have that access for their family to quality products and more.

Photo Credit – Christine Rucker

How has it affected your lifestyle?  

We are now essential workers, so stepping up to keep our community healthy has become a daily driving force. We have been adding beehives and more chickens in hopes of increasing production and getting more food on people’s tables. It’s a big responsibility and a lot of work, but passion gets us through it each day.

Food is comforting to many people and knowing where their next meal is coming from is so important. Seeing the smiles on a family’s face, when we drop off a box to their doorstep is worth all of the hard work.

That family has a healthy meal and at least one less worry during this trying time. That’s a beautiful thing. We need each other, now more than ever as we hope more people see the importance of planting seeds.

What new strategies have you implemented or do you plan to implement in your business? 

We have been using technology more to communicate with our supporters and have added delivery for seniors and families that may be taking care of someone with disabilities. We believe this is a huge part of our social responsibility and helping those that may be more at risk as much as possible.

I’ve started sharing more informational videos on beekeeping and farming to encourage others. I have also started to share more recipes on how to cook with the produce we offer and encourage other families to try new ways to eat healthy balanced meals.

If you had one ask of your community right now, what would it be? 

Please support small family-owned farms and understand the importance of knowing where your food comes from. CSA boxes are also a major way to support a local farmer.

They can also visit www.mothersfinesturbanfarms.com or IG @mothersfinesturbanfarms to learn more and how they can get involved. Also, I encourage families to create seed banks and start with what they have to produce the food they eat as a family themselves. I hope to see more families, becoming as self-sufficient as possible.

 

Tony O. Lawson

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How To Avoid COVID-19 Scams

7 mins read
covid-19 scams

As the number of COVID-19 cases increases, so too do the scams. Scams are a problem, even when the world is not in the midst of a pandemic. In 2019, more than $10 billion dollars was lost in phone scams alone. Scams can come in the shape of phone calls, ads, emails, texts.

Before you buy face masks, disinfecting wipes,  colloidal silver, or other promised COVID-19 treatments. you can take a series of steps to protect yourself.

1. Phone calls

If you don’t recognize a phone number, be careful when you answer. Sometimes, calls come in from the same number on a daily basis; you should not respond. And don’t give out any personal information unless you know (or have checked out) the person on the other end.

Scammer calls, which often take the form of robocalls, ”were already a huge and growing problem prior to the coronavirus,” said Consumer Action National Policy Advocate Lauren Hall.  She added that “scammers never let a good crisis go to waste, and this one has given them tons of material. Unfortunately, scammers can spoof numbers—so you may get a call that says it’s from the health department or the CDC. Unless you were expecting one, let it go to voicemail.”

To shut them down, she recommends “screening and blocking services like Nomorobo. Wireless service providers also offer call-filtering apps, while your smart phone likely has built-in features to block spam calls.” You might even want to put your phone on do not disturb..”

2. Online purchases

Almost anyone can set up an online shop under just about any name. Here are some important steps to take before you buy:

Confirm the online seller’s physical address and phone number in case you have questions or problems, recommends the Federal Trade Commission (the government agency responsible for preventing deceptive practices). Check out the return policy. Comparison shop; if it seems to be too good to be true, it probably is. And don’t forget to factor in shipping costs, which may be double the original price. Take your time, counsels the National Consumer League.

If you get a pop-up message asking you for financial information while you’re browsing, don’t reply or hit the link. Legitimate companies don’t ask for information that way. Be careful about any links. Don’t click on them if you don’t know the sources. If you do, then you might download virtual viruses onto your computer or device.

Ignore online offers trying to sell you vaccinations or home test kits.  As the FTC points out, scammers may try to get you to buy products that have not been shown  to treat or prevent the Coronavirus disease 2019. They will try to feed on your uncertainty. If you are at all tempted to buy, then go to the FDA website to see if there is any basis for the claim. And make sure to check out the seller as well.

“If you’re trying to buy something in short supply like hand sanitizer, it’s safest to buy from the retailer and not from unknown third party sellers, of which there are many,” notes Hall. She points out that, even a site like Amazon or WalMart.com, “sellers can and do fake hundreds of positive reviews.”

3. Payment

Use a credit card, don’t send a check (or cash!), and never wire money. Your purchase will then be covered by the Fair Credit Billing Act, which provides protection against fraudulent charges. If your credit card information is stolen, and someone then uses it without your permission, your liability generally is limited to the first $50 in charges. Your credit card company may go even further, so that you won’t be responsible for paying any of those unauthorized charges made to your card. Make sure to check your credit card statements carefully each month – or, these days, even more frequently — to make sure you recognize all of the payments.

4. Financial help

The federal government has already undertaken some steps to help, including waiving interest on all federally-held student loans. States and the federal government are trying to help homeowners facing eviction or foreclosure. But don’t respond to texts and emails about checks from the government. If someone tells you they can get you the money from the federal government now, then that person  is a scammer. If you do get a check in the mail, make sure it is legitimate. And if you are told that your Social Security benefits will decrease because of COVID-19, that too is a scam, warns the federal government.

5. Stay safe

Finally, Hall counsels that if you don’t give out your personal or financial information— including  online services you use to send or receive money, like Zelle, PayPal, or Venmo — then you’re less likely to get scammed.

As we spend more time at home, and – probably – more time trying to find things online, beware. Be even more careful now than ever.

 

Source: FORBES

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