What does it mean to be a black, woman-owned business?: A Word from Our Founder

Blush + Whisk Owner sitting on chair smiling at camera

"What does it mean to you to be a black, woman-owned business?"

This was a question posed to me in a recent interview and I got to sit and ponder on my response.

For me, being a black-owned, woman-owned, independently funded business means a great deal. A lot of times when I'm in a room of successful business owners, the people I'm surrounded by don't look a lot like me. They are usually men and they are usually not black.

I recently heard a statistic that of the 30% of businesses in the United States that are owned by women, only 2% will hit the six figure revenue mark.

This floored me.

If you ask me, women are capable of anything.

And as a minority, we are so resilient as a body. We have learned to be because of the barriers put in front of us that we strive to overcome on a daily basis. Generation after generation.

So why then, does it feel like there aren't more of us in this scene?

I think it's because we face a unique challenge that other business owners don't. Speaking from experience, I didn't have the privilege of inheriting a successful business started from my uncle or my parents. I didn't get to follow the foot steps of a sibling who was paving the way in the food industry. I didn't have a "leg up". Instead, I came into this journey with a fear of failing and a scarcity mindset that actually proved to be just another obstacle I would have to work on in order to grow.

For decades, being black has felt like another hurdle to climb.

For me now, being a business owner is not just for myself. It's so that my African-American kids can see what we are capable of. So that they can have access to opportunities that I only dreamt of at their age. So that I can be a familiar and friendly face to my sisters in "the room". So that I can help lift someone up who set out to accomplish the same bold goals that I set for myself.

I promise that I don't carry this title lightly. As important as it is for myself to succeed in my business, I feel it's important for every dreamer who may be watching.

I am proud to be on this journey and I thank you all for being a part of it with me.

In honor of the celebration of black history month, please support these local businesses that continue to pave the way. Not just in February, but every month.

4th Quarter Sports Bar & Grill | South Dallas

Abi Lounge | Richardson

Black Coffee | Fort Worth

Daiquiri Shoppe | Grand Prairie and Carrollton

Frenchie Baule | Available online

Soirée Coffee Bar | Trinity Groves (Pictured)

Sweet Beat Vodka | Online or in liquor stores

Tropic Thunder Daiquiris | Arlington

Baby Back Shak | Cedars

Flatrock Smokehouse BBQ | The Colony

Odom’s Bar-B-Que | West Dallas

Off The Bone Barbeque | Cedars (Pictured)