In a world seemingly filled with scammy websites, poor service and even worse quality, it’s a relief to find businesses and products that are actually worth their salt. Thus, word of mouth can usually be the best way to find out where to spend your hard-earned money. Our aspireMKTPLC host, Vee Prince, spills about a few of her favorite black-owned businesses for online retail and in-person shopping.
First up is Bludso’s Barbeque in Los Angeles, CA. Owned by Kevin Bludso, the restaurant has been featured on the Food Network numerous times, as well as top BBQ lists in and out of the city. The flagship was originally in Compton, CA, but has since expanded into mid-city Los Angeles, Inglewood and even Australia. This amazing restaurant has a homestyle taste and feel, and is seriously the best barbeque ever.
Posh Candle Co makes candles for millennial black women. With scents like “F*ck Boy Repellant” and “Black Girl Magic,” these candles are the perfect touch to enhance any space. Behind the scenes, Posh Candle Co is a one-woman, black owned small business, built from the ground up on the passion for craft, design, entrepreneurship and inspiring other women to “stay lit.” Chief Chandler of Posh Candle Co, Tay, is a self-proclaimed Glow-Getter, MSW, and Mom of two boys. Not only are the product line and scents to die for, but the execution is immaculate. Every order comes wrapped and includes “stay lit” branded matches.
For the curvy girl with impeccable style and a knack for fashion, Jibri is a perfect fit. Inspired by her desire to create beautiful silhouettes for women that were shaped more like her, Jasmine Elder designs for women ranging sizes 10-28. JIBRI has been worn by many celebrities, including Lizzo, Tamela Mann, Jill Scott, Toccara, Amber Riley, and Gabourey Sidibe. With eye-catching pops of color and extraordinary patterns, these designs are not for the fashion faint of heart and are meant to make a statement.
Think of any current phrase or funny tagline, and Mess in a Bottle probably has a shirt for it. Always up on the current times, owner and CEO, Kalilah, always has her creative hands in all areas of the business. With a background in engineering, Kalilah knew that she wanted to explore more options for her expertise. She started the company with less than a $1500 investment, and has successfully built a t-shirt, accessories and recently, home goods, empire. This brand encourages you to “wear your MESS-age” and has been so clutch in expressing complex topics relating to current events, politics, life, love, career and all that is in between.
Established in 2005, Shea Yeleen International, Inc. is a social enterprise dedicated to empowering women in West Africa and the United States through the production, sale and use of shea butter products. A unique blend of grassroots organizing and business development, Shea Yeleen is a company that specializes in manufacturing high quality, organic, fair trade skin care products and utilizing a sales strategy that incorporates women’s micro enterprise development. Most admirable about Shea Yeleen is that a vital component of the mission is that women are paid a decent living wage, which enables them to support and care for their families without needing a male counterpart to support them.
Owned by artist, Miya Bailey, Peters Street Station in Atlanta, GA, is an art incubation and community center based in Atlanta, GA. They offer local artists retail and event space for art displays, products and art exhibits, as well as artist development and mentorship. The property includes a coffee house, art gallery, library, and the City of Ink Social Club. Centrally located in the art district of Castleberry Hill, Peters Street Station is a great place to catch the latest and greatest in arts and music, with weekly and monthly events, including the art stroll block party on Peters Street.
Vee Prince hosts the aspireMKTPLC, and is based in Atlanta, GA. Originally from Los Angeles, CA, Vee has hosted segments for Chevrolet, A3C, Afropunk, The Curvy Fashionista and Vanichi Magazine. She specializes in content creation and visual brand activations for experiential marketing, events and social media. Vee Prince has a BA from UC Davis and an MBA from the Graziadio School of Business, Pepperdine University.
Website: veeprince.com
Instagram: instagram.com/theveeprince
Email: vee@veeprince.com
