Black Business Month was launched in 2004 to draw attention to, celebrate and support the Black entrepreneurs who currently helm about 125,000 U.S. businesses, according to Census data. While August marks Black Business Month, many leaders recognize the importance of supporting Black businesses year-round. Building supportive ecosystems for Black-owned businesses (opens in new tab) can take the form of knowledge-sharing or rallying behind policies that prioritize equity, among other ways to support Black businesses long-term (opens in new tab).
Each of the businesses below has made a mark on its respective industry, from wedding dresses to animal feed. They’ve conquered challenges in areas from supply chain to funding — some as the first of their peers to do so — and grown their brands through carefully-crafted strategy and tireless execution. Here’s a peek into the results of the growth initiatives these NetSuite customers execute year-round, year in and year out.
Danessa Myricks Beauty
Self-taught makeup artist Danessa Myricks started her brand to help people of all races, genders, ages and personal styles experiment with makeup and discover their “signature look.” Sold in 50 stores in 13 countries, Danessa Myricks Beauty saw 100% sales growth last year.
Eco-Feed Enterprises
The team at Eco-Feed Enterprises are experts in sourcing quality raw materials for and manufacturing nutritionally-balanced animal feed in Nakuru, Kenya. After just about four years in business, the family-run operation has a wide range of business customers including farmers, wholesalers and retailers.
Amsale
A wedding dress from Amsale’s New York City atelier is elegant and simple, designed piece-by-piece exclusively for its wearer. Bridal salons and specialty stores worldwide carry Amsale’s five distinct collections, which frequently appear on lifestyle publications’ “best of” lists.
Hustle Clean
In 2014, former NFL running back Justin Forsett and entrepreneur Wale Forrester co-founded a mission-driven self-care brand that invests in the community through its own programs: Shower2thePeopleTM, which brings hygiene products to communities lacking access to clean water; and Free PlayTM, a youth sports scholarship program for kids priced out of youth sports. Hustle Clean’s antibacterial, nourishing body wipes and face wipes are stocked in Targets nationwide and over 4,000 Walmart stores.
The Honey Pot Company
Bea Dixon launched The Honey Pot Company after an ancestor visited her in a dream, providing a formula for the first of Honey Pot’s wide range of plant-derived feminine care products. More than 20,000 retail locations worldwide, including Target and Walmart, stock Honey Pot, and Dixon has made headlines as one of the first Black women to raise more than $1 million in venture capital.
Compac Industries
Over the course of 40 years, Compac Industries has created six in-house brands encompassing home products as well as baby, oral and skin care products. In addition to business-to-business sales, the family-run manufacturer and distributor recently opened a direct-to-consumer channel, growing its monthly order total to 10,000 orders.
Mielle Organics
What started as nurse Monique Rodriguez mixing hair treatments in her kitchen exploded into a vibrant social media community and retail partnerships with CVS, Target and more. Mielle Organics tailors its products, like the best-selling White Peony Leave-In Conditioner, for all hair types.
