A group of women who set up businesses after overcoming challenges in their lives have showcased their companies at a special event run by the Prince’s Trust.
The six entrepreneurs, who are from around the UK, took part at the event in Birmingham ahead of International Women’s Day on March 8.
According to the Prince's Trust, the event aimed to showcase young black women who have been supported by the charity to start their own business. Each of the entrepreneurs took part in the charity's Enterprise Programme - a scheme to help young people turn business ideas into reality.
The event is part of the work the Prince’s Trust is doing for International Women’s Day, which includes raising money to help more women across the UK change their lives.
Its campaign - #ChangeAGirlsLife - will see brands including Carvela, River Island and Ted Baker donating a proportion of sales to the charity.
“This year, the UK’s best loved brands are joining the #ChangeAGirlsLife campaign to help raise vital funds and empower young women across the UK to build their own futures through employment, education or by starting their own businesses,” the Prince’s Trust said.
Here we shine spotlight on these six entrepreneurs who are finding success with their start-up businesses.
Sophie Rogers, Vibe Alignment
Sophie Rogers is the owner of a crystal shop and is qualified yoga instructor. Her passion for crystals, yoga and all things wellbeing came about when she was going through treatment for cervical cancer.
The Birmingham-based entrepreneur, who was 22 years old when she was diagnosed, said she struggled a lot, especially with her mental health. After being invited to a cancer support centre, she was introduced to yoga, meditation, reiki and crystals. Feeling instantly connected and enormously uplifted by these holistic practices, she felt they had a great impact on her recovery.
She said: “I set up High Vibe Alignment selling sustainable ethically sourced crystals from all over the world and creating unique pieces of jewellery with them. As a fully trained yoga and meditation teacher, teaching weekly classes, I continuously want to improve my own mental health and wellbeing, which is the inspiration behind High Vibe Alignment. Hopefully allowing others to do the same!”
Mahoua Koui, Deamesse
Mahoua Koui, from Stoke, runs a sustainable clothing and street fashion company. She works as a part-time healthcare assistant at her local hospital while running her business, which launched in the winter of 2021. She is also studying to be a midwife at university in Birmingham.
Mahoua said as a plus-size woman she has sometimes found it difficult to find clothing that is also eco-friendly - and fast fashion has never appealed to her. Opening her business has enabled her to use her creativity, while also addressing her interest in sustainability, she said.
Isabella Mukasa, Pearl to Coast
Isabella Mukasa is a Dorset-based entrepreneur who runs artisan shea butter and craft business Pearl to Coast.
“After three years of Equator living in Uganda, I returned to the UK and relocated to the coastal town of Bournemouth. It was there that Pearl to Coast came to be, with a vision to strengthen the Artisanal traditions of Uganda," she said.
“Pearl to Coast is the bridge bridging Organic East African Shea Butter to the UK through a fusion of traditional East African craftsmanship, contemporary design and sustainability."
Nyomi Smith, Sanaa Giftshop
Graphic designer Nyomi decided to set up her business in 2020 after looking for wrapping paper with a black Father Christmas design and being unable to find it.
"As a graphic designer, I decided to create some myself," she said. "This is when Sanaa Giftshop was born. We need more positive representation of our black kings and queens, and Sanaa Giftshop strides to celebrate and empower black excellence.
"In Swahili, Sanaa mean ‘work of art’, and I hope through my art, gift wraps, cards, mugs and more, I’m able to highlight a more diverse society."
Simone Facey, A Taste of Delight Cakes
Simone Facey is a mum of two young children, a part-time mortgage advisor and cakemaker.
She launched her business - A Taste of Delight Cakes - in 2020 with Prince’s Trust support, which included a £350 grant to buy equipment and a mentor.
Simone, who is based in Willenhall in the West Midlands, now specialises in cupcakes, birthday cakes and biscuits and sells locally across the region.
Farharna Ibrahim, Binta’s Kitchen
London-based Farhana Ibrahim is the founder of Binta’s Kitchen, and sells range of vegan sauces and superfood powders with authentic flavours and infusions.
Named after her mum, Farharna’s business was officially launched during the pandemic in 2020, with support from The Prince’s Trust Enterprise programme. She sells her products through wholesalers and online.
Know a black-owned business that has a story to tell? Send suggestions to hannah.baker@reachplc.com. You can also sign up to our black-owned business newsletter IAMBOB which covers all the news and views from Britain's black business community.
