Get to Know the Inspiring Brand Owners Behind This Year's Black Mama Market
Marlo Bea’s Shun Moore by Francesca Penko Photography
Our third Black Mama Market is taking place February 5th through 7th, and this time around we’re proud to present 13 brands in categories that range from apparel to home decor to beauty and beyond (and of course tons of goods for your littles as well as yourself). Ahead, get to know a few of the inspiring mama founders, including how their career journeys led them to this point, what their greatest rewards and challenges are, and how they’re practicing self-care at this unique moment in time. For more info on our mama markets, head here.
Name: Zaneesha Harwell
Tell us a brief history of your career journey — what led you to where you are today?
I own a children’s clothing apparel company, which I started after the birth of my second son. I mixed my passion for shopping, and my creative talent for styling children into “Brooklyn Lighthouse”. My main goal was to provide parents of little boys who often don’t get to have an exciting shopping experience with clothing options. Most clothing options for boys are drab and lack color, so incorporating color into each design is the main focus of my brand.
What inspired you to launch your own business?
I was inspired by my two children Jamison & Jovani.
What inspired your brand's name?
My brand name is inspired by where i grew up (Brooklyn, NY), and I can't remember where the lighthouse came from.
What are some of the rewards and challenges of running your own business?
Wow, this is a tough question.. The best reward is being able to be at home more with my kids, and also getting to see my ideas come to life on other people's children. One of the biggest challenges running a business is learning not to run yourself ragged.
What are your current best-selling products in your online shop, and what products are your personal favorite?
Our best selling items currently are the BK Varsity Sets, and my personal favorites are our upcoming BK Varsity pastel versions coming in for spring 2021.
What is currently bringing you joy?
I find the most joy in laughing with my children. When I feel overwhelmed or stressed, I just take a deep breath and sit down with my kids. Another thing that brings me joy is binge watching dramatic time period pieces on Netflix.
Name: Victoria Adams
Tell us a brief history of your career journey and what inspired you to launch your own business:
I launched CoCoLuXe Beauty in 2012 because I took notice of the numerous women of color struggling to find clean, eco-friendly yet highly pigmented lip products that match their skin tones. There had always been a disparity when it comes to women of color in the beauty community. I noticed there weren’t many women of deeper complexion used in advertisements for most of the products that I purchased. This often led to questions of how my beauty fit into the industry. My goal is to provide a better buying experience for women of color by creating a brand that is not only inclusive but also luxurious. The brand is clean, eco-friendly and focuses on enhancing and highlighting one’s own natural beauty.
What inspired your brand's name?
My name was inspired by a nickname given to me by my best friend.
What are some of the rewards and challenges of running your own business?
In my opinion, being a business owner comes with tons of highs and lows. My rewards come from customer satisfaction and being able to actually inspire women through my products and services. Some of the challenges of running my business consist of maintaining momentum through marketing and promoting. There are days where I can’t seem to keep up with the daily demands because I have to wear so many hats, however I push myself because I’m not just doing this for myself, but for my son and for other women out there. It’s important for me to be a example of what hard work, discipline, and perseverance will manifest.
What are your current best-selling products in your online shop, and what products are your personal favorite?
Brown Sugar 3-in-1 rouge, Gelled Top Coat, Prime-Time Base Coat, Nourish, Rosé Nail Polish, Cashmere Nail Polish, Chai Latte Nail Polish, Cabernet Nail Polish, Blank Ink Mascara, and Prosecco Lipgloss.
What is currently bringing you joy?
Spending time with my 14 year old son, creating new products, and meditating.
Name: Tangee Pritchett
Tell us a brief history of your career journey — what led you to where you are today?
My career journey started with many years of working retail department stores and boutiques. My roles were in sales as well as management. The burn out factor set in and I decided to do something completely different. I landed a job in the financial services industry as a discount stock broker. Talk about stressful — I lasted about two years!
I started Tangee Inc. designing high-end custom home decor using my signature fabrics, faux suede and leather. That led to designing handbags in the same fabrics. My designs were awarded Fashion Group International Rising Star and Marshall Field’s Distinction in Design.
My company has evolved into also designing jewelry and children’s accessories. I’m currently finding my myself returning to designing home decor. Maybe that has something to do with staying home so much these days.
What inspired your brand's name?
I decided to use my own name, Tangee. I knew whatever I designed it would reflect my aesthetic and not be based on trends.
What are some of the rewards and challenges of running your own business?
Flexibility to work on my own terms for me is the greatest reward. The greatest challenge is juggling family, especially with kids.
What are your current best-selling products in your online shop, and what products are your personal favorite?
My best selling products are definitely a sign of the times, face masks and the vegan leather valet trays. My favorite product is the elegant, sophisticated pocket clutch.
What is currently bringing you joy?
The health and well-being of my family and friends.
Name: Sharissa Fedee
Tell us a brief history of your career journey — what led you to where you are today?
I conceptualized Erin and Avery back in 2019 while in graduate school but officially launched in 2020. I researched and tested candles for the majority of 2020 and launched by September 4, 2020.
What inspired you to launch your own business?
While in school I developed anxiety. As a mother of two, I worked full time and went to school part-time along with my husband who was also working full-time and going to school part-time. While in school to help with our stress, we lit candles often. My main inspiration to launch was to help others ease anxiety by offering alternatives to relax through aromatherapy. In addition to this, I believe scents always leave a lasting impression. Often when you smell a familiar scent, it has the ability to remind you of a memory associated with it. I want my candles to bring a lasting impression.
What inspired your brand's name?
My kids are my world, they are my number one motivation. So giving my brand a name came easy because I knew I wanted to honor them in some sort of capacity. Erin is my daughter's middle name and Avery is my son's middle name.
What are some of the rewards and challenges of running your own business?
Running a business is a constant learning process along with the challenge of wearing multiple hats. Compared to many larger companies, they have the privilege of hiring individuals for respective departments. As each day goes by, I am learning how to handle each department/hat as I am starting off. Despite these challenges, I find it rewarding to see people enjoying my products. I do a happy dance whenever I get an alert for a new order!
What are your current best-selling products in your online shop, and what products are your personal favorite?
My current best-selling product is my Rooted - Mango + Coconut Water candle. Although this is one of my favorites, my top favorite is my Blessed - Rose Patchouli + Amber candle.
What is currently bringing you joy?
Witnessing how much my small company has grown since September!
Name: Noelle Tavares
Tell us a brief history of your career journey — what led you to where you are today?
I always wanted to become a designer or someone in fashion. I took matters into my own hands and started my first cut-and-sew label back in 2005. That clothing line led me into FineTuned Inc, which was created in 2011.
What inspired you to launch your own business?
I wanted something for my own and to pass onto my kids if they become interested.
What inspired your brand's name?
My husband was tuning up his guitar when I was trying to come up with a new name for the brand. Then I heard the word fine tune and looked it up. I tied it into the customs that I create and my love for music.
What are some of the rewards and challenges of running your own business?
Rewards have been working with big name brands and them actually reaching out to me to get certain projects compelled. Challenges have been trying to run a business with four children by myself. Did I mention I need an assistant?
What are your current best-selling products in your online shop, and what products are your personal favorite?
The Custom Nike Tie Dye Socks and Custom Denim Jackets are the popular products on the site. My personal favorite is the Custom Denim Jacket. I like the fact that I’m able to create a piece that brings joy to a customer and that they will have that piece that I created for them for a lifetime.
What is currently bringing you joy?
Being able to now work full-time on brand from home, coffee, certain Jordan colorways, and Door Dash. It’s the little things.
Name: Shadae Coppin
Tell us a brief history of your career journey — what led you to where you are today?
My journey to where I am today has included a lot of ups and downs. As with anything in life, persistence and faith is what has kept me going. What changed my life the most and has led me to where I am now is the journey of motherhood.
What inspired you to launch your own business?
What inspired me to launch my business is when I became a mother, I would always find it so hard to find nice boy’s clothing. It was always your typical plaid t-shirt and jeans but never anything that stood out unless it was name brand and a lot of money. I always told my son’s godmother how difficult and stressful it was. In 2019 I had my second child, who was a boy as well, and I said now is the time to make the change. We launched For Kids Only in 2020 and it has been the best decision we’ve made.
What inspired your brand's name?
We wanted a name that would make every child feel included and that we are truly celebrating each child’s extraordinary style. This led us to the name For Kids Only.
What are some of the rewards and challenges of running your own business?
Some rewards of running a business designed for children is seeing them enjoy the clothing, the feedback from parents, and seeing the smiling faces. It makes everything worth it. Some difficulties are the fact that I am a new business owner, so learning the ropes can be difficult as well as balancing time effectively.
What are your current best-selling products in your online shop, and what products are your personal favorite?
The bestselling product right now for girls are our Very Vogue Tee and Dreamy Designer Headband. For boys it would be our So Soft Sweats and our Forever Fleece hat. My personal favorites are the entire inventory! If I had to choose one item it would be our Flossy Fashion Socks, they come in so many amazing colors!
What is currently bringing you joy?
What currently brings me joy is the opportunity of starting a business that has brought amazing connections and has allowed for creative expression. Also, I am joyful for every new day to be a wonderful mother.
Name: Shun Moore
Tell us a brief history of your career journey — what led you to where you are today?
I have always been a creative. In my early 20s, I used to make dresses and accessories for myself and my girlfriends. When I had my first child, I was only 21 and really needed to get my crap together and get a stable job. I went back to school and started a career in early childhood education. I began as a teacher's assistant and worked my way up to Assistant Director until I had my third kiddo.
What inspired you to launch your own business?
In 2019, my husband and I had our third child (a baby girl) and of course I went straight to instagram for the baby shops. I am not one to dress my girls fancy and dipped in bows, but I do love a good stylish head piece. After searching and finding new brands, I realized that not many of them represented girls like mine. I wanted to go to a page and be included and feel inspired by the diversity and empowerment. There were a lot of head wrap shops, but not like the one I was about to put in the mix!
What inspired your brand's name?
My third child, Marlo Bea.
What are some of the rewards and challenges of running your own business?
The biggest reward of my business is the community it brings together. The biggest challenge has been finding the capital and running it all by myself.
What are your current best-selling products in your online shop, and what products are your personal favorite?
I just launched the hair clips and those went very fast! All of my wraps are the same in style, because you can actually tie them in several ways and the difference is in the prints. There are a lot of favorites, but my personal faves are the wraps that dive into a specific culture like our Tinta Collection. They were from a collaboration I did with an amazing Mexican artist right here in the Bay Area. Also, each one of my wraps are given a name that is personally attached to someone I know. Naming them feels like a small piece of gratitude for being in my life.
What is currently bringing you joy?
Honestly, (besides HBO Max) my growing community here on instagram. I know it shouldn't be a big deal, but it is! Hearing and seeing the love and support for my company and what I do gives me so much fuel to keep going. This business has taught me a lot so far and inspires my kids to hustle and think outside of the box.
Name: Ursula Mills
Tell us a brief history of your career journey — what led you to where you are today?
I have always been into all things creative, especially fashion and design. I studied fashion design in both college and university.
What inspired you to launch your own business?
My son inspired me, especially after seeing that there weren't many stylish boy’s options out there. I wanted to create a brand that had more options for little boys.
What inspired your brand's name?
Mills is my last name and I come from a family that loves fashion and in being creative. In 2014 the new generation of Mills was born which was my son followed by my nephews. Mini Mills to me means new generation style/fashion.
What are some of the rewards and challenges of running your own business?
Running it all by myself it can get a bit hectic at times. The rewards are doing something I love and enjoy and seeing all types of people from all countries and backgrounds wearing and enjoying Mini Mills.
What are your current best-selling products in your online shop, and what products are your personal favorite?
I have a list! Unisex Mickey sweater, our heart jumper and heart maxi from our valentines collection, Camp block pants, Naomi set and Norma coat, and Leatherette skater. My personal favorite is our camo block pants from our mini boy's collection. Another personal favorite is the Fifi and Kwasi sets from our inspired by Cj collection.
What is currently bringing you joy?
Family, I cherish and appreciate that we're all in good health.
Name: Kenniqua Howell
Tell us a brief history of your career journey — what led you to where you are today?
I went to college for Sociology and Law and Justice. After graduating and working in the field, I realized it wasn't for me. It wasn't until I got pregnant, engaged, and married soon after when I realized I never fully coped with the fact that I don’t have a relationship with either of my parents. I had an emotional breakdown and began to write. I decided to share my story through my blog and eventually fell in love with creating content to share other brands through my story. A year later, I wanted to start a community for black moms to strengthen and nurture their relationship with their children. A space to connect with moms around the world through resources, travel, events, and fashion. The FMM Shop is an extension of For Mamas + Minis. The minimalist clothing shop for women and children. Every year I change my style but one thing that hasn’t changed is my love for minimal colors and all things unisex. My daughter’s name is Ryann. I enjoy coordinating with my family and keeping things minimal. I also love being able to shop for my daughter in the girls or boy’s section. I think it make shopping easy for parents.
What inspired you to launch your own business?
My story of not growing up not having a relationship with my parents led me to create For Mamas + Minis. My love for minimal fashion and unisex clothing is why I created The FMM Shop.
What inspired your brand's name?
My brand is not just for moms — it’s for kids too. That’s where I got For Mamas + Minis, because that’s exactly who the brand was created for.
What are some of the rewards and challenges of running your own business?
Rewards are creating my brand the way I want it to be and watching it grow. I love being able to come up with ideas and although it don’t always go as planned, it’s still a learning process. There’s no greater feeling than watching my vision come to life.
The challenge is time. I’m still learning how to manage my time as a business owner with everything else I have going on. I just recently quit my full time job but also decided to be a SAHM. Balancing being a wife, mom, business owner of three different businesses, and it’s hard to stop for the day because so many ideas are flowing.
What are your current best-selling products in your online shop, and what products are your personal favorite?
Currently our best-selling products are the Women’s Knit Lounge Set and the kids pull over sweatsuits. Those are also my personal favorite products too!
What is currently bringing you joy?
The freedom of spending time with my daughter and running my businesses at the same time!
Name: Danai Louvinia Pointer
Tell us a brief history of your career journey — what led you to where you are today?
I started my career in development for nonprofits and in communications/public affairs, primarily for government agencies in New York City and internationally. I had the idea to create TruNude out of a need for my product! I was looking for comfortable underwear in my size a skin tone and couldn't find it anywhere. One day I told my boss that I wanted to see if I could do something about this, and a few years months later I quit my job to make it happen. Now I run TruNude and consult for nonprofits, startups, and government agencies. I just finished working as a Communications Strategist for the Biden Harris campaign's War Room.
What inspired you to launch your own business?
Beyond a personal need for my product, several years ago I attended a summit about women and entrepreneurship at the United Nations for my job. A female speaker poignantly said, "there are two types of people in this world; those who see a problem and do something about it and those who don't." Hearing her say this in the context of women living in intense conditions and doing what they have to do for their families to survive, I decided that I always wanted to be a person who fixes problems, no matter how big or how small. TruNude is the solution to one of many challenges I have decided to tackle in my life!
What inspired your brand's name?
I wanted to evoke the idea that there isn't just one shade of nude, and that everyone's skin tone is valid and valuable. TruNude was a clean and clear way to express that. As we grow, we'd like to be the go-to brand for nude intimates and basics of all kinds.
What are some of the rewards and challenges of running your own business?
I am rewarded every time a customer gets their product and tells me that it's the most comfortable undergarment they've ever worn! I know that that's how I feel in my TruNude, but it warms my heart every time I receive a new happy customer. I think at Fashion Mamas we can all agree that juggling mommy-ing and entrepreneurship is hard and running a fashion company and doing project management and communications consulting simultaneously is definitely a juggling act. But I do the best that I can and work every day to not be so hard on myself!
What are your current best-selling products in your online shop, and what products are your personal favorite?
Customers love our Bamboo Bralette and Bamboo Bikini Cut Panty! In fact, we are selling out faster than we can make them. One fun coincidence is that I launched TruNude a few months before I had my daughter and I have worn my bralette pregnant, as a nursing bra, and I have lived in it during Covid quarantine. If you want to feel like you're wearing a bra but forget that it's there, the bralette is really the way to go!
What is currently bringing you joy?
While I'm stir crazy from Covid, I'm so happy to have so much time to bond with my daughter Chenoa and let her see what a hard-working woman looks like! My partner and I are also getting married on Valentine's Day, so planning a tiny wedding has been fun!
Name: Melissa Meister & Monica DiSalvo
Tell us a brief history of your career journey — what led you to where you are today?
(Melissa) I evolved from model, clothing designer, costume designer, stylist, director — a forever entrepreneur.
(Monica) I put myself through university working in retail, graduating from FIDM and NYU studying fashion and art. I launched my career as a knitwear designer in NYC and worked there for a decade before coming back to Los Angeles shortly after my daughter Isabella was born.
What inspired you to launch your own business?
We started Seymoure in May 2020, together with Tiffany Anderson who is our talented Art Director. The world was changing drastically and we took the opportunity to invest our time and energy into a shared vision.
(Melissa) As a costume designer by trade, I have always loved the history of gloves. My mother and grandmother always wore gloves. They are so elegant.
What inspired your brand's name?
(Monica) Seymoure was wanting an orthodox name as the idea of gloves was inspired from one of Melissa’s old partnerships who is Orthodox. Then we loved Seymoure as we could play on the name “See More” around the world. “Say More” about what matters to you. Ultimately to us the brand name is about empowerment and taking action.
What are some of the rewards and challenges of running your own business?
(Monica) I get to do what I love which is to create, and with people I love, that is so rewarding. Melissa, Tiffany, and I have this amazing synergy as partners, and together we are able to accomplish far more than if it were just one of us. Working around the clock and finding the time to balance self care and family is a personal challenge for me.
What are your current best-selling products in your online shop, and what products are your personal favorite?
(Monica) Our first launch features our gorgeous Museum Glove. It's made sustainably with a silk cotton yarn blend from Japan. I’m in love with the custom knit vintage inspired zig zag wrist trim detail. Each pair is handcrafted with heritage dyes and touch screen capable. Nordstrom just placed their first order for the Museum glove for this Spring!
What is currently bringing you joy?
(Melissa) Creating and making others look and feel beautiful gives me joy. Oddly problem solving too is something that encourages me.
(Monica) I find joy in the little things each and every day, but one of my most recent things is I just bought my family a new house for the holidays. I’ve also really been enjoying the creative process of birthing the Seymoure brand. It took us nine months from initial conception to a viable marketable product that we’re proud of, ironically the same amount of time it takes to birth a baby.
Name: Alicea Marie
Tell us a brief history of your career journey — what led you to where you are today?
I have been always been the friend that others call on for natural remedies. I've been crafting skincare products for years now with recipes from my grandma and great grandmother. However I attended college for Fashion Journalism/Multi-media communications with a desire to work for start up companies to utilize my graphic design and social skills. Six months ago I was working for StubHub doing brand protection through social media and legal action. I worked my way up and was actively pursuing to become leadership because it was just the right thing to do. But after having my second child I realized I wanted more out of life, work and I wanted to give back to mothers. I am passionate about being a mother and know exactly how the journey can feel exciting, scary and often lonely. My way of coping with the highs and lows was through routine and skincare. I hand make batches of products with good vibrations and high intentions of giving at least one mother a chance to feel beautiful in her 10 minutes of using the bathroom every morning before taking on a full day of kids.
What inspired you to launch your own business?
My children inspired me to launch my own business. I feel encouraged by them and look forward to learning more about myself through the experiences I have raising them. I am teaching them about affirmations and to look in the mirror at themselves and feel power, know their worth and to love themselves at all times. So when making the decision to launch, I asked myself: Do I treat myself the same way as I treat my children? How can I teach them to love themselves and make space for self-care yet I don't actually do it? I asked a few moms this question and it was shocking how many of us are so focused on being great mothers and on our children that we lack giving ourselves time to grow and love on who we are as women. And that was my confirmation to launch.
What inspired your brand's name?
My brand name was inspired by my personal social media handle @definedmama, which represents who I am as a person and what I am passionate about — motherhood. Everyone's definition of motherhood is different and I just want to be authentic my own power. As far as Defined Skin, I relate it exactly the same. We all have different skin colors, textures, problem areas, and rituals, however our skin is unique to each one of us allowing us to define our own beauty in our own way.
What are some of the rewards and challenges of running your own business?
Some rewards in running my own business are when customers can relate, connect, and fully enjoy the self-care experience my products provide. When reviews or testimonials come in and the reactions I receive from how the products helped them and changed the way they see themselves. By far the biggest reward is hearing my daughter talk about my business and always wanting to try out my products. I'd say the challenges I face are sometimes having so many ideas and letting fear of rejection scare me to launch them. Other challenges are being a one -woman-show and having to do the front-to-back end operations. It can become overwhelming sometimes but then I remember to start back at the drawing board, focus on small tasks and really think about my why.
What are your current best-selling products in your online shop, and what products are your personal favorite?
My current bestselling products are the Body Butter, Coconut Rose Toner, and Honey Face Cleanser! Ironically they are my favorites and my staples for my daily routine currently. However I can't leave the house without my hand sanitizer for some clean hands with Covid going on and lip balm for my chapped lips under the mask.
What is currently bringing you joy?
I have been participating in pop-up shops and markets and I can honestly say nothing makes me happier then connecting with my customers. Seeing their interests and allowing them to get to know me the person behind the brand is so empowering!