One of the reasons I was drawn to supporting InStepp was because I noticed they not only give women the tools they need to meet their basic needs, but empower them to thrive. It is so important that we celebrate all the wonderful things that women from diverse backgrounds bring to our communities – their creativity, their passion, and their talents.
May is Small Business Month and what better way to show support than by embracing the incredible contributions female entrepreneurs bring to our communities? In this post, I will highlight three amazing businesses in the Triangle area, each led by phenomenal women:
Bright Black – Durham, NC
“Being a female business owner to me means creating and sustaining space for the values that I hold most dear–values like interconnection, social impact being just as important as economic impact, relationships being just as important as profits and recognizing the full humanity of those I do business with. It means paying it forward and creating opportunities for other women. And it means fully embracing intersectionality. I do not separate my gender identity from my other identities and recognize that they all work together to shape my lived experience and my orientation towards business.” – Tiffany Griffin
Tiffany Griffin, alongside her husband Dariel Heron and daughter Elena Heron, co-founded Bright Black with a profound mission in mind: to make and share high-quality products that honor the Black Diaspora. When asked about the meaning behind their name, Tiffany says “we chose the name Bright Black to pair the word Black–which often has a negative connotation–with Bright meaning beauty, brilliance, and intelligence.” Visit their website to learn more about Tiffany and visit their wonderful Scent Showroom: https://brightblackcandles.com/
Chez Moi Bakery – Durham, NC
“I grew up with a father who was also an entrepreneur. He always showed me examples and told me I could do anything I set my mind to do. Dream – Plan – Execute.” – Rhonda Jones
Rhonda Jones, the visionary behind Chez Moi Bakery, discovered her love for baking at an early age, starting with her EZ Bake Oven. In 2005, Rhonda opened Chez Moi Bakery and later expanded to a dessert food truck in 2013. Rhonda’s bakery embraces her Francophile spirit and translates to ‘My Place’ in French.
Although she no longer operates her food truck, Rhonda continues to craft her delectable Brown Sugar Vanilla Rum Cakes and other mouthwatering treats, which are available at Cocoa Cinnamon and Namu. To learn more about Rhonda’s story and purchase some of her delicious desserts, visit her website: https://www.iloverumcake.com/
The Zen Succulent – Durham, NC
“It’s truly empowering being a small business owner in the Triangle. I grew up in Raleigh and have actively watched it grow. Having the opportunity to grow my business since 2012 into two separate retail locations has allowed me to continue with my passion while raising my two sons along with my husband full-time. I do not have to choose between family and career because I am able to have both. – Megan Cain
Megan Cain, the founder of The Zen Succulent, embarked on her entrepreneurial journey in 2012 and in 2013, Megan’s mother, Margaret George, joined her as the co-founder. Together they run a thriving terrarium and plant craft business. Stepping into their store, you’ll discover an array of beautiful plants to adorn your space. Additionally, you can engage with the Zen Succulent team and create your own personalized terrarium. Find store hours, upcoming workshops, and more on their website: https://thezensucculent.com/
In celebrating Small Business Month and supporting female-led small businesses, we uplift not only the entrepreneurs themselves but also the communities they serve. By supporting these businesses and others like them, we become catalysts for positive change and inspiring success stories. Let us continue to celebrate and empower women in our community, not just during small business month, but year round.