February is Black History Month—a time to honor the achievements, contributions, and perseverance of Black Americans throughout history. But here’s the thing: we’re not just looking back. We’re celebrating the Black entrepreneurs who are making history right now, building thriving businesses, creating jobs, and transforming their communities one decision at a time.
At Hello Alice, we believe entrepreneurship is one of the most powerful tools for building generational wealth and economic mobility. That’s why supporting Black business owners isn’t a February priority—it’s central to our mission every single day. This Black History Month, we’re shining a spotlight on the incredible Black entrepreneurs in our network who are turning their visions into reality.
February is Black History Month—a time to honor the achievements, contributions, and perseverance of Black Americans throughout history. But here’s the thing: we’re not just looking back. We’re celebrating the Black entrepreneurs who are making history right now, building thriving businesses, creating jobs, and transforming their communities one decision at a time.
At Hello Alice, we believe entrepreneurship is one of the most powerful tools for building generational wealth and economic mobility. That’s why supporting Black business owners isn’t a February priority—it’s central to our mission every single day. This Black History Month, we’re shining a spotlight on the incredible Black entrepreneurs in our network who are turning their visions into reality.
The State of Black Entrepreneurship: By The Numbers
Let’s talk about what the data actually tells us. Black entrepreneurship in America is experiencing remarkable growth—despite persistent barriers that would stop most people in their tracks.
The Current Landscape:
- Black-owned businesses are one of the fastest-growing segments of entrepreneurship in the United States, with the number of Black-owned employer firms increasing by 44% between 2007 and 2020
- There are over 3 million Black-owned businesses in the U.S., contributing more than $206 billion to the economy annually
- Black women are the fastest-growing group of entrepreneurs, starting businesses at rates higher than any other demographic
- Despite this explosive growth, Black entrepreneurs receive less than 2% of venture capital funding and face higher rejection rates for traditional loans
Success Story #1: Scaling a Mission-Driven Consulting Firm
Lois Sarfo-Mensah — 3 Pillars Co.
Lois Sarfo-Mensah built 3 Pillars Co. with a clear mission: help mission-driven organizations create high-impact experiences that actually move the needle. As a consultant working with nonprofits and purpose-led businesses, Lois saw firsthand how the right systems and strategies could transform an organization’s ability to serve their communities.
But here’s what she knew: to truly scale her impact, she needed to invest in the infrastructure that would let her deliver seamless, professional experiences to more clients. That meant upgrading her digital presence, developing lead generation tools that actually worked, and expanding capacity without sacrificing quality.
The Challenge: Growth requires investment. Lois had the vision, the clients, and the expertise—but scaling a service-based business means investing in systems before you see the revenue. It’s a classic catch-22: you need resources to grow, but you need growth to access traditional funding.
Finding Hello Alice: When Lois discovered the BGE Energizing Small Business Program through Hello Alice, she saw an opportunity to make the investments her business needed without taking on debt or giving up equity.
The Impact: immediately put it to work. Here’s what she told us:
“This grant is a game-changer for 3 Pillars Co. This means we can invest in the infrastructure needed to grow sustainably while delivering seamless, high-impact experiences our clients expect. We’ll use these funds to enhance our digital presence, develop lead generation tools, and expand our capacity to serve mission-driven organizations.”
That’s the power of funding that meets you where you are. Lois isn’t just growing her business—she’s amplifying her impact on the organizations that depend on her expertise to serve their own communities better.
Success Story #2: Bringing Joy Through Flavor
Jake Fludd III — 5Fludds Sauce LLC
Jake Fludd III didn’t set out to build a sauce empire. He set out to bring enjoyment to people through flavors that hit differently. What started as a family recipe became 5Fludds Sauce LLC—a growing CPG business with a loyal customer base that couldn’t get enough.
The problem? Those customers kept asking for something specific: new flavors. They wanted variety. They wanted options. And Jake wanted to deliver.
The Challenge: Expanding a product line isn’t cheap. New flavor development means recipe testing, ingredient sourcing, production runs, packaging design, and marketing—all before you sell a single bottle. For a small CPG business, that kind of investment can feel out of reach.
How Hello Alice Helped: Jake applied for and received the Etsy Creative Business Boost Initiative grant through Hello Alice. That funding gave him exactly what he needed: the ability to invest in product expansion without draining his cash reserves or taking on debt.
What It Means: Here’s how Jake put it:
“This opportunity means we can expand our product line to meet the needs and wants of our customers/family. Our goal is to bring enjoyment to all who enjoy our sauce, so with these funds we are planning to launch a new flavor of sauce that our customers/family has been asking for.”
Notice how Jake talks about his customers as family. That’s the kind of business that deserves support—one that’s built on genuine connection and serving people well. Now he’s able to give his community exactly what they’ve been asking for.
Success Story #3: From Disaster Relief to Restaurant Dreams
Scott Marshall — All Things Fresh
Scott Marshall knows what it’s like to pour your heart into a business and watch external circumstances threaten everything you’ve built. When disaster struck, his restaurant faced the kind of financial hit that could have shut the doors permanently.
But Scott had a vision for All Things Fresh that went beyond just surviving—he wanted to create memorable experiences for his community, enhance his offerings, and build something that would last.
The Challenge: Recovering from disaster while simultaneously trying to grow is nearly impossible without support. Scott needed funding that would help him not just get back on his feet, but move forward with the improvements he’d been planning.
Finding Hello Alice: Through Hello Alice’s partnership with DoorDash, Scott accessed the Restaurant Disaster Relief grant—funding specifically designed to help restaurant owners recover and rebuild.
The Impact: The grant didn’t just provide financial relief. It provided validation. Here’s what Scott told us:
“Receiving this grant is not just a financial boost for my restaurant; it’s a validation of my passion and hard work. It means I can bring my vision to life, enhance our offerings, and create memorable experiences for our community. I’m incredibly excited for the journey ahead and grateful for the opportunity to grow and serve!”
That’s what the right support does—it doesn’t just keep the lights on. It empowers entrepreneurs to dream bigger and build better. Scott isn’t just recovering; he’s thriving and serving his community at a whole new level.
Success Story #4: Clean Beauty, Sustainable Growth
Sinneth Moe – Ammoya Naturals
Building a clean beauty brand means doing everything right—sourcing quality ingredients, creating effective formulas, designing packaging that protects the product and the planet, and reaching customers who value what you’re building. It’s not cheap, and it’s not easy.
Ammoya Naturals had the product and the passion. What they needed was the capital to level up—better packaging, stronger marketing, and product development that would take their handmade skincare line to the next level.
How Hello Alice Helped: Ammoya Naturals received a $10,000 grant from the Amazon Resilience Fund through Hello Alice. That funding opened doors that had previously felt out of reach.
What It Means: Here’s what the founder shared:
“I’m incredibly grateful to receive this grant. It will allow me to invest in product development, improve packaging, and expand marketing efforts to reach more customers who value clean, handmade skincare.”
This is what happens when talented entrepreneurs get the resources they deserve—they don’t just improve their own businesses. They create better products, reach more customers, and prove that sustainable, values-driven businesses can compete and win.
This is what happens when talented entrepreneurs get the resources they deserve—they don’t just improve their own businesses. They create better products, reach more customers, and prove that sustainable, values-driven businesses can compete and win.
Breaking Down the Real Barriers
These stories are inspiring. They’re also evidence of a larger truth: when Black entrepreneurs get access to capital and support, they build thriving businesses that serve their communities and create lasting impact.
But here’s what we can’t ignore—most Black entrepreneurs face barriers that make success exponentially harder to achieve.
The Capital Gap: Black entrepreneurs start their businesses with significantly less capital than their white counterparts—an average of $35,205 compared to $106,720. This isn’t about personal financial responsibility. It’s about systemic access to wealth, family resources, and networks that open doors to capital.
Traditional lending institutions often fail Black business owners. Even with similar credit profiles and business plans, Black entrepreneurs face rejection rates that are 20% higher. When loans do get approved, they typically come with higher interest rates and less favorable terms.
The Network Gap: Access isn’t just about money—it’s about who you know. Black entrepreneurs are often excluded from the informal networks, mentorship relationships, and investor connections that help businesses scale. Without access to experienced advisors, you’re figuring out complex challenges on your own.
The Information Gap: Navigating business regulations, tax requirements, marketing strategies, and financial planning requires knowledge that isn’t always readily available. Black entrepreneurs—particularly those who are first in their families to own a business—may lack the institutional knowledge that gets passed down in families with generational business ownership.
Why These Barriers Matter—And What We’re Doing About It
These gaps represent businesses that never launch, growth that never happens, and generational wealth that never gets built. When talented entrepreneurs can’t access the capital and resources they need, entire communities miss out on job creation, economic development, and innovation.
That’s exactly why Hello Alice exists. We’re building infrastructure to level the playing field—providing Black entrepreneurs with the funding, tools, knowledge, and community they need to succeed.
Here’s How We’re Changing the Game:
Access to Capital That Works Differently: Our grants don’t require perfect credit scores, years of revenue history, or collateral. We make funding decisions based on business potential, community impact, and your vision—not just your financial history. We’ve designed our grant process to be accessible, with clear requirements and real support throughout the application.
Free Business Tools That Actually Help: Whether you’re still developing your idea or ready to scale, our platform provides business planning tools, financial calculators, market research resources, and strategic planning frameworks—completely free. No hidden fees. No premium tiers. Just resources that work.
Community and Mentorship That Gets It: We connect Black entrepreneurs with experienced business owners who’ve navigated similar challenges. Real mentorship relationships that provide guidance, accountability, and the kind of encouragement that keeps you going when things get hard.
Connections Beyond Grants: We connect you to impact investors interested in Black-owned businesses, lenders offering fair terms, technical assistance providers, and corporate partnership opportunities. We’re opening doors that have historically been closed.
Resources Available to You Right Now
If you’re a Black entrepreneur—whether you’re still in the idea phase, just launching, or ready to scale—Hello Alice has resources designed specifically to support your journey.
Grants for Black Entrepreneurs
We regularly offer grants specifically for Black-owned businesses:
- Small Business Grants: Awards ranging from $5,000-$25,000 for businesses at any stage
- Women of Color Business Grants: Funding specifically for Black women entrepreneurs
- Industry-Specific Grants: Opportunities in tech, food, retail, services, and more
- Partner Grants: Like the BGE Energizing Small Business Program, Etsy Creative Business Boost, DoorDash Restaurant Disaster Relief, and Amazon Resilience Fund
Our grants are awarded based on business potential, community impact, and your story—not just credit scores or revenue history.
Business Planning and Strategy Tools
Our free platform provides everything you need to build and grow:
- Business Plan Builder: Step-by-step guidance to create a plan that actually works
- Financial Planning Tools: Cash flow projections, budget templates, and pricing calculators
- Market Research Resources: Industry data and competitor analysis
- Business Health Score: Get a personalized assessment of your business’s strengths and concrete opportunities for growth
Community Support
Building a business is hard. You don’t have to do it alone:
- Mentorship Matching: Connect with experienced business owners in your industry
- Peer Networks: Join cohorts of Black entrepreneurs for accountability and real support
- Expert Office Hours: Free access to lawyers, accountants, marketers, and business coaches
- Educational Webinars: Weekly training on everything from social media to financial management
Celebrating Black Entrepreneurship Beyond February
Black History Month is a powerful reminder to celebrate Black excellence, innovation, and resilience. But our commitment to Black entrepreneurs doesn’t end when the calendar flips to March.
The Black business owners you’ve met today—Lois, Jake, Scott, and Ammoya Naturals—represent just a fraction of the incredible entrepreneurs in our network who are building wealth, creating jobs, and transforming communities. They’re making history in real-time, and they’re proving that with the right support, Black entrepreneurship doesn’t just survive—it thrives.
How You Can Support Black-Owned Businesses Year-Round
- Shop Black-owned whenever possible and encourage others to do the same
- Leave reviews for Black-owned businesses you love—visibility matters
- Share their stories on social media and in your networks
- Invest in Black-owned businesses and funds that support diverse entrepreneurs
- Mentor aspiring Black entrepreneurs in your industry
- Advocate for policies that support equitable access to capital and resources
The next generation of Black entrepreneurs is watching, learning, and preparing to launch their own ventures. The more we support Black-owned businesses today, the more we normalize Black business ownership for tomorrow.
Your Next Move
Your business idea matters. Your community needs what you’re building. Your vision deserves support—not someday, but right now.
Whether you’re still dreaming about starting a business, actively launching, or ready to scale to new heights, Hello Alice is here to support you with grants, free tools, mentorship, and a community that believes in your success.
The first step? Understanding where your business stands today and what opportunities exist for growth.
Create your free Hello Alice account and get your personalized Business Health Score—a comprehensive assessment of your business’s strengths and a clear roadmap for what’s next.
In just minutes, you’ll discover:
- How your business compares to others in your industry
- Key areas where you can improve and grow
- Personalized recommendations for tools and resources that actually apply to your situation
- Grants and funding opportunities you’re eligible for right now
- Your next concrete steps toward business success
No fluff. No generic advice. Just actionable insights designed specifically for where you are right now.
Get Your Business Health Score – Free | Explore Current Grants | Join Our Community
This Black History Month, we’re not just celebrating the past—we’re investing in the future. Join us in building a more equitable entrepreneurial ecosystem where every Black business owner has the opportunity to thrive.