Spotlight on Black business owners – discover these Tide members
Image: The Animatics
Every time we buy something, we’re making a choice. For years, we’ve been encouraged to shop local and eco-friendly. Now we need to do more. If you support diversity and inclusion, there’s an easy way to show your commitment: buy from a more diverse range of small businesses.
As anti-racism campaigns and protests have gathered momentum this year, many of us have felt powerless to help. But there are things we can do as individuals.
As well as increasing our understanding and being an ally, we can choose to buy from businesses owned by people from diverse ethnic backgrounds. These small individual acts, when many of us make these changes, mean our society will become more inclusive, fair and peaceful.
Here is a non-exhaustive list of fellow Tide members, all small businesses like yours, owned by people from Black communities.
All these companies and individuals appear here because they stepped forward when we asked for businesses to spotlight for this page.
- Art, design, entertainment
- Professional services
- Hair and beauty
- Clothing and lifestyle
- Food and drink
Art, design, entertainment
The Animatics
Anime + fanatics = Animatics!
This podcast is five women from London talking about anime.
Fabric of Africa Frames
Bespoke handmade African-inspired art, created with recycled African textiles sourced in Ghana.
Owner and artist Bertha was born in Ghana and raised in London. Her business won the BWB Business Start-Up of The Year Award in 2019.
We love the fabric fans – they’re original, unique and affordable gifts.
Lady Of The Manor Pianos
Alison Baptiste is a mixed-media artist working in oils, photography and more.
She is neither a Lady nor living in a manor – however, she is indeed female and her studio used to be in a manor house, hence the name. We love the mini pianos!
Miko Lounge
Shisha experts Mimz and Koko set up their mobile shisha lounge in 2015 – the name is a mix of their names.
They bring the vibe and experience of a shisha lounge to parties, festivals, weddings and more.
Old Skool Brunch
Watch a snapshot on Instagram:
@oldskoolbrunch
If you love music from the 80s, 90s and 00s, then the high-octane madness of Old Skool is for you!
The daytime events combine great food with non-stop classics mixed by their DJs. During lockdown, Old Skool switched to running events online.
Now we’re back to socialising (at a distance), the team at Old Skool are now taking bookings for events again. How about 3 hours of partying on a rooftop, with a Caribbean meal and a cocktail included? Race you to the booking page!
More businesses coming soon.
Professional services
Be Just Fab 1
Be Just Fab 1
Based in London, this events agency designs beautiful events and creates outfits personalised for each client.
They’re already planning an exciting twist on a New Year’s party and we love that they created an online celebration for Eid during lockdown!
Cocoon Visual Arts
Cocoon helps creatives promote their services to clients.
They post artists’ work, attaching rates and location, so clients can get in touch with artists directly to discuss purchases and projects.
Dee Moore Communications
Dee Moore
Dee teaches Makaton to children and adults, offering training for beginners, after care, refresher courses and support.
Eminent Events
Mary and her team create bespoke events to suit clients’ budget – you can have an amazing wedding, party or launch without breaking the bank.
In 2019, Eminent were awarded ‘Events Planner of the Year’ in the Manchester Prestige Awards, which are voted for by the public.
Take a look at Eminent Events on Instagram for pure party inspo – could a wedding look more perfect than Tem and Jola’s..?
The Jaiy Agency
This talent agency is ready for and taking on the ‘new normal’. They specialise in creating content with influencers and models.
Naomi Creations
naomicreationsuk
London-based Naomi Creations can help you organise and run your special event: children’s birthday parties, baby showers, bridal showers and more.
Founder and CEO Shanice loves planning events so much she decided to turn her passion into a business. Naturally super-organised and creative, she loves the element of surprise and bringing her clients’ ideas to life.
We love how Shanice can create a colourful, joyful and memorable event on just a tiny budget.
NL PR
NL PR is a PR and creative agency.
Agency director is model-turned-creative Natalie Leonna. Natalie and her collaborators use their combined knowledge, experience and contacts to create campaigns for print, digital and social media.
Photo by Laurelle
Newcastle-upon-Tyne based photographer Laurelle creates striking images for her clients, like this black-and-white image for Cintel Global.
She also helps her clients build websites, organise marketing campaigns and create engaging content.
We love that Laurelle shares her expertise via online tutorials in Adobe software. Hop over to her YouTube channel to take a look.
More businesses coming soon.
Hair and beauty
Naelle Hair, Beauty & Skincare
Naelle – ‘Nay-elle’ – is an online community hub, aiming to modernise the experience of visiting a ‘Black hair store’.
Hawa Beauti
Hawa Beauti currently sells false lashes online.
They’re aiming to stock more products, working with top quality manufacturers to sell carefully selected beauty products to meet the owners’ high standards.
Look Me In The Brows
Look Me In The Brows
Nina, the CEO and ‘brow stylist behind Look Me In The Brows, is brow obsessed! She uses a vegan-friendly henna tint to create looks clients love.
Never heard of brow lamination or 3D ombre? It doesn’t matter – Nina will use the best technique to make you look the best version of yourself.
With Look Me In The Brows, you get Instagrammable long-lasting brows and you get to save time in front of the mirror in the morning. Result!
Zolalove By Fifi
If you appreciate handmade beauty products, ZolaLove By Fifi is for you. They make all natural organic items, and we love their handwritten labels.
More businesses coming soon.
Clothing, lifestyle, stationery
A7Asher
by A7
A7Asher is a clothing brand named after the owners’ young son Asher.
Instead of Asher growing up aspiring to wear the fashion labels of his footballing heroes, the owners wanted to inspire him to create his own. First came the logo, then a hat, tracksuits and more.
Soon friends, family and other parents noticed what Asher was wearing and started asking where they were from… and you can see the results at A7’s website.
A7Asher’s motto – reflected in Asher’s dedication to practising football – is Dream | Believe | Achieve
We love the ethos of A7 and admire the company founders’ smart way to both inspire their young man and to fund his footballing training.
Diva Choice Limited
Business owner Tricia was working as a travel agent when tragedy stuck her family. Through her process of grief and healing, she was inspired to help other women and set up this company.
Diva Choice sells swimwear and lingerie in sizes 8 to 22, and jewellery. We love the array of ‘body bling’ chains!
Tricia’s customers are often mothers and fellow entrepreneurs who don’t have time for a weekend break but instead can create an ‘at home vacation’. Many buy gift packages for friends who are also in need of a treat and some time to themselves.
Fashion Meets Music Pop Up
FMM Pop Up is a social enterprise showcasing emerging designers and artists.
The team engage, support and develop designers and musicians and deliver creative educational programmes and stand-alone workshops.
And the Pop Up is their shop – visit them in Croydon!
Selfmade Candle
As a former events manager, company founder Ricki was a regular traveller. In her luggage, she always took a luxury aromatic candle for soothing reminder of home.
During the coronavirus lockdown, Ricki couldn’t go out to buy her favourite candles so she made her own, and Selfmade Candle was born.
We love Selfmade’s clever ‘seeded paper’ labels – when your candle is finished, you can soak off the label, fill the pot with soil and plant the label. Two products in one: candle that becomes a grow-it-yourself plant in a jar!
Selfmade’s hero product has to be the limited edition ‘Conscious’ candle which Ricki created in reaction both the coronavirus crisis and George Floyd’s murder. Making the candles by hand and literally providing light in darkness – the candles are Ricki’s fitting and personal tribute. All proceeds were donated to the charity Stand Up To Racism.
The ‘Conscious’ candles are sold out but hop over to Ricki’s website to see what’s available to treat yourself or a friend to some aromatic retail therapy.
More businesses coming soon.
Food and drink
Carisips
Carisips make natural spiced soft drinks.
The company was founded in 2018 by a blogger and foodie who spent 18 months exploring different cuisines, particularly Caribbean.
In her research, she noticed that some flavours are popular all over the world. It was this heart-warming realisation – that so many of us share favourite flavours and we’re more alike than different – that inspired her to create Carisips drinks and cordials.
We love the Honey and Ginger which is amazing warmed up, and try the Sorrel Spice – ‘sorrel’ is the name for hibiscus flower in the British Caribbean islands.
Northern Delight
@northerndelight5
Take-away and delivery Ghanaian food in South East England.
Their Instagram food will make you hungry. Can we ask Insta for a smell-o-vision function…?
More businesses coming soon.
Want to see your business here?
Get in touch with us via Instagram or email hello@tide.co
