The Fabric of Our Community: Navigating the World as a Black Business Owner

Welcome back to Socialite’s Journal, where the conversations are as real as the fabric of our lives, the stories heartfelt, and the journey anything but linear. Today, I’m peeling back the layers on a topic woven deeply into the essence of my heritage and heart—the nuanced experience of Black business owners. It's a tapestry rich with pride, yet marred by prejudice.

In the entrepreneurial realm, Black owners navigate a unique maze of challenges, often scrutinized by the very community we strive to uplift. It’s a bittersweet symphony of high expectations and higher stakes. Today’s dialogue isn’t about dwelling in bitterness but aiming a spotlight on understanding and hope.

Imagine a small Black-owned boutique or a culinary venture whose every misstep is magnified under the public eye, while mainstream brands are viewed through a more forgiving lens. The discrepancy is glaring and begs the question: Why the double standard? It's a dance around the edges of our community, hinting at a need for grace and empathy.

My own journey in fashion design is a collection of such moments—each creation a piece of my soul, dispatched into the world with a silent prayer. When a customer's expectations are unmet, I dive into the deep end to make things right, offering replacements, additional gifts, and heartfelt apologies. Yet, unforeseen challenges can escalate situations, forcing me to reflect on the imbalance of expectations and the scale of understanding.

This isn't an isolated tale. It mirrors a broader narrative where the grace extended to well-established brands seems just out of reach for the local, the personal, the Black-owned. This gap affects more than just business; it touches upon identity, community, and the essence of mutual support.

The Custom Conundrum

Diving into the world of custom orders, our Black clientele sometimes embark on a haggling journey reminiscent of a flea market's hustle rather than commissioning a bespoke masterpiece. Picture this: you wouldn't step foot into Saks, eye a pair of $875 Loubs, plus the jaw-dropping Illinois tax (because, yes, our tax rates deserve their own horror story), and tell the cashier, “I’ll give you $600, and bring the rest back tomorrow,” expecting to leave with the shoes under a promise to return with the balance. Absolutely tf not! The best you'd get is a polite, "We can hold them for you," while they barely suppress the urge to laugh. And try to leave with the shoes anyway; you’ll be leaving out alright…in handcuffs. The notion is laughable in such a context, yet the same understanding seems to evaporate in the warmth of Black-owned enterprises.

But why, oh why, does this logic fly out the window when stepping into the realm of Black-owned businesses? There’s this bewildering expectation that because we share a cultural bond, I should be thrilled to accept less for my work. It’s as if my materials magically cost less, and my time somehow bends in a way that makes hours less hourly.

So, what’s the fix? Should we hang signs at our doors proclaiming, “Bargaining skills cherished but not accepted here”? Maybe a loyalty card for the persistent hagglers, where the tenth haggle earns you a polite reminder that we’re not running a market stall?

Real Talk

All jokes aside, this is a conversation we need to have. It’s about respect, value, and understanding the art, the blood, sweat and tears that goes into every custom piece; it’s about understanding that when you buy custom, you’re not just paying for a product, you’re investing in hours of labor, years of experience, and a piece of someone’s soul! It’s about recognizing that when you support a Black-owned business, you’re investing in dreams, communities, and the fight against a narrative that’s been too one-sided for too long.

So, here’s to changing the script, one genuine conversation at a time. Because at the end of the day, it’s not just about transactions; it’s about transformation—of perceptions, of fortunes, and of our shared tapestry.

Closing Curtain:

So, as we wrap up today’s entry with a BLK bow, let’s remember the heart of the matter: supporting Black-owned businesses is more than a transaction; it’s a statement. It’s about solidarity, respect, and recognizing the worth of what we, as a community, bring to the table.

I’ll leave you with this—next time you’re tempted to haggle with a Black entrepreneur, ask yourself: Would you do the same at Saks? No? Then let’s accord our own the same respect and dignity.

Until we meet again in this unfiltered “journal” of mine, keep strutting your stuff, supporting with sincerity, and, by all means, put that sh** on! Let no good fit go to waste….