Black BRAND

Black BRAND promotes group economic through professional development and community empowerment.

When talented designer and entrepreneur, Alexis Highter entered B-Force Accelerator she was over-worked, spread too thin, her margins weren’t strong enough to help her grow, her brand lacked a unifying identity, and she was facing a lawsuit from a disgruntled client that was trying to take advantage of her. B-Force Accelerator got to work. First, Attorney Jazmin M. Allen, Esq. reviewed her lawsuit, and gave her the legal counsel that empowered her to win in a court of law. Then Attorney Mullen-Allen created new contracts for Alexis' protection to avoid the potentiality of any lawsuits in the future. Next, B-Force consultants guided Alexis to find the core competency of her business, Nolani’s Sewing Studio. With a new found confidence, this energized founder dropped furniture and uniforms from her list of services and focused on what she does best, creating lifelong memories by bringing to life unforgettably designed formal dresses. In her own words, these changes “...increased my revenue by 40%, and I work less. Also, my organization and time management has improved so I spend more time with my kids!”
Alexis now spends her work time making one-of-a-kind, designer dresses for clients that she gains through new marketing strategies, and by collaborating with others. She has collaborated with a B-Force alumni jewelry company to create a stunning look for clients, and she’s worked with Black BRAND member stylists and fashion designers to serve clients and put on fashion shows. As far as funding, the owner of Nolani’s Sewing Studio created a new banking relationship with a banker she met at B-Force Accelerator. This VP at Truist has provided her with resources to increase her credit score so she can access capital in the form of a bank loan. Alexis was able to find short term funding by sharpening her messaging well enough to win a pitch competition that earned her $6,000. She credits B-Force consultants for her confidence and her new messaging.
All of these things allowed Alexis to stay in the building that she was working in and continue serving a community of black and brown girls who’s weddings and prom nights are all the better for it.
Today, we are excited to congratulate Chef Ebony Malone, founder and CEO of Fusion Soul Cafe Catering and graduate of B-Force Accelerator's Norfolk Summer '22 cohort!
She leveraged our program by working with her lead consultant Ramone Pierce to become SWaM Certified and to register her business on SAM.gov. Through technical assistance we provided, she had more than $16,000 in debt removed from her credit report and her credit score went up by 37 points since November 2022. She has established trade lines for her company to develop her business credit as well.
Ebony is leveraging free resources through program connections at VB HIVE, and she has accessed training and funding through the Virginia Workforce Innovation and Entrepreneurship Center at Hampton University.
Following our teaming discussion, Chef Ebony collaborated with two fellow B-Force Participants to create a weekly pop-up event! You are also looking at the president of the Referral Acceleration Chapter of BNI!
The result of these efforts has been a DOUBLING of her monthly revenue when comparing 4th Quarter 2021 to 4th Quarter 2022...Chef Ebony, we are SO PROUD OF YOU!!!