Ernestine Ray's Story

My name is Ernestine. I'm a client of the Florida Women's Business Center in Delray Beach, which helped me develop my business road map. I am an international educator with three master’s degrees, who spent 12 years working as an Educational Attaché for the State Department, and as a consultant to the Middle States Accreditation Board. I worked in 33 countries.

Diagnosed early with a learning disability, my childhood was difficult and my self-esteem low. At a very young age, I was introduced to a book about Africa which began my fascination with the world and my place in it. I would dream about going to these amazing lands across the water. Unknowingly, this was the beginning of my journey to become an Educational Attaché with the American Embassy in Africa. Upon several visits to various countries, I was drawn to Ghana's Culture which lead up to my desire to complete my doctoral dissertation. Eventually, I was asked to be the Superintendent of the American School System for the U.S. State Department.

Coming from humble beginnings, I achieved significant wealth while serving with the State Department. However, I returned to Florida to take care of my ailing mother for 3-1/2 years. Alternative medical treatment and professional caretaking expenses left me financially challenged.

I have been blessed to be mentored by the late Dr. Barbara Jackson, Maya Angelou, and President Nelson Mandela. These experiences provided me with a greater appreciation for the importance of mentorship and helping others to walk in their greatness. One of my favorite quotes is an African proverb that states, ‘If we stand tall it is because we stand on the backs of those who came before us.’ The philosophy I live by is, “to extend your hand and lift someone up as I have been lifted.”

 
This loan is special because:

It supports a Black female entrepreneur in expanding their business.

 
More about this loan

Business Description

The varied experiences of visiting 18 African countries, inspired me to share the wealth of information I gained from my journeys. My travels enabled me to explore some of the world's oldest cultures, reflecting history, literature, and the arts.

I came to the realization that the world did not fully comprehend the impact that Africa had and still has on world culture. I began the quest to create a greater awareness of the richness of African heritage. Florida is a melting pot of many incredible cultures and was the impetus to establishing this cultural and educational corporation in 1997.

I began conducting multi-cultural celebrations locally, nationally, and internationally to encourage cultures to share and showcase the uniqueness of their traditions. I witnessed the educational value and sense of unity that heightened cultural awareness brought to entire communities. My vision was to continually bring value by developing meaningful educational programs. My intention is to combat cultural ignorance, empower youth, and enhance cultural awareness.

This commitment to serving as an educational and cultural ambassador led me to be elected as the Vice-Chair of the Florida Folklife Council and also Governor Jed B. appointed me as a Commissioner on the Florida Historical Commission. Africa has an amazing oral history but much of it has not been documented. My goal has been to record this incredible history and culture so that it will not be forgotten. This organization is committed to continuing: its international exchanges such as the Youth Ambassadors Project, documenting oral histories of indigenous people, collaborating with individuals like Danny Glover a recent awardee of the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award, and working with organizations like the Fort Lauderdale's Performing Arts Center.

Ancestral Rays Inc. seeks to implement quality programs that improve cultural relations through education and the preservation of African history.

What is the purpose of this loan?

Funding will enable the Director of Education & Cultural Arts to leverage Ancestral Rays’ local, national, and international partnerships to create diversified cultural programming (i.e., exhibitions, lectures, workshops) and educational materials. The Administrative Assistant will oversee the organization’s ongoing operations, consultants will assist in assessing the value of the organization’s inventory, and the Marketing/Social Media Manager and Website Developer will help build the brand of the organization.

 
About Ancestral Rays Incorporated

Industry: Education
Years in operation: More than 5 years

Cynthia Romain's Story

My name is Cynthia. I am a client of the Florida Women's Business Center in Delray Beach, which helped me develop my business roadmap.

Haircare is a passion I had since age 9. I always wanted to learn how to best take care of my ethnic hair early on. I remember being the first person in my inner circle and in my school to boldly wear my natural hair out. The compliments were flowing, and that helped me build more confidence and feel greater love for my natural roots.

I learned so much about hair over the years. My own haircare struggles pushed me to try many different methods and treatments to tame my hair as it became more difficult to handle the longer it grew. At the time, the clean ingredients awareness movement was on the rise. And so, I became more aware of what I was putting on my body, and I set out to transform my haircare routine and only use products with clean, safe, and natural ingredients.

Unfortunately, the lack of available and effective natural hair care products made this difficult. I wanted to find brands that used only clean ingredients and smelled amazing. Realizing that the market was limited, I decided to create my own haircare brand and make a difference.

During the 2020 Covid lockdowns, I took time to reflect on the mark I wanted to leave in the world. Thus, Coyalz Haircare was born. I felt it was time and I opened my company to offer clean, safe, premium, and natural hair care products to all. More importantly, I want to help individuals with textured hair around the world, by choosing more natural hair care products and putting their health first. Becoming a staple brand you can trust is a big goal of mine.

 
This loan is special because:

It supports a female entrepreneur in expanding their business.

 
More about this loan

Business Description

A Simply Clean, Natural, and Healthy Hair Focused Brand

We are Clean – Coyalz Haircare is driven to bring you clean, safe, high-quality products to care for your hair. We aim to give your scalp and hair the best chance to thrive naturally.

We are Natural – Our formulas contain natural and/or naturally derived ingredients, free from harmful substances. After all, Love your Hair and it will Love you back.

Our Promise – We are committed to bringing you safe products without sacrificing quality. We care about your health and wellbeing; thus, no questionable ingredients will be found in our formulations.

Questionable ingredients our products NEVER have include NO silicones, NO mineral oil, NO sulfates, NO phthalates, NO parabens, NO formaldehyde, NO artificial color, and NO artificial fragrance.

What is the purpose of this loan?

Growing a small business is increasingly challenging especially for minority women-owned businesses like myself. Getting the working capital, distributing the funds properly, and earning enough to pay back lenders are vital. This loan will be used to launch the much-awaited natural hair conditioner, strengthen marketing and promotion, upgrade my equipment to a new working industrial sewing machine, and help those who matter the most. Our goal is to help all textured hair individuals in choosing more natural hair care products and putting their health first.

 
About Coyalz Haircare

Industry: Retail
Years in operation: 1 year - 3 years
Website: coyalzhaircare.com

Claudia Ramirez’s story

I was a reporter and a singer in Colombia and moved to the US in 2004 to pursue my dreams. As a singer, I performed in several countries in South America, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, Mexico, and more. I came to the US in 2004 and it has been like being born all over again. I became Christian, learned English, and got familiar with the American way of life. I worked for some years for the main Spanish-speaking TV networks in South Florida and for Emilio and Gloria E. in a couple of TV musical projects. I never stopped singing, I am a good singer and that was my passion and a very profitable part-time job.

However, after I got married and with the arrival of my two daughters, I had to stop performing and TV production became impossible for me. My children needed me as I had to deal with some diagnoses and health issues at home. I felt stuck, frustrated, and somehow defeated but I knew I had to reinvent myself. I decided to get a local degree and my love for music drove me to a Bachelor’s in Music. I graduated from FIU with a good GPA. In 2019, I opened a company Leclu Music and Events LLC, and have worked for the past 2 years as a voice and music teacher and event organizer. My life has taken a 360 degree and I am as happy as ever. I am looking forward to growing, expanding, and to serve as an inspiration and example to others, especially immigrants and my family. God is good all the time.

 
This loan is special because:

It supports a female entrepreneur in expanding their business.

 
More about this loan

Business Description

Leclu Music and Events focuses on events production and music education and, one thing led to the other. I have been well known in my circle as a singer and events organizer. When you are a singer you meet tons of people and because people know that you work in TV production, people want you to help them with their events. That’s how it started. The singer has always been there, all along, but she has evolved. The singer went to school and became a TV producer, the TV producer became the event’s organizer, the event’s organizer went back to school and became a professional musician, the professional musician became a voice and music teacher and, the professional teacher became an entrepreneur and a business owner.

I now realized my business it’s not just starting. It began a long time ago but it’s now when I am putting all the pieces together with a business mentality, and I know I am ready to go to the next level. I know the way, I feel successful, confident, and happy and I want to lead people in my community to pursue and achieve; I want them to see that it’s possible to be an immigrant and not just merely survive but to thrive. I want the children, and the seniors in my community to have the best of the two worlds. The cultural richness of our Latin-American roots and the structure and endless possibilities of the greatest country in the world.

I want my community to have access to art education. In our countries, it’s a privilege, it's way too expensive. Here, it’s possible to have piano lessons or painting lessons or acting lessons just for the pleasure of taking them, recreationally, as part of your overall education. If you are good and talented, then you can follow a professional path, but there are options and opportunities and I want to show them that the third world mentality has to stay over there, that poverty did not follow here, that the only thing between you and your success is hard work. I don’t say it’s easy, but I can say it’s possible. I need Kiva to help me help them. I already found a great location and I am moving forward but I need your support to launch my first Art School. I need this establishment from where I can give as many services as possible to my community.

What is the purpose of this loan?

I need funding for my startup costs. Money is often the limiting factor preventing a business from opening. Many good business ideas are never funded and having enough capital represents the difference between a dream and a reality. For many people like me interested in growing a home-based business, getting the working capital, allocating the money wisely, and making enough profit to pay back the lenders is a must. Funds will insert cash flow, to strengthen the marketing and promotion, and to maintain afloat our school at the beginning of the operations, a school that especially will help minorities like the beautiful Latin community of Hialeah, Hialeah Gardens, and vicinity.

 
About Leclu Music and Events LLC

Industry: Education
Years in operation: 1 year - 3 years
Website: leclu.org

Brianica DeFranc's Story

My name is Brianica and I am a client of the Florida Women's Business Center in Delray Beach, who helped me develop my business roadmap.

Surviving a miscarriage at a young age was scary, traumatic, and a life-changing event. Not understanding what was happening and why it was happening to me was depressing and not easy to process. I did not truly process my trauma until I was pregnant again. When I saw a positive pregnancy test, I was overcome with doubt in myself and in my body’s abilities. Besides feeling unprepared to be a parent, I was also terrified of experiencing another miscarriage. With patience, support, and time, I began to heal and process my experience in a healthy capacity. I dove deep into educating myself on all aspects of childbearing, conception, birth, labor, and parenthood.

I discovered that women and children of color are dying at a higher rate during childbirth compared to white women. This information was disheartening and infuriating to me so I became a full-spectrum doula. I feel that being an advocate for birthing people and ensuring that all people are being treated equitably will help change the disturbing statistics we face. I had a healthy, unmedicated, natural home birth and I want people to know and see that it is possible to tap into your instincts and Birth Your Way. Birth does not have to involve interventions, be planned, or be doctor-driven unless medically necessary - and people need to know that there is more than one to bring a child into the world. My decision to become a doula is built on educating and advocating for families to have positive and fulfilling birth experiences while creating a safe space for expecting people of color to survive and thrive.

 
This loan is special because:

It supports the launch of a Black woman-owned business.

 
More about this loan

Business Description

Birth Your Way | Doula Offerings provides a holistic approach to prenatal care, labor, childbirth, postpartum care, and beyond. The foundation is established around honoring our client’s voice and advocating for families to ensure that they have a positive birth experience and life after. Parenthood is not an easy transition for most families which is why mental, physical, financial security and emotional health are some of my primary focuses with clients. As a full-spectrum doula, I have been trained to support people during the full spectrum of pregnancy - from preconception to birth, to abortion, to miscarriage, to adoption, and postpartum. I value working actively with clients and understanding their needs and wants throughout their experience. It is my goal to lower the need for medical interventions by providing optimal comfort measures and advocating for clients to Birth Their Way instinctively and intuitively.

Our services include prenatal visits; birth plan assistance; breastfeeding support immediately after birth; postpartum follow-up visit; books and videos about pregnancy, birth, and baby care; phone and e-mail support to answer questions and offer suggestions and support throughout pregnancy and early labor; public education classes on parenting techniques, parent-child bonding, and what to expect postpartum; care packages for parents and babies.

Our marketing plan includes social media engagement ads that drive potential clients to our website; search engine optimization; partnering with OBGYNs, Pediatricians, Midwives, and Birth Support Establishments to leave brochures in offices; membership in doula directories, networking with potential clients and other birth workers at local events, and word of mouth.

What is the purpose of this loan?

This loan would help me effectively market and reach more clientele, continue my education to expand my scope of expertise, and purchase the necessary tools to provide optimal comfort and support to my clients and their families.

Bringing a life into this world is a beautiful and transcending experience and it should be treated with the utmost care and respect. In the medical field, labor and birth can sometimes be transactional and indifferent because health providers are juggling multiple patients and unable to create individual experiences. This leads to birthing people receiving the same plan of care even though they may have imagined different labor and birth. It is my goal with Birth Your Way | Doula Offerings to educate, empower, and inform parents so that they can have a positive birth experience.

 
About Birth Your Way | Doula Offerings

Industry: Health
Years in operation: New Business
Website: bywdo.com

Bria Harris’ Story

My name is Bria. I am a client of the Florida Women's Business Center in Delray Beach, which helped me develop my business roadmap. I started Impress Tax Service on my own in 2018…own money, time, and dedication. No one believed in me when I first started, but that didn’t stop me. Business ownership and financial management have always been a part of my family. Before the official launch of the company I was working on another small business and saw an opportunity to go global. During that time I acquired a great deal of knowledge and training about taxes and other financial services and saw that I could make an impact on the lives and employment opportunities of others, so I started this service. Here we are 3 years later, standing and thriving, with part-time employees. My sons motivate me to work harder so they won't have to fight as much as I did to achieve great goals. Impress Tax Service is here to leave a legacy. Never give up on your dreams and goals!

 
This loan is special because:

It supports a Black female entrepreneur in expanding their business.

 
More about this loan

Business Description

Impress Tax Service assists individuals and small businesses to prepare and file their taxes correctly and accurately. Our other services include – credit repair, notary, financial guidance, bookkeeping, customer account management, and business startup guidance. Launched 3 years ago, the company now reaches clients in all 50 states and has employees in Tamarac, Florida as well as Ohio, California, and growing. With years of experience and knowledgeable staff, Impress Tax Service takes pride in being different, unique, and motivated to seek high goals. Impress Tax Service is more like a family than a business! “We stand by our words, your business is our priority!

What is the purpose of this loan?

This loan will really help Impress Tax Service furnish our new location so that we can improve on the modifications we have already done to create our new, professional office. This will allow us to attract more customers and grow so that we can provide even more employment opportunities.

 
About Impress Tax Service LLC

Industry: Services
Years in operation: 3 years - 5 years
Website: impresstaxservices.com

Betty Legendre’s Story

This business is born out of my passion for hair and beauty. Before coming to the US, I did hair for the women in my family for fun. When I came to the US, while going to school and working a full-time job as a single mother, I continued to do hair on the side for friends and family to help out. I also learned a lot about hair helping a friend that had a hair salon do hair.

During the Covid pandemic, I saw an opportunity to open a beauty supply to serve the community of Wellington and Royal Palm Beach, FL because there was nothing like that there. People had to travel at least 8 miles to the nearest Beauty Supply store to find the hair and beauty product needed and sometimes they did not find what they were looking for. I researched the industry, which is poised for tremendous growth in the next few years. I was saving to buy a home but thought it would be better to a beauty supply store and Ojexa Beauty Supply was born.

I'm proud to bring beauty solutions to such a diverse community. This first store will surely lead to other stores in the future for not only my family but also for others who want to take the entrepreneurial route.

Seeing the smile, hope, and excitement in the customers Ojexa serves as an uplifter in these challenging times.

This loan is special because:

It supports a Black female entrepreneur in expanding their business.

More about this loan

Business Description

Ojexa Beauty Supply is a minority, black-owned hair and beauty supply serving Wellington, Royal Palm Beach, and surrounding areas. We sell hair, wigs, and beauty products. We provide beauty solutions to the people we serve in their own communities. We also offer hair braiding onsite and also hair styling.

The business is located at the Groves Shoppes across from Home Depot, McDonald's, and Chick-Fil-a.

During the pandemic, I decided to open the store since there wasn't in the community to save people from driving 8+ miles to another town to find beauty products.

What is the purpose of this loan?

I am applying for the loan to be able to launch a Marketing program to grow sales, acquire more inventory and hire an employee to help run the store as it's growing and create work in the area. The store is meeting its monthly expenses at launch. A marketing program will help more people know about us and continue to grow.

In addition, the loan will help us scale our purchasing. We'll be able to buy more at a lower cost while providing even more variety to the customer. This will definitely improve sales to double what we're currently doing.

Finally, we'll be able to hire someone to help operate the store and start strategizing about future expansion.

About OJEXA BEAUTY SUPPLY, LLC

Industry: Retail
Years in operation: 6 months - 1 year
Website: ojexabeautysupply.com

Angela Dean-Wright's Story

B&A Management Services, LLC formerly B&A Services, Etc. was established in 2010 (Renamed in 2018). In 1999 I started working as an administrative assistant at Prime Management Services. I worked my way up in the industry and decided to create my own company and work directly with the communities to ensure quality service. My goal is to become the first African American female owner of a full-service management company.

 
This loan is special because:

It supports a female entrepreneur in expanding her business.

 
More about this loan

Business Description

B&A Management Services, LLC is a property management company that works hand in hand with Community associations and Board Members. We provide quality services, oversee vendors and the day-to-day operations. We also provide janitorial and maintenance services.

What is the purpose of this loan?

The Kiva loan would be used to market my business, creating a business website to reach more clientele. I would also use the funds to rent office space. I am hoping to create more jobs for single parents and create income within my community.

 
About B&A MANAGEMENT SERVICES

Industry: Services
Years in operation: 3 years - 5 years

My husband and I are the inventors of a new product that combines protection and beauty for high heels. We have been married for over 29 years and have been working side by side to beat life’s odds. We have two beautiful teenage sons who are supporting our project and, in the process, they are learning that dreams can come true with persistent work and determination. Since we got married, my husband supported my decision to obtain an education and sacrificed his own goals having to work multiple jobs as a security guard to support the family. His unconditional support allowed me to be the first person in my family to graduate from high school and earn a Doctorate Degree in Post-Secondary and Adult Education. We are very happy to now have our two sons in college but having those expenses also limits the money we can use to manufacture our product. We are passionate about making the impossible possible. With this loan, we will be able to manufacture our product, transform our dreams into a business, and create new jobs, all while we provide women who wear high heels with a product to extend the life of their shoes and enhance the look of their heels. We have the willpower to succeed with our invention but need help with the last mile. Obtaining this loan would be vital for us.

Now, that she raised fund through the Florida Women’s Business Center Kiva Hub Program she is ready to move her business to the next level.

Shanelle Lambert is the founder and owner of “Perfect Hair Look” beauty salon, established in 2020 and located in Lauderhill, FL. The salon provides services such as virgin hair extensions, wigs, and lash extensions in addition to selling hair products for all hair textures and styles.

Ms. Lambert, along with her daughter Erroshell Campbell, launched both a successful online business and a brick and mortar hair salon during one of the most difficult periods for the economy, the COVID-19 pandemic. In that sense, they become a role model for other business owners in Broward County and South Florida who are also pivoting their companies during these challenging times.

Shanelle started renovating the space with the initial intent of opening her salon in January of 2020. Suddenly without notice or warning, the pandemic started and Broward County mandated the closing of businesses which forced her to close the doors. With so many business and household expenses accumulating, and not being able to operate her salon, Shanelle did not want to wait – she decided to join forces with her daughter, business partner and local community to pivot and move her business forward:

“Being a single mom, you have a different drive, a different mentality – you have to keep going. The business incorporated that single mom mentality, to continue to move… to find solutions quickly.”

Shanelle’s plan of action involved using her background in Education and Cosmetology to do product and market research, to learn more about customers’ needs and how she could cater to them online, via an e-commerce platform, instead of in person.

Technology became Ms. Lambert’s best friend – Perfect Look Hair made hair consultations available to clients via video conference and over the phone. Shanelle performed test-runs of the website to create the best possible online store for her hair products, also establishing an online presence and marketing her business through social media, for which she received close assistance and guidance from the Florida Women’s Business Center.

Moreover, she participated in as many virtual workshops and online networking events as possible - this allowed her to engage with her local community, build a strong network and even meet the Mayor during virtual events hosted by the City Hall. These and other virtual networking events also helped Shanelle find the people who became members of her team and staff.

Perfect Look Hair also started to deliver products directly to the customers’ door to avoid shipping delays that were happening during the pandemic – making sure the staff was being tested weekly for COVID-19 to assure the safety of the clientele.

“A lot of strangers met online in workshops and networking events, came together, worked together and made the business happen… you have to stay positive, and to stay focused!”

Finally, she expressed appreciation for the support provided by FLWBC to her business:

“I really want to thank FLWBC for helping me with my business, and for their continued support.”