August 7th 2023.
Black businesses have been booming in recent years. The coronavirus pandemic, the Black Lives Matter movement, and the focus on Black equity have led thousands of Black men and women across America to become bosses. According to Forbes, Black entrepreneurship continues to rise post-pandemic. The number of new Black business owners has risen 38%, while 17% of Black women are in the process of launching or already running a new business.
The traditional occupations of retail, food, fashion, and entertainment are not the only paths to success for Black entrepreneurs. Some have found success in nontraditional roles. Here are three of these Black entrepreneurs who have chosen different paths as business owners.
Jairus Morris, SUPLMNT
In 2018, Jairus Morris was selling items on Amazon when he noticed a company on the site that was selling thousands of water bottles he had never heard of. When he asked his friends if they had ever heard of the brand, all the Black and Latino people he knew told him no.
He did some research and realized that none of these companies specifically targeted the urban culture. Seeing this opportunity, he created SUPLMNT in 2021, an insulated water bottle geared toward urban communities. SUPLMNT has thick stainless steel and double-wall vacuum insulation to keep drinks cold for 24 hours and hot for 12 hours. It also offers accessories and clothing to support the brand.
For Morris, SUPLMNT isn’t just about making money. He is using the brand to teach Black and Latino people the importance of regular hydration. “I wanted to make sure we create a super-dope aesthetic and an aesthetically pleasing bottle that matches your outfit,” he says, “but there’s that underlying messaging behind the entire brand, which is the importance of drinking water and staying hydrated in our urban communities.”
Monica Miraglilo, GirlBuild
Temple alum Monica Miraglilo is on a mission to empower girls and women by giving them the knowledge and tools to build their own homes through GirlBuild, an initiative for women interested in the renovation and construction industries. Through workshops, private sessions, a master class, and a podcast, Miraglilo teaches the ins and outs of construction and home renovation, including HVAC, hanging drywall, and plumbing. She says, “I started GirlBuild so I can empower women and give them the tools to build whatever they want. I thought it was necessary; I felt like we are a very small percentage of the construction industry. But if you give us the tools, we can build anything.”
Less than 20% of women are in the construction industry, but Miraglilo is changing that. Her fanbase includes fathers and grandfathers who love what she is doing for their daughters and granddaughters. GirlBuild is also looking to work with organizations and charities that give back to underprivileged women who need housing. They also want to hold conferences on their website and bring in different partners to teach literacy, banking, and how to apply for a loan.
Derrick Miles, CourMed
Former healthcare executive Derrick Miles took a severance package during the 2008 housing crisis and in 2015 started CourMed, a healthcare solutions company providing enterprise software and innovative concierge delivery services from healthcare providers to patients’ homes and offices.
The COVID-19 pandemic caused CourMed to explode in popularity. They partnered with Microsoft and Google as telehealth became popular. As a Black man in the wellness space, Derrick has had his share of strange looks when meeting other executives and industry heads. He says, “When we started, most people looked at us like we had three heads, but we found our niche with individuals who wanted a competitive advantage and who wanted to save time.”
During the pandemic, CourMed was especially valuable for immunocompromised people who didn’t want to go to a hospital or pharmacy to get tested for COVID-19. Now, they are working with affluent individuals to help them get services in the comfort of their home, as well as launching a new vertical called Aging Well at Home. This will help individuals north of 70 get their wellness and healthcare at home, instead of needing to go to a nursing home.
These three Black entrepreneurs have all taken unique paths as business owners, and are now leading the charge in their respective industries. They have all used their talents and skills to create successful businesses, and along the way, have also inspired and empowered generations of people.
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