The pandemic dealt many businesses a bad hand. There are several reports of businesses closing, never to return again. But there have also, thankfully, been many businesses that have managed to stay a float and even thrive in the midst of the storm. I’m not just talking about big businesses but small ones too. Small businesses run by black women.
I spoke to three women across three different industries that are making it through the lockdown, and thriving whilst they do it. Owner of Healthy Hair Studio, Enitan Agidee, founder of Afmena Events, Afia Bayayi, and joint creators of greetings card business Street Greets, Naomi Nicholas and Siobhan Wauchope, all spoke to me about the rollercoaster their businesses have been on as a result of the pandemic. From the challenges and pivots, to product and service innovations and new working styles.