Shambrica Washington or the climb of a strong fashion designer leader: Funding for Black startups in the U.S. has always been small compared to startup funding overall, but last year was an exception, with a record amount of dollars invested in Black-owned companies. Quarterly funding was much higher in the five previous quarters, ranging between $850 million and $1.2 billion, according to Crunchbase’s Diversity Spotlight. According to a 2020 Bureau of Economic Research paper, the average level of startup capital for Black entrepreneurs is just $35,205, compared to $106,720 for white entrepreneurs. Only 1 percent of Black businesses obtain business loans in their first year, as opposed to 7 percent of white-owned firms. See even more info at Shambrica Washington-Damus.

”Fashionable baby items do not have to be limited to just clothes,” said (Shambrica Washington) Shaye Washington-Damus, Owner of Tiny Toes and Tiaras. “We’re changing the luxury baby goods game with our new baby sleepers, the Nestie.” Shaye was born in Ferriday Louisiana, and began to take an interest in Fashion at a very young age. She and her sister and cousins would often mimic styles they saw in fashion or clothing magazines. Not realizing that the creative edge and ideas that they had would eventually blossom into something greater.

Innovative Designs: Our goal is to put the “fun” in functional fashion. We know that looking stylish can make your whole day better; that’s why we’re committed to being your source for the newest trends. We design clothing you love so you can focus on your child looking great!

Nestie Luxury Baby provides Custom Furniture Designs for children soacestheir award-winning Luxury Nursery, and Children’s Custom Furniture Designs as well as Interior Design Services. We have been in business for over 10 years and are trusted by families near and far. The intricate design details on our furniture and Bespoke Bedding and Bespoke Nursery Designs are incomparable. We pride ourselves on functionality, luxury, and safety.

Tiny Toes and Tiaras, a 100% Black-owned upscale online children’s boutique, introduces a new handmade couture sleeper for babies, the Nestie. Available in many beautiful patterns, the baby mat or bassinet can be converted for sleep time, nap time, tummy time, co-sleeping, and floor play. With Nestie, babies not only dress in the best styles, but they also sleep in style.

“Fashionable baby items do not have to be limited to just clothes,” said Shambrica Washington, Owner of Tiny Toes and Tiaras. “We’re changing the luxury baby goods game with our new baby mat, the Nestie.”

The made-to-order Nestie may be customized in different colors, or ordered in one of the pre-designed combinations of fabric patterns. The multi-use sleeper is reversible, trimmed in beautiful lace, and comes with cute decorative pillows.

The Nestie and other special items from Tiny Toes and Tiaras may be browsed from the comfort of one’s home, and promptly delivered worldwide. The boutique offers coordinating outfits available for portraits, holidays, weddings or other special occasions and includes hard-to-find details. Its unique flower girl dresses have been featured in Brides Magazine UK London.

Tiny Toes and Tiaras will officially release and showcase the Nestie at the Children’s Club tradeshow in early August with Barney’s New York, Neiman and Marcus, Sak’s Fifth Avenue, and many more major retail buyers in attendance.

Starting a venture and then keeping it going is no easy feat, however. A substantial number of small businesses don’t make it past a few years, and Black business owners tend to fare worse. The Federal Reserve 2021 Small Business Credit Survey found that while most owners experienced financial hardship during the pandemic, the highest rate, at 92 percent, was reported by Black business owners. Throughout the years, Black business owners have faced a myriad of hurdles, based on both overt and covert racism, with some biases continuing today. And yet Black-owned businesses continue to launch and often thrive. Here’s what you you can do to help.