5 ways entrepreneurs can support Black businesses during the holiday season

This year has been challenging for most of us, and we’ve all had to deal with a lot of uncertainty. This is especially true for entrepreneurs and small business owners. They have been forced to be more creative than ever before and face the challenges head on while adapting and pivoting to keep their businesses going and continue supporting their communities.  

Recently, many communities have put Black businesses in the spotlight, and with the holiday season upon us, we should keep this momentum going. Now is the perfect time to be intentional about shopping and supporting Black-owned businesses.

I saw a tweet that said, “For everyone planning to buy Black this holiday, remember that this is a small business and not Amazon, put your orders in now!,” which does a good job summarizing how important it is to shop small, Black-owned businesses and put money back in the community. 

Watch our conversation with D’Juan Hopewell, Co-Founder of Obsidian, an organization that gives Black-owned businesses access to real-world tools and funding, about the best ways to support Black businesses this holiday season: 

Here are five ways that entrepreneurs and business owners can support Black businesses during the holidays. 

1. Partner with a Black-owned business

If you’re a business owner, then this is a perfect time to partner with a Black-owned business. Fostering partnerships creates opportunities to introduce and share your community. This could mean creating a gift basket or package for your customers that features at least one Black- owned product alongside your own. You could also provide a limited- time offer on a special product, and offer a discount code. Finding a way to do a mutually-beneficial partnership with a Black-owned business during the holidays is a great step in the right direction. 

2. Help with shipping demands during the holidays

Think about how you can offer help to a small Black business meet the surge in shipping demands that they may face during this holiday season. If you can help, consider offering your services during these difficult times. 

3. Diversify your business operations

Take a look internally at your day-to-day operations, are any of your suppliers Black-owned businesses? If not, this is the time to make a change and find a way and instill more diversity into your business operations. 

4. Help to solve a problem for a Black business owner

These days, we could all use a helping hand and an extra set of eyes to help solve a problem. Entrepreneurs are known for being problem-solvers, so offering your help in any way that you can to a small Black business is a significant gesture that can go a long way.  

5. Share a Black business directory

Often times, groups outside of the Black community don’t know where to find Black-owned businesses. You can encourage your customers and community to buy Black by sharing one of the many Black-owned business directories online. Personally, my go-to is https://www.theblkpact.org, which can help you find a great deal of information. 

These are a just few ways that entrepreneurs and business owners can continue to support Black-owned businesses this holiday season and be more intentional about giving them visibility and exposure. When you’re shopping this holiday season, you can use the hashtag #buyblack to show your support and encourage your own communities to support Black-owned businesses. 

This information is provided for informational purposes only, and should not be construed as an endorsement or advice from GoDaddy on any subject matter.