Meet the owner of My Black Beauty Box Mercedes Jenkins-Carter. Mercedes along with her sister was raised by their mother on the black dollar. To elaborate a bit their mother worked for a black business that networked with other black businesses and hired black employees in a predominantly black neighborhood (for all the LA natives Crenshaw and 39th street right by Leimert Park to be exact). She found it very empowering to see people who looked like her working together to better one another. As time went on and construction on Crenshaw began she started noticing black businesses that she grew up with and loved begin to disappear and she never knew why. Shortly after this discovery she went off to school and received her degree in business and pursued a career in accounting.
While in the workforce her passion to support black businesses and entrepreneurs only grew as she would constantly watch YouTube hair and self-care videos and wonder what she can do to help revamp the black business industry. She was invited to a runway modeling show by her coworker and she found out they would have vendors before and after the show. She knew a couple of black businesses that made hair products so she decided she could sponsor a booth for each of them. Since they both made hair products she asked that they be at two different ends to allow them both a fair chance to appeal to potential buyers. Unfortunately the vending spaces were on a first come first serve basis and both of them ended up right next to each other. Mercedes witnessed something amazing that day instead of competing and putting the other product down to make themselves look better they spoke highly of one another and in the end exchanged information so they can later exchange ideas. It was like a light bulb went off in Mercedes head and she suddenly realized UNITY was the missing factor, shortly after her Black Beauty Box was in motion. Mercedes began to reach out to black business owners in the same industry (I.e candle makers & soap makers) asking if they would like to be included in her box. Once she had a yes from four businesses she created an IG group and encouraged them to share why they started their business as well as to exchange ideas with one another on how to grow their brands.
Mercedes had a conversation with her social media manager where they realized they shouldn’t be like other subscription boxes that offered trial-sized versions or full products at a premium. After all the goal was to introduce these businesses to the public in hopes that they really love them and go on to start purchasing them directly from these businesses. The decision was made that $20 plus shipping was very reasonable. After a while businesses started reaching out directly to see if they could include their business cards in the box and that was when the black directory keychain was created.
Mercedes says this idea was given directly from God after she asked what was the best way to showcase these businesses without filling the box up with business cards, the answer he gave was simple a directory QR code. The black directory keychain is groundbreaking as it eliminates the need for business cards and allows consumers to find and support black businesses while on the go. Mercedes says “what makes our directory so easy and convenient is that it’s in keychain form I’ve lost so many great business cards that I never once stopped to look for however whenever I lose my keys I definitely hunt until I find them.” My Black Beauty Box is committed to rebuilding unity among black businesses and empowering a community that has historically been financially disadvantaged.
Mercedes states, “One of the hardest obstacles I ever faced when starting and even now is getting black businesses to want to work with me without thinking I have some sort of motive other than to help them. I understand where the distrust comes from because we as a people have been hurt and done wrong time after time so over time it becomes hard to trust. However, if you ask some of the amazing people I’ve worked with you will definitely know the intentions are pure and I only want to see you win. If you’re a black business owner and want to be in the keychain or the box definitely reach out.”