This month, we collaborated with the Federation of African Canadian Economics (FACE) to feature 5 of their incredible members.

FACE is a national and bilingual, Black-led non-profit organization, dedicated to stimulating economic growth & generational wealth for Canadians of African descent. FACE created a Black Entrepreneurship Loan Fund in partnership with the Government of Canada, to help Black business owners with access to capital investments, working capital or additional business resources for expansion. FACE has several other major partners that help further the mission of providing Black Canadians with the necessary resources, knowledge, and confidence to not only operate successfully as Black entrepreneurs but to thrive as a community across the nation.

We spoke to 5 of their members about their businesses and here is what they told us!

Israella Kobla

1. Your full name and position/title

Emefa Kuadey, Fashion Engineer and Founder

2. How did you come up with your business’ concept?

ISRAELLA KOBLA started as my creative outlet when I was working as a civil engineer. About 3 years in, I decided to leave my job to explore the world of fashion. There was a need to bring more personality to minimal dressing and so I found a way to bring an essence of minimalism to women’s clothing, while incorporating elements of structure and femininity. I take a lot of inspiration from my time working as an engineer, as well as modern architecture.

3. Please describe what your business does and how it is unique.

ISRAELLA KOBLA is a contemporary women’s clothing brand that is redefining minimalism through structure and bold femininity. We offer a range of timeless statement pieces, ranging from dresses and skirt to jumpsuits, pant and tops. All of our products are made-on-demand in our Toronto studio. We also offer the option for our clients to customize the fit of our pieces when needed. We want people to cherish their clothes and we believe that comes from being invested in the pieces you buy, right from initial production.

 

4. Who is your ideal client?

The ISRAELLA KOBLA woman is mid to high-level working professional, typically in her late 20s to early 40s. She’s a cosmopolitan woman, who typically lives and works downtown. She has an active social life, with the income to support her lifestyle and shopping habits. She’s a woman who has recently started prioritizing a sustainable lifestyle, but doesn’t want to sacrifice her personal style in order to do so.

5. Where can our readers find your products?

On our website israellakobla.com and in select Hudson’s Bay stores in Toronto (Yorkdale, Sherway Gardens and Queen Street).

Tossoko Clothing

1. Your full name and position/title

Ndieubott Cisse, owner of Tossoko Clothing. I am a mom of 2 boys and a Canadian with Senegalese background.

2. How did you come up with your business’ concept?

Tossoko means small/little in Fulani, a language spoken in West Africa and particularly in Guinea where my grandpa was from. TC is a small company dedicated to kids.

As immigrants, we are very concerned about passing our cultural heritage to our kids whether it’s our native language, our food, and/or our fashion while living abroad. Some kids are very relentless in wearing their cultural identity because they are not familiar with it. In addition, I used to have a problem ordering good quality and pretty styles for my 2 boys unless I ordered them from back home. The market was more likely to offer adults clothes than kids. The need was present for millions of parents from African, American or Caribbean backgrounds who share the same roots in Mother Africa and lived all over the world. I started developing the idea during my maternity leave for my second son. I wanted to root them in my culture and be proud of their heritage as they grow up here in Canada. It is important to start from the early ages to give them that sense of pride of being who they  truly are.

3. Please describe what your business does and how it is unique.

We offer unique pieces of clothing and accessories, all handmade with African fabrics for babies and kids 0-14, and home decor items. Our line includes casual and dressy outfits for kids (skirt, dress, pants, shirts, shoes), authentic home decor items (bedding, curtains, pillow covers, table runners, placemats in African prints, mudcloth, etc), women dresses and accessories, as well as custom orders depending on client’s needs and tailored to their measurements.

We also mix pieces with soft, organic fabrics from Canada as lining (we have a supplier known for selling fabrics from deadwaste fashion industry in order to reduce waste) to bring more comfort and warmth during cold seasons. For fabrics we use the famously colourful Ankara or African print, the hand-dyed fabrics from Guinea, Burkina or Senegal, the Malian Mudcloth or Bogolan, the handwoven fabrics from Senegal, Burkina, Ghana, etc. We source our fabrics from all over Africa to make unique outfits and home decor items. We also prioritize working with cotton or organic fabrics at 80% or more to have an eco-friendly / sustainable brand. We work with more than 80% of women in our production, and with fabrics suppliers who empower women. We plan to support and train stay-at-home moms in the Black community, and work with them in our production line to provide them additional sources of income.

4. Who is your ideal client?

African, Afro-American, Carribean or other cultural races who love African fashion or culture, parents looking to dress their kids in a unique cultural and trendy way, as well as clients looking for identity, colours and patterns to add to their wardrobe, and their indoor / outdoor spaces.

5. Where can our readers find your products?

On our website, Facebook page, Instagram or Pinterest.

Blair + Jack

1. Your full name and position/title

Dr. Bimpe Ayeni, a board certified Plastic Surgeon and the founder, CEO of Blair + Jack.

2. How did you come up with your business’ concept?

Blair + Jack is a skincare line dedicated to men’s common skin conditions.

I founded Blair + Jack to help my husband take control of his stubborn and painful shaving bumps.  Like many men of colour, he suffered from itchy, painful bumps after shaving that would go on to form dark spots.

With the insights of a pharmacist and cosmetic chemist, I created two formulas to treat this and was happy to see his skin improve. From that starting point, I developed a line of other products to help men nourish their skin. The line is named after our twins, Blair and Jackson.

3. Please describe what your business does and how it is unique.

Pseudofolliculitis barbae (PFB) is a common, persistent, inflammatory skin condition that develops primarily as a result of shaving. Blair + Jack is focused on treating this condition, while also preventing the recurrence of irritation that leads to PFB. We are unique because Blair + Jack products are physician-developed and backed by science. Since we have a subscription model, this curated skin care line can be enjoyed from the comfort of your own home.

4. Who is your ideal client?

While PFB mostly occurs within Black and Brown communities, it can affect any man. Our ideal client is looking to manage specific skin concerns. Blair + Jack is also designed for men who have tried other products without luck or any man who is looking to level up his skincare game.

5. Where can our readers find your products?

Our products are available on our website at blairandjack.com. We are also excited to be launching at Black Owned TO at Scarborough Town Centre in Fall.

Natural Butter Bar

1. Your full name and position/title

Tiffani Young, Owner

2. How did you come up with your business’ concept?

My business concept was developed out of personal necessity. Due to the lack of access to natural, quality products that are made with textured hair in mind, I had to learn how to care for my hair as well as create my own products.

Once I started seeing results, and had complete strangers stop to ask me what I was doing, Natural Butter Bar was born. What started off as a hair care brand quickly included skin care, as all of our products use natural, plant-based ingredients making them safe for both hair and skin.

3. Please describe what your business does and how it is unique.

My business offers all natural, quality ingredients and products at an affordable price along with free consultations to ensure our customers select products that will benefit them most. Our product line is customizable, providing the ability to mix various products to create your own custom hair and skin care line.

Diversity and inclusion are important to us, we use our platform to shine a spotlight on those who are not normally at the forefront of beauty campaigns, we also offer Braille labels for all products to make them more accessible.

Lastly, we aim to give back through our community outreach initiatives: The TrailBlazer Box which honours community Trail Blazers while raising funds for various not for profits, and Uncover Your Essence, a program designed to build self-esteem and encourage individuals and communities to follow their dreams.

4. Who is your ideal client?

My ideal customer is looking to build their confidence and embrace their natural beauty by taking charge of what they put on their skin and hair, with high quality, all-natural ingredients.

Our customers are from all walks of life with different skin tones and types. They have crowns of curls, coils, locs, waves and straight hair. We want to make sure everyone has access to affordable products that will nourish and enrich their skin and hair, no matter their complexion or texture.

5. Where can our readers find your products?

Readers can find our products through our website at naturalbutterbar.com and stay up-to-date with what we are doing through our Instagram page. We currently ship across Canada and the U.S.

Tresolz

1. Your full name and position/title

Judy Stewart. I am the owner and founder of Trèsolz.

2. How did you come up with your business’ concept?

I have big feet! And wide feet! The struggle to find large cute affordable shoes has been a lifelong issue. I founded Trèsolz to be a solution for myself and others who have large feet in Canada and around the world.

3. Please describe what your business does and how it is unique.

Our business is unique because we provide a solution to those marginalized in the shoe industry. It’s extremely hard to find trendy and affordable shoes here in Canada, at reasonable prices. We have a Choose Your Heel Collection as well. This collection is unique because it gives women heel choices. Same shoe, different heel is the concept. Shop from a collection of beautiful heels and choose your heel from a 2″ to a 4″.

4. Who is your ideal client?

Our ideal client is anyone who has larger feet and loves fashion and affordability. We have many customers who are tall, who are plus size and who are athletic. We also have many men who love to wear our shoes.

5. Where can our readers find your products?

We have a website www.tresolz.com. Check out the pop up on our site to subscribe to our newsletter. We are also active on Instagram and Facebook.