Spend your money wisely – support Black Pound Day
AHEAD of Black Pound Day on November 7, Reach Plc titles across the UK, including the Nottingham Post, are launching a campaign to champion the work of the UK’S black entrepreneurs.
The Post has highlighted two local black-owned businesses that people can support this week as part of a campaign using the hashtag #IAMBOB on Twitter and inviting local businesses to get in touch.
The idea is to help support the growth of the UK’S black economy and the campaign will tell millions of people through our websites, social media channels and newspapers all about the UK’S thriving black business community.
Black Pound Day is a monthly event that encourages people to replace their usual purchases with products from black-owned businesses.
Althea Tomlin, owner of Lentonbased organic vegan skincare brand Althea Tomlin Skincare, was inspired to set up her company after a trip to Malawi in 2009.
Then in her late 50s, Althea said she wasn’t planning to start her own company but “felt compelled” to set up a business after her trip to Africa “changed her life” - and she launched in 2010.
The business, based in Lenton Business Centre and selling its products online, employs one full-time and four temporary part-time staff.
Althea said: “When I went to Malawi it changed my life and perceptions of nature and Africa itself. I spent weeks in a remote village, some 200km from the capital Lilongwe and 3km from the nearest shops, with local villagers.
“I lived with the villagers in a mud hut as they did, and had been doing for centuries, without electricity, running water, or simple things like soap or toothpaste that we take for granted every day.”
She added: “It made me realise that everything that was good in life came from the land - roots, plants, trees, seeds, and even sand. This was my inspiration to create a brand with natural ingredients as close to nature as possible.”
Althea says over the next three years she would like to capitalise on growing the Althea brand online, improve my brand awareness within the independent beauty salon sectors, and promote her business to a wider section of the small independent beauty salon market.
Caribbean takeaway, Caribé, in Nottingham city centre was set up two years ago on Wheeler Gate.
Owner Clinton Walker, who grew up in Jamaica, brought the flavours of his homeland when he came to the UK to study around 20 years ago.
He has grown his business from selling out his car boot to owning his own “grab-and-go” takeaway.
Clinton said: “I started cooking when I was really young at around eightyears-old because I lived with both my grandmothers and I’d help them around the kitchen. I’ve always loved it and from there I moved onto baking pretty quickly and then cooking more and it’s never really left me.
“After I came here to study, I would cook for birthday parties, festivals and even just when friends would get together. I bought a trailer and other vehicles to cook out of before I opened in the city about a year ago. It’s helped me establish myself in the city as somewhere that sells quality Caribbean food.”