Virtual Women Entrepreneurship Week focuses on empowering women of color
October 26, 2020
Shontay Lundy, creater and owner of Black Girl Sunscreen, disliked dealing with the white residue left behind after using traditional sunscreens. Determined to increase options in the skin care industry, Lundy started her own line of sunscreen for women with dark skin tones.
Lundy joined other women entrepreneurs who started their businesses after recognizing a market opportunity during virtual Women Entrepreneurship Week on Sept. 21. Hosted by Ohio University’s Center for Entrepreneurship, the event focused on women of color and the challenges they encounter in the business world.
As she was often the only Black woman in the room, Lundy experienced corporate America’s racial inequity firsthand. However, she said that learning to navigate the corporate world gave her the skills to further her business. Lundy also learned how the support of other Black women can drive success when Beyoncé included Black Girl Sunscreen on a list of 100 black-owned businesses on Juneteenth, which boosted sales.
Opportunity doesn’t come without risks, Shannon Keith noted. Keith founded Sudara Inc. as a benefit corporation after witnessing the impact of human trafficking during a trip to India. Sudara’s ethically made pajamas are sewn by women in India who earn a living wage from sales.
“Charity is not a game changer; job creation and dignified work changes life and circumstances,” said Keith, who now chairs the Sudara Freedom Fund. “That is what life transformation and systemic change out of abject poverty looks like. It’s happening; we’re excited about it, but it needs to happen at a much greater scale.”
Sudara Inc. CEO Lisa Flynn said the company’s primary goal is not to make profit but to grow jobs. She added that everyone has the power to create change, and one of the ways people can do that is by buying from Sudara. The company also plans to expand their line globally.
Although Women’s Entrepreneurship Week focuses on female business leaders, the advice and experiences apply to anyone interested in starting their own company.
“I would 100% recommend attending WEW to anyone who may be interested,” said Abe Dalisky, a junior studying business analytics, finance and MIS. “It is a great opportunity to hear from leaders in the field who can share great insights into life as an entrepreneur and detail related challenges and opportunities.”
The free event was hosted by Ohio University’s Center for Entrepreneurship, TechGROWTH Ohio and the OHIO Women’s Center. The Center for Entrepreneurship is a partnership between the College of Business and the Voinovich School of Leadership and Public Affairs.