Meet Alaine Hutson, founder and maker of Social Justice Jewelry, an African American, woman-owned business based in Austin, TX since 2016. While always connected to her creativity, Alaine is an academic trained at universities in the US, UK, and Nigeria. She taught at institutions in IN, MI, and MO and currently teaches history at Austin’s HBCU Huston-Tillotson University.
Social Justice Jewelry is message jewelry that lets the wearer proudly communicate their value and their values. Wearing Social Justice Jewelry is meant to ward off demeaning TRASH (transphobic, racist, ableist/anti-semitic, sexist, homophobic) remarks. Social Justice Jewelry helps customers express messages of peace and strength out into the world and lets others know how you expect to be treated and treat other people.
Alaine shares her experience as a business owner and how EGBI can help you grow your business too.
Hi Alaine! To get started, would you mind telling us a fun fact about yourself?
I used to be a professional tennis umpire and have been on the court with Serena and Venus Williams, Rafael Nadal, Andy Roddick, Roger Federer, Novak Djokovic, and Sloane Stephens.
Why and how did you start your business?
I had been approached by people who made “jokes” that denigrate others. I wanted it to stop. I was thinking about it as I walked past an ad for medical alert bracelets and thought – that is what I need an allergy bracelet to social injustices. So I started making the “Allergy” cuffs.
What was the toughest moment in your business journey? How did you go past it and move forward?
I told myself when my business bank account runs out of money I will quit. So when I get low on funds and think the end is near is a tough moment to face, but so far I have been able to go to find markets or new wholesale clients, and once I was boosted by a grant that bought several of my pieces and kept me going.
What would you tell other entrepreneurs wanting to open their own business?
I had a clear purpose when I started my business and I think that is important advice for entrepreneurs. After I had the prototype of the first cuff and before I did anything else I wrote up what my values for the company would be and what would be the point where I had to walk away, so I wouldn’t have to make those decisions when I was feeling vulnerable or in a tight spot. Also, I set up separate business accounts, did my DBA, and sought out as much education as I could about establishing a business. So I could present the company and operate starting day one from a professional place. It helped me get retail partners and also helped me establish confidence; Social Justice Jewelry is a business, not a hobby and not a fluke.
How has EGBI helped you throughout your business journey?
At a time when I was feeling vulnerable and had just survived a funding low, I found EGBI through a long-time EGBI client – Lucero Photography. I needed some more education to push me to the next challenge. The 90 Days to Biz Success program put me in contact with entrepreneurs I could learn from and who saw I had some experience to share. EGBI gave me accountability and strategies to accomplish more in a shorter time. I am still in touch with Lucero and I am in the process of collaborating to make a crossover product with Sharafina Designs. We are also important sources of information about opportunities for each other.
“Supporting EGBI brings more success to your local small businesses.”– Alaine Hutson
What would you say to someone that is still unsure about using EGBI’s services?
There is nothing to lose and so much to gain. To paraphrase a rule from an art department, EGBI is a place you can trust, so “try trusting it for a while.”
Want to work with EGBI? Contact us to find out how you can get started.
Meet Viridiana Reich or Viri, founder of Mayan Expressions, a hand-made gifts and jewelry company specializing in the creative work of indigenous Mayan people and their ancestral traditions. After moving to Austin from Chiapas Mexico, her mother would bring gifts from Chiapas made by indigenous Mayans during her visits. These gifts inspired Viri to start her business selling imported items while helping the indigenous people of her home country. These imports are made by hand with material indigenous to Chiapas. Today Mayan Expressions products can be found at their virtual store and at Austin Gift Company on South Lamar.
Viri shares her experience as a business owner and how EGBI can help you grow your business too.
Hi Viri! To get started, would you mind telling us what inspired you to start your business?
When I arrived in the US I started working a traditional job, but I’d always been proud of my heritage and inspired by silver jewelry. After friends saw my Mom’s presents from Chiapas they asked where they could buy similar products. That’s when I realized I could turn these gifts into a business.
What makes your business unique?
Our products are unique because everything is handmade and has a history. They also give back to the community by helping indeginuos women from Chiapas. It’s really a team effort between everyone on both sides of the border helping each other succeed.
What are some obstacles you feel like you have encountered in starting or growing your business? How did you overcome this?
There has been a lot! The biggest obstacle was combining my business with my family. I never felt like there was enough time and was always a little afraid of taking big steps like quitting my job and getting a loan. Prioritizing family definitely haltered my growth in the beginning but now owning my own business gives me the flexibility to be there for special moments. I thank God for how my business helps me support my family.
What workshops have you taken at EGBI?
I took the entrepreneurship classes with EGBI and they were very thorough. I’ve never lost contact with the EGBI staff and love seeing how much care and dedication the EGBI team puts into their work.
How has EGBI helped you?
EGBI helped me build a base and solid foundation for my business. What I really appreciated was the coaches putting themselves in my shoes and always thinking about my needs. It’s obvious they care about their clients and want to build a sustained relationship. The coaches are genuine and want to see their business owners succeed.
Meet Sandra Flemings, a client of EGBI that sees the value of the organization and has become a volunteer and supporter as well. Originally from Mexico, Sandra moved to the US after getting married. She has been an educator for more than 20 years and has a doctorate in education. As a very passionate early childhood educator Sandra saw the need for childcare in Austin, and thus felt called to open up a daycare center: CEI Preschool.
Sandra talks about the hurdles of opening up a small business and offers words of encouragement to aspiring entrepreneurs.
Hi Sandra! To get started would you mind telling us about your small business? Why and how did you start?
I saw the demand for childcare, and I saw that there was a need for reasonably priced childcare in the area. We started with the business in the home (as a home daycare) and the demand was so high we quickly saw the need to expand. We converted our home into the daycare center and grew from there.
What was the toughest moment in your business journey? How did you go past it and move forward?
The toughest moment for me was beginning to hire employees as the growth supported it; I was also pregnant at the time with my 3rd child, so that added to the challenge. I got past it in large part with the assistance and education I got through EGBI. Their resources are a big part of what allowed me to move forward with hiring and not getting overwhelmed by it.
How do you feel about the growth of your business and being able to open a 2nd location?
A daycare is a highly localized business; parents do not want to take their children far outside their normal commute if they can avoid it. Additional locations are needed to cover a greater geographical area. In order to ensure that growth is sustainable, we needed to solidify our internal organizational structure before taking the leap to open a second location.
What would you tell other entrepreneurs wanting to open their own business?
Do it! Take the leap! It is good to get educated, and it is critical to have people like EGBI backing you up. But oftentimes the biggest thing you need to do is to take that first step and get started.
“An investment in EGBI is an investment in the future of your local community.”– Sandra Fleming
How has EGBI helped you throughout your business journey?
EGBI has been a huge help to our business. From general knowledge support, to connecting us to critical resources in the community, to giving us specific assistance in areas where we needed help (i.e. bookkeeping and hiring practices), they have helped us every step of the way from the first day we connected with them.
What would you say to someone thinking of volunteering and supporting EGBI?
EGBI is a worthwhile endeavor. The support that they give businesses and entrepreneurs give returns a hundred times over through the growth and stabilization of the economic engine that is the small business community.
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Want to work with EGBI? Contact us to find out how you can get started.
In 2020, EGBI volunteers put in more than 130 hours to help EGBI support and serve over 400 small businesses. Clients like Sandra make this possible by becoming supporters and volunteers to help EGBI pursue their mission of training, coaching, and supporting aspiring and existing business owners who face barriers to growing a successful business.
Want to get involved too? Contact us to find out how you can volunteer or donate.
Meet Brandi, co-founder of Earth Commons, a community wellness center offering locally produced herbal medicine, holistic consultation, and body work. She started her business at the beginning of the pandemic based on a need for holistic wellness in Austin. Having struggled finding support for her own health in traditional medicine she wanted others to have access to the empowering knowledge of natural healing. Brandi and her co-founder Caroline wanted to create accessibility for herbalism bringing it closer to the norm.
Brandi shares her experience as a business owner and how EGBI can help you grow your business too.
Hi Brandi! To get started, would you mind telling us what inspired you to start your business?
Community and plants. Working with people, I love collaborating with people and creating growth together.
What makes your business unique?
Our business is supported by people who feel truly uplifted by our offerings. It’s very important for us to support local vendors, which you don’t see in a lot of stores. We have plenty of talent in Austin, and are very proud to give people a platform to show where they shine. This builds quite a community making us more than just a business.
What are some obstacles you feel like you have encountered in starting or growing your business? How did you overcome this?
Our doors opened the same day pandemic lock down began. We had to stay malleable, and learn the ropes of adaptability. Our mantra was and still is “we are water” because water finds the path of least resistance, and is highly bondable. Just when it seemed like things were getting easier, out of the blue Square dropped us and we were left dry without a payment processor or website. We heavily relied on online sales in order to keep us open. We have managed to stay alive and afloat because of community support adapting with us. We have been able to overcome obstacles with gratitude and tact, and have learned how to ask for help. We seemed to have rebuilt a few times, each time stronger and more experienced. We are only just now getting our bearings back after the disappointing incident with Square. We as a community of herbalists and holistic practitioners are still navigating what it is like to have a storefront in combination with a space of wellness.
How did you find out about EGBI?
We found out about EGBI because in our early days we knew absolutely nothing about running a business. It was a baptism by fire. We reached out to everyone we could.
Did you take workshops? Did you have meetings with EGBI staff for business coaching?
We spoke with EGBI early on when we were developing our business plan, but it wasn’t until deep in the pandemic that we began to work with them closely. It has been a saving grace to work with them. We did plenty of one on one’s with Joni and Monica. We utilized the 90 day plan workshop and have taken other commercial real estate workshops as well.
How has EGBI helped you?
EGBI helped us plan and see the big picture. They helped us keep our head on our shoulders and create measurable goals. They helped us put systems in place that allowed for more efficiency and wise budgeting. They helped us see options when we needed them.
Want to work with EGBI? Contact us to find out how you can get started.
Meet Marieli Cestari Flores, an amazing volunteer and EGBI supporter. Originally, from Venezuela, Marieli moved to the US in 2000 and has been living here ever since. In 1999, Marieli graduated as an Industrial Engineer, and in 2005, she decided to become a Farmers Insurance Agent and develop her career in the insurance and financial services industries. In 2013, Marieli passion of advocating for others and helping entrepreneurs achieve their dream, led her to complete the Minority Business Executive program from Washingon University, Foster School of Business. In 2014, she got certified as the Life Underwriter Training Council Fellow designation “LUTCF” with the American College Institute, and recently- in 2018- complete the certification for the Hispanic Austin Leadership Program (HAL). Marieli volunteers at local Texas non-profits as a mentor and speaker. Marieli’s vision is to provide advice and lead the insurance market based on experience, trust, respect, values, and commitment to encouraging the peace of mind. She pursues her dreams and goals through hard work and attitude.
Marieli shares her experience as a volunteer and supporter of EGBI and how you can get involved too.
Hi Marieli!To get started, would you mind telling us another fun fact about yourself? I love dancing and listening to classical music. I enjoy watching movies, doing sports and outdoors activities with my two beautiful children and husband as well as having friends over for entertainment.
What does being a volunteer and giving back to a community mean to you? Volunteering and giving back to my community means giving back the knowledge that can help others that are just getting started. I would not have done it without having mentors in my life, so I feel that I should also pass it along to others.
“You should support EGBI because they are helping small business that in turn help grow our community.” – Marieli Cestari Flores
Why is it important to volunteer and donate to EGBI? What do you wish everyone knew about EGBI? EGBI is a great organization. They provide the tools and resources to aspiring and established small business owners. EGBI helps minorities and vulnerable entrepreneurs, that in most cases face the same challenges, so it’s a little easier when you have a community to help you. By volunteering and/or donating at EGBI you can directly impact the local economy and increase local small business opportunity.
Do you have a favorite volunteer experience? Volunteering at EGBI’s classes and being able to see individuals “aha” moments.
What would you say to someone thinking of volunteering or donating to EGBI? Volunteering and donating is a great opportunity to give back to the community. Doing either or both to EGBI helps out the local economy by helping entrepreneurs build their businesses.
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In 2020, EGBI volunteers put in more than 130 hours to help EGBI support and serve over 400 small businesses. Volunteers like Marieli make this possible and continue to help EGBI pursue their mission of training, coaching, and supporting aspiring and existing business owners who face barriers to growing a successful business.
Want to get involved too? Contact us to find out how you can volunteer or donate.
Meet Robert Shipman, a top-notch EGBI supporter and volunteer. Robert is the Senior Vice President of Commercial Banking with Frost Bank. He is a seventh-generation Texan who is proud to call Austin his home. Robert graduated from the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor in Belton, TX. He and his wife, Jessica, are fortunate to have one daughter, two dogs, one cat, and a bunch of fishes. Robert has 19 years of banking and finance experience including 10 years with Frost Bank. In his free time, Robert enjoys working closely with locally owned businesses to provide full service banking and financial services including real estate purchases, refinances, lines of credit, and loans.
Robert shares his experience as a volunteer and collaborator of EGBI and how he, you involve too.
Hi Robert! To get started, would you mind telling us another fun fact about yourself? I love dogs, food, my family, and the Austin business community.
How have you volunteered for EGBI? I have taught classes for almost a decade, served as Treasurer, served as Chair Elect, and am now serving as Chair.
Why do you think it is important to volunteer? Small businesses are the backbone of our community. EGBI provides invaluable resources to small business owners where they can succeed regardless of the economic climate.
“EGBI provides Austin’s Small Business Owners with the tools to succeed regardless of the economic climate.” – Robert Shipman
Why is it important to volunteer and donate to EGBI? What do you wish everyone knew about EGBI? EGBI provides a plethora of resources to business owners that they can’t get anywhere else in Austin. Volunteering at EGBI allowed me to share my knowledge of banking and finance with the new generation of business owners.
Do you have a favorite experience about volunteering with EGBI? Teaching classes. I love the home-away-from-home EGBI provides for business owners.
What would you say to someone thinking of volunteering or donating to EGBI? Do it! You’ll be surprised how spending a little of your time can benefit others
— In 2020, EGBI volunteers put in more than 130 hours to help EGBI support and serve over 400 small businesses. Volunteers like Robert make this possible and continue to help EGBI pursue their mission of training, coaching, and supporting aspiring and existing business owners who face barriers to growing a successful business. Want to get involved too? Contact us to find out how you can volunteer or donate.
