Thread of Life
Sewing is more than just a hobby for this artistic entrepreneur.
What: e-tailer of ethnic-themed home furnishings
Who: Yuwanda Black of EthnicHomeDecor.com
Where: Riverdale, Georgia
When: May 2002
Yuwanda Black lived within miles of the World Trade Center when
it was attacked. She could smell the smoke, see the ashes and feel
the effects when the economy and her editorial staffing business
went into a slump. With extra time on her hands, she visited an
African fabric store, picked up a needle and thread, and applied
the sewing skills she had learned as a child. She created a quilt
for her bedroom that was alive with color, culture and style--a
quilt that was wonderfully ethnic and impossible to find in any
store.
Black's hobby brought about unexpected results. Not only did
friends admire her work, convincing her to launch
EthnicHomeDecor.com as a way to showcase her ethnic items and make
extra money, but her new project also helped her cope with the
recent crisis. "Having something else to focus on outside of
myself really helped me emotionally," she says.
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Black hasn't stopped sewing since. Her creations include
mud-cloth throws, pillowcases and chair jackets, and she constantly
jots down new ideas on a "dream pad" by her bed.
Word spread, resulting in a number of other projects, including
EthnicVendors.com, a site where independent ethnic vendors can
advertise their merchandise; an annual catalog; and a magazine
scheduled to debut this spring. Sales for 2005 are projected to
reach at least $150,000, and Black, 39, has put her staffing
business up for sale. "Being African-American, I like things
that reflect my culture or my heritage," says Black.
"It's my mission to do the small part I can to bring these
products to people who can appreciate them."