(WWT Rooftop Networking with Dominique Simpson -Milton, CEO -CVMSDC and Monica Cupid-CEO – Florida Business Council)
Last week I was excited to attend my FIRST NMSDC Conference held in Los Angeles, California. There were many moments of engaging networking and meaningful connection, but one thing I enjoyed tremendously was The Exchange / Marketplace, where I met many extremely impressive MBEs. Too many to name, but I will name three that stood out.
I met Anna Cobb, Founder & CEO of O’Kra Water, a highly nutritious sparkling beverage that is soon to launch in Sprouts markets and will be available through Instacart. This is Anna Cobb’s second beverage venture, and one made from grit, professional training, and the desire to deliver something unique and 100% wholesome. Her business resilience is outstanding, and the thoughtful product design and packaging are the stuff successful MBE businesses are made of.
I stopped by the booth, SAFO, founded by Dr. Ellana (ER MD), luxurious, high-quality, oil-drenched scalp serums and conditioners infused with pure, clean ingredients to nourish the scalp of textured hair. This brand was born out of pure ingredients, medical knowledge, advocacy, need, love for community, and a commitment to providing a formula that ensures a healthy scalp. Her products embody intention and excellence, hallmarks of many, many MBEs.
I visited Milima 100% Kenyan tea and talked to the team. This is a global brand with ingredients grown in Kenya, ethically sourced, cultivated in Kenyan communities, and ranked third in tea production in the world. Every sip of Milima tea is a celebration of place, people and purity. The harvesting and production of tea is an economic driver for Kenya, employing thousands of farmers t through dignified work. This product exemplifies the
MBE spirit and catalyzes economic prosperity for many through a proud legacy passed down through generations, a theme many MBE enterprises share.
Spending time with these accomplished MBEs and learning more about their companies inspired me, reassured me, sparking in me a renewed sense of purpose, and reminded me of all that is possible as a small minority business enterprise.
Thanks to NMSDC for giving MBE brilliance a platform, the ability to compete, and a forum to actualize REAL opportunity.
Stephanie Knight
CEO & President, MPMSDC
