eBay have found that Black women in the UK are more likely than other communities to start a side hustle or business according to research commissioned by eBay UK to mark the launch of Black in Bloom, a new shopping destination on its site where consumers can buy from Black owned businesses.
38% of all UK adults say coping with the cost of living is the top reason to start a side hustle or business but it is Black entrepreneurs who are more likely than other communities to spend more hours working on their businesses. To top it off almost 1 in 5 Black adults are studying alongside their day jobs and side hustles.
Black in Bloom
eBay UK’s Black in Bloom hub features shops created by Black women entrepreneurs who are part of the Black Girl Fest (BGF) x eBay Seller Academy Programme which supports founders with tools, skills and knowledge to sell effectively on the marketplace. Programme participants also have the opportunity to pitch for funding to support their business growth, and the aim is to empower close to 200 Black women-led e-commerce businesses this year. The programme is part of eBay’s commitment to support entrepreneurs from disadvantaged backgrounds.
The research echoes the experiences we hear from the founders taking part in the Seller Programme and that’s why our partnership with eBay is important – the Seller Programme centres Black women’s passion and creativity for entrepreneurship in a way that equips them with the tools to grow their businesses.
– Nicole Crentsil, CEO, Black Girl Fest
With 1 in 10 (10%) saying they don’t buy from Black owned businesses because they don’t know where to find them, there is a clear need to make it easier for socially conscious buyers to shop from Black owned businesses.
From Odyssey Box, a plant-based curly and afro hair online store and subscription box, to Garm Manager who sell vintage and modern pre-loved clothing, the Black in Bloom hub will help to link customers with graduates of the Seller Academy Programme.
The Black in Bloom hub is now live. For more information and to shop Black owned products visit here.
4 Responses
WHO cares what colour a business owner is?
“launch of Black in Bloom, a new shopping destination on its site where consumers can buy from Black owned businesses.”
Segregation in other words. Maybe I don’t want people to know if I am black, maybe it is none of their business. Maybe I don’t want to be defined in that way. Maybe my business speaks for itself without needing to be pandered to. None of my customers have ever asked me what colour I am before purchasing. It is not important. Ebay, please don’t go down this road. It is the opposite of progress.
This thing about skin colour is starting to get old. I hope ebay paid you well for the promo