Why they got started , what keeps them run , and what they learned along the way .
Ready to get inspired? We’ve got the lowdown on three trailblazing Black women who started their own businesses from scratch.
Meet Adeola Fatuga, who opened her hair salonHommeSpaFemmeto “celebrate black hair, beauty, and culture.”
From locs to braids and extensions, today HommeSpaFemme is KILLING it. Adeola even revealed they’ve done braids for a secret celeb performer who then put them front row at their concert 🤫.
“The early days were marked by determination, hustle, and community support,” she explained.
But driven by their passion for their community, they kept it pumping! With lots of learnings over the years, we asked if there was anything she wished she knew before becoming a business owner:
" I wish I had experience the significance of fructify and maintaining boundaries around self - care and sustain a sizable employment - lifetime balance . Placing your all in your business is important but being present for yourself and loved ace is invaluable . "
Self-care and healthy work-life balance — write that down future entrepreneurs!
Next up, meet Rose Senior! She recently openedThe Respite Club, a super fun and sensory-friendly play centre for disabled, neurodivergent, and exceptional kids.
While raising her two autistic sons, Rose noticed the isolation and lack of inclusive play spaces for them. So what did Rose do? She made one!
Her dream came to life with The Respite Club, which is a community space not only for kids to thrive, but for their adults and caregivers too. It’s all about “community support,” she told us.
Big dreams have big hills to climb, and making her way to the finish line tooka lotof work.
Navigating rejection was something Rose said she had to face along the way, like when it took six months of persistent effort to secure a location. But she did it.
Resilience and patience ✅. Got it!
Last but not least, meet Taisha Freeman! She’s the CEO and founder ofFashion Forward Designer Incubator,which is a creative hub dedicated to supporting emerging Canadian designers and innovators.
For Taisha, FFDI isn’t just a business; it’s also a piece of her soul. Sparked by her passion for creativity, it’s all about pushing boundaries through mentorship programs, branding workshops, and networking opportunities.
The early days of FFDI were marked by sold-out annual fashion shows and iconic collabs. So COVID-19 proved to be an initial challenge as community and connection had always been so central to Taisha’s vision.
With big things ahead like a physical space and plans to partner with schools, Taisha told us she’s learned lots along the way, especially when it comes to financial management.
So, there you have it— these three TD small business customers took their dreams, mixed in a whole lot of hustle, and created something truly powerful.Learn more about how TDhelps support Black-focused organizations through the TD Ready Commitment and provide financial advice to Black-owned businesses through our Black Customer Experience team (like the three above). It’s part of our commitment to a more inclusive tomorrow.
