Topeka's Black-owned business growth 'allows other Black businesses to take that risk'

The first Black-Owned Business Directory for Shawnee County was released earlier this month through Go Topeka.

The intent is for the directory to be used as a growth tool for the businesses listed.

And the timing was perfect with August being Black Business Month.

Glenda Washington, vice president of entrepreneurial and minority business development for Go Topeka, said she has seen changes in Topeka over the past nine years.

"I have seen growth in the Black-owned business community," Washington said.

The Capital-Journal talked to three Black-owned businesses about their experiences starting stores in Topeka and what they hope to accomplish.

Laces is the latest in sneakers

Growing up, being able to keep up with the hottest sneaker release wasn’t always the easiest for the owners of Laces. That's why they opened the southeast Topeka location for the “sneakerhead” culture.

A grand opening for Laces, 250 S.E. 29th St. — a buy, sell and trade sneaker store —  was Aug. 7.

More: Bling Glamour is bringing the heat to Topeka. Boutique began in basement, now at 25 sites.

“It was just really important to give our people a place to go to. We felt it was important to build something on this side of town.” said Chris White-Ready, co-owner.

Partnering with White-Ready are Canon Fields and Nelson Jones. At the store, Brandon Luarks provides all sneaker restorations.

Laces offers the latest Retro Air Jordans, Nikes, Yeezys and more. Such local clothing brands like “Get right or get left” by Brandon Evans and “R. Lamar” from Rick Easter can be found in the store.

With three weeks of ownership, the owners are making sure to keep their goals in mind.

White-Ready said they plan to tie things in for the culture by providing an in-store barbershop and such events for youths as “NBA 2K” tournaments and “Shoe Talks.”

“I think it’s important for us to be one of the first few that may be successful, because then it allows other Black businesses to take that risk and take any little idea they have and run with it,” he said. “No dream is too big. The biggest thing is to just do it.”

Biva Beauty Boutique focuses on family and representation

Having an idea and taking the risk resulted in Biva Beauty Boutique.

Indi Babb, owner of Biva Beauty, opened the beauty supply store with the hope of creating a safe space for the community. She wanted a place where people could buy products, feel comfortable asking questions and receiving good feedback on what they're searching for.

“I think it really does make a difference when you have that representation, when you have someone who looks like you to be able to help you get what you need and help you achieve that final look,” Babb said.

More: This Topeka retail center sits vacant. Here's what the owners are planning for the area

Biva Beauty Boutique, 2601 S.W. 21st St., is a family-operated business that opened Sept. 11, 2021. It provides natural hair products, braiding hair, wigs and more.

Alongside Indi are her mother, Addie Babb, and sister Mya Babb.

Addie said being able to do something that you’ve never done before with your family — — while being able to make a difference in the community — has been a fun experience.

With the store's one-year anniversary approaching, the support as a Black business hasn’t stopped within the beauty supply store.

“Being from Topeka made it a lot easier," Indi Babb said, "and I feel like it’s also kind of great that we’re a smaller town. Word gets out quick that new things are coming. It’s also feels great to be a part of the Black businesses that are popping up.”

Finicky adds personal touch to boutique

Though Laces and Biva Beauty Boutique are fairly new Black businesses in the capital city, Finicky, 5618 S.W. 29th St., has been in town for quite some time.

Finicky is operated as a boutique by couple Janeen and Greg Bailey. They sell all customized T-shirts, cards for any occasion, wedding announcements, memorial pillows and more by Janeen.

Finicky began with Janeen doing photography in her basement for local high school students who couldn't afford senior photos.

Greg, Finicky's marketing and promotional consultant, said they're proud of being a Black-owned business in Topeka but have people of all ethnicities supporting them.

More: Coffee Bar is now open in the College Hill neighborhood. Owners are focused on community

Balancing the task of every personalized item has been easy for Janeen as she takes it day by day.

"I'm here in the evenings, so once my door is closed that's when all the creativity really begins," she said.

Over the years, Finicky owners have taken pride in exceeding customer expectations and maintaining consistency within the boutique.

Greg said one of the things customers can appreciate is how his wife transitions with every holiday for personalized items.

"Who would think that you could go somewhere in Topeka and get an array of Black History cards?" he asked. "Typically, I've noticed that when a African-American person comes in they'll say, 'I didn't know it was Black-owned!'

"I understand where they're coming from with that, and we take it as a compliment."

What’s the history of Black Business Month?

Originating in August 2004, Black Business Month highlights the significance of Black Businesses across the nation.

Engineering entrepreneur, Frederick E. Jordan and John William Templeton, president and executive editor of eAccess founded the national holiday with the goal to raise awareness to the challenges that Black business owners face. They hoped to empower those business owners across the country.

Business directory released in August

Washington, of Go Topeka, said the new business directory will be shared with consumers, state, federal and local procurement officers.

The Minority & Women Business Development collaborated with IBSA to create the directory to share with corporate buyers, Washington said. It's also a local tool for consumers to purchase from Black businesses in the community.

A new edition of the directory is planned to be released every January, and online will be updated as needed, she said. New business owners will be added on a "quarterly basis."

Although the directory is the first step in celebration of the national holiday, larger celebrations in the capital city are the hope for the future.

“National Black Business Month is relatively new compared programs like Minority Enterprise Development week, and it will take time to be recognized in the marketplace,” Washington said. “With the help of others, we plan to collaborate and design programs around the month in the coming year."

Washington said access to capital and corporate and government buyers are two of the biggest barriers for Black-owned businesses. She said she hopes to see technology and manufacturing businesses introduced to the market.

Go Topeka is working with such organizations as Shawnee Startups, Network Kansas and the Topeka Community Foundation to stand up new financial assistance programs that will support Black-owned businesses.

"Continue to support your favorite Black-owned businesses throughout the year," she said.

Keishera Lately is a business reporter for the Topeka Capital-Journal. She can be reached at klately@cjonline.com. Follow her on Twitter at @Lately_KT. 

This article originally appeared on Topeka Capital-Journal: Black-owned businesses are growing in Topeka: 'No dream is too big'