An Unexpected Morning That Changed Everything

There are moments in entrepreneurship that remind you exactly why you started. For me, that moment came on a Thursday morning — running on two hours of sleep, fueled by purpose, and walking into a ceremony I almost didn't attend.

This past Thursday, I was honored to receive the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) Minority Small Business Champion of the Year Award for 2023 — a recognition that stopped me in my tracks and moved me to tears.

The Night Before the Award

The night before the ceremony, I stayed up until 7AM working on QuickBooks reconciliations to apply for a grant for my business. I had already put in a full day of work, missed my Black Girl Ventures class just to rest, and was running on fumes.

I texted my dear friend Camille, Director of the LDC Enterprise NY (LDCENY) — the woman who nominated me for this award — and said: "Sis… I'm tired. Please accept this award for me."
Her response? "Girl, I did a speech for you, but you need self-care. It's hard being an entrepreneur. Go rest."

That kind of grace — the understanding only another entrepreneur can offer — put a battery in my back. I got up, got dressed, and made it to the 10AM ceremony.

The Moment That Brought Us Both to Tear

When Camille gave her introductory speech, she choked up. And just like that, so did I.
Because in that room, in that moment, six years of sacrifice, sleepless nights, trials, and triumphs all came flooding back. This mission has always been bigger than us — and hearing it reflected back through someone who lived it alongside us made it all feel real.

The Story of DA SPOT: Built From 100 Square Feet and a Dream

DA SPOT started in a 100-square-foot retail space with one clear mission: to create space and real opportunities for Black and POC creatives and entrepreneurs.

What began as a small storefront has grown into a thriving hub of community, creativity, and commerce. Over the past six years, we have proudly impacted 300+ entrepreneurs through:

The DA SPOT shop — a curated space for Black and minority-owned brands

The BCC Market (@thebccmkt) — a marketplace platform for local creatives

Community events — pop-ups, vendor markets, and networking experiences

One-on-one support — for anyone who walks through our doors with a dream, a vision, or just a need for encouragement and business guidance

Celebrating the Village That Made This Possible

This award is not mine alone. It belongs to every person who believed in this vision when it was just an idea in a tiny room.

A special congratulations goes to Camille and the entire team at Brooklyn Women's Business Center (@bklynwbc) for winning SBA's Women's Business Center of the Year — a well-deserved honor for a team that has poured endlessly into small business owners across our community. When the pandemic hit and we needed help the most, they were there — steering us through the storm.

To God, LDCENY, my partners, friends, family, and my entire tribe — thank you for genuinely helping keep this dream alive. ❤️

What This Award Means for Minority Small Business Owners

Being recognized as the SBA Minority Small Business Champion is a reminder that the work we do every day — the late nights, the grant applications, the community events, the hand-holding through someone else's business journey — matters.

If you are a minority entrepreneur, a Black business owner, or a small business in your community wondering if it's worth it — it is. Keep going. Your community needs what only you can build.

Support Black-Owned Businesses Like DA SPOT

Whether you are an entrepreneur looking for a space to grow, a creative seeking a platform, or a customer who wants to put your dollars into community-centered businesses, DA SPOT is here for you.

📍 Follow our journey: @Daspotnyc 

🏆 Proud recipient: SBA Minority Small Business Champion of the Year 2023