Nikki Porcher: I’m committed to create an ecosystem that empowers black women entrepreneurs

Nikki Porcher is a trailblazing entrepreneur and advocate, known for her unwavering commitment to empowering women and fostering positive change in her community. As the founder of the highly acclaimed non-profit organisation, Buy From A Black Woman, Nikki has dedicated herself to promoting and supporting Black women-owned businesses. Her passion for economic empowerment, coupled with her strategic vision, has propelled the organisation to new heights, providing a platform for Black women entrepreneurs to thrive. With a background in business management and a deep understanding of the challenges faced by underrepresented business owners, Nikki’s work has had a significant impact on reshaping the entrepreneurial landscape. She is recognised for her advocacy, mentorship and initiatives that amplify the voices of Black women in business. Nikki’s dynamic leadership style and commitment to equity have garnered widespread respect and admiration, making her an influential figure in the intersection of entrepreneurship and social change.
Nikki continues to inspire individuals and communities alike, breaking barriers, shattering stereotypes and leaving an indelible mark on the world through her dedication to empowerment, innovation and collaboration. In this interview with ESTHER IJEWERE, she shares her inspiring story

Childhood influence
That’s always a hard question to answer because we never know what we are being prepared for while we are experiencing it until those things show up again later in life. As a child, I spent a lot of time around my grandmother, my aunt and my mother of course. We all lived together. Three generations of Black Women under one roof. So, there were many things I experienced. What sticks out is how they all had three different communities that helped each other. They helped each other. This was my first example of what a community looked like and since then I’ve always made sure to build a community. It’s just what you do. It’s what you need.  When you support a Black woman business owner, you support a whole community. This is what I was taught as a child.

These early experiences shaped me because not only do I make sure my community has a community, but we also make sure that no matter how different we are, we can still work together. When I see spaces without one, I wonder how they are surviving because I don’t know anything else.

Why she established Buy From A Black Woman
One of the first things I did when I launched Buy From A Black Woman was to create a grant for Black women business owners because I discovered how difficult it was for Black women to get funding when I started my business. Shanae Jones was the very first recipient of The Black Woman Business Grant. Shanae took the grant and invested in education. She became a certified herbalist and used that knowledge to elevate her offerings and improve her business. One day she called me and asked a question, and we went back and forth, and just never stopped talking. So, over the years, I’ve been able to provide some guidance and mentorship, and now seven years later she has a six-figure business, which we were able to support her in building. She has also become my best friend.

Three women who inspire her and why
My grandmother; I’ve always been inspired by her, especially when I think about the life she’s lived and the fact that her drive, her passion for life and her integrity have never wavered. My grandmother was the oldest daughter among her siblings, so she had to give up school to take care of them. And there have been many periods in her life where she had to set aside her dreams to care for her family, but she never stopped living a life that she was proud of. She’s a pioneer herself in many ways as well. For example, she got her driver’s license very young and during a period when women weren’t driving cars. She ran multiple businesses, so I got to see what it takes to run a business. And she has always been a spiritual woman who is active in her church to this day, which again helped me understand that connecting with the Creator and tapping into something greater than yourself can propel you to heights that you might not be able to reach on your own.

Another woman who inspires me is my best friend, Shanae Jones. She has a hip-hop-inspired tea company called Flyest, which she uses to bring custom blends and education around wellness to a demographic that’s usually ignored by tea companies. The thing that inspires me about Shanae is her creativity and her drive. I got to be there from the beginning of her business, so I’ve watched her take all of her wildest ideas and turn them into a reality, which she couldn’t have done if she wasn’t as dedicated as she is. She also pushes me to be better; for example, we both have quotas for how many books we are supposed to read every month. Shanae always goes over her quota, which motivates me to push even harder and go over mine as well. She’s the type of business bestie that every Black woman business owner deserves.

And the third woman I’m going to mention isn’t one woman in particular, it’s all the Black women who get up every day and put their everything into their businesses even though society puts up all these roadblocks to prevent us from succeeding. Even though sometimes we are met with resistance within our circles, even though sometimes we are tired and just feel like we want to quit. These women know their potential and they know where their businesses can go, and they aren’t willing to give up on their dreams. So, they put out these amazing products and services that make our lives better. They inspire me to keep pushing, keep doing my work, keep creating opportunities for them. And it’s such an honour to be able to support them in this way.

Journey from being a veteran and former public school teacher to a trailblazing advocate for Black women
This is such a great question. As a veteran, I developed strong leadership skills, discipline and the ability to communicate effectively with lots of different types of people. All of these skills have been helpful because effective communication and leadership have helped me inspire action, build community and raise awareness about the challenges Black women face.

Both teaching and being a veteran exposed me to systemic issues in society, which have given me even more insight into the structural barriers Black women entrepreneurs encounter, such as racial and gender biases, lack of access to funding and limited networking opportunities.

As a teacher, I had to get good at understanding the needs and challenges of my students, and as a veteran, there was a strong sense of camaraderie and support for my fellow service members. And at the root, both of these qualities are essentially deep empathy, which I have for Black Women Business Owners because of the struggles they have to deal with. It’s why I strive to empower them to overcome obstacles.

A couple of others that come to mind are problem solving because I had to think on my feet and find solutions to complex problems. I had to show resilience and perseverance because both teaching and the military require a mindset that confronts setbacks or resistance, as does advocating for change and striving to create a more equitable marketplace for Black women entrepreneurs.

And finally, building relationships and collaborating with others in both of those fields helped me to develop the ability to connect with a diverse range of individuals from policymakers to fellow advocates to create alliances and partnerships that amplify the voices and needs of Black women business owners. I’m grateful for my time in service to my country as a veteran and within the public school system because they gave me a strong foundation for advocating for Black women.

How partnerships with notable brands impacted Buy From A Black Woman
They’ve helped us gain exposure to a wider audience and bring more attention to our mission. We have been able to collaborate on joint initiatives, like the Buy From A Black Woman Inspire Tour presented by H&M, which have amplified both our work and H&M’s commitment to diversity and inclusion.

How her commitment to education, funding and community created an ecosystem that empowers and uplifts Black women in business
Education is the foundation of empowerment. Providing Black women business owners with access to resources, workshops, accelerator programmes and mentorship opportunities equips them with the knowledge and skills necessary to run successful businesses. When I first started, I saw how education that took into account the unique challenges that we face as Black women was lacking, so fostering a learning environment that centres their experience empowers them to make informed decisions, adapt to changing market trends and grow their businesses.

Creating avenues for funding such as grants, loans, relief funds and scholarships helps bridge the financial gap. The money means they can invest in expansion, product development, marketing and other areas that contribute to growth and sustainability. But when money is handed over without the proper education and support, it isn’t as effective. This is another reason that we are big on education.
Community building is a must if you want to create a supportive network that nurtures growth and resilience. This is why we are serious about curating a space where they can connect, share their experiences, give each other advice and just collaborate. The sense of community also provides emotional support and helps combat the isolation that can sometimes come with entrepreneurship. You can all have the education and funding in the world, but if you are sad and depressed because you feel isolated, your situation isn’t sustainable.

Advice for aspiring entrepreneurs, especially Black women looking to overcome challenges and succeed in their respective industries
Believe in yourself. Only you truly know what you are capable of; people on the outside looking in may have a different opinion from you. You can listen to them and take their advice, but don’t let them knock you off your feet. Entrepreneurship comes with ups and downs. So, challenges are inevitable but your ability to bounce back and keep moving forward will depend on your will and ability to self-motivate because you believe in your mission and your ability to carry on your mission. Trust yourself, persevere through challenges and inspire others with your success. You’ve got this Black Woman!

Challenges around her advocacy
The main challenge is people not listening to Black women, which is a deeply-rooted and pervasive issue that extends across various aspects of society, including the business world. We face multiple layers of discrimination and marginalisation because of our race and gender, so our experiences are unique and can be overlooked or misunderstood. There are also stereotypes and biases that I encounter within the advocacy realm, which can lead to dismissive attitudes and the overlooking of Black women’s contributions and ideas.

I know that these are challenges that Black women business owners face as well, so I always keep this in mind as I encounter them; because the better I get at navigating these challenges, the more room I’m able to create for the women I work to support.
Being a  Woman of Rubies

The fact that uplifting Black women to the point where they feel empowered to achieve their wildest dreams as business owners is my mission makes me a Woman of Rubies. Black women deserve support; Black women deserve community; Black women deserve to dream big. I want to do everything I can to help them get everything they deserve. Women of Rubies is all about creating space for Black women to thrive and so am I.  Also, Ruby is my birthstone, so you know I was born for this.