Top 50List Highlights: Business-to-Consumer Companies

Spotlight on Trailblazing Entrepreneurs Transforming the Food, Fashion, and Retail Industries

Denise Woodard of Partake Foods has carved a niche in the food equity and equality movement. After her daughter's diagnosis with multiple food allergies, she began crafting allergy-friendly recipes in her Manhattan kitchen, which eventually led to the birth of Partake Foods in 2016. The company offers a variety of delicious, allergen-free foods for people with and without dietary restrictions.

Initially, Woodard sold three types of cookies from her car, but the products are now available in approximately 10,000 stores, including Target, Kroger, Walmart, and Whole Foods, as well as Amazon. With funding from influential investors like Rihanna and Jay-Z, Partake has raised over $20 million. Woodard makes history as the first Black woman to raise more than $1 million publicly for a CPG food startup. Partake was ranked #45 on the 2022 Inc 5000 and #151 on the 2023 Inc 5000. Prior to founding Partake, she spent a decade in consumer packaged goods at various Fortune 100 companies.

Meanwhile, Aisha "Pinky" Cole's Slutty Vegan plant-based burger chain has generated a near cult-like following in Georgia, Alabama, and New York. Despite the irreverent name, the chain has seen significant success, generating $4 million in revenue within its first six months. In May 2022, Slutty Vegan raised $25 million through a Series A funding round, valuing the company at $100 million. Cole was added to the Time magazine 100 Next list in 2023, recognizing individuals with an outsized influence on American culture.

Beatrice Dixon founded The Honey Pot Company, which focuses on providing women with healthier alternatives to feminine care products. The company launched in 2014 and currently sells its products nationwide at retailers like Target, Walmart, and Whole Foods. Dixon has been recognized for her achievements, being named to Forbes' Top 100 Female Founders, Inc. Magazine's Top 100 Women Entrepreneurs, and Goldman Sachs' 100 Most Intriguing Entrepreneurs of 2021.

Rihanna's lingerie brand, Savage X Fenty, gained a cult following for its appealing designs and inclusivity. Launched in 2018 as an online-only brand, Savage X Fenty features bras, underwear, sleepwear, and loungewear. The brand has gained significant traction, boasting over 4.5 million followers across social media platforms and more than $1 billion in valuation as of 2021. Rihanna, the brand's CEO, made history as the first Black woman to head a luxury brand for LVMH.

Melissa Butler started The Lip Bar in response to a personal need for vegan lipstick options. She appeared on Shark Tank in 2015, where she was unable to secure funding, but later bootstrapped and grew her business. Today, The Lip Bar products can be found in 750 Target stores, 500 Walmart stores, and a flagship store in Downtown Detroit. Butler has been featured in various media outlets such as Forbes, Essence, People, Elle, and Cosmopolitan.

Finally, Diishan Imira founded Mayvenn, an offline-to-online retail solution for the salon industry. The company provides web and mobile point-of-sale applications that allow salons and stylists to retail products without holding any inventory. Imira's MBA in International Studies from Georgia State University- J. Mack Robinson College of Business has played a significant role in shaping Mayvenn's operations. The company has raised $76M in funding, transforming the hair business to be more equitable and profitable for stylists.

While a definitive ranked list of the top 50 groundbreaking businesses by women of color in food, fashion, and retail is not directly available, the success of these businesses, as well as programs like WBENC Women of Color Incubator, highlight the growing influence and innovative ideals of these entrepreneurs. These initiatives are crucial in fostering ecosystems conducive to long-term growth in these sectors, addressing the unique challenges faced by women of color entrepreneurs.

Listing the trailblazing entrepreneurs, Denise Woodard of Partake Foods, Aisha "Pinky" Cole of Slutty Vegan, Beatrice Dixon of The Honey Pot Company, Rihanna of Savage X Fenty, Melissa Butler of The Lip Bar, and Diishan Imira of Mayvenn, are transforming the food, fashion, and retail industries.
Denise Woodard's Partake Foods, with funding from investors like Rihanna and Jay-Z, has raised over $20 million and offers allergen-free foods in approximately 10,000 stores.
Aisha "Pinky" Cole's Slutty Vegan, despite its irreverent name, has generated over $4 million in revenue within its first six months and received $25 million through a Series A funding round.
Beatrice Dixon's The Honey Pot Company, focusing on feminine care, has been recognized by Forbes, Inc., and Goldman Sachs for its contributions to women's health.
Rihanna's lingerie brand, Savage X Fenty, boasts over 4.5 million followers and a valuation of over $1 billion, making Rihanna the first Black woman to head a luxury brand for LVMH.
Melissa Butler's The Lip Bar, offering vegan lipstick options, can now be found in over 1200 Target and Walmart stores and a flagship store in Detroit.
Diishan Imira's Mayvenn, an offline-to-online retail solution for the salon industry, has raised $76M in funding and is transforming the hair business to be more equitable and profitable for stylists.
The success of these businesses, along with initiatives like WBENC Women of Color Incubator, highlights the growing influence and innovative ideas of entrepreneurs in food, fashion, and retail industries.
These initiatives are crucial in fostering ecosystems conducive to long-term growth in these sectors and addressing the unique challenges faced by women of color entrepreneurs.
Personal finance, real-estate, technology, entertainment, fashion-and-beauty, food-and-drink, and small-business investing are sectors that stand to benefit from the innovative ideas and impact of these entrepreneurs as they continue to transform the world of business.