Zandra Zantell’s beauty product business, which she started when she was just 12 years old, was one of the first East Side small businesses The Foundry supported more than a decade ago.
Since then, there have been many more entrepreneurs that the community-based group has helped as it tries to create a pipeline of next generation entrepreneurs from the underserved community.
Now, with the help of $3 million, The Foundry, in collaboration with entrepreneur service organization The Exchange at Beverly Gray, will be able to serve even more small businesses on the East Side, such as Zantell’s business, Zandra Beauty.
It is part of a three-year small-business growth initiative supported by partners such as the City of Buffalo, Empire State Development and Ralph C. Wilson Jr. Foundation to boost the entrepreneurial endeavors of the businesses the two organizations serve.
“When many said ‘no’ to my daughter, The Foundry said ‘yes,’ ” said Tamara Zantell, Zandra’s mother and the recently named director of business development at The Foundry.
“They said ‘yes’ to her practicing her craft and building a product-based business at just 12 years old and on the East Side of Buffalo,” she said. “Her story of over 10 years exemplifies the ripple effect of these entrepreneurships. I now get to be part of the ‘yes’ that so many of the entrepreneurs in our community need to hear.”
The funding will come through the Regional Revitalization Partnership, which uses private and public funding to invest in the East Side, as well as the cities of Niagara Falls and Rochester. It will go toward creating a dedicated support network, providing accessible programming for the needs of small businesses on the East Side, which supporters say will change the face of entrepreneurship in the neighborhood.
“It’s no secret that the need for funding and resources for (Black Indigenous People Of Color) entrepreneurs and business…
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