This blog cannot replace the vibes of attending a UJAMAA Business Network event. This is our greatest attempt to encourage you to get in tune w/ Madison's network.
There is a BLACK-focused network in Madison, Wisconsin who's creating templates for BLACK entrepreneurs to get comfortable designing, building, owning, and operating OUR OWN EVERYTHING. Adopting the "partner until you can purchase" model. UJAMAA Business Network is the mother of many seeds. Over the last year the network has partnered with many supportive organizations. The most notable is their partnership with UW Partnership Space on Park Street. If you ever want to experience Madison's potential of BLACK everything under 1-roof. Try attending one of their markets as a vendor or come to support BLACK businesses in food, books, apparel, finances, marketing, photography, paintings, videography, custom products, and more.
You heard it here first, UJAMAA BUSINESS NETWORK will become a landmark for all BLACK owned businesses seeking solutions, resources, and exposure to fast-track their profitability in Madison. That's no small feat but they have the right mindset and community to make it real, faster. Leading with multiple cohorts to engage their network and community. UJAMAA will be back in the neighborhood this weekend hosting their pop-up shops located at UW Partnership Space 2238 S Park Street Madison, WI, 53713. Interested vendors complete this registration form. Payments are flexible as they are due the day of the event. Ideally, you could slide through, make a couple bucks, and cover your overhead as an investment to keep shit going. We Say, Easy Wins. *Mention this blog to save on your vendor fees.
This blog is BLACK owned and has been in attendance for a greater percentage of UJAMAA engagements since 2019. We believe in UJAMAA's mission to combine knowledge, skills, resources, and purchasing power to support and grow business in communities of color throughout Wisconsin, with a specific focus on Black owned businesses. Based on their repeat vendor consistency, we are not the only business that believes UJAMAA gatherings create a "community reunion" type of vibe. We collected a few conversations from familiar faces at UJAMAA most recent markets.
Fabulous Jems is an independent consultant with Paparazzi Accessories. The unique factor about Fabulous Jems is all their products are just $5.
Quick takeaways from
- Fabulous Jems
Owner / Dorothy Reed
- Independent consultant all jewelry is 5 dollars
- Buy at wholesale prices
- Fabulous Jems is available for live events
- men, women, and children jewelry
- website:
Quick takeaways from
- We serve everybody
- Not all my customers are black
- Started with mom's
- Latice (Owner) and her daughter, Suga Baby owns and operates the business
- Family members and friends support their business the most
- "I like everything about Suga Baby's Blingg & Thingz, everything we do is different." Latice
*Sidenote: this company can customize anything. Did you check out their crocs on the table? We coined them "Conversation Crocs" because they spark one.
For more info on Suga Baby's Blingg & Thingz, visit their website.
"We Customize To Your Likings!"
Quality Baked Goods and More
Quick takeaways from
The name is a family name (Mac) - Owned and operated by Catina
- She has been baking since she was 12 years old - watching her mother in the kitchen
- Catina stopped pursuing her dream of independence for a while - after speaking with her brother 2 years ago, her interest was sparked to get back on her path and she's been dedicated ever since.
- Her brother created the name: Macmade Delights
- Favorite part about owning Macmade Delights: "creating things you don't normally see in stores - just being creative & making it my own."
- Catina (owner) recently graduated from the upstart program in Madison, Wisconsin
- She's entertained by the idea of a brick-and-mortar location
- Macmade Delights bread and butter is catering.
- Best sellers to-date are Butter pecan, Cheesecake, Keylime cheesecake, cupcakes, cakes, and pies
Quick Takeaways from:
Custom Items by Mo & her daughter Semaje
- Apart from helping her mother with the business, Semaje likes going to school
- Semaje gets referrals from her friends at school for her mother to customize products for them
- Mo customizes business cards, cups, pillows, and more
- Mo is currently proud of her relationship w/ MMSD
- 1 area Mo would like to focus more on is creating social media awareness
- Mo enjoys bringing an idea to fulfillment from thought to creation
- "Custom items are my favorite part. I enjoy customizing new things. My latest venture is customizing mouse pads
- Mo likes to collaborate w Semaje on final products
- This is a mother and daughter business
- Goal: to get bigger w/ more products & social media
family big business
- everything is made with love - it's all family - we really connect while we're creating
For more on Custom Items by Mo visit their social media account.
Quick takeaways from
Queen P's Throne
- Stephanie aka Queen P is the owner and known as the earring lady, but she says she now offers much more than just earrings
- Currently offering Lazer engraved custom designs such as: door signs, keychains, qr codes, and social media digital payment signs
- Queen P's goal is to quit her full-time job to work for herself full time. We Say, Easy Wins
- Mr. Pru (Queen P's husband) is on board w// the business and has been helping to grow the business clientele
- Queen P says "custom is key"
- Her favorite part about Queen P's Throne is to: create things you can't find
- least favorite " so many options for her clients can make it difficult when attempting to narrow down their options
- Personal Accomplishment: "For every state to have my earrings."
- Queen P has this map chart where she tracks her sales in attempt to reach her goal
- Upcoming events: Rockford | Gemini Expo | on the committee | UJAMAA Markets
For more information on Queen P's Throne visit: queenpsthrone.com
- Benefits of UJAMAA for Queen P - networking with smalls businesses - I now have my own identity in addition to being a: Wife, mom, dog mom, 🐕, Queen, basketball mom, business lady, and a daughter
Stephanie "Queen P" is "Your earring Queen!"
Sarah Branch is the CEO of Earthly Temptation LLC. Her handcrafted body care and wellness products aim to increase awareness of the importance of self-care for her customers. Earthly Temptation's focus is marketing and promoting their company to a larger audience. Joining UJAMAA Business Network has allowed Sarah to do just that. Sarah views UJAMAA as a Black business network bridging the gap for black business owners.
Earthly Temptations reached their 1-year milestone last year and Sarah is extremely grateful. What that means to her is her products are being demanded which allows her to continue creating her unique hand-made pieces and enjoying life. Earthly Temptations is the 1-stop shop for all earthly things. Sarah says she really had to get out of her own way and grind out loud. Here's a message directly from Sarah's live where she touches on self-doubt and support appreciation.
Quick takeaways from
Earthly Temptation
1: Updates on the business?
Earthly Temptation will be looking into moving into a store front for fall.
2: Latest product or service added?
Intention Oil’s Love, prosperity, protection Hair care Loc Oil, Loc Butter
3: Local resources you use? Progressive Center for Black Women
4: Last black owned business you supported? Sugar Baby Blinggs and Things
5: Best-selling products? Goat Milk Soap and Room/Lien Spray
6: Your recommended product on your table? Evening Blend Tea + Crystals
7: 3 things that are necessary to operate your business?
"Peace, Earthly Temptation is me so, for my business to operate smoothly I must be at peace. The products that I offer are centered on love and intent. In hopes of providing self-care to others so that they may find themselves in a state of peace and happiness. I cannot offer anything if I’m not grounded correctly, due to the chances of negative energy transferring to my products and then to others. I must have the support of my community. If I’m not filling a need of the community then there’s no need for me. A source that provides natural herbs, butter, and oil. Most of these ingredients I buy locally.
The common denominator surrounding the vendors inside this blog is UJAMAA Business Network. If their presence hasn't been felt thus far, the network has a summer full of front facing community-welcoming events and gatherings. You should consider witnessing the greatness of this network sooner than later. For more information follow the network online and sign up for their upcoming events this year.
Madison Night Market is a celebration of Madison's unique and inspiring creative culture.
GENERAL SCHEDULE: 100State block - performances @ The Forum
4 - 6 pm DJ M White
6 - 6:30 pm CommUNITY Stage (family friendly)
6:30 - 7 pm BattleZone (freestyle battle, cash prizes)
7 pm Main Stage (experienced performers - paid)
Music curated w/ DJ MWhite of Intuition Productions
Dairyland Dancing Diamonds ( TBD ) youth dance team
No BatteZone or Main Stage scheduled.
About UJAMAA: UJAMAA's mission is to combine knowledge, skills, resources, and purchasing power to support and grow businesses in communities of color throughout Wisconsin, with a specific focus on Black owned businesses. To register for this event, start here:
Catch UJAMAA members at 2238 S Park Street in Madison, Wisconsin this weekend at UW Partnership Space. Do you know any BLACK business owners in Madison or in any surrounding areas? Make sure you introduce them to UJAMAA Business Network. The potential of this network is fruitful for not only the BLACK community regarding income and access, but this network will allow other ethnic groups to generate an unfamiliar perspective of our togetherness. This is "The Way" what you waiting on?
LessWork Literature is not your normal blog site. We don't survive on clicks. We don't create content for advertising dollars. Our goal is to create a template for artists to make a local living, forever. We need you. If you can help today—because every gift of any size matters—please do.
Written by: 1neofmani Pen
Video/photo/design credit: LessWork Lens
Title: Say UJMAA Out'Loud
Blog: #25
Logos/Photos/Videos/Copy/Content: Owned by LessWork Local Lifestyle LLC
All rights reserved by: LessWork Local Lifestyle LLC 2022.
Commentaires