NYC Women Break Barriers in Local Business
By Brittany Aufiero
Co-Op City resident and shareholder, Britney Moss, had dreamed of baking professionally for as long as she could remember. Her dream became a reality on March 2, 2018, when she held a grand opening for Cupcake Me!, a pop-up kiosk stand, to sell her sugary treats. Over a year later, on June 6, she celebrated the grand opening of her very own storefront location in Einstein Mall.
Once a hospitality worker, Moss took a leap of faith and began marketing her cupcakes after one of her cakes received overwhelming praise at her daughter’s first birthday party. On her website, she attributes her decision to get back in touch with her love for baking to her southern roots and her great aunt, who lived until the age of 102 and who always pushed her to pursue her passion.
With flavors ranging from standard chocolate and vanilla to orange creamsicle, lemon drop, and Oreo surprise, Moss consistently hits the mark in delivering fresh, delectable cakes and cupcakes. Customers have the option of buying baked goods in-store, or commissioning special orders in advance for pickup or delivery.
Cupcake Me! strawberry-topped cake. Photo Credit: of Britney Moss.
“Britney’s cupcakes are an original masterpiece just for your mouth,” said Lehman alumna Rhue Alice Ivy, 22, who graduated with a degree in English and philosophy. “I’ve commissioned her twice now and honestly, I won’t be going anywhere else for my birthday parties and anniversaries. Her prices are fair and her quality is worth it.”
Ivy first heard of Cupcake Me! while living in Co-Op City and continues to frequent the cupcake shop even though she no longer lives in the neighborhood.
The shop is one of a rising number of small businesses owned by women. New York state law defines a small independently-owned business as one which employs no more than 100 people. Forty-two percent of businesses nationwide are owned by women, more than there have been at any other time in history. However, the 2012 U.S. Census Bureau shows that less than a quarter of these businesses are owned by women of color.
Black-owned small businesses often struggle to compete with larger chain stores, but Moss, a black woman, has seen rare success with Cupcake Me! due to community recognition of and support for her prized recipes. Like Ivy, other long-time fans of Moss’ baked treats have become regulars. The business has five stars on Yelp, with positive reviews. Bronx residents are eager to contribute to the growth of a small business owned by a woman of color. One Yelp reviewer, Dan H. says that in addition to the great cupcakes, one of the reasons he keeps returning to Cupcake Me! Is because he wants to show his support. Many days, Moss finds herself closing shop early because she’s sold everything in stock.
Nathaly Ramos, 22, is a young Dominican American entrepreneur in Uptown Manhattan who has her own dreams of managing a small business. On Sept. 5, she launched Nat NYC, an online shop she uses to sell her personally-designed and packaged fine jewelry.
Like Moss, Ramos attributes the inspiration and drive for her business to the strong women around her. She describes, “At just seven, I would observe my mom as she would sketch out beautiful detailed drawings of apparel alongside with jewelry. The view and the finished product were so intriguing that I was determined to learn how to handcraft.”
Nat NYC faux leather-backed rhinestone Warmth earrings. (Photo Credit: Nathaly Ramos)
On average, Ramos receives two to three orders a day. While her most common orders are the core pieces available on the website, she also takes special orders and works with clients to meet their specific needs. Each and every order comes with a satin pouch and acrylic box that is laser monogrammed by hand, then gift-wrapped.
Building Nat NYC from the ground up has been no small feat. In addition to juggling the demands of a fast-growing business and working a part-time job, Ramos is continuing her studies as a first-generation college student: “I’ve been quite lucky with amazing marketing and business professors who continue to root for me,” she said.
In the future, Ramos hopes to transition from taking orders through her website to owning a chic storefront boutique.
From cupcakes to earrings, women of color throughout the city seem ready and willing to take the business world by storm. Cupcake Me!’s website captures the spirit of New York City’ssmall businesses on its Meet the Baker page, where Moss describes herself in the simplest of terms: “Britney - baker, cake artist, mother, wife, daughter and CEO.” Ramos and Moss are prime examples of how small businesses can continue to expand and gain recognition through community support.
Lehman’s Small Business Association Helps the Bronx Grow
Clarence Stanley, Director of the Small Business Development Center’s Bronx Office at Lehman. (Photo Credit: Nyssbdc.org)
By Esgardo Castelan
“We have been operating since 2000 helping students from the ground up,” said Executive Clarence Stanley, a former veteran and Director of the Small Business Development Center (SBDC) Bronx’s office at Lehman. Through its work, 18,025 businesses have received assistance; investment records sum $167,513,506, and at least 6,066 jobs have been created. “Not many people know about us, and we have been here for almost 20 years,” Stanley said.
The SBDC assists students at about 22 campus-based centers and outreach offices across New York state, including CUNY colleges Baruch, LaGuardia, York, Staten Island and Lehman, with the main goal of teaching the fundamentals of owning and maintaining a business.
Funded by the federal government, the SBDC has also branched out to private institutions including Pace University and Stony Brook University, whose students plan to start up a business and may not know where to start.
In partnership with The Small Business Administration (SBA) that allows them to have the funding to help students, about 30 percent of Stanley’s clients are Lehman students who are brought into the program through internships. They then can modify these into businesses or companies, starting with just an idea.
“One of the greatest things that you can do if you want to open a small business will be to get comfortable with tech. In a century where the internet is taking over with everything being connected, the best thing that you can do is make sure you know the fundamentals of a computer,” Stanley said.
The Small Business Development Center logo. (Photo Credit: Nyssbdc.org)
Other services programs offered by SBDC include a loan guarantee program, which grants an amount of loan and requires only paying the difference, and the immigrant entrepreneur program that helps immigrants obtain visas to enter the United States.
Stanley shared success stories from Lehman students and others who made their idea a reality with the help of SBDC. Their stories “can inspire and encourage others to find hope in receiving aid and knowing they aren’t alone, keeping in mind that this is happening in The Bronx, which is considered the poorest borough of New York,” Stanley said.
Rafael Alverez, now president and CEO of an accounting, tax and financial services business, was born in the Dominican Republic and has resided in New York for the last 25 years. After graduating from CUNY’s City College he promoted his business through the website www.atax.com, with the goal of helping clients achieve the American dream by owning businesses.
Sandrine Valentine is another SBDC client who owns a beauty line named Sandrine Beauty. “Sandrine worked in the fragrance industry and specialized in aromatherapy as she believed therapeutic virtues of scent can heal and uplift mind, body and spirit,” said Stanley. He pointed out that the borough “has changed for the better. The unemployment in the Bronx has changed from 14 percent to 6.7 percent.”
But while the SBDC can turn business dreams into realities with their services, not many Lehman students are aware of it.
“I didn’t know there was a program like that,” said Anton Kyrylenko, a Macaulay Honors Junior.
“Wow, there is a program that can help us with our businesses?” said Raymond Burier, a Lehman junior and business administration major. “This is really useful to know since I plan on opening a business in the future. Therefore, I do believe colleges should offer business consulting.”
Kingsbridge Nail Salon Offer Spa Experience Never Seen in the Neighborhood
Walls were uniquely designed with brush paint-drips, inspired in the name of the business. (Photo credit: Perla Tolentino)
By Allen Mena & Perla Tolentino
“Their design called my attention as I was passing by. It looks different than anything I've seen in this neighborhood,” said Johana Brea, a Bronx resident who works in Carman Hall, of Nail Drip, a Dominican family-owned nail salon that opened about three months ago on Kingsbridge Road. “It looks high-class, not something common around here; it’s interesting to see new things are coming to the Bronx,” she added.
Located on 61 East Kingsbridge Road, within Lehman’s vicinity, the salon offers spa-like services and an aesthetic room for waxing and other eyebrow embellishment services.
“This nail salon creates more jobs for young people in the area and the salon inspires young people to open up their own businesses,” said the salon’s owner and Bronx resident, Damaris Marcelino. “I believe that through effort and work everything is possible, even running a business like ours. I always think about the future in difficult moments.”
Lehman students also think highly of this new salon’s offerings.
Natalie Ramos, a 20-year-old Lehman psychology major who is also a fan of nail art said, “It’s different, fancy and pampering; they seem more clean, trustworthy and dedicated to their clients.”
“In my opinion this is wonderful: a new nail-spa that is innovative and implements new techniques that we have never experienced here in our neighborhood, said Diana Hernandez, 37, a sociology major and Lehman sophomore. “This is a refreshing new start for a business.”
“I find it very nice to see this kind of concept in the Bronx. I enjoy this new surge in customer service; especially because people think negatively about Bronxites. This shows that we can get quality service without having to go to Manhattan,” said Unequa Figueroa, a 26-year-old philosophy major and Lehman senior.
Beyond design and hard work, product quality also forms part of the salon’s mission.
“Our wax soothes the skin, preventing irritation, and it’s such a soft product that it peels-off itself. We can take it off with our hands. This makes us unique because not many places use it,” said Cristal Pena, wife of the owner and co-manager of the salon. “Our spa pedicure gel is made out of fruits and flower petals that help reduce foot odor and sweat.”
“I have been working with very high-end esthetics businesses since 2011, and what I really like about Nail Drip is that it feels like family. We are trying to bring high-end services to an area where people don’t visualize it as possible,” said Chrisal Martinez, 26, who works as the salon’s cosmetology specialist in charge of body waxing, keratin lash boosting and lifting, and eyebrow shaping.
Wine offered to clients is one of the “spa-like” aspects of the salon; the wooden sliding-door in thebackground leads to the esthetics room. Damaris Marcelino, mother of the owner, handing wine to the client. (Photo Credit: Hector Bello)
Martinez, who holds a New York State cosmetology license, confirmed that facial services will be offered in 2020. The salon also plans to be the first in the area to digitize their services.
“We are preparing to make a difference in the nail salon industry,” explained Joel Marcelino, a digital design graduate of Westchester College and the younger son in the family who oversees the salon’s marketing. “We plan to launch an interactive website where customers can try on nail polishes and designs. When the customer makes a selection, their color choice will be sent to a technician who will assist them based on their needs.”
“I gave up a franchise to come help my family with the business. We want to bring relaxation to the community and drive off the attention from crimes and alcoholism. I dream to teach the importance of the economy to young people, to help them understand that a nine to five job won’t always be the dream career.”
Andrea Valles, a 30-year-old employee, complimented the store’s cleanliness and perks. “Hygiene is key here; this is one of the most comfortable places I’ve worked in. The service is excellent. We always offer our customers coffee, wine, water, and the best part is that it doesn’t come from your budget.”
Shanae Casson, a 35-year-old Bronx resident, agreed. “I’ve been to all nail places in the neighborhood, but most are dirty and the staff is rude. At Nail Drip they always welcome me with a smile, and talk to me while doing my nails instead of rushing me out. I’m always served coffee, wine, juice or water. Their work is great and the prices all wonderful. I would always come here.”