What traditions have you not kept that your parents had?
From Watching My Parents Struggle to Building My Own Path
Growing up, I witnessed firsthand the sacrifices my parents made to provide for our family. My mom was a teacher, responsible not only for raising seven kids of her own but also for educating other people’s children day in and day out. My dad worked his way through various city jobs—starting in sanitation, then moving to the post office, and finally driving buses for the MTA. I saw him work long hours, often too exhausted to spend time with the kids he was working so hard to support. And despite all their efforts, we were constantly behind on bills, and there was never enough money to go around.
I hated seeing my mom always stressed out, and I couldn’t understand why my parents worked so hard, yet we were still struggling. The money was never enough, and I rarely got the things I wanted. It wasn’t until I started packing groceries at the local supermarket that I got a taste of financial independence. That summer, I made enough to buy my own clothes for school and everything else I wanted. It felt good to finally be in control, to not have to rely on anyone else for the things I needed.
That experience ignited a fire in me. I’ve tried working traditional jobs, but they always left me feeling drained and unfulfilled. The conditions we work under, the pennies we’re paid while corporations get rich—it just didn’t make sense to me. I knew I wasn’t built for that life. I’ve always been a hustler at heart, starting with selling DVDs, socks, and lip gloss in downtown Brooklyn. During festive holidays like Valentine’s Day and Christmas, I’d be outside with whatever merch matched the occasion. Some days, I made nothing; other times, I made more than I expected. But that was the thrill—being in control, taking accountability, and making things happen on my own terms.
This hustler’s mentality has shaped who I am today. There’s something powerful about knowing that your success is in your hands, that you can turn nothing into something with the right mindset and hustle. It’s not just about making money; it’s about the independence, the grind, and the satisfaction that comes from building something from the ground up.
Watching my parents struggle despite their hard work taught me valuable lessons. It showed me that while traditional work might provide stability, it often comes at the cost of time, freedom, and sometimes even happiness. My parents’ experiences motivated me to approach work differently—to prioritize ownership, control, and the ability to dictate my own destiny. I wanted to create a life where I wasn’t just surviving, but thriving—on my own terms.
This drive led me to create Blacc Market. It wasn’t just about starting a business—it was about building a platform that could uplift my community. My vision for Blacc Market is to acquire small Black-owned businesses, push their products and services through my company and site, and become a personal directory—a one-stop shop for all Black products. By doing this, I’m not only creating opportunities for myself but also helping others in my community who are striving to break away from traditional employment and create something of their own.
Blacc Market is more than just a business. It’s a movement toward economic empowerment, where we can support each other, keep our dollars circulating within our community, and build generational wealth that lasts. This isn’t just about making money—it’s about making a difference.
Looking ahead, my vision for Blacc Market is to expand, bringing more Black-owned businesses into the fold and helping them reach new heights. Success for me isn’t just about personal gain; it’s about seeing my community thrive, about creating a legacy that will benefit generations to come. I want Blacc Market to be the go-to platform for Black-owned products, a symbol of what we can achieve when we work together and support each other.
So here’s my call to action: support Black-owned businesses, invest in our community, and believe in the power of spending Black to give back. We have the ability to create lasting change, but it starts with us. Let’s build something that our children and grandchildren can be proud of, something that shows we didn’t just survive—we thrived. And if you’re like me, tired of the traditional grind and looking for more, I encourage you to find your hustle, take control of your situation, and build something that reflects who you are and what you stand for. The future is in our hands.
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