Fun fact of the day, I’m an author. I co-authored The BAP Handbook and have written a few different e-books about product-based businesses and marketing your business on Instagram. I’ve learned so much about running a products-based business since starting the original Effie’s Paper back in 2011 (I say original because the company is sooo different today from the personalized stationery business I originally lauched!). And I’m delighted to share that I am now teaching what I’ve learned in a webinar series called REAL TALK :: THE ELEMENTS OF A PRODUCT BASED BUSINESS as a part of Buy From A Black Woman University the 4th Friday of every month this year.

From the outside looking in, it seems like running an online business should be pretty easy, right? Everyone and their dog is starting an e-commerce site. But, as you’ve discovered, figuring out how to start, what to sell, how to source products and how to identify your target audience is more than a notion. There’s all kinds of information on the internet about starting and running an e-commerce business, but trying to figure out what’s helpful and what’s just fodder is overwhelming to say the least! The problem is, there’s nothing concise and to the point. This class will help to de-mystify what it takes to start and sustain a successful product-based business.

What Will We Cover?

The course is broken into 3 topics. There will be 3 webinars for each topic:
- How To Start A Product-Based Business;
- How To Market A Product-Based Business on Social Media; and
- How to Prepare For Pop-Up Markets & Events
How Does This Help?
So, if you’ve started a product-based business or thinking about starting one. I invite you to join me every fourth Friday at 12:15 pm. You can view the live classes on Buy From A Black Woman’s YouTube channel. But, if for some reason you can’t make a session live, the seminars are recorded and will be housed in BFABWtv’s library. Where you can watch at your leisure and continue to reference.

In essence, I’ll be sharing everything I’ve learned over the course of time about running and owning a product-based business. And trust me, I’ve got all kinds of intel! Last year alone we popped up in Union Square as part of Urbanspace’s Union Square Holiday Market. We released an exclusive collection of notebooks in 200 select Walmart stores and we launched our first day planner! Girlfriend, when I say 2022 was a busy year, it was a BUSY year!

You guys will be receiving behind-the-scenes info and taking on these projects and how they came to be. For example, we had three products featured in Google’s Black-Owned Friday campaign, which still seems insane to think about.
I still have a ton to learn. However, I’m excited to share my knowledge with anyone interested in starting a product-based business. When I started Effie’s Paper I had a hard time finding a mentor or coach in the products space. So I’m happy to do what I can to give back in some small way. My social media manager has been after me to write a few more books about my experience as an entrepreneur – it’s on the list! But, right now I’ve got a lot of balls in the air.
What Is Buy From A Black Woman?
Buy From A Black Woman is a registered tax-exempt nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization that ensures that Black Women have the tools and resources that will allow them to be successful. Since 2016, Buy From A Black Woman has been supporting Black women business owners. Through educational programs, an online directory, and funding. Buy from a Black Woman continues to grow and has become a trusted resource known for helping Black Women in business.

Effie’s Paper has been a part of the Buy From A Black Woman Online Directory (a listing of hundreds of businesses owned by Black women) for at least the past 5 years. As a result, I’ve met some other amazing women entrepreneurs. In addition, we’ve been invited to participate in The Buy From A Black Woman Inspire Tour presented by H&M. Allowing us to pop up at H&M’s across the country. From their flagship store on 5th Avenue in New York, their store in Times Square, and their store in Detroit (my hometown).


The Living Examples Docuseries
Last year, Buy From A Black Woman, in partnership with H&M, produced a docu-series called The Living Examples. The series tells the stories of Black Women business owners and how their journey shaped them to become who they are today. Effie’s Paper was one of the 24 companies featured in this ground breaking series, click here to read about the experience. You can watch the Effie’s Paper episode here . Where I had a chance to share our story, our vision, our experiences, and our WHY.

Black Girl Magic
Buy From A Black Woman is an organization focused on Black Girl Magic! Everything Nikki Porcher does is about elevating and empowering Black women business owners to be all that we can be and then some. I’m delighted to be part of such an amazing sisterhood. And, I’m excited to be sharing some of what I’ve learned as an entrepreneur with the Buy From A Black Woman community. If you’re a product-based business owner or hoping to to be one, join me every 4th Friday and watch monthly webinar, REAL TALK:: THE ELEMENTS OF A PRODUCTS BASED BUSINESS, on Buy From A Black Woman TV every fourth Friday at 12pm – simply click here to watch!
Stylishly Yours,
Kalyn
This post contains affiliate links and I may earn commissions for purchases made through links in this post. Please see my disclosures for more information. Thank you so much for your support!