DECATUR, Ga. — More Black Georgians are taking matters into their own hands and starting their own businesses, according to a new report.
DeKalb County mother Shawn Denise is one of the latest designers to contribute to the international fashion clothing line SHEIN.
“Just seeing my designs on their website, I was like, ‘Oh my God, is this happening?’” Denise said.
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She told Channel 2′s Ashli Lincoln considers herself a game changer after pivoting from a government job with the Department of Agriculture to focus on her passion for fashion.
Denise says as a teen, there were no plus-size clothing options for her. That motivated her to create Paint by Shawn Denise in 2013.
She says ultimately she’s hoping to create generational wealth for her family from her business.
“The first garment sold out in less than a month, and then the second one sold out, and then the third or fourth and a fifth,” she said.
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A report done by the National Bureau of Economic Research shows Atlanta was one of the top five cities leading in entrepreneurial growth among Black populations. Newly created businesses in Atlanta grew 56% above 2019.
Economists say those numbers are continuing to grow as more Black business owners, like Denise, are focused on increasing generational wealth.
“And I just hope that even if I don’t inspire the masses, that maybe I’ll spare a dozen people and I’m perfectly fine with that,” Denise said.
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