10 Black Women That Went from the Kitchen to Walmart or Target
The entrepreneurial journey has allowed many Black women to transform their homemade creations into household staples available at major retailers. This growing trend reflects the resilience and creativity of over two million Black women entrepreneurs who are reimagining retail success.
Despite being one of the fastest-growing groups of business owners, Black women often face challenges in revenue generation. Here’s a celebration of ten inspiring Black women who started from humble beginnings—often their kitchens—and have now found their products on the shelves of boutiques and big-box stores like Walmart, Target, and beyond.
Oyin Handmade
When Jamyla Bennu struggled to find organic, natural hair products for her natural curls, she created her own. Founded in 2001 and brought online in 2003 with the help of her husband, Pierre, Oyin Handmade began as a family-run business in Baltimore.
Today, Oyin’s cruelty-free hair and body care products are sold at Target, CVS, and Sally Beauty.
Miss Jessie’s
In the 1990s, hairstylist Miko Branch and her sister, Titi, launched Miss Jessie’s after experimenting with homemade curly hair formulas. Named after their grandmother, their products like “Curly Pudding” became a hit.
Now, Miss Jessie’s is a multimillion-dollar brand available at Walmart, Walgreens, CVS, and Target.
Footnanny
Gloria L. Williams turned her mother’s Southern tradition of healing rubdowns into a luxury foot care line, Footnanny. Known for her Oprah-approved creams, soaking salts, and massage techniques, Williams has become a household name in self-care.
Footnanny products are available at Macy’s, Costco, and online retailers like Amazon.
Kinky-Curly
Shelley Davis transformed her Caribbean roots into Kinky-Curly, a natural hair care line that keeps curls hydrated and strong. With a background in marketing and a passion for chemistry, Davis launched her brand in 2003.
You can find Kinky-Curly products at Whole Foods, Target, and salons nationwide.
CURLS
Mahisha Dellinger, a former Intel marketing manager, founded CURLS in 2002 with $30,000 in savings. Her natural hair care line gained traction after being featured in Lucky Magazine.
Now, CURLS is a multimillion-dollar brand sold at Sally Beauty, Rite Aid, and Target. Dellinger also mentors entrepreneurs as the host of OWN’s Mind Your Business with Mahisha.
Live Alkaline Water
Dr. Shayla Creer and Robert McCray made history with Live Alkaline Water, the first Black-owned bottled water brand. The water is sourced from McCray’s family aquifer in North Carolina and boasts immunity-boosting properties.
You’ll find it online and in select Walmart locations in Florida.
Me & the Bees Lemonade
Mikaila Ulmer, a teenage entrepreneur, turned her great-grandmother’s flaxseed lemonade recipe into a national sensation. Sparked by her passion for bee conservation, Mikaila launched Me & the Bees Lemonade, donating 10% of profits to save the bees.
Her lemonade is sold in Whole Foods and over 500 stores nationwide.
Partake Foods
Denise Woodard started Partake Foods to create allergy-friendly snacks after her daughter was diagnosed with food allergies. Her vegan and gluten-free cookies quickly caught the attention of major investors, including Jay-Z.
Today, Partake Foods is sold in Target, Whole Foods, and other major retailers.
The Honey Pot Company
Bea Dixon founded The Honey Pot Company to create plant-based feminine care products after experiencing a recurring health issue. With the help of a dream and her grandmother’s recipe, she built a thriving brand.
You’ll find The Honey Pot products at Walmart, Target, and Walgreens.
Uncle Nearest Premium Whiskey
Fawn Weaver created Uncle Nearest Premium Whiskey to honor Nearest Green, the first-known Black master distiller. Weaver’s dedication to storytelling and excellence has made Uncle Nearest one of the most successful Black-owned whiskey brands.
Uncle Nearest is available at Target, Total Wine, and other retailers across the country.
These Sistahs Made It Big—You Can Too!
From hair care to lemonade and even whiskey, these Black women entrepreneurs turned kitchen creations into thriving brands. Their stories remind us that with determination, strategic planning, and access to the right tools, success is within reach.
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