CARBONDALE (WSIL) -- August is Black Business Month. It's a celebration of Black-owned businesses in the United State. News 3 spoke with some Black business owners from Carbondale who say they don't work just for the money, they also want to make a positive impact on others.
Blissful Body Butter owner Kena Jackson says after being diagnosed with scleroderma, a skin-tightening condition, she wanted to make natural products that will help her and others with their health.
"One thing I do pride myself on as well is health, skin health, healing the skin. I want my customers skin to feel healthy," she said.
Since 2019, she's sold lotions, soaps, deodorants and more, but last year she had to overcome the challenges of having fewer customers during the pandemic. Jackson says she prides herself in making her items affordable for everyone.
"People don't have a lot of money right now to even care for their skin or hair or anything like that. So if I can keep my products at a low price my customers can still enjoy the beauties of my product," she said.
Black business owners make up about 10% of U.S. businesses. Prints R' Us owner, Nancy Maxwell, says she's been running a T-shirt business for 20 years.
"It's a very fulfilling business. I love making a creation come true and then seeing it come to life on a shirt and I love to see the customer's response," she said.
She says her designs have also recieved positive feedback from Governor JB Pritzker.
As for Jackson and reflecting on her success, she says she hopes it will inspire others to follow their dreams.
"Being a black woman and a business owner, it lets so many more kids of my color to know that they can do it, they can be successful, they can push themselves to make their business or whatever they want to make successful," she said.
Jackson is having a grand opening for her business this Saturday, September 4 at 3 p.m. at 1710 W. Sunset Drive Carbondale, Illinois 62901. For more information, call 618-353-4983.
Maxwell says she's helping organize a local black chamber of commerce. If you're interested in ordering a t-shirt, call 618-306-5885.
