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Rhode Island
Providence startup founder looks to build equity for Black-owned brands, one gift box at a time – The Boston Globe
How does this fit into your own background?
Professionally, I’ve come up in the digital startup world and have worked in the gifting industry. I’ve always worked in e-commerce and the digital payment space. A few years ago, I also launched a blog called Crumb Snatched, which is a food blog I created out of a need I saw to write Cape Verdean recipes for Cape Verdean Americans. I’ve learned a lot of new skills running that blog that are helping me with Boxed in Black. And, I also do some freelance consulting on the side that helps me sustain myself personally.
Your brand focuses on “premium and ultra-high end” products. Why is that?
There’s this notion that if a business is Black- or brown-owned, then everything is handmade or they’re very small. I wanted to bring to light that there are some beautiful, established brands out there that are founded and championed by people of color.
Right now, we’re mostly selling premium products. “Luxury” means different things to different people. We’re not yet “ultra-high end” but will get there as we grow.
Are there any local brands you’re featuring in the boxes?
We don’t specifically focus on New England-based products.
What are some of the brands you’re spotlighting?
We have a brand called Nopalera, which is owned by a Latin-American woman that has created a beautiful line of Mexican skin and hair care products. Cloth & Paper is a luxury stationary company that sells planners and other desktop essentials that’s Black-owned and founded. Teaspressa is owned by a woman who is Black and Korean who creates tea that honors her heritage in a really beautiful way.
Do you have investors? Have you done any fundraising?
I’ve been able to fund this mostly by myself with the help of a five-digit investment from a family member. I’ve won two pitch competitions, received some grants, and expect to win a third grant by the end of this year. I don’t have any formal investors, angel investors, or venture capital firms that are involved. I don’t want to dilute my equity too much, and I have not at all thought of having any sort of “exit plan.” I’ve actually been told that my business is not venture backable, but I don’t think we know enough about what this business can be to say that definitively. With that being said, I’m certainly not threatened by or discouraged by the fact that some in the venture capital world do not want to be involved.
What challenges are you facing?
Managing everything myself. I have a designer that helps with web design, but it’s really hard to consistently promote your brand, get it in front of people who are your target audience, focus on business development, and create all of the content.
What are your goals for the next year? What about the next five years?
For the next year, I want to grow my email list. I also want to roll out a gifting tool so people can create their own gift boxes.
My primary goal is really building out the business to business relationships for the corporate gifting side of the company. I’d like to hit $1 million in revenue by Year 3. If not by Year 3, then definitely by Year 5. I know it’s not an easy goal, but I think the company has a lot of potential to get there.
The Boston Globe’s weekly Ocean State Innovators column features a Q&A with Rhode Island innovators who are starting new businesses and nonprofits, conducting groundbreaking research, and reshaping the state’s economy. Send tips and suggestions to reporter Alexa Gagosz at alexa.gagosz@globe.com.
Alexa Gagosz can be reached at alexa.gagosz@globe.com. Follow her @alexagagosz and on Instagram @AlexaGagosz.
Why is the flag at half staff? These are possible reasons
The flag of the United States of America is flown at half-staff on several occasions, generally marking that the country is in mourning
On Friday, May 15, flags will be flown at half-staff across the United States to commemorate Peace Officers Memorial Day.
Recognized each year since 1962 as part of May’s National Police Week, the national observance pays tribute to United States law enforcement officials who gave their lives in the line of duty, whether at the local, state or federal level.
“United in gratitude, we recommit ourselves to supporting those who keep the peace in our neighborhoods, and we offer our heartfelt appreciation for the service they render to community and country,” reads a proclamation from President Trump. “Their steady presence brings calm to our streets, their dedication preserves the order that allows our Nation to flourish, and their unwavering vigilance is the reason families across America can rest under the promise of a safer tomorrow.”
In memory of those who made the ultimate sacrifice, the flag of the United States at all public buildings and grounds across the country and its territories – including in Rhode Island – will fly at half-staff from sunrise to sunset on Friday, May 15.
Why are flags flown at half-staff?
According to the official website of the U.S. General Services Administration, flags typically fly at half-staff when the country or specific state is in mourning. Observances include national tragedies, days of remembrance and deaths of government or military personnel.
The president, the state governor or the mayor of Washington, D.C., can order flags to fly at half-staff.
Half-staff vs. half-mast
While half-staff refers to lowered flags on land, half-mast refers to those at sea. Both refer to a flag being flown beneath the top of its staff as a sign of respect.
RI’s Verdi Productions films ‘Bad News On The Doorstep’ in Providence
Verdi Productions wrapped filming of Tom DeNucci’s “Bad News On The Doorstep” early on May 23 in Providence.
Verdi Productions’ secret horror movie, “My Boyfriend is a Demon,” now filming in Rhode Island, is no longer a secret as Chad A. Verdi, the East Greenwich production company’s president, has announced the cast and given an outline of the movie’s plot.
The ensemble cast comprises veteran actors and rising young talents. The story follows Mary, a lonely, small-town girl who creates a fake Instagram account that pretends to be boyfriend, a guy too perfect to be real. Mary puts so much effort into making him “real” that he shows up at her door one day.
The cast includes:
- Mattias Ferrell, son of comic actor Will Ferrell and known for “A Very Jonas Christmas Movie” and “Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues.”
- Coco Arquette, daughter of Courteney Cox and David Arquette and known for “Cougar Town.”
- David Arquette, known for his work in the “Scream” film franchise.
- Rosanna Arquette, David’s sister and Coco’s aunt, known for “The Moment.”
- Bailey Sloan, known for “Ragamuffin.”
- Jack Champion, known for “Avatar.”
- Ever Anderson, known for “Peter Pan & Wendy.”
- Vinnie Hacker, known for “Euphoria.”
- Josephine Reitman, known for “Juno.”
- Savannah Lee Smith, kown for “Tunsel Town.”
- Lisa Yamada, known for “Elle.”
- Ty Law, known for “Friday Night Lights.”
“My Boyfriend is a Demon” is written and directed by first-time director mishka.
“My Boyfriend is a Demon” is filming in Providence
The movie began filming in Rhode Island in April and has rented Providence’s Cranston Street Armory for the month of May to use as a studio.
The producing team for Verdi Productions includes Chad A. Verdi, Chad Verdi Jr., Paul Luba, Michelle Verdi and Sera Verdi. Executive producers include Ketchup Entertainment and Kinolime.
Good morning! Happy Thursday! Today will be pretty unsettled with the chance for showers and t’storms. Friday will still be damp with showers and drizzle, but the weekend still looks amazing!
The one good thing with the rain, for allergy sufferers at least, the pollen levels will be lower. In fact, both today and tomorrow, the tree pollen counts will be low locally. Do expect a spike in the pollen count for Saturday and Sunday with the dry weather.
INTERACTIVE RADAR: Live Pinpoint Weather 12 Radar »
“https://www.wpri.com/weather-now/weather-now-for-thu-5-14-26/” FLIGHT TRACKER
“https://www.wpri.com/weather-now/weather-now-for-thu-5-14-26/” POWER OUTAGES
TODAY
Hour-by-hour forecast for today…
We’ll have some showers around during the morning commute today, but the greatest chance for showers and t’storms will be after 9AM and before 5PM.
Showers and thunderstorms could slow travel around mid-day. Rain could fall heavily at times.
A line of showers and t’storms will be sweeping across the area through the afternoon as a slow-moving weather systems moves through the region.
Highs today will be in the upper 50s to lower 60s with southeast to east winds of 5-15mph.
“https://www.wpri.com/weather-now/weather-now-for-thu-5-14-26/” BEACH AND BOATING FORECASTS
TONIGHT
Showers are still possible this evening; although they won’t be as numerous.
TOMORROW
That low center will be nearby Friday morning, and we’ll be stuck with a damp, cool windflow. Expect drizzle and showers in the morning and possibly some lingering showers in the afternoon.
Highs Friday will only be in the 50s. The average high this time of year is in the upper 60s.
LOOKING AHEAD
Then…there’s the weekend. Saturday looks amazing with lots of sunshine and dry weather. It’ll be warmer, too, with highs in the 70s.
-Meteorologist T.J. Del Santo
T.J. Del Santo (tdelsanto@wpri.com) is the weekday morning and noon meteorologist for 12 News. Connect with him on Facebook and Twitter and Instagram and Threads and BlueSky.
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