The Power of Black Entrepreneurs – get to know Kalyn Johnson Chandler

This Black History Month, I’m lifting up the powerful voices of Black entrepreneurs. It’s no secret Black business owners face outsized challenges in running their businesses – that’s why I’m highlighting their stories of ingenuity and resilience. This week, meet Effie’s Paper CEO, Kalyn Johnson Chandler. 

Kalyn is the founder and creative force behind the stationary company, Effie’s Paper. Following her ten-year legal career, she entered the world of entrepreneurship and innovation, where she created a distinct brand, named after her grandmother, selling on-trend accessories for work, travel, and daily life. Kalyn graduated from our very own Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses program in New York, back in 2018. I vividly remember Effie’s booth at the Goldman Sachs Holiday Market last year – the hot pink merchandise is hard to miss!

1. Biggest surprise when starting your business

All of the moving pieces! When I first started out, I was overwhelmed with designing products, getting my arms around inventory management, constantly running numbers, all while wrapping my head around how to use social media. One day, it dawned on me, that to make everything fit together, I needed to take a step back and create a holistic view of what it takes to build a sustainable business.

2. Mistake made and lesson learned

When I first started Effie’s Paper, the staffing was me, me, and me.  To appear more like a “real” company, I created a number of email addresses. Of course, in my first year of business, I missed an email inquiry about a feature in a magazine.  I saw the email three months later, and by then it was clearly too late – I was gutted.  Lesson learned?  I got rid of all of those email addresses!  Keep it simple. 

3. Best piece of advice to an entrepreneur

Make sure you understand all of the aspects of your business.  Initially, you are going to have to work “in” your business, but the goal is to get to a point where you work “on” your business. 

4. Fast forward, vision for your business in 2025

My vision is to have a multi-year license deal with one of the major retailers – Target, Starbucks, Urban Outfitters, Kohl’s, Walmart, or the like – where I get to design Effie’s Paper branded product specifically for their outlets.

5. Favorite product from Effie’s Paper 

Boss Babe Travel Mug – there’s something about the black matte body and rose gold metallic lid that makes my heart leap every time I use it.

#BHM #BlackEntrepreneurs #BuyBlack #MakeSmallBig