The Power of Resilience From Vickie Joseph: Thriving as an African Diaspora Entrepreneur

As an African diaspora entrepreneur, always remember that you carry a unique blend of culture, ambition, and a wealth of experience. Those are only part of the incredible attributes the African diaspora entrepreneurs bring to the global business landscape. From Paris to Rome, London, and New York to Montreal, the spirit of African diaspora entrepreneurs has continuously been felt. But, like any other entrepreneur, your journey will not be without trials and tribulations. You must be aware of that.

Want to learn more about storytelling? Start by downloading the first chapter of?The Storytelling Series for Small Businesses.

This morning, I came across an interesting article on CBC (Canadian Broadcasting Corporation) and I just couldn’t pass by without taking the time to share it with you, hoping that you can learn something from it. The story is about Vickie Joseph, a Montreal fashion designer, and the founder of her own makeup brand. You can check out her website, Vickiejoseph.com if you want to learn more about her works. Now, the story of Vickie Joseph.

Turning her job loss into a business opportunity

The article, written by Holly Cabrera is titled, “This self-made CEO has helped launch hundreds of other Black entrepreneurs on their path to success”. The story highlights the journey of Vickie Joseph, an African diaspora entrepreneur, and her resilience in the face of challenges.

In the early 2000s, she faced discrimination and job loss when she announced her pregnancy. However, her husband encouraged her to turn this obstacle into an opportunity. She launched her own clothing line, Nu.I. by Vickie, and co-founded V-Kosmetik International, a makeup company focusing on underrepresented skin tones and conditions.

In 2012, Vickie and her husband founded Groupe 3737, a non-profit business incubator that has provided coaching and support to over 1,000 business owners of African diaspora entrepreneurs. She emphasizes the importance of creating space and voices for African diaspora businesses and encourages buyers to support them.

The article also highlights Vickie’s role as a mentor and role model for other female entrepreneurs of African descent, helping them to demystify business administration and providing guidance. She believes in elevating and supporting other women and emphasizing the need for proper resources to empower female entrepreneurs, particularly women of African descent, across different industries.

The key message here is that resilience in business for an African diaspora involves turning obstacles into opportunities and supporting, and elevating fellow entrepreneurs of African descent. It equally means advocating for resources and representation to ensure sustained success and cultural preservation. This is an argument we are particularly vocal about, whether in AClasses, in our weekly audio LinkedIn events on storytelling, or in Obehi Podcast interviews.

If you read the full article, you will agree with me that Vickie Joseph’s story truly serves as an inspiring example of how to navigate and thrive in the face of adversity. Perhaps, you might be wondering about how to strengthen your resilience as an African diaspora entrepreneur. Read more at AClasses.org

Want to learn more about storytelling? Start by downloading the first chapter of?The Storytelling Series for Small Businesses.