Marie’s Hair and Nail Supply
A Black-Owned Beauty Hub Builds Community
Where: Richmond, VA
Industry: Beauty/Retail
As a long-time resident of Richmond, Tawann Scott knows it can be hard to find the right beauty products, especially for the African American Community. After dreaming of being a business owner for years, Tawann took the leap in 2021 to start Marie’s Hair and Nail Supply. By selling a diverse array of products both natural and chemically processed hair, Marie’s fills an untapped market in Richmond’s Southside and Northside communities. Tawann’s determination, combined with support and capital from Richmond’s small business ecosystem, has turned Marie’s into a flourishing beauty supply hub.
“In my head I got a late start because I was almost 50 when I started my business, and I know a lot of people that say oh, you have to do it early. But I am a walking testament right now that you don't have to be young. You can start when you start- just give it a shot, be willing to ask for help, and step into faith.”
Opportunity for Impact
Tawann describes her entrepreneurial journey as a truly collaborative affair. Tawann decided to open her own beauty shop after struggling to find products for her textured hair, but mounting family expenses and the economic impact of COVID19 delayed her timeline. After a few years of persistent planning, Tawann opened Marie’s Hair & Nail Supply in 2021 surrounded by family and friends at her side.
Our Partnership
At Marie’s grand opening Tawann would also expand her circle of support with an introduction to The Metropolitan Business League (MBL) and the Capital Access Hub. The Capital Access Hub is a collaborative effort between MBL and Bridging Virginia that offers diverse funding options and a strong referral network. Tawann worked with the Hub to secure a loan from KIVA, a crowdsourced lending platform. Tawann then connected with a Capital SBDC business advisor to apply for additional capital.
With guidance from SBDC and the Hub, Tawann secured an additional loan from Bridging Virginia, more than doubling her total loan.
Beyond Capital
Now Tawann stays in touch with the team at MBL, Bridging Virginia, and SBDC as she looks for new ways to expand Marie’s offerings. By stocking locally made products and renting space to stylists, Tawann also hopes to extend the support she received to uplift others in her community
“I love that we have local vendors here because it gives them a chance as well. Somebody gave me a chance and I can give them a chance to showcase their products. And then when people come in and purchase their products we're both so excited.”
Very Ashley
Boutique for the Beauty and the Boss
Where: Richmond, VA
Industry: Fashion/Retail
Ashley Jefferson, owner of Richmond boutique Very Ashley, has an impressive knack for combining her favorite things—writing, fashion, and entrepreneurship. Whether publishing VA Style Mag or helping women find the perfect outfit at her boutique, Jefferson is passionate about making women feel beautiful and confident.
“My purpose in life is to help women feel like the beauty and boss of their life.”
Opportunity for Impact
Before launching Very Ashley, Jefferson cut her teeth in the fashion industry for 22 years ago as a model and fashion journalist. During that period, Jefferson balanced her full-time job as a high school teacher with fashion work on the side. In 2015, she was ready to invest in fashion full-time. Jefferson’s determination and keen eye for customer interests allowed her to stay nimble while building community relationships. In 2019, she opened the first Very Ashley location at Stony Point Fashion Park.
Jefferson’s entrepreneurial journey showcases her ability to grow the best parts of her business while finding inventive ways to diversify her offerings. Even when faced with the closure of her brick-and-mortar shop in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic, Jefferson stayed afloat by creatively engaging customers through Very Ashley Experiences and offering online shopping.
Our Partnership
In 2023, Jefferson was looking to relocate to Short Pump Town Center. She knew that the relocation would bring in new customers from the increased foot traffic and allow her to expand the variety of merchandise. However, moving locations requires significant upfront capital, plus covering profit loss during the business move. Jefferson turned to her networks to find a solution, and The Metropolitan Business League (MBL) referred Ashley to Bridging Virginia as a potential capital partner.
Beyond Capital
“I needed a team and I needed financial backing...and Bridging Virginia was there to help me.” With a small loan from Bridging Virginia, Jefferson had the cash flow she needed to move stores and furnish her new, larger space. In May 2024, Very Ashley relocated once again to downtown Richmond. This move was strategic, as it positioned the boutique closer to her core customers—professional women working in downtown Richmond. Part of the loan was used to conduct market research, which guided this decision.
"Being downtown is the perfect place for Very Ashley. It brings me in the heart of where my customers spend a large portion of their day. So, it’s easy for them to shop with me during the day and attend a Very Ashley Experience event in the evening. I’m also surrounded by other Richmond publications like the Richmond Times Dispatch and the Richmond Free Press, which makes it a great location for VA Style Magazine as well. I wouldn't have been able to make the decision to move without the help of Bridging Virginia."
Now, from the moment you enter the store, Very Ashley exudes femininity, excellence, and style. This top-to-bottom professional look feeds directly into their returns, with Jefferson pointing out that people are more likely to shop if they feel like they are in a nice space.
Jefferson continues to navigate Very Ashley through a changing consumer marketplace and look for new ways to uplift women who are “The Beauty and the Boss” in their lives.
RichWine and Penny’s
Boutique Wine Shop Rich in Heart
Where: Richmond, VA
Project Type: Working Capital
What happens when you combine two fun, hard-working wine lovers? In the case of Kristen Gardner Beal and Lance Lemon, you get a boutique wine retailer with big taste and a lot of heart. Virginia natives Kristen and Lance became friends attending middle school in Hanover County, then attended the University of Virginia together before becoming neighbors in Brooklyn, NY. In 2019, after Kristen had spent 10 years in banking and Lance had opened two successful wine shops in NYC, they decided to combine expertise and create their own wine brand.
The company, RichWine, would bring quality, clean farmed, organic, biodynamic wine at an affordable price to the community in Richmond, VA.
“It's kind of like it's a relationship. It's like it doesn't have to start with paperwork and end with paperwork.”
Opportunity for Impact
Even the unfortunate timing of COVID-19 couldn’t stop their enthusiasm. Realizing it wouldn’t be the time to open a brick-and-mortar in the midst of 2020’s lockdown, Kristen and Lance pivoted to launch their business online. Since then, RichWine had incredible success, and as shops began to reopen, the founders decided it was time to reconsider a physical location.
With RichWine’s profitable business model, good credit, and Kristen’s prior work in Credit Derivatives, the team felt confident applying for loans to cover costs. Yet when they did get conditional approval from a major bank, the bank canceled the deal right before completing the process, citing that the company “needed more time in business,” despite their demonstrable success. At this point they turned to their network, reaching out to the Jackson Ward Collective (JWC) for resources and lending opportunities. JWC connected them with several organizations that could help with affordable capital options, leading them to Bridging Virginia and the Community Investment Collaborative (CIC), a CDFI based in Charlottesville.
Our Partnership
Bridging Virginia and CIC combined their capital resources to lend RichWine $100,000 for setting up their brick-and-mortar shop. This meant costs like labor, kitchen appliances, and legal without the risk of endangering the business. With Kristen’s existing lending knowledge, RichWine didn’t need extensive technical assistance; they needed someone they could trust to communicate clearly and honestly about the terms and process of the loan.
RichWine was able to work with Bridging Virginia and CIC because of the larger small businesses and CDFI ecosystem. Through their connection to JWC, the Capital Region Small Business Development Center, Bridging Virginia, and CIC, Kristen and Lance’s drive to succeed was supported by community partners invested in their success.
Beyond Capital
Kristen and Lance decided to open shop as Penny’s, now serving wine and tapas thanks to their expanded kitchen. The name honors Maggie L. Walker’s bank St. Luke’s Penny Savings Bank as an homage to the Black community’s fight for economic independence. This reminder connects to Kristen and Luke’s philosophy of being a business by and for their community.
When they were ready to open in 2023, the Jackson Ward Collective hosted a special ribbon cutting to celebrate. With their doors open and online business booming, Kristen and Lance are now looking forward to future expansion and a long life in the Richmond community. Their story has been featured by a number of media sources, including Capital One, Richmond Magazine, Soul Vision Magazine, Richmond Biz Journal, and more.
LillyBean by PastryBase
A Recipe for Accessible Desserts
Where: Richmond, VA
Project Type: Working Capital
LillyBean by PastryBase Baking Mixes and Kits are made locally in Virginia in a completely allergen-free space, ensuring that dietary limitations don’t have to mean a limitation on flavor. Following a long career as a pastry chef, Lebanese founder Jill Donaldson built PastryBase after developing her own food intolerances. She knew that health issues shouldn’t be the end of her relationship with dessert, so in 2017 she began whipping up kits in her home kitchen.
Named after the maternal grandmother who instilled her love of baking, LillyBean by PastryBase was born.
“It's been a great experience and it's been...It feels like we're sort of in this together now. And we're trying to figure out, how can we do other things together in the community. ”
Opportunity for Impact
Prior to 2020, Jill had great success selling baking kits through markets and trade shows. Exposure at trade shows meant she could reach a much wider audience, with opportunities nationally and even internationally. With the COVID lockdown in 2020, Jill turned towards online sales, seeing revenue growth with families stuck at home looking for ways to stay entertained.
By 2022 Jill was selling enough products to need a co-packer for blending products, having outgrown the equipment in her kitchen. But Jill soon realized finding a mid-size manufacturer with an allergen-free space seemed almost impossible on the east coast. When a space opened locally on the Hatch campus, Jill knew this was an opportunity to bring production back in-house, if she could secure the capital.
Unfortunately, the loan process with major banks was not only time-consuming but felt intentionally confusing. So when someone from the Virginia Department of Agriculture referred Jill to Bridging Virginia, she felt hopeful about the potential partnership.
Our Partnership
Bridging Virginia provided Jill with a $50,000 loan in order to bring manufacturing back in-house, locally in Richmond. This capital meant Jill would not have to sacrifice scaling her businesses to stay allergen-free. Instead, PastryBase now has an allergen-free facility in Richmond, allowing them to produce, hire, and purchase locally.
Beyond Capital
Securing this space means PastryBase will have space to expand, and they are already seeing the benefits. With this growth comes the opportunity to hire more local employees, continue locally sourcing ingredients, and even offer their space to other businesses with similar allergen-free needs. In 2019 LillyBean won the SOFI Award for Best New Product from the Specialty Food Association, and PastryBase has been featured by outlets like CBS 6, the Richmond Times-Dispatch, B Side Collective Magazine, and Uncommon Goods. Jill continues to live by her favorite quote, “Bake the world a better place,” as she serves her community with accessible, sweet treats.
Brooks Stitch and Fold
An Essential Service for Underserved Communities
Where: Richmond, VA
Project Type: Working Capital
While Devon Chester was familiar with “wash and fold” services in major cities across the US, his own background was initially in construction management. However, when he saw a small laundromat in the Richmond, VA area up for sale, he quickly identified a gap in the local market. Devon seized the chance to build a small business which would provide an essential service to the neighborhood and offer an opportunity for growth.
Devon even put a twist on the classic "wash and fold” format, partnering with a local seamstress to the valuable “stitch” edition to the Brooks Stitch and Fold.
“From the beginning it was more than just lip service, they came through…[The funding] came right on time.”
Opportunity for Impact
In 2020, the sudden transition to virtual work meant a sharp decline in demand for dry cleaning services. With the “wash and fold” side of business still in demand, and the inevitable return to in-person work for many employees, Devon knew his business still provided a crucial service. His community, and his employees, depended on his ability to keep Brooks open until capital flow increased again.
At the time, many banking institutions were promising help to businesses affected by COVID, but Devon found that when it came time to move money, nothing seemed to be happening. He needed to find a partner that he could trust would really take action.
Our Partnership
Bridging Virginia worked with Devon to find the right capital solution to prepare for long-term stability and growth. BVa provided Brooks Stitch and Fold with $25,000 and strategic guidance, investing in both the business and the personal partnership.
Beyond Capital
Now, as offices have begun to reopen, Brooks Stitch and Fold is again serving local workers and even looking to expand into the Greater Richmond area. With more security in his capital flow, Devon is also able to focus on strategic marketing to grow his brand and client base.
Now Brooks Stitch and Fold is branching into laundry lockers, a way of bringing wash and fold services directly to the customer. These laundry lockers will allow Devon to expand into even more neighborhoods around Richmond with a lower startup cost than additional brick and mortars.
Creative NxGen Petroleum
Local Fuel for Virginia Residents and Beyond
Where: Richmond, VA
Project Type: Working Capital
100% woman and minority owned, Creative NxGen Petroleum stands alone as the only woman-owned fuel supplier in Virginia. Charlene Reynolds, the organization’s founder, remains at the helm of this Richmond-based small business. A sharp business woman, Charlene saw an opportunity in 2017 to provide local, flexible fuel services with quick delivery in an otherwise corporate market.
“It has been more than just a financial resource…it’s a connection”
Opportunity for Impact
After already confirming their first contract within the first year of business, Creative NxGen found that to continue adding clients, they would need a significant and consistent pool of capital. Withdrawing and transporting fuel requires a large sum up front with the expectation that the supplier will recoup the costs, plus profit, once it’s sold to distributors. However, having substantial capital readily available with limited notice is difficult for any early stage businesses. Even with good credit and a business savvy leader, Charlene struggled to find a loan provider that could move fast enough to cover costs. This cash flow problem is common and can prohibit new fuel businesses from getting started, pushing out entrepreneurs like Charlene trying to enter the market.
Our Partnership
Bridging Virginia provided Charlene $30,000 of working capital to sustain and expand her business. The Bridging Virginia team also worked with Charlene to plan for sustainable financial success, offering one-on-one business counseling and connecting her to other resources
Beyond Capital
With the capital flow they needed, Creative NxGen continues to confidently and seamlessly provide fuel to Virginia and other states. With increased financial security, Charlene can focus on growing her business with more contracts, more trucks, more drivers, and ultimately more revenue.
Creative NxGen is now looking towards the future of fuel service: cleaner energy. With their sights set on eventually adding electric vehicle stations, NxGen is already finding ways to minimize their carbon footprint. In addition to distributing biodegradable landfill friendly spill kits, they have become a distributor of a fuel burn rate modifier product that increases company's and her client's fuel efficiency while reducing emissions. Creative NxGen’s success is an exciting look at the future of the fuel industry and the communities it serves.
Shoe Crazy Wine
Mother-Daughter Team Start Up Again
Where: Richmond, VA
Project Type: Working Capital
The success of Shoe Crazy Wine, a Black woman-owned business, can truly be attributed to the resiliency and dedication of founders Gwen Hurt and her daughter Brittny. Despite a professional setback and a severe car accident in 2013, the Hurt women found new energy in creating a new business that combined their love of wine and shoes. By 2019 Shoe Crazy Wine was growing steadily and increasing its retail accounts.
“I would wholeheartedly recommend [Bridging Virginia] to businesses that are typically shut out of access to traditional banking and capital.”
However, when COVID-19 began to disrupt small businesses across the country in 2020, the Hurts once again needed to get resourceful. They started by pursuing options at traditional banks but couldn’t secure the capital they needed. Because they had liquidated their assets in order to establish the businesses, even with Shoe Crazy Wine’s success they couldn’t meet the requirements for more traditional lenders.
Bridging Virginia was able to provide Shoe Crazy Wine with a much-needed capital infusion to keep the Hurts self-distributing product to major retailers across 11 states.
Since then, Shoe Crazy Wine has been featured in major local and national news outlets, showcasing Gwen and Brittny as entrepreneurial leaders in their community.