WHY IT'S INSPIRING: The Founder, Randy Williams was laid off from his job when his wife was five months pregnant and he never looked back.

Now the largest black-owned luxury watch company, Talley & Twine, was established in 2014 and designs and manufactures timepieces for men and women. They've been featured in the NY Times, Men's Health, Black Enterprise, Essence, Cosmopolitan & the Robb Report.

WHY IT'S INSPIRING: In 2012, the founder faced a life-threatening pregnancy complication that required an emergency delivery of her daughter. Despite the emotional toll and feelings of guilt, she found strength and clarity, which inspired her to create a company focused on empowering Black women and girls. In 2014, she founded Izzy & Liv, named after her two daughters, Isabel (Izzy) and Olivia (Liv), driven by a renewed sense of purpose and passion to create something meaningful for others.

WHY IT'S INSPIRING: The brand, initially not focused on headwear, evolved as its founder, Castro, saw an opportunity to highlight the crown as a symbol of royalty, encouraging those who may not see themselves as royalty to recognize their greatness. The brand emphasizes that true creativity often comes from overlooked sectors, with streetwear as a powerful expression of authenticity and inner royalty. Their message is to remind everyone to "Crown Yourself" because they deserve it.

WHY IT'S INSPIRING: Actively Black, founded by former professional basketball player Lanny Smith, was created to address the lack of representation and investment in Black communities by brands profiting from Black culture. The brand’s mission is to uplift and reinvest in the Black community, improving mental health and physical fitness. While open to all, Actively Black's clothing serves as a uniform for a movement focused on empowering the Black community.

WHY IT'S INSPIRING: Dosso Beauty believes that confidence is essential and strives to help people embody their most beautiful selves in a healthy and safe environment. They achieve this by offering affordable hypoallergenic braiding hair, organic hair care products, and a gender-inclusive product line that simplifies the beauty experience. Additionally, Dosso Beauty provides guidance on proper skin and hair care, making beauty both accessible and enjoyable.