Black-Owned Businesses on Display at Halifax Airport Vendors Market
HALIFAX – African Nova-Scotian entrepreneurs welcomed travellers to the province as part of the Halifax Stanfield International Airport vendor’s market on March 10.
Several business owners had stalls set up displaying their work in the main concourse of the airport, as a local singer provided the entertainment.
Bonnie Hill is the owner and operator of Bonnie’s Blessings Arts and Crafts. She says that the market is a great opportunity to showcase her work and create interest in her business.
“It’s been awesome… Before I even had some of my stuff up, people were looking to see what I had,” said Hill.
Getting your name out there
Hill’s business is fairly new. She spent more than thirty years working in public health, specializing in mental health. She uses her experience to create uplifting pieces of art and to share the therapeutic power of crafting with her community.
As a new business owner, Hill says the experience has been overwhelming, in a good way, but that partnerships with organizations like the Nova Scotia Black Business Initiative have been valuable.
BBI, along with the Sobey School of Business at Saint Mary’s University, helped to organize the vendor’s market.
“They [BBI] get you into these types of places, so that people can see you and help you network with different organizations,” said Hill.
Joyce Adom is the founder and director of Simply Go Natural Cosmetics. She had only been set up for a few minutes when she spoke with Huddle but was already drawing interest with her array of organic hair and skincare products.
“We just set up and it’s been great. We are already getting interest from people coming up to see us and talking to us,” said Adom.
Celebrating Black businesses
As members of the Black business community, the operators at the vendors market recognize how important it is to let visitors know about their community in Nova Scotia.
“It’s so important for people to know that we’re here and that we have things to offer in all kinds of different fields of businesses,” said Hill.
Adom echoed Hill’s sentiment.
“This kind of event helps boost the confidence of the businesses that are here and also to create awareness,” said Adom.
Kwetu Craft Collections is a new business that sells handcrafted African art. A representative for the business said that the experience has been nothing short of a blessing.
Adom moved to Halifax seven years ago and had a hard time finding natural products to treat her son’s eczema and that she felt comfortable using on herself. She began making her own products, at first just to be used by her friends and family, but the business has grown as more people became aware of her products.
“I used to sell at the farmer’s market, and now I’m at Sobeys and a couple of other stores. So, it’s been great. The community has been very supportive,” said Adom.
As their businesses continue to grow, Adom and Hill are grateful to have opportunities like this that show visitors of all ethnicities the amazing Black businesses that Nova Scotia has to offer.
Hill told the story of a young white boy who saw one of the pieces she had crafted that features a message advocating for Black rights. Hill said he was so interested in the item that he asked his mom if he could get one.
“It’s so nice to see someone from a different race, who sees a message, that is so true, and it means something to them. I thought that was a special moment this morning,” said Hill.
Joe Thomson is a Huddle student intern, based in Halifax. Send him your feedback and story ideas: [email protected]