Meet the Black founders thriving in London

In the month of October, London celebrates its rich Black history and how it's been shaped by its Black communities, from Notting Hill to Brixton.

For 2025, the theme of Black History Month UK is "Standing firm in Power and Pride" – an invitation to reflect on the many accomplishments and rights that Black activists, creatives and entrepreneurs have fought for over time.

There's both power and pride in starting up your own business in London as a Black founder – so we're bringing you the stories of founders we've supported and what it's like running a business in London.

Perhaps this could set you off on your own journey to owning a London SME? If you're curious about this, there's plenty of resources to get started and even a free consultation to support you. 

Event spotlight: Black on the Square

Held for the third annual time this past September, Black on the Square in Trafalgar Square celebrates the best of Black talent, food and entrepreneurship.

The free event features Black-owned food stalls, music and talent from across the diaspora and a programme packed with activities and workshops for kids or grown-ups alike.

This year, Grow London Local ran a competition to win stalls for Black on the Square – scroll to the bottom to read the story of Lea-Anne, one of the lucky winners.

Meet the Black founders we've supported

Hagos Guesh, founder of the Golden Ethiopian Coffee Roasters

If you know your coffee, then you need to visit Hagos' small coffee roaster in Tottenham. Founded by Hagos himself, the company sources its speciality coffee (100% Arabica beans) from Ethiopia and hand-roasts it in small batches to preserve and retain the coffee's natural flavour.

The Golden Ethiopian Coffee Roasters is all about community. Besides being a great spot to catch up with a friend over coffee, Hagos provides barista and coffee-roasting training for unemployed and young refugees. Find out more about Hagos' story below.

What would you say to your younger self?

It's always the right time to turn your dreams into reality, and the responsibility to shape your future lies in your own hands.

Don't let others make decisions for you because this is your dream, not theirs. Don't give up when you fail. Every failure is not the end but practical feedback, a lesson that helps you grow stronger.

If you were starting a business today, what would you do differently?

Since I only started my business this year, I'm still learning and gaining experience every day. But if I were to start again today, I would focus on improving my time management, planning more carefully and working step-by-step with full confidence.

What's driving you this year? What are you most excited about?

I've been focused on testing my coffees in pop-up markets and events, while collecting valuable feedback from customers. I'm so happy to see how much people love the taste of Ethiopian coffee.

This year, I'm most excited to keep hearing my customers' reactions and to grow Golden Ethiopian Coffee Roasters into a small specialty coffee shop where everyone can enjoy truly fresh Ethiopian coffee.

What's your advice for other Black founders looking for business support in London?

If you have a business idea but aren't sure about where or how to start, don't waste time – reach out to Grow London Local. Their support is free and can give you the guidance and confidence you need to move forward.

Hilary McCrea, from FASHIONbytes

Hilary runs this exciting multimedia platform that supports anyone working within the fashion industry, from new and emerging creatives to more experienced professionals.

With more than 30 years of experience across the US and the UK, Hilary is an established presence in the fashion world. Having worked for Tommy Hilfiger and owned her own business selling high-quality Italian shoes, she's now dedicated to helping newcomers access the support they need and opening the doors for other driven and ambitious creatives.

Read more about Hilary's story below.

What would you say to your younger self?

Ask more questions, trust your instincts. Start before you feel ready.

Every mistake is an opportunity to learn, so adapt quickly and keep going. Build relationships but value your time. Celebrate progress and keep believing in your vision even when others doubt you.

Above all, keep moving forward – consistency wins!

If you were starting a business today, what would you do differently?  

I would focus on testing ideas quickly, building one clear offer and growing an audience early.

Invest in branding, track my finances frequently and seek mentors sooner.

Back then, I thought I had to do everything alone. But now I know clarity, consistency and building a community matters far more than perfection.

What's driving you this year? What are you most excited about?

I'm energised by the transformation happening in fashion, where creativity meets technology and sustainability. I'm excited to support entrepreneurs in building purposeful brands that go beyond trends.

What's your advice for other Black founders looking for business support in London?

Seek support that combines funding with mentorship and community. Build networks early, validate ideas quickly and lean on culturally aligned organisations.

Success comes not just from capital but from visibility, clarity and strong connections that can open doors.

Jennifer Allen – Genny's Emporium

Genny's Emporium is a fabric, trimmings and haberdashery shop in Lewisham. It offers a curated selection of fabrics and trimmings, ladies' accessories and a made-to-measure dressmaking service, as well as curtains and sewing classes.

With a true passion for anything textile since childhood, Jennifer founded her business to provide a truly magical shopping experience – where you can set your creativity free without compromising on quality materials and expertise.

Find out more about Jennifer's story below

What would you say to your younger self?

Brace yourself for the ups and downs of business. It's not always a smooth journey, so it's important to have savings in place that you can fall back on.

Being a business owner can sometimes feel lonely, so build and maintain a strong support network around you. Join business groups, connect with other entrepreneurs and don't be afraid to ask for help.

You'll need people who understand the journey, both to celebrate the wins and to help you through the tough days.

If you were starting a business today, what would you do differently?

Reflecting on the past few years in business, I would definitely approach things more cautiously. I'd avoid overspending, minimise the use of credit and stay away from loans, unless absolutely necessary.

Start small and let the business grow organically. One key piece of advice is to always know your numbers. Understanding what's coming in and going out of your business is essential to long-term survival and growth. Managing cash flow and being realistic with costs can prevent a lot of stress down the line.

What's driving you this year? What are you most excited about?

This year, I'm excited about taking my business in a brand-new direction with the launch of a dedicated Sewing School.

It's been a long time coming and something that's been requested time and time again by customers and the local community. In fact, I've lost count of how many people have asked about sewing classes over the years!

I'm now focused on turning this vision into a reality and I feel a renewed sense of purpose and excitement for this new chapter.

What's your advice for other Black founders looking for business support in London?

Reach out to your local council's business team. They're often a hidden gem when it comes to finding practical, free support. You'll discover grants, mentoring programmes, funding opportunities and events to connect with others in your industry.

There are more resources available than people realise and once you start tapping into them, even more opportunities will open up.

Don't hesitate to ask questions and follow up. Being proactive makes all the difference.

Lea-Anne Vienna, from Show Up As Her

Show Up As Her is a lifestyle and gift business that's built to inspire women. It's intended to help you transform your life and visualise your future self, by showing up as her!

With visually appealing designs, these accessories will inspire you to reach your goals and brighten up your daily routines. From notepads or stickers with motivational quotes to comfy clothes you can wear proudly and water bottles that remind you to take care of you first, these may seems like small objects but they can make a big difference in your wellness and manifestation journey.

Find out more about founder Lea-Anne's story below.

What would you say to your younger self?

I would tell her to believe in herself and let her know she is more powerful than she realises. Life can be challenging but trust the process. It may not feel like it, but every setback is actually a stepping stone.

Most importantly she should enjoy life because happiness is the best motivation!

If you were starting a business today, what would you do differently?

Honestly, nothing major. All the challenges have shaped me and led me to where I am today. The lessons, both good and bad, have been part of the growth and I wouldn't trade them.

The only thing I would do differently is be more consistent from the start, because consistency is what builds momentum and keeps the vision alive.

What's driving you this year? What are you most excited about?

This year, I'm driven by alignment. Building Show Up As Her into a brand that not only sells products but creates experiences for women to feel seen and inspired.

My motivation is seeing women light up when they recognise themselves in my artwork. That moment of connection reminds me why I started.

I'm excited about expanding into new designs and collections and continuing to put Black women at the centre of my designs. That joy fuels everything I do.

What's your advice for other Black founders looking for business support in London?

My advice is to tap into community. There are networks, markets and collectives that exist to uplift us. Don't be afraid to ask for help. Collaboration is powerful, and you don't need to do it all alone.

Upcoming events in London

• Event: spend an afternoon with Dr Maggie Semple OBE and Jane Oremosu, authors of My Little Black Book: a Blacktionary to explore the evolving language of race. 12 October

• Talk: listen to experts and first-hand accounts about the vital contribution of the Windrush generation in shaping the NHS after the second world war at Migration Stories: Windrush and the NHS. 13 October

• Tech: attend Black Tech Experience – Navigating the Tech Diversity Gap to find out how to make a difference in an industry where "being the only one" is all too common. 15 October

• Comedy: enjoy an evening of laughter and storytelling at COBO: Comedy Shutdown, a special production bringing together the hottest names in the comedy circuit. 16 October

• Legal: join Black in Legal to discover the support available for the new generation of legal professionals navigating the complexities of the sector. 16 October

• Property: meet established property investors and learn how to accelerate your property investment journey at Black Property Talks. 17 October

• Finance: learn how to grow professionally and access the right opportunities from finance leaders and industry experts at Careers in Finance. 17 October

• Networking: join Black founders and changemakers at Rooted to hear from keynote speakers on leadership, community, philanthropy and much more. 18 October

• Ancestry: discover more about ancestry and heritage with genealogist and author Paul Crooks at Tracing Black Ancestry: Proven Methods to Reconnect with Roots. 23 October

• Culture: find out about the Black activists that lived in Camden between the 1920s and 1960s at Camden Black Radicals: A hub for the Pan-African movement. 23 October

• Culture: enjoy a special screening of the film Sing Sing, the story of a man wrongfully imprisoned, followed by a Q&A. This event is not suitable for young children. 25 October

• Walking tour: learn about the extraordinary figures that shaped Railton Road and transformed Brixton's history on the Icons of Railton Road Walking Tour. 26 October

• Music: embark on a musical journey celebrating the diversity and joy of the Black diaspora at the Legacy and Hope concert in Clapham. 28 October

• Walking tour: explore the culture, heritage and landmarks of Brixton on the Brixton Black History Walking Tour. 1 November

There are plenty more events to explore – make sure to sign up to see your favourite Black artist, historian or curator.

Where to find more support

We're proud to support Black founders in London. If you're looking for support yourself, we have plenty of useful resources on our website.

You can also join us at our free in-person events to network with other like-minded founders.

More support for Black founders in London

• Black entrepreneurs in London: Where to go if you need support with your business

• How to navigate the world of start-up accelerators as a Black founder

• Pioneering paths: Success stories of Black female founders in London's tech sector

Grow London Local: Support for London's small businesses

No matter where you're based in London, you'll find relevant support and guidance on business planning, sales and marketing and much more, as well as opportunities to connect with like-minded business owners. Visit Grow London Local now