Co-working space in Raleigh offers Black women entrepreneurs support, resources for success

About three years ago in Smithfield, Mel Wright opened her own resale clothing store. She waited for the day it might finally turn a profit, but it never did.

"It got to the point where I was paying my rent and not paying my mortgage," said Wright. She had to close the store. However, she learned from her experience and rebounded by earning a business degree through North Carolina Central University in Durham.

It’s a place where Black women entrepreneurs can collaborate with other like-minded business owners. Wright has seen encouraging signs of the need of her business model.

"Women Black-owned businesses have grown last year. The numbers are crazy," said Wright.

According to a Forbes magazine article published last May, Black women have been one of the fastest growing groups of entrepreneurs in the U.S.

Moniquea Allen owns LBE Solutions, which stands for "Little Bit of Everything."

"We need someone to manage our calendar, we need someone to answer e-mails, we need someone managing social media," said Allen. She helps find those services for business owners.

Her own business experience in addition to that of other women at The Wright Village are potentially valuable resources for other members like Raven Coleman.

She began a bio-hazard cleanup and transport service out of her home. "I realized that a lot of my struggles that I had being an entrepreneur, other people share the same experiences," explained Coleman.

Sharing ideas and solutions is key to success, says Wright. "Not only can I help other entrepreneurs, but we can work together and help each other," she said.

The goal is to help each other avoid the pitfalls of business and enjoy success. There is a large communal area with couches, a water cooler and coffee machine. Different enclosed offices have several desks for closer collaboration, and there is an office shared by two plus a conference room for meetings.

Allen says the value of the space is more than just that of an office.

"It’s not just a co-working space, like I have a working space and I go to work and I leave, right? Mel is truly building a community here," she said.

The Wright Village has been in operation for the past year under the cloud of the pandemic. Now, Wright believes it’s a good time for a grand opening, outdoor celebration on Aug. 15 at 420 Hubert Street.