Meet Shacana Andre | CEO

We had the good fortune of connecting with Shacana Andre and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Shacana, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
I decided to start my own business because of the movement created after the killing of George Floyd. Like many African Americans, I am tired and tired of seeing people who look like me, get killed everyday for seamless crimes. I started BLEX because I believe in the Buy Black Movement and wanted to create a hub where black businesses owners can grow and thrive. A place where we can buy black and support black.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
Blex is an online, multivendor marketplace that is a hub for black owned businesses and services. Our site is different from others because we offer 5 different verticals. We have Blexshoppes where vendors can sell their products, Blex teacher’s corner where teachers can sell their downloadable and digital products. Blex freelancers where we freelancers can create gigs to network and find work. Blexdirectory, where businesses can list their business and/or events. Blexjobs, where employers or recruiters can list their vacancies. We also have a round up program, customer can donate change when they round to the next dollar. All of the proceeds from the round up campaign will go to the nonprofit of the month.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
If my best friend came to I visit, I would make sure that we would spend a day relaxing. We are both mother’s of 4 and 6 kids, in school, and employed fulltime. We would go to breakfast at Spoons Grill to get some soul food breakfast. Then we would go to a spa and get our nails, and feet done. When we are at the spa we will get deep tissue massages while we listen to some 90’s R&B music. Afterwards, we will go for lunch downtown on the water and have small talk ( not about kids, husbands or work) and laugh. Go back to the hotel, and get ready to go to a comedy show and dancing afterwards at a grown and sexy club.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Rekieshia Norton-Forrest, owner of JJL candle company deserves a shoutout from me. Since I started creating this business she has been my right hand woman. I ask her to look at the site and give feedback and she never holds back. I ask her to create profiles and tell me her experience and she does so immediately. She is an amazing friend and Entrepreneur.

Instagram: www.instagram.com/blesxshoppes.com

Facebook: www.facebook.com/blexshoppes

Image Credits
Alex Bailey Blieve Media