Muffy Mendoza, founder of Brown Mamas, Inc. and Brown Mamas Marketplace, is excited for the next iteration of the market on Saturday. It’s no coincidence that the event coincides with Small Business Saturday, kicking off the holiday shopping season while supporting black women.
She started Brown Mamas in 2012 to support local Black mothers by helping them achieve better health and economic outcomes.
At the time, there weren’t many resources for black women entering entrepreneurship, especially for first-generation black women business owners.
“There wasn’t a lot of information out there on how to start a business or how to maintain one,” Mendoza said. Just before the pandemic, it hosted the first Brown Mamas Market, a space for businesses owned by black mothers to sell their products.
“I did this because I needed space and I knew other moms needed space, so why not create the space?” Mendoza said.
As her entrepreneurial journey progressed, Mendoza realized she needed additional support.
“I needed advice and tools on the legalities of owning a business. “I had to find an accountant,” she said. “There was nowhere to go to find it.”
This year, the market will include speakers, experts and professionals such as lawyers.
“Brown Mamas Marketplace is about creating a place where moms can sell their products, be supported by the Pittsburgh community and also learn about different aspects of business,” Mendoza said.
The event focuses on three main areas: the womb, wealth and well-being.
“As a mom-preneur, you have to be holistic in your approach to living a good life,” Mendoza said.
Guests will hear from speakers such as Tayler Clemm, also known as DAWA Mama, who teaches about womb wellness; and Kahlil Darden, founder of Motivated Young Black Kings and Queens.
Clemm will introduce herbal home remedies, including how to make herbal tinctures and remedies for everyday ailments like colds, headaches and ear infections.
“It is aimed at new mothers and their entire families. I am very excited to share this with my sister,” she said.
Mendoza intentionally planned the event for Small Business Saturday, emphasizing the need to support black-owned businesses in Pittsburgh that don’t have a storefront. The market will feature a variety of vendors, including food, jewelry and clothing businesses, as well as community organizations such as the Pittsburgh Black Breastfeeding Circle and Black Women for a Better Education.
“What Muffy is doing in the city inspires me,” said . “I love how it brings women and moms together to build a sense of community, which aligns with my brand’s mission.”
Tyler Bowe, owner of Tyler B. Apothecary, is a birth worker, herbalist and holistic health educator who focuses on community building and reproductive health.
“My goal is to bridge the disconnect between our ancestral ways and the modern world,” she said. At the event, she looks forward to connecting with others and shedding light on the challenges facing reproductive health, including issues in the food system and the effects of endocrine disruptors.
Tanya Willson, owner of Secret Saks, designs decorative bags for women to discreetly carry personal care and feminine hygiene products.
“We, as local businesses, cannot be successful without the support of the local community,” she said. “It’s tough because we’re already competing with Target and Walmart, which have a jump in competition. We’re just trying to share a part of ourselves through our products.”
The event will be held at Emerald City on Smithfield Street from 12pm to 4pm
“We wanted to have it in a space where not only could we support black-owned businesses through shopping, but every aspect of the event, from the decor to the venue, supports a black-owned business,” Mendoza said.
The next Brown Mamas Market is set for spring 2025, and Mendoza is eager to see the event become even more dynamic as it develops.
“We just wanted to represent all different types of mom-owned businesses and help them get the tools they need to create community for themselves,” Mendoza said.
Shaylah Brown is a TribLive reporter covering arts, culture and communities of color. A New Jersey native, she joined the Trib in 2023. When she’s not working, Shaylah immerses herself in the worlds of art, wellness, and the latest romance novels. She can be reached at sbrown@triblive.com.