SHOPPE BLACK

By: SHOPPE BLACK
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  • Summary

  • Your TRUSTED source for all things Black business
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Economics Leadership Personal Finance
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Episodes
  • Food, Family, and Culture: Ibraheem Basir on Growing A Dozen Cousins

    Food, Family, and Culture: Ibraheem Basir on Growing A Dozen Cousins
    Oct 15 2024
    In today’s ever-evolving food industry, brands that resonate culturally while prioritizing health and wellness are rare. But A Dozen Cousins, founded by Ibraheem Basir, has managed to achieve just that—offering a unique blend of family values, cultural authenticity, and nutritious foods. In this interview, Ibraheem shares the inspiration behind his brand, its growth journey, and what the future holds for A Dozen Cousins. The Origin Story: A Dozen Cousins The name "A Dozen Cousins" has a deep personal meaning for Ibraheem. He explains, "The brand is named after my nieces, nephews, and my first daughter. When we were preparing to have our first child, I already had 11 nieces and nephews, so my daughter became the 12th cousin." This family connection is the heart of the brand, symbolizing the role that family, food, and culture have played throughout Ibraheem’s life. Growing up in Brooklyn, Ibraheem was surrounded by a rich Black and Latino melting pot of cultures, where food was more than just sustenance—it was a way to celebrate and spread love. “I grew up eating Creole, Caribbean, and Latin American cuisine. Food was always a way to mark holidays and special occasions, and it’s something I wanted to bring to others through A Dozen Cousins.” The Mission: Celebrating Culture and Promoting Health Ibraheem started his career working at a large national food brand, but as he learned more about health and wellness, he noticed a gap in the market. "There were very few brands that hit the right combination of being health-focused, using high-quality ingredients, and staying culturally relevant," he said. This observation led to the creation of A Dozen Cousins, with a mission to celebrate culture through food while promoting healthy eating. The brand's first product, seasoned beans, was chosen with intention. "Beans are one of the healthiest foods on the planet," Ibraheem explains. "They’re also emotionally significant for many cultures. We wanted people to feel like they were treating their bodies well, while also connecting to their culture." From Beans to Full Meals: Expanding the Product Line A Dozen Cousins started with seasoned beans, a product that resonated with customers for its convenience and authenticity. "For about two years, beans were the only product we sold," Ibraheem recalls. As demand grew, the brand expanded its offerings to include rice and seasoning sauces. "When we saw that 90% of our customers were eating our beans with rice, we knew it was time to expand into that category," he says. But, as with everything A Dozen Cousins creates, the rice had to stand out. "We decided to cook our rice in bone broth, making it more nutrient-dense with seven grams of protein and a few grams of collagen." This focus on both taste and health is what sets the brand apart. Today, A Dozen Cousins offers a full portfolio of products, allowing customers to create entire meals. "You can put together a high-quality dinner using just our products. Grab a couple of pouches of our beans, rice, and seasoning sauces, and in 20 minutes, you’ve got a delicious meal." Growing the Brand: Retail Strategy and Beyond A Dozen Cousins is now available in over 8,000 stores, including major retailers. When asked about his strategy for expanding the brand’s retail presence, Ibraheem emphasizes the importance of standing out. "Retailers are looking for the same thing as consumers—products that are new, interesting, and different from what’s already out there," he says. He highlights the brand's unique value proposition. "When we launched our beans, most of what was on store shelves were plain cans of beans. We offered something more convenient, something that didn’t require chopping, seasoning, or cooking time. That’s how we were able to grow our distribution so quickly." But getting onto retail shelves wasn’t easy. Ibraheem shares how persistence and creativity played a role.
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    14 mins
  • Trending Neurons: Revolutionizing Financial Market Predictions with AI

    Trending Neurons: Revolutionizing Financial Market Predictions with AI
    Sep 11 2024
    In today’s fast-paced financial landscape, where accurate predictions can make or break investment strategies, Victor Ekpoke, founder of Trending Neurons, is making waves with his fintech company. Trending Neurons redefines how investors approach financial market predictions, offering unparalleled insights powered by proprietary AI and machine learning algorithms. Designed to simplify stock trading for both novice and experienced traders, Trending Neurons turns overwhelming market data into actionable insights. As Victor explains, “We simplify trading decisions by answering three crucial questions: which stock to buy, why to buy it, and when to buy it.” The platform’s high level of accuracy and commitment to transparency have been pivotal in building trust within the trading community. “Our platform boasts an accuracy rate of up to 98%, and we proudly display these figures on our website to maintain full transparency,” Victor shared. This dedication to reliability has been a core value since the company’s inception. The Problem Trending Neurons Solves Stock trading can be overwhelming, especially for those who don’t have a financial background or experience in the market. Victor was aware of this challenge when he created Trending Neurons. He elaborated, “The problem is that most people are either scared to invest or make emotional decisions when they do. We wanted to provide a tool that takes emotion out of the equation and makes decisions based on data.” The platform provides traders with clear, data-backed reasons to buy specific stocks, removing the guesswork from trading decisions. It helps them identify the best opportunities, ensuring that users aren’t making investments blindly. As Victor put it, “Our goal is to give people the confidence to make informed trades without needing to be experts in finance.” How Trending Neurons Works Trending Neurons uses advanced AI algorithms to analyze market data, providing users with predictions on stock performance. The AI is designed to mimic the strategies used by successful traders but does so on a larger and faster scale. Victor highlighted the speed and efficiency of the platform: “Our AI processes thousands of data points in seconds, something no human trader could do in such a short amount of time.” This technology enables the platform to spot trends and opportunities before they become widely known, giving users an edge in the market. Trending Neurons doesn’t just predict stock movements—it explains them. Victor emphasized, “We don’t just tell you which stock to buy; we explain the reasoning behind it, so you’re learning as you trade.” The Human Element Behind AI Although Trending Neurons is driven by AI, Victor firmly believes in the importance of the human element in decision-making. “AI is powerful, but it’s still a tool,” he remarked. “At the end of the day, the user has the final say in what to invest in. We’re here to empower traders, not replace them.” Victor’s approach balances technology with human insight, ensuring that users remain in control of their investments while benefiting from AI's analytical power. A Vision for the Future Victor envisions Trending Neurons becoming a must-have tool for every trader. “We’re not just trying to build another trading app,” he said. “We’re creating a platform that helps traders of all levels make better decisions and ultimately achieve financial success.” He’s also keen on expanding the platform’s capabilities to include more personalized trading recommendations and insights, tailored to each user’s risk tolerance and financial goals. Sign up for full access to their advanced market sentiment tools and AI-driven predictions https://youtu.be/QW9I1LZDM0g?si=NflguWljEZZAb6Q9
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    21 mins
  • Just Like Me World: Enhancing Children’s Mental Health Through Storytelling

    Just Like Me World: Enhancing Children’s Mental Health Through Storytelling
    Sep 10 2024
    Yaba Baker is the founder and CEO of Just Like Me World, a company dedicated to empowering Black children through books and animated content that address mental health, self-love, and pride in Black history. In this interview, he shares the personal story of trauma that inspired him to create content that fosters positive mental health for children, particularly in underserved communities. Yaba Baker Highlights: Inspiration for Just Like Me World: Yaba’s traumatic experiences with violence during his teenage years motivated him to create a platform that would make a positive impact on children. Focus on Mental Health for Children: Just Like Me World integrates mental health tools into children's stories, aimed at helping kids feel better about themselves and make positive life choices. Impact of His Books: The Just Like Me series, featuring Black history and characters, has received positive feedback from parents, teachers, and psychologists. Stories like Princess Brianna and Super CJ have instilled pride and improved mental well-being among young readers. Balancing Fun and Education: Baker ensures that while serious topics like mental health and financial literacy are addressed, the content remains fun and engaging to keep children interested. Plans for Future Growth: The focus is on expanding Just Like Me TV on YouTube, continuing the Super CJ series with new episodes, and launching new projects, such as an animated movie for Princess Brianna by 2028. Subscribe to their YouTube channel, purchase books or merchandise, and join their Patreon for exclusive content and opportunities! https://youtu.be/bc3jJs11tmM?si=PeOksqOFtMTyNutk
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    8 mins

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