We are excited to introduce you to Ayanna Jackson and Kim Cross, our 2Q 2023 Maker Scholarship recipients. Ayanna is the founder of Arbria Creations in San Leandro, California. Kim is the founder of Zhi Bath & Body in Mint Hill, North Carolina. We are normally thrilled to welcome one new scholarship recipient, so you can imagine how much pleasure it gives us to welcome TWO for this quarter!
About Ayanna and Kim
Q: Tell us a little bit about yourself, your work, and business.
Ayanna says:
| Formulating natural body butters and candles is my absolute passion. For years, my friends and family were treated to my homemade creations before I decided to follow my dreams and turn my passion into a living. Now, I am employed full-time and also run my business. I have on daughter in college and another in high school. My ultimate goal is to empower my daughters (and all women!) to show them that they can do anything they set their minds to. We are proud to donate a percentage of our sales to causes that empower women and young ladies. |
Kim says:
| I'm the “Happy Skin Formulator” and proud Navy veteran. I'm also a published author; known for writing on natural skincare, military news, and youth leadership. Zhi is my full-time business. My goal is to grab 1% of the goat-milk skincare industry. I firmly believe that hard work, a heart for giving, and passion can touch the masses. My motto is: “Keep pushing; the easiest job is the one you love most. Mine is handcrafting fantastic, high-quality goat's milk skincare products, educating people on the dangers of toxins in skincare, and sprinkling love into the community. “ |
Q: Why are you excited to be awarded the scholarship and to be a member of IBN?
Ayanna says:
Being a member of IBN for the last 5 years has been a great experience. The training offered by IBN and the excellent mentoring provided is greatly appreciated and needed. I also love the fact that I can comfortably ask for advice on anything and everything from my fellow IBN members through the member Facebook group.
I am so excited to win this scholarship! I have been reinvesting all of my income into my business, so this scholarship is greatly appreciated since it will lower my costs to do business this year.
Kim says:
I have been part of IBN for some years now. I loved it when I first joined, then slacked off in my business and re-engaged several years ago after “thinking” I could find my people in other places. I quickly learned that the Indie Business Network IS my people because we experience entrepreneurship differently.
The more active I've become, the more I've grown me AND my business. Other organizations focus on business first, but IBN focuses on helping me build business around the life I want…that is priceless. It is what led me to apply for the scholarship.
Being in a space of what I call “unexpected, expected growth” landed me in unknown territory (personally and financially) and I did not want to lose the community that has been instrumental in my growth and stability. I am over Jupiter—never mind the Moon—excited to be selected for this scholarship opportunity. I can breathe a little bit easier and get even more personalized guidance along the way. I am beyond grateful.
Follow Arbria Creations
Follow Ayanna and Arbria Creations on Instagram.
Follow Zhi Bath & Body
Follow Kim and Zhi Bath & Body on Instagram.
Apply for IBN's Maker Scholarship
The Indie Business Network offers a valuable and transformative experience, and we recognize that not everyone has the resources to access our suite of entrepreneurial mentoring, coaching, and training services, especially when they are first starting out. To help offset the challenge for as many as possible, each quarter, we offer a scholarship for a year of membership and private one-on-one email coaching with me.
At the Indie Business Network, we believe that every woman can provide for herself and her children because she can sell something she made with her own hands. If you have started your business, but lack the resources needed to grow, you can apply for next quarter's Maker Scholarship Award at this link.
