Sonteria Bowie is breaking barriers in the wine industry with Tranquil Blends Wine, a Black Woman Owned boutique wine brand based in Milwaukee, WI, rooted in inclusivity, education, and handcrafted excellence. From vibrant Raspberry Peach Sangria to crisp Pétillant Chardonnay and refreshing Green Apple Riesling, Tranquil Blends offers a curated selection of wines that make every sip an experience.
What started as a passion project has blossomed into a thriving business, with a storefront inside the Sherman Phoenix Marketplace and a production contract to ship wine nationwide. One of Sonteria’s proudest achievements was hosting Milwaukee’s first Wine Train Experience, a curated event that introduced an innovative way to enjoy wine. She has also been recognized as Kenosha’s Best for Wine, highlighting her dedication to reshaping the wine industry.
Tranquil Blends is about creating a community. The brand’s wine club memberships offer exclusive tastings and monthly selections, making premium wine accessible to everyone, no matter their level of expertise.
Sonteria’s advice? Stay resilient, trust your journey, and build a strong support system. Be unapologetic about your vision and value. She encourages fellow entrepreneurs to break barriers and pursue their passions with confidence. Her message is clear: success doesn’t come from perfection, but from consistency, learning, and staying true to your mission.
Looking toward the future, Sonteria’s long-term goal is to expand Tranquil Blends Wine’s wholesale operations and continue growing her presence nationwide. Through mentorship and community-driven initiatives, she aims to create a legacy that empowers and uplifts future generations of Black women entrepreneurs in the wine industry and beyond.
With every bottle poured and every connection made, Tranquil Blends Wine is transforming Milwaukee’s wine scene, one unforgettable experience at a time.
Visit in person at Sherman Phoenix Marketplace or shop online at tranquilblendsllc.com
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At Occasions On Main, every event is more than just a celebration—it’s a story brought to life. Founded by Maxine Baptiste, this Black Woman Owned event venue and planning business in Lithonia, GA, is redefining customer service, personalization, and community impact.
Maxine’s journey began with resilience. Becoming a mother at 15, she defied the odds, channeling her challenges into a passion for curating unforgettable experiences. With an eye for detail and a heart for service, she built a business that transforms dreams into reality, whether it’s a milestone birthday, an executive gathering, or a lavish wedding.
But Occasions On Main is more than a venue. Maxine is committed to giving back, hosting coat drives, gifting spa days to single mothers, and relaunching her nonprofit for teen girls in 2025. Her biggest achievement? Her mother witnessing her success before passing from cancer. Now, with plans to expand into Canada and open a Breakfast Bar, she’s just getting started. Her advice? Never compare your journey—your success is your own.
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Caviar Dream, founded by Kendra Anderson, is redefining the way we experience caviar. As the first nationally distributed Black and Woman Owned caviar business, Caviar Dream is on a mission to make caviar accessible to everyone. Historically, caviar has been gatekept by the wealthy and privileged, often excluding BIack, Indigenous, People of Color, and underserved communities. But Kendra and her co-founder are changing the game by turning this luxury delicacy into an inclusive experience.
Through direct-to-consumer sales, private parties, and innovative food and beverage event activations, Caviar Dream fosters inclusivity, accessibility, and cultural evolution. Whether it’s a playful pairing or an engaging educational experience, the brand ensures that everyone can become a “Caviar Dreamer.”
“Caviar Dream makes caviar a little less fancy and a lot more fun,” says Anderson. “We provide representation, access, and experiences that encourage our community to live well.”
As the brand looks ahead to 2025, expect to see exciting activations and retail pop-ups in key markets such as NYC, Atlanta, Washington DC/DMV, and Texas. Plus, partnerships with BIPOC and woman-owned wine, spirits, and specialty food brands are on the horizon.
Explore more at www.caviardream.co and follow their journey of making caviar for the people.
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In Detroit, where food and fashion are more than just trends, they’re culture—Alyce White took a leap of faith. After decades as a chef, including working at major sports arenas for the Detroit Tigers and Pistons, she grew tired of being overlooked. So, at 52 Alyce started over, determined to build something of her own.
That gamble turned into Alis Korner Take-Out, a soul food restaurant where every dish is packed with flavor—but made without salt or salt substitutes. But Alyce didn’t stop there. She also launched Walking in Black, an Italian luxury shoe line designed with comfort and culture in mind. Its first release, the Midgelumn831, is handcrafted from the Italian leathers and materials, made to order for those who want to walk in both style and purpose.
For Alyce, this journey is about about legacy. With every purchase, she donates $1 to sickle cell anemia research and continues her long-standing tradition of feeding the community out of her own pocket.
Her message is simple: Go for it. Whatever it is, it’s not too late. Inside every Midgelumn831, you’ll find these words: “Be somebody nobody thought you could be.” Alyce is walking in Black—and inviting others to do the same.
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Instant Imprints, led by Mimi Wright, is a Black Woman Owned business providing branding and marketing solutions in Clear Lake and Sugarland, Texas. Since taking over the business in June 2024, Mimi has brought her 30 years of event planning and fundraising expertise to help small businesses, organizations, and individuals stand out with high-quality custom apparel, promotional products, signage, and print marketing solutions.
Mimi shares that Instant Imprints is more than a business, it’s a community-driven platform dedicated to empowering minority- and women-owned businesses. From custom t-shirts to eye-catching banners and cutting-edge Direct-to-Garment (DTG) printing, Mimi ensures that every product is tailored to reflect her clients’ unique visions and goals.
A proud recipient of MWBE and HUB certifications from the City of Houston, Mimi’s commitment to excellent service and genuine relationships has opened doors to exciting opportunities with school districts and corporate sectors. Her advice to aspiring entrepreneurs? “Invest in relationships and show up authentically. Your network and authenticity will set you apart.”
Looking ahead, Mimi is focused on expanding Instant Imprints’ services, growing digital outreach, and continuing to make a lasting impact on the community. She is also celebrating Instant Imprints being named one of Houston’s Best Printing Services by HTOWN’s Best, an honor that reflects the team’s dedication to delivering exceptional products and services to their community.
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