frequently asked questions

WHO IS BUY FROM A BLACK WOMAN?

Buy From A Black Woman (BFABW) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization helping to educate, empower and inspire Black Woman business owners and the people who support them. Through educational programs, an online directory, and financial resources, Buy from a Black Woman continues to grow as a trusted organization that helps provide Black Women in business the tools and resources they need to be successful. For more information, visit https://www.buyfromablackwoman.org.

WHAT IS THE BUY FROM A BLACK WOMAN DIRECTORY?

Black Women have been leading the numbers when it comes to starting a business, but their annual sales are five times smaller than all Women-owned businesses due to lack of support and awareness. That’s where The Buy From A Black Woman Directory comes in-- an online resource created with the sole purpose of helping you discover and support businesses owned and operated by Black Women.

HOW MANY BUSINESSES ARE CURRENTLY LISTED IN THE DIRECTORY?

The Buy From A Black Woman Directory is currently over 350 Black Woman-owned businesses strong!

HOW DO I ADD MY BUSINESS TO THE DIRECTORY?

If your business is not currently listed with BFABW, please visit https://www.buyfromablackwomandirectory.org/join-the-directory to submit your information.

CAN I ADD MORE THAN 1 BUSINESS TO THE DIRECTORY?

Definitely! There is no limit to the number of businesses you can apply to have added to the Buy From A Black Woman directory. However, each business requires a separate application, logo, paid membership fee, and each will be considered independently of the other(s).

WHAT ARE THE BUY FROM A BLACK WOMAN DIRECTORY CRITERIA FOR LISTING A NEW BUSINESS?

All businesses listed in the BFABW Directory must:

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  • Be 100% Black Woman owned

  • Be a registered business, in good standing, and be able to provide an Employer Identification Number (EIN)

  • Maintain a separate bank account for business transactions

  • Have been in business for two (2) years or longer

  • Have a logo to use for their listing

  • Use a working, secure website ready to receive site traffic 

  • Allow products, if applicable, to be purchased directly on business website (no third party websites)

  • Be consistently active on at least two (2) social media platforms (including Instagram), links to which are readily found on main website

  • If a franchisee or independent distributor, main business (at the headquarters level) must also be Black Woman owned

  • Not operate on a drop-shipping or marketplace model

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Please note that this is not an exhaustive list and Buy From A Black Woman retains the right to determine eligibility on a case-by-case basis.

HOW MUCH DOES IT COST TO BECOMES A MEMBER OF THE BUY FROM A BLACK WOMAN DIRECTORY?

Currently, the annual membership fee is $100.

WHAT DOES MY MEMBERSHIP INCLUDE?

As part of your Buy From A Black Woman Directory Membership, you'll receive the following:

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  • invitations to Buy From A Black Woman Online Directory exclusive events

  • opportunities to upload special promotions

  • free highlights and features on BFABW social media channels, including BFABWTV

  • a separate page for your business on the Directory website with the ability to receive ratings and reviews

  • opportunities to write as guest blogger for the Buy From A Black Woman Directory blog, while promoting your business
     

WHAT IS MY ANNUAL FEE USED FOR?

The Buy From A Black Woman Directory membership fee goes towards the housing and maintenance of the website, along with any promotional and marketing materials we use to spread the word about the directory. 

HOW LONG IS MY LISTING GOOD FOR?

Once added to the directory, your membership is good for 1 (one) year.

HOW DO I RENEW MY BUSINESS LISTING?

Business directory listings automatically renew on or around the 1st of the month of their original submission date. Memberships not cancelled before their renewal date will be charged the annual membership fee. If unsure of your current membership status, please email us.at directory@buyfromablackwoman.org.

HOW DO I SUBMIT CHANGES TO AN EXISTING BUSINESS LISTING IN THE BFABW DIRECTORY?

I SUBMITTED MY APPLICATION BUT HAVEN’T HEARD BACK.

Thank you for applying! New businesses are typically added every Thursday and you should receive confirmation via email once approved (please check your Spam folder!). If it’s been longer than a week and you haven’t received any follow up questions from us, send us a quick message with your business name to directory@buyfromablackwoman.org.

I SAW AN AD FOR A BUSINESS ON THE BFABW FACEBOOK/ INSTAGRAM/ TWITTER PAGE. HOW DO I GET SIMILAR PROMO FOR MY BUSINESS?

We do not offer paid promotions on our social media accounts. Free promo is one of the many perks we offer businesses listed in the BFABW Directory, there is no extra application or fee required to be featured! 

HOW IS THE ORDER OF BUSINESSES IN THE DIRECTORY DETERMINED? IS THERE A WAY TO BOOST MY LISTING/ APPEAR ON THE FIRST PAGE?

We don’t like to play favorites, so the order of businesses is created randomly and refreshed periodically.

CAN I LINK TO THE BFABW DIRECTORY ON MY WEBSITE/ SOCIAL MEDIA PAGE(S)?

Of course, please do!

WHERE DO THE RATINGS AND REVIEWS FOR BUSINESSES LISTED ON THE BUY FROM A BLACK WOMAN DIRECTORY COME FROM?

Ratings and reviews for all listings are provided by site users. Feedback is real and monitored by Buy From A Black Woman to ensure quality.