Omi Bell: From T-Shirts to Funding Underdogs

Imagine facing poverty, raising children alone, and still finding a way to not only survive but thrive. That’s the incredible story of Omi Bell, who shared on the “Black Tech Green Money” podcast how selling t-shirts became her ticket out of hardship and into a life of purpose.

From Layoffs to Launching

Omi, a former computer scientist and educator, found herself in a tough spot after having children young and experiencing layoffs. Despite having good jobs, she struggled to make ends meet, living in Section 8 housing and relying on government assistance. The reality for single parents in America, she noted, is incredibly challenging.

This difficult period fueled a fierce determination. After a breakup and facing the prospect of future layoffs, Omi decided she needed to build something that couldn’t be taken away. She transformed her living room into an Airbnb rental and taught herself how to print t-shirts, launching her own apparel line.

Building Black Girl Ventures

Her hustle paid off, leading to deals with giants like Google and Amazon, and the launch of two apparel businesses, MsPrint USA and Made By A Black Woman. But Omi didn’t stop there. Having navigated the challenges of entrepreneurship herself, she was driven to help others facing similar obstacles.

In 2016, she founded Black Girl Ventures. This social enterprise is dedicated to providing crucial capital and resources to under-resourced businesses, with a special focus on Black women founders whose companies earn less than $1 million annually. Through pitch competitions, funding assessments, and consultations, Black Girl Ventures has already made a significant impact.

• Over 20,000 entrepreneurs have benefited from Black Girl Ventures’ resources.
• Over 550 under-resourced companies have successfully secured funding.
• Resources include crowdfunded pitch competitions and 1:1 funding assessments.

The Future of “Pull Up and Pitch”

Looking ahead, Black Girl Ventures is launching an exciting new initiative called “Pull Up and Pitch.” This live, 60-second pitch competition, judged by a panel using a thumbs-up system, offers awards ranging from $200 to $500. The next competition is set for November 18 and will be streamed live on TikTok, offering a unique platform for entrepreneurs to gain exposure and potentially compete for larger funding rounds, possibly even $10,000, depending on partner involvement.

Omi sees huge potential in this TikTok partnership, envisioning possibilities for matching dollars and integrating with TikTok Shop. It’s all about amplifying these founders and exploring innovative ways to distribute capital.