Treat Yourself!
Too many people buy into the idea that entrepreneurship is “all work and no play.” And while there’s definitely a ton of truth to that statement, it’s also the fastest way to suffer from burnout and actually hurt your business! Self-care comes in countless forms, from spending time with your family to taking the time to cook up a nice meal to dressing head-to-toe in comfort. So carve out some self-care time for you this holiday season (and every season!) with these products from some of my favorite Shark Tank partners.
Family Feud GameStar+ Edition
Working as an Entrepreneur can be very time consuming especially during the holiday season. Family game night is a great way to spend time with your family and reduce stress from working. Family Feud GameStar+ Edition is a perfect way for families to connect and have some laughs during any season! However, this isn't an ordinary game. Family Feud GameStar+ Edition features the world's first truly interactive streaming platform and will help bring an interactive and fun experience to your family game night!
Tenikle
As an entrepreneur multi-tasking is part of the job, and there has never been a better solution to multi-task with your phone while keeping your hands free! Tenikle is an all-in-one bendable suction cup accessory that works with phones, tablets, cameras and much more. If you've ever needed an extra pair of hands while at work or in your personal life this is the perfect gift for you this holiday season!
Mighty Carver
Cooking with the family is one of the best things about the holiday season, but did you know it can be even more fun and entertaining? Everyone knows cutting the turkey is always such a hassle, but Mighty Carver is the perfect gift to make cooking fun again! Show off to your family with this electric knife that looks like a chainsaw (literally). Mighty Carver can also be used for a variety of different foods besides turkey. Get this easy to use electric knife to help make some new family traditions and memorable moments today!
Spergo
If you’re still working from home, you know how essential it is to be comfortable in your own space. Luckily, kidpreneur Trey and his mother Sherell from Spergo have created the ultimate athleisure that you can rock from your home office (or your couch - we don’t judge) and when you run out to grab coffee. Their different lines appeal to a range of personal styles that can elevate your work from home experience or become your weekend uniform if you’re still dressing up to go into an office during the week.
Sunstaches
I can’t be the only parent who occasionally belts out “Let It Go” in the shower thanks to my little one (please tell me I’m not). If characters like Elsa from Frozen, Mulan, Minnie Mouse, Spiderman, and countless others have taken over your house, too, embrace it with a couple fun pairs of matching Sunstaches! There’s truly no age limit to these glasses, and I guarantee there’s a character for even the hardest-to-shop-for person in your life.
Bombas
There’s a reason Bombas is so successful - and it’s not just because of their incredible mission that has led them to donate more than 40 million pairs of socks to over 2,500 community organizations to date. When it comes down to it, there’s just no better sock than the ones Bombas spent years crafting to perfection. A fun pair (or a carefully curated pack) of Bombas socks is the perfect gift for anyone looking to support companies that have a purpose, or for the entrepreneur you know who wants a fun way to express his or herself or spends time on his or her feet at the golf course, on walks, or at the gym.
AquaVault
Do you know an entrepreneur counting down the days until their next vacation? Then any of AquaVault’s revolutionary security products would be the perfect gift. The new biometric fingerprint lock is essential for anyone looking for a dependable lock for their gear, vacation or otherwise, and the 100% waterproof floating phone case keeps your important work files on your phone safe while also guaranteeing to keep the even more important files protected - like the selfies you can take in the ocean or by the pool with your family thanks to the case!
Cup Board Pro
Raise your hand if one of your New Year’s Resolutions every year involves cooking. Now keep it up if that resolution hasn’t quite landed yet. I get it, after a long day of work most entrepreneurs just want a convenient option, and the Cup Board Pro gives you just that. The attached tray makes cleanup easier than ever, the board itself doesn’t dull knives, the materials are environmentally friendly and sustainable, and a portion of profits go to supporting first responders. So order your Cup Board Pro today and get ready to change how you view the kitchen!
Guzzle Buddy
Okay, we’ve all been there - sitting on the couch after getting through an exceptionally work-heavy week, wanting to unwind with a glass of wine...or a few. The Guzzle Buddy is a fun way to turn that bottle of wine or beer into its own glass. The perfect gag gift for the entrepreneur whose catchphrase is “just one more,” the Guzzle Buddy is guaranteed to get a laugh. (There’s no shame in ordering it for yourself, either, just be responsible!)
The Cut Buddy
These past months of quarantine have proven one very important thing...not all men are able to cut their hair or trim their beard the way their barbers do. Luckily for those of us who struggle to replicate the same fresh cut, The Cut Buddy exists. The Cut Buddy is the perfect tool to use in order to perfect your hair and beard line, with multiple curves in order to edge up your beard and hair line. All that’s left is to figure out what to write on the card (somehow I don’t think “hey, man, your self-given trims are awful,” will go over well).
Sock Tabs
I’ve learned a lot over the years, but I’ve never learned where your socks seem to disappear to when you do laundry, and who wants to take the time to match the non-missing socks back up when it’s done? Sock Tabs has solved both of these problems in a discreet but effective way. A simple tab that you stick on one sock while you’re wearing it can save you time and frustration, and what entrepreneur doesn’t need that?
Twist It Up Comb
This is THE number one comb for afrocentric hair in the world! The Twist It Up Comb is the cleanest, easiest and fastest way to coil/twist your hair, while still leaving it hydrated and healthy. The Twist It Up Comb doesn’t remove any of the products you’ve already put in your hair, and this unique design can ONLY be found with this comb that will last for years. The best part about this product? Every purchase helps the homeless youth!
Me and the Bees
Mikaila, the kidpreneur behind Me and the Bees, was not happy when she was stung by a bee for the first time (can you blame her?). However, she found herself wanting to know more about the culprit and started researching honey bees afterwards. With the help of her Grandmother’s lemonade recipe, she created the lemonade now known as “Me and the Bees”! The lemonade comes in five different flavors, all including natural honey that comes from real bees. It’s a delicious and refreshing gift for anyone on your list this holiday season!
Don’t Forget the KidPreneurs!
Does your daughter use her dolls to act out killer negotiations? Was your son’s first word “equity”? Has your niece shown you her blueprints for her sustainable fashion business? Maybe those are a stretch, but the point is, you can usually tell when a child has entrepreneurial features. Help him or her look and feel the part of a professional business person with these products from my Shark Tank partners!
Myself Belts
No one likes feeling like they can’t do something themselves, and our children are no exception. Designed to give kids a sense of independence, Myself Belts are easy-to-use and always lead to an “I did it myself!” moment. Plus, they leave your little one looking his or her best as they dream up their next big idea!
Mo’s Bows
I used to think I was the only little businessman that loved wearing bowties in elementary school, but then an 11 year old entrepreneur named Moziah walked into the tank in a full suit and bowtie and announced he was the CEO of Mo’s Bows. He turned his passion for style into an entire business, and the kidpreneur in your life is sure to be inspired every time he puts on his own bowtie (and it doesn’t hurt that he’ll also look the part of a seasoned businessman).
Angels and Tomboys
It can be easy to overlook that kids need self-care moments, too, and kidpreneurs Madison and Mallory set out to build a brand to change that. Angels and Tomboys is a beauty and skincare company specifically designed for teens and tweens. Your future businesswoman can have a mini spa day with the range of vitamin-filled products made with real fruits, which could be just what she needs to get in the creative headspace to think up the next big brand.
Girls Who Code
Girls Who Code is a company that is attempting to tackle the falling numbers of female computer scientists through online resources, campaigns, books, and advocacy work. Their mission is to close the gender gap in the tech industry by educating young girls, specifically girls in underrepresented groups, in order to continue their thirst for learning in the tech field.
King Kyren
A father and son duo who create videos discussing financial and economic information to educate his son and other children about this at a young age. Their Youtube channel, Kyng Kyren provides educational videos for other parents to show their children and begin teaching them about important financial information and vocabulary at a young age.
JAS
One of the grant winners from Black Entrepreneur’s Day is another great example of kidpreneurs! JAS is a skincare/bath product company founded by Ndola Hagood and her sisters. They started making the products for themselves, and then family, friends and others started asking to try their products, and that’s where the business began. Their products are also made with organic and natural ingredients. Ndola and her sisters plan to use part of the grant money to create a virtual marketplace to connect with child entrepreneurs to help inspire them.
Some Small Business Heroes to Keep the Giving Spirit Strong!
This year, one of the initiatives I’m most proud of is the #SmallBusinessHero campaign. It started off as a way to highlight some of the businesses pivoting in the face of COVID to help their communities and quickly grew to include businesses whose core mission is to help others in need. Check out some of the amazing organizations below!
Black 6 Coffee
I try not to overdo it on the caffeine, but with coffee as good as Black 6’s and the knowledge that I’m supporting a veteran who started the coffee company to fund his non-profit organization Black 6 Project, it’s hard to say no! Black 6 Project is an organization that brings emergency responders and relief to wherever it’s most needed, from Puerto Rico after Hurricane Maria all the way to the Philippines.
Artists Helping the Homeless
Not sure what to get for the person who seems to have it all? Make a donation in their name to Artists Helping the Homeless, an organization that uses its network of artists and volunteers to raise funds for meals and resources to help the homeless. What started off as a simple Sunday night meal program funded through art events and sales has evolved into an additional van program that helps the homeless with transportation and a program that provides them with medical attention without having to go to a hospital.
Peacebe Kids
Leneen Faith creates the stories and characters of The Adventures of Peacebe and the Heartwatch, and her brother David brings them to life through illustrations. Every story teaches important values and lessons to children, like honesty, kindness, acceptance, and responsibility, and Leneen and David created free activities that can be downloaded online for those who cannot afford non-essential purchases but still want to provide an enriching project for their children.
Curlanistas
Lexi P. may not be a household name yet, but with the influence she has on teaching our children (especially our little girls with curly hair) how to be confident and love themselves, she probably will be soon. Curlanistas is a brand of hair care products, tee shirts, and books created by kidpreneur Lexi, who also leads workshops with girls her age and younger to help them embrace their natural selves and develop their business expertise so they can one day create their own brand.
Happi Foodi
What’s better than an easy-to-heat homemade meal made with real ingredients? Knowing that the proceeds from your purchase or donation go towards giving that same meal to someone in need! Happi Foodi donated over 28,000 meals to the hungry in NYC when COVID was at its peak, and they aren’t finished yet. Order some reinvented frozen food served with a side of charity-driven purpose.
Mutt’s Sauce
The best part of a meal is always the sauce, especially when it’s as flavorful and rich as Mutt’s Sauce. This secret sauce recipe was left to fourth-generation veteran Charlynda Scales by her grandfather Mutt, and she knew she couldn’t keep it to herself. Charlynda bottled her grandfather’s multipurpose sauce, with sweet, tangy, and spicy flavors, put his picture on the label, and began selling.
Support Black Owned Businesses This Holiday Season
Apostrophe Puzzles
Have you ever thought of puzzles as art? If not, Apostrophe Puzzles will be able to completely change your mind. This small business is revolutionizing art and has found a way to make us all artists in our own homes. Apostrophe Puzzles features a variety of designs that you can complete by yourself or with your loved ones. You don't have to be an avid puzzler to fall in love with these beautiful and artistic puzzles. This is the perfect gift to help you relax while also creating something beautiful this holiday season.
Darlyng & Co
Parenting is tough and comes with many long and sleepless nights. Parenting is also an amazing experience with lots of memorable moments throughout a childs life. The founders of Darlyng and Co. realize the effort and worry that comes as second nature to being a parent as they are parents themselves. This brand was developed to give parents one less thing to worry about when it comes to caring for their baby. Darlyng & Co features a variety of baby essentials at a very affordable price. Ease some parenting stress and choose Darlyng & Co (the easy choice) for your baby essentials to help make your holiday season more enjoyable and stress free for your entire family!
Papa's Peanut Brittle
What's better than sweets during the holiday season? Papa's Peanut Brittle has a recipe that has been perfected and passed down through generations. This great tasting peanut brittle is the perfect gift to give to others (or to keep for yourself). Papa's Peanut Brittle comes in 3 flavors: classic peanut brittle, pecan brittle, and cashew brittle. Once you start its hard to stop, so DON'T miss out on some homemade sweet treats from Papa's Peanut Brittle.
The Cut Buddy
These past months of quarantine have proven one very important thing...not all men are able to cut their hair or trim their beard the way their barbers do. Luckily for those of us who struggle to replicate the same fresh cut, The Cut Buddy exists. The Cut Buddy is the perfect tool to use in order to perfect your hair and beard line, with multiple curves in order to edge up your beard and hair line. All that’s left is to figure out what to write on the card (somehow I don’t think “hey, man, your self-given trims are awful,” will go over well).
Sock Tabs
I’ve learned a lot over the years, but I’ve never learned where your socks seem to disappear to when you do laundry, and who wants to take the time to match the non-missing socks back up when it’s done? Sock Tabs has solved both of these problems in a discreet but effective way. A simple tab that you stick on one sock while you’re wearing it can save you time and frustration, and what entrepreneur doesn’t need that?
Twist It Up Comb
This is THE number one comb for afrocentric hair in the world! The Twist It Up Comb is the cleanest, easiest and fastest way to coil/twist your hair, while still leaving it hydrated and healthy. The Twist It Up Comb doesn’t remove any of the products you’ve already put in your hair, and this unique design can ONLY be found with this comb that will last for years. The best part about this product? Every purchase helps the homeless youth!
Me and the Bees
Mikaila, the kidpreneur behind Me and the Bees, was not happy when she was stung by a bee for the first time (can you blame her?). However, she found herself wanting to know more about the culprit and started researching honey bees afterwards. With the help of her Grandmother’s lemonade recipe, she created the lemonade now known as “Me and the Bees”! The lemonade comes in five different flavors, all including natural honey that comes from real bees. It’s a delicious and refreshing gift for anyone on your list this holiday season!
