A Slam Dunk for New Bedford's Brown Suga Stationery

It's been quite a couple of years for Jaden Teixeira and her business Brown Suga Stationery and Design.

Teixeira received advice and financial support from several organizations during that time and recently was the recipient of a $25,000 grant from the NAACP, Vista Print and the Boston Celtics Shamrock Foundation.

Brown Suga Stationery and Design was one of 59 Black-owned small businesses in New England recognized at a recent Celtics game for their exceptional promise and dedication.

Teixeira visited Townsquare Sunday this week to discuss the challenges she faces as a small business owner, and her remarkable good fortune. With her was Nella Perry of the New Bedford Economic Development Council.

"It was a rough start, but its been amazing lately," Teixeira said.

Teixeira is a mother who says her art skills are self-taught. Starting a business was a challenge, but she received advice and encouragement from Buy Black NB, E-for-All, and financial support from the New Bedford Economic Development Council through its NB 100 program and New Bedford Creative's ARTnet program.

Teixeira said the financial support from NB 100 helped her open a storefront, purchase inventory and buy furniture.

"It really brought my business to a different level," she said.

Teixeira closed her storefront late last year and is now selling exclusively online, but now with the grant from the Shamrock Foundation, she's thinking of reopening a storefront again.

Teixeira said her business caters mainly to people of color.

"I want my stationary and my art to invoke feelings of happiness, belonging and inclusion, and if I can do that through my art, I'm happy to do so," she said.

You can check out Jaden's work at the Brown Suga website. To learn more about NB 100, visit NBEDC.org.