Looking to start a business as a Black female? We sat down with Khalia Ismain, founder of Jamii, a marketplace and discount card for Black British brands, to find out how her journey has been. You can watch the interview on our Instagram page or read what she had to say here:

Hi, I’m Khalia Ismain and I’m the founder of Jamii.

What do you love most about being a Black female founder?

The thing I love most about being a black female founder is the community from other black female founders. This is my very first time starting a business and I had so much support and love from other black women.

When it comes to Black women- what do we need to normalise?

I think we need to normalise black women being mediocre, because we should not have to work twice as hard just to be half as good.

What’s the worst piece of business advice you’ve received?

The worst piece of business advise that I’ve received is don’t focus on black people. That was the most ridiculous thing I’ve ever had in my life. And when someone said it to me, I was just like, you and me are not same. We don’t see things the same way either.

What has been a high point of your journey?

I think my highest high came when I was able to hire my sister last year. And to be able to pay her, is definitely like one of the biggest achievements I’ve ever had.

Three words to describe your experience as a Black woman?

The three words that I would use to describe my experience as a black woman, would be beauty, it would be joy, but unfortunately it would also be struggle.