Fashion That Feeds, Socially-Good Goods - Half United

Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Carmin Black, Co-Founder of Half United, located in Wilmington, NC, USA.

What's your business, and who are your customers?

We are a force for good business. What this means is we exist to help those in need. The way we do this specifically is by fighting hunger. For every HALF UNITED product you purchase, you give seven meals to someone in need and help us gainfully employ adults living in poverty as well. Our customers can be anyone who loves our products and wants to buy them as a way to contribute back to others. We market and sell to women ages 25 and up. However, we join anyone, anywhere, to get involved in our fight against hunger.

Tell us about yourself

In my earliest days, I was driven by finding my purpose. As a former television journalist, I knew I loved speaking with people, sharing stories, and communicating information; sadly, the jobs I held at both a national television network and a local station never felt fulfilling to me. Going into my "dream job" every day but not loving it was heartbreaking. I sincerely didn't know what to do with myself, and I couldn't seem to picture a business I would want to work for that would allow me to answer my calling in life. That's when I decided to start HALF UNITED. It began as a tiny give-back brand that sold handmade jewelry and t-shirts. I didn't know anything about retail sales or the fashion industry; I had no prior business knowledge and couldn't have told you what a balance sheet or a profit and loss statement was. I just knew that when I sold a product to a customer and then used that money to help families in need, my entire life lit up. I loved every second of creating goods and helping others. It didn't matter how little money I had to work with or how little skill I possessed, the feeling of giving back and combining it with creating was exhilarating. All these years later, I feel equally as passionate; it's just that now I know better, so I daily try to do better. I know how to budget, run spreadsheets, read a P&L, and host a board meeting; I know how to negotiate a partnership and how to choose philanthropic partners well too. These days it's all about refinement. How can we do what we do, which is design amazing products and give back even better than before? The constant improvement is what keeps me moving forward. We're certainly not where I believe we can be, but we have come so far, and I am so thankful for that!

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

Learning how to manage and direct people well and with love.

What's one of the hardest things that comes with being a business owner?

Managing people- they are the lifeblood of your brand; if you can't motivate and inspire them, you've got nothing. Your team has to trust you, believe in your mission, and feel personally called to what you're trying to accomplish for the brand to hum. This is an incredibly challenging feat to pull off; once you do, however, the sky is the limit!

What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?

1. Don't forget why you started in the first place. Businesses grow and change every day, but I never forget what my north star is. I started Half Untied because there was a need. That need still exists. Although we strive to grow and expand the business, that north star will continue to be the reason we exist.
2. Listen to your data but do not let it stop you from trying new things. We want to get our story to as many people as possible, and we are always testing new ways to do that. When something works, we take that data and reproduce it, but it then challenges us to re-work old ideas to improve how we delivered them in the past to make sure our message is never lost.
3. Be authentic. We live in a digital age that allows constant access. If you are being yourself, and that comes through your brand, then that is not a problem. The moment you try to start to be something you're not, it will read through in everything you do, from product to content.

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://www.halfunited.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HALFUNITED
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/halfunited/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/half-united/

If you like what you've read here and have your own story as a solo or small business entrepreneur that you'd like to share, then please answer these interview questions. We'd love to feature your journey on these pages.

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