Today we’d like to introduce you to Shantelle Patton.
Shantelle, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
My name is Shantelle Patton AKA the Brown Bag Ladee, owner and operator of That Brown Bag Minority Business Directory.
In 2016 I co-founded an artist development company known as The Dopeness Project to support the Buffalo, NY hip hop artist community. This experience afforded me with the vision to see the true power of networking and relationship-building.
In 2017, I completed the Open Buffalo Emerging Leaders program where I gained the tools and most importantly the courage to voice my why.
In 2018, The UB Citizens Planning School Champions for Change program reinforced, enhanced, and refined the skills learned the year prior.
Later that year, armed with all the tools imparted by these two programs I launched That Brown Bag Minority Business Directory and have spent the last 5+ years promoting and supporting as many Black Owned Business in WNY as I can find.
Fast forward to 2022, and the publication has expanded to add the Brown Bag Business Association, a membership-based group centered around providing a pipeline of information and support to the businesses listed within the publication.
I started the directory in the hopes of providing a community resource that helps to enrich the quality of life for my people.
That Brown Bag and Business Association have a mission of enhancing the quality of life for African Americans and the WNY community through economic development, education, workforce development, community development, and legislative advocacy, and a goal of expanding the consumer base of Black-owned business to promote longevity, self-sufficiency, and sustainability.
That Brown Bag provides an annually published hard copy and digital business directory concentrating on highlighting black-owned businesses in and around WNY.
‘The Bag’ also provides social media promotion for the businesses through targeted cross-promotion and networking.
My body of work as a minority business advocate has led me into spaces such as the presidency of the Urban Chamber of Commerce-Buffalo, being named to the Buffalo Business First 100 Power Leaders of Color List 2022, and a 2023 IDEA Award recipient.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Has the road always been freshly paved? The simple answer would be no but unlike others who have tried a similar path, I didn’t start That Brown Bag looking to get rich quick or gain notoriety. Instead, I do this from a place of love, and I like to think it shows. I spend my spare time sharing other people’s businesses, going from storefront to storefront, vendor fair to vendor fair, and every networking event I can make an appearance at making sure the business owners have a face to put to the name and that they know, I’m truly here to support. I don’t ask for discounts or free, I ask for the best service levels these businesses can give me, and they know they can put their trust in me for that very reason. This has allowed me to organically build my brand and that has happened in the most beautiful of ways.
Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about That Brown Bag Minority Business Directory?
With a goal of expanding the consumer base of Black-owned business, That Brown Bag has and will continue to network and grow its reach.
• Procure and add businesses to the database as they open, expand, and evolve.
• Provide business owners access to beneficial resources and information.
• Secure partnerships that introduce pipelines of new dollars into circulation within the community.
• Be a COMMUNITY RESOURCE and the advocate of an underserved community of people
I look to give exposure to not only traditional brick & mortar business owners but to the up & coming home-based business, the emerging e-commerce entrepreneur, and the individual with an idea but no direction.
I have built a recognizable and trusted brand and I assign my traction to the businesses that I endorse. This extra push can often give the boost a business needs to gain that next big customer. From charitable organizations to corporate executives, I am the resource to provide the names of exemplary minority-owned businesses in my region.
Can you tell us more about what you were like growing up?
A younger me was definitely unsure of her next steps but sure of her ability to imagine the impossible. I grew up in my grandparent’s home with old Southern values and behaviors being passed down. My interests included dance, cheerleading for the Buffalo Vets Little League Football team. I found love for reading and poetry which have followed me into adulthood.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.brownbagcertified.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thatbrownbag
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ThatBrownBag/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shantelle-patton-888752142/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/ThatBrownBag
Image Credits
Kajuan Lyons (photo cred)
