NY Daily News: Harlem Business Alliance helps small business establish stable foundation
Precious Williams used to tear out her hair over finding lingerie; and that’s when the light went on.
“I realized that if you’re a woman who’s bigger, there aren’t many options out there,” said Williams, who spent nearly a year talking to friends and family about how she could sell plus-sized intimate apparel.
It wasn’t until Williams won $5,000 in startup funds from the Harlem Business Alliance that her plus-sized dream became a reality. She chucked her day job as a mortgage lawyer and launched a website, curvygirlzlingerie.com — things took off pretty quickly from there.
“I needed a business plan because I could only fund it on my own for so long,” said Williams.
After she won HBA’s Business Plan Competition last year, Williams sold more than $10,000 worth of merchandise — double the cash prize — in her first month of business. Now, she is considering opening a storefront in Harlem.
“You never think of all that comes from winning a competition like this,” said Williams. “I feel like a rock star.”
