Since COVID-19 disrupted daily life back in March, the rise of creativity, activism, and entrepreneurship has entered the spotlight. As an artist, I’ve taken this time to reengage in painting and drawing. I’ve also started my own business that focuses on collage, design and technology. This endeavor began at the start of COVID-19 to raise money for hospital equipment and financial support for small businesses. While living in New York City, the epicenter of the virus in March and April, my neighbors and I would applaud the essential workers at 7pm for their assistance on the frontlines. This time together as one city inspired me to fill my time with a creative outlet to support our local doctors and workers. I created the Instagram @desktops4donations, and I ask my clients for a color palette and some of their interests and favorite places to create a collage of images for her or his desktop.

Throughout this quarantine, there has been a rise of womxn-led businesses and companies. Laura Staffard started “Maybe Next Year” after being laid off from her e-commerce startup.  Her line of clothing includes comical slogans to reflect these unprecedented times. She chose to use her creative skills to bring satire and comic relief to the new normal. Another woman-led business, “Antisocial Mind,” was started by 19-year-old BLM activist Rion. She created a line of masks with phrases that reflect the Black Lives Matter movement, such as “No Justice No Peace,” to raise awareness for Black rights. Rion’s masks fight the spread of COVID-19 and up to 50% of the profits are donated to Black children living in poverty across the United States. Similarly, many bigger clothing brands and designers have repurposed their extra fabric to make cloth masks and donate profits to different causes and organizations.

Designer Silvia Tcherassi, whose company repurposes extra fabric to create gingham masks, ensures that 100% of profits are going towards Every Mother Counts, a charity that promotes safe maternity care for soon-to-be mothers in underserved areas. Similarly, designer Araks Yeramyan of the lingerie brand “Araks” created cotton masks with 20% of proceeds going to GetUsPPE, a grassroots organization to expedite the production and distribution of medical-grade equipment for health workers. A favorite NY-based designer of mine, Nili Lotan, created a limited edition line that donates 15% of total profits and 100% of face mask profits to NYULangone Hospital in support of their frontline medical workers. I certainly encourage you to buy from a brand or site that is using profits to help those struggling throughout COVID-19 and beyond. You can find a full list of masks to purchase from independent designers here.

On a smaller scale, a dear friend Glynis Reede started a beading business to raise money for COVID-19 relief and the ongoing Black Lives Matter movement: @beadsforbreakthroughs. Glynis has raised over $500 from her custom beaded bracelets business for a number of different organizations and initiatives she is passionate about. Of these includes donations to NYU Langone Hospital for supplies during the rise of COVID-19, as well as BLM initiatives—such as Justice for Breonna Taylor—and womxn's rights with the Kentucky Reproductive Freedom Fund. 

Another friend and rising entrepreneur, Maya Tsimmer, started a tie-dye business, @blinkofadye, to raise money for Black Lives Matter, donating 30% of all profits to the movement. Her personalized designs are both trendy and unique. From blue skies to sunset sherbet color palettes, there is something for everyone. While speaking to Maya, she joked, “Every woman has become a businesswoman in quarantine.” In an age when social media is a huge tool for engaging with others – especially while social distancing – these bright young womxn have taken to Instagram to share their interests and create a lasting, positive impact.

Whether it’s a beading or tie-dye business, the sky’s the limit for young and determined womxn. Not only did these businesses offer a creative outlet to each of these womxn, but they also taught them about the skills and resources needed to started a company. They were also able to raise money for initiatives they are passionate about. In a workforce where men dominate the business field, it is important to recognize womxn leaders across industries who are using their platforms to not only become entrepreneurs, but also to raise money for others to change our current landscape. 

By Margaret Rand

Wake Forest student, New Yorker and art lover.