#SaveTheSistahShop: The Sistah Shop Needs Our Help

#SaveTheSistahShop: The Sistah Shop Needs Our Help

Submitted By Francheska "Fancy" Felder

The Sistah Shop, a beacon for Black women-owned brands, urgently needs our support. In a heartfelt video, owner Aisha Taylor Issah revealed that the shop must raise $50,000 within thirty days to prevent the closure of their Atlanta location in Atlantic Station. The current economic climate has heavily impacted many Black businesses, including The Sistah Shop. The second brick-and-mortar location, opened in 2022 as an extension of the Sistahs in Business Expo, is at risk of closing its doors. Issah candidly shares, "As a leader and as a business owner, you never want to have to share that things aren't going well and that what you are doing is not enough." The Sistah Shop showcases over 100 Black women-owned brands, serving as the retail arm of the Sistahs in Business Expo.

The store features an array of products, from beauty and apparel to books and stationery. The shop's first location opened in New Jersey in 2021, followed by the Atlanta store. Despite their success, the past several months have posed significant challenges. In her Instagram reel, Issah detailed the various strategies employed to sustain the business, including paid traffic, organic traffic, and influencer collaborations.

However, despite these efforts, the shop still faces financial shortfalls that threaten its survival. Issah admits, "While it has been an incredible run, these last several months - almost a year, really - have been difficult." To combat these challenges, Issah and her team have launched the #SaveTheSistahShop campaign. The initiative features three specially designed t-shirts for purchase, with proceeds directly supporting the shop. The t-shirts, priced at $28 plus taxes and shipping, are available in sizes up to 3X and include designs like "When My Sistah Wins, We All Win," "Support Sistahs," and "My Sistah is My Business." The urgency of the campaign is underscored by the recent closure of The Sistah Shop's New Jersey location in April, due to a significant rent increase. Reflecting on that experience, Issah says, "I do trust God, and I believe that He has a plan," while also hinting at potential contingency plans if the worst happens. Since announcing the campaign, Issah has received overwhelming messages of support and encouragement. Many fellow business owners have expressed gratitude for her transparency, as they navigate similar struggles.

This solidarity underscores the broader significance of The Sistah Shop - not just as Issah's business but as a crucial platform for hundreds of other Black women entrepreneurs. Supporters can contribute to the campaign by purchasing a t-shirt, making tax-deductible donations, and spreading the word. Every action helps elevate Issah's story and sustains a vital space for Black women-owned brands. Let's join together to #SaveTheSistahShop. The shop's survival means continued opportunities for countless Black women entrepreneurs to thrive in retail. Issah's journey and her business are testaments to resilience and community strength, and with our collective effort, we can ensure that The Sistah Shop remains a vibrant part of the entrepreneurial landscape.

Link to the campaign: https://sibexposhop.com/collections/savethesistahshop

More info:

Saving the Sistah Shop isn't just about saving one business. Instead, your support allows the continued featuring of over 100 Black women-owned brands currently on shelves and the ecommerce site.

Your support of this campaign through purchases of these selected tees, and/or your tax deductible donations, will help meet several urgent financial obligations and prepare for a shift in the business model that will obtain a more sustainable and less susceptible to a struggling economy.

Please allow up to two weeks for your orders to ship. Please share this campaign with your followers, family, and friends.