Cargo Streetwear, located at 1336 Shelby St., is a 40-foot container store home to upcoming and well-known streetwear pieces. Owners CP and Alex Olla combine their own personal brands and high-end streetwear to bring a unique curated collection to the store. Local brands Komäfi and Wishful Thinkin as well as other niche brands can also be found in the storefront.
A look at the inside of the 40 foot container store (Photo/ Cargo Streetwear)
Hours of operation:
Monday: By appointment only
Tuesday: By appointment only
Wednesday: By appointment only
Thursday: 2 p.m. – 7 p.m.
Friday: 12 p.m. – 7 p.m.
Saturday: 12 p.m. – 7 p.m.
Sunday: 12 p.m. – 6 p.m.
Appointments can be booked online here. Cargo Streetwear can be reached by phone at 317-679-6270 or by email at cargostreetwear@gmail.com.
If you have a minority owned and operated business you’d like to be featured in the Indiana Minority Business Magazine Directory, visitIndiana Minority Business Directory.
Triana “Tre” Moore, 34, is a basketball savant turned entrepreneur with a tumultuous story. At first glance, one would not think she once had a promising career in sports or believe the dangerous path Moore had to take to get to where she is today. This is a story on how trusting the process along a negative road often yields positive results.
Moore was not interested in basketball until she recognized the fellowship the game promotes while she was growing up in her Indianapolis neighborhood. She also recalls a friend sparking her further interest in the sport.
“I had a friend we called ‘Webber’ because he always wore a Chris Webber jersey and would play basketball in the neighborhood,” Moore said. “He is the reason that I wanted to play basketball. He made it look exciting. Plus, I wanted my own Chris Webber jersey.”
From that moment, Moore wanted to live, breathe, eat and sleep basketball while playing on the team at Indianapolis Public School #44 (now the Global Preparatory Academy).
“I wanted to play at my school, but my mother wouldn’t sign my permission slip,” Moore recalled. “So, I ended up having my sister sign the permission slip. I am so glad she did.”
Moore went on to join the AAU basketball circuit in 2001, where she was a point guard for the team known as “The Family,” a team led by coach Kevin Merriweather.
By 2005, Moore was playing high school basketball under Head Coach Stan Benge at Ben Davis High School. Moore also played at Northwest High School under Indiana basketball legend Shawn Teague – father of NBA champion Jeff Teague.
“Coach Benge was a great coach and mentor,” Moore said. “He always believed in me.”
After graduating, Moore attended Lincoln Trail College in Robinson, Illinois. Under Head Coach Chad Killinger, Moore felt unstoppable.
A photo of Triana ‘Tre’ Moore (middle) in warmups (Photo provided/Triana Moore)
“Coach Killinger never gave up on me, and I’ll forever love him for that,” Moore said.
Under Killinger’s guidance, the Lady Statesmen team achieved unprecedented success boasting a winning season for four years and securing over twenty wins for three seasons. The overall record for the team was an impressive 91-36. In the 2009-2010 season, the program reached a new level by appearing in the NJCAA National Tournament while setting a new school record of 28 victories, which surpassed the 24-win mark set by Killinger’s first team at Lincoln Trail.
The Lady Statesmen also made their third appearance in the NJCAA Division I Women’s Basketball poll during the 2009-2010 season, starting at 16th place in the preseason poll and finishing the year 17th in the nation.
Unfortunately, Triana Moore was only able to experience a small portion of this success.
In late 2008, Moore was in serious legal trouble, facing a robbery charge that forced her to remove herself from the institution.
Although she faced a maximum of 20 years, Moore served five years that involved a combination of incarceration, house arrest, work release and probation, paying her last restitution payment in 2011.
After this experience, Moore felt empowered and began desiring to return to school. The first person she contacted was her former coach Chad Killinger, who was now coaching at Moberly Area Community College in Moberly, Missouri, and offered her a position on the school’s basketball team.
Without hesitation, Triana Moore enrolled at Moberly and majored in business management. Unfortunately, Moore faced an injury at Moberly that ended her playing days indefinitely.
The 2008-09 Lincoln Trail Lady Statesmen, Triana Moore, owner of Trusting the Process, LLC., is pictured in the second row from the from the front, first left. (Photo provided/Triana Moore)
During a game against Olney Central College, Moore tore her ACL and MCL in both legs.
“I was devastated,” Moore said. “It sent me into a deep depression because I felt like I had to quit the game that I love. I had to learn how to walk again.”
With nothing left driving her to attend Moberly, Moore again gave up school.
After finishing physical rehab in 2012, Moore’s best friend and former teammate, Larretha “Lala” Draughon, was living out their shared basketball dreams.
“I remember telling her that she has to do this for both of us now,” Moore said.
However, Draughon never got the chance. On July 3, 2012, Draughon was shot and killed, sending Moore over the edge.
“I was devastated, man,” Triana Moore said. “The first person I reached out to after Lala passed was Coach Killinger. It was the first time in our relationship that he didn’t have the proper motivating words for me because he had never experienced that loss.”
In her grief and with nothing left to motivate her, Moore returned to her old ways, yielding her legal trouble again. During spring 2013, Moore received another robbery charge.
“I was depressed, following negative people, so the negativity followed me,” Moore said. Similar to her first case of robbery, Moore served a unique combination of incarceration, probation and fines. Moore made her final probation payment to the court in 2018.
Fighting back tears, Moore expressed anger stemming from disappointment: “I just feel like I let everyone down, especially Coach Killinger,” Moore said.
From this point, Moore vowed to stay out of trouble. Feeling revitalized and empowered, she wanted to get her record expunged, which she accomplished on August 25, 2022.
“I saw the Marion County Prosecutor’s Office was hosting one of those expungement events, so I went,” Moore said. “The expungement process granted me a fresh start.”
Business onwer Tre Moore sporting some apparel from her company ‘Trusting the Process’. (Photo provided/Triana Moore)
Now, Triana Moore is a business owner. Trusting the Process, LLC is an apparel company and clothing line started by Moore after her successful expungement.
Taking it all in, Moore recalls the lessons she learned that brought her to where she is today: “A lot of people do not make it out of situations like mine,” Moore said. “I just want people to know no matter what you go through, you have to trust the process.”
Contact multi-media staff writer Noral Parham III at 317-762-7846 or via email at noralp@indyrecorder.com. Follow him on Twitter @NoralParham. For more heartwarming sports stories and news, click here.
Kiss of Silk, originally known as “Kall Me Beautiful,” is the embodiment of Kristen Johnson’s journey from struggling with skin issues to creating a plant-based skincare business that promotes healing and confidence. Her inspiration came from personal experiences battling acne and persistent scars that traditional remedies couldn’t seem to heal. So, at 17 years old, this motivated her to explore and experiment with simple yet effective ingredients available in her household, such as shea butter, olive oil and sugar. Her research and experimentation led to the creation of her first scrub and facial butter, which showcased remarkable results on her skin. This transformative experience ignited her desire to share the healing potential of plant-based skincare with others, and ultimately, was the catalyst to her business ownership journey.
Kristen’s dedication to her business is akin to an artist’s passion. She views the formulations and raw ingredients as her paintbrush, the crafting and infusing process as the canvas, and the final products as the embodiment of healing properties that boost confidence. Her journey has been marked by continuous learning, resilience, humility and openness to constructive criticism.
“When starting off my business, back before it was Kiss of Silk, I remember one woman telling me when talking about my products to not say and stuff when explaining the benefits,” Johnson recalled. “I’ve always taken what she said with me, and that one thing she said has played a part in how I explain and present my products.”
“As a young entrepreneur, I recognize that at times it’s very good to either have or be our own constructive critic, and I’m often my own biggest critic—always evaluating my presentations, my products and how I push myself out of my introvert shell to really build my business,” Johnson shared. “I repeatedly tell myself that the only way for my business and myself to grow is to get out there and push myself. That strategy is exactly how I’ve been able to continuously reflect, evolve and improve Kiss of Silk.”
Since she was a student at North Central High School, Kristen’s walked a path similar to other business owners—one that requires a delicate balance between entrepreneurship and corporate America.
“While I was building Kiss of Silk, I continued to be inspired by my genuine love for my products, but the reality is that many entrepreneurs, especially Black entrepreneurs, simply don’t have access to the resources we need to throw caution to the wind and dive into entrepreneurship.” This transition was slow, but with Kristen’s work ethic, it was steady. In 2023, she was finally able to assume business ownership full-time, at 24 years old.
Kiss of Silk has endured an amazing amount of growth and evolution over the last five years, marked by tremendous expansion. “Many times over the years, I’ve been discouraged, but I’ve held tightly onto what my products have already produced. While I’m delighted at the growth, what makes me most proud if knowing that Kiss of Silk is helping to heal the skin of my customers and restore confidence one person at a time.”
And while Kiss of Silk is celebrating five years of business, Johnson’s excited at the realization that her business is just getting started. “I’m pushing Kiss of Silk to expand outside of Indiana into different markets because that will bring an evolution of new products—men’s care, lip gloss, tooth care—Kiss of Silk still has so many products to begin to produce.”
Word of mouth is critical as Kiss of Silk continues to establish itself in and beyond Indiana. Learn more about Kiss of Silk, purchase products and leave reviews on their website https://kissofsilk.com/.
Thanks to three pop culture icons, this summer has officially been dubbed #BillionGirlSummer. Taylor Swift, Beyoncé, and “Barbie” by way of Greta Gerwig’s latest film, have boosted the economy in tremendous ways, from Gerwig breaking box office history to Beyoncé fans affecting inflation in Sweden and the U.K. with her Renaissance tour. But it’s not just celebrities who are making moves; according to a recent report from U.S. Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship, women are responsible for the creation of about half of the new businesses over the last three years, with businesses started and owned by women of color having one of the most significant impacts on the U.S. economy.
And yet, women, especially minority women, lack equitable access to capital and receive less in terms of government agency-backed loans. Many women are turning to membership-based communities, attending events, and joining coworking spaces like Maven Space to find connections, empowerment, and resources they need to succeed.
With women-owned small businesses employing almost 10 million people in the U.S., Indianapolis must take a greater interest in supporting organizations and spaces that provide the support needed for women of all backgrounds to participate in this growing economy. Here’s a snapshot of what’s necessary to move forward and why.
1. Nurturing Diversity and Inclusion:
Indianapolis boasts a diverse population, and an investment in spaces that are dedicated to women can provide a haven for individuals of various ethnicities, backgrounds, and perspectives. A safe environment is critical for women to connect, share ideas, network, break down barriers, and foster mutual understanding.
2. Fostering Entrepreneurship:
Female entrepreneurs have consistently demonstrated their ability to drive economic growth and innovation. However, they often face unique challenges in accessing resources, networks, and mentorship. Women-centric spaces can help bridge this gap by offering tailored support, workshops, and networking opportunities that cater specifically to the needs of female entrepreneurs. By nurturing this ecosystem, Indianapolis can tap into a wellspring of untapped talent and foster an environment of economic resilience.
3. Overcoming Barriers:
Many women, particularly mothers, struggle to find a balance between their professional and personal lives. Spaces that offer on-site childcare facilities can address this challenge, enabling mothers to pursue their careers without sacrificing their family responsibilities. By breaking down these barriers, Indianapolis can empower more women to participate fully in the workforce and contribute to the city’s economic growth.
4. Empowering Collaboration:
Collaboration is a key driver of innovation, and coworking spaces, in particular, are uniquely positioned to facilitate this. By creating an environment where women from different industries can work side by side, the city can foster cross-pollination of ideas and skills. These interactions can lead to unexpected collaborations and innovative solutions to both local and global challenges.
5. Providing a Supportive Ecosystem:
Beyond physical space, female-centric hubs can offer valuable resources such as mentorship, digital connections, and virtual events tailored to the needs of those professionals. These resources can equip women with the skills and knowledge required to thrive in the modern workplace, helping them reach their full potential.
6. Enhancing Work-Life Integration:
Work-life integration is increasingly becoming a priority for professionals. Spaces that emphasize holistic well-being and offer fitness facilities, meditation rooms, and wellness programs can help women strike a balance between their career aspirations and personal health. This approach not only benefits the individual but also contributes to a more productive and motivated workforce.
7. Amplifying Voices:
Women-centric coworking spaces can serve as platforms for women to share their experiences, ideas, and perspectives. This fosters a sense of belonging, encourages authentic expression, and ultimately leads to greater representation of women’s voices in various sectors of the community.
Recently, Maven Space joined forces with coworking spaces P30 and The Speakeasy to partner with Indy Biz Pass to provide access to all three spaces for 100 Black founders. With the support of the Indianapolis African American Quality of Life Initiative and the Indianapolis Urban League and Innopower, our spaces have the ability to participate in such a program.
These spaces not only benefit the individuals who use them but also contribute to the overall growth and vibrancy of the city’s economy and culture.
As Indianapolis continues to evolve, embracing the concept of inclusive spaces where women can thrive is a step toward building a more diverse, innovative, and prosperous future for all.
There were few Black vendors at the Indiana State Fair this year, but Gobble Gobble Food Truck has stood the test of time on fairgrounds since opening their business.
“It’s been an honor that I can keep this legacy going that my father started. To be one of the few Black owned vendors, we’ve learned a lot along the way to keep this going,” said Gobble Gobble Food Truck CEO, Alfarena “Alfie” McGinty.
Her father started Gobble Gobble 22 years ago and has been at the state fair ever since. He retired in 2010 and McGinty took over, turning the business into a traveling food truck. McGinty enters the Taste of the Fair competition every year.
To prepare for the competition, she holds a tasting with family and friends to try out new recipe ideas. This year she came up with the “Mac Daddy Empanada,” which is consists of macaroni cheese and pulled BBQ turkey.
In 2021, Gobble Gobble Food Truck won second place. It was coincidentally, on the same day as the 20th anniversary of their company opening. They won with their “BBQ Sugar Mama,” a donut with pulled BBQ turkey.
“People know the truck, and people come specifically for my number one item: the jumbo turkey legs. Everybody’s wanted to try the Mac Daddy Empanada. People come for the fun food, and we appreciate our customers who come and try,” said McGinty.
The food truck is located across from the DNR building and is open Wednesdays-Thursdays during fair hours.
Black vendors at the Indiana State Fair
Knowing that she is only one of few Black vendors, McGinty wants to see more Black vendors in the future.
“I’ve been talking to Leroy Lewis III, the new marketing director at the state fair; we’ve talked about how we can generate and get more African American food vendors into the fair and having them understand how to keep up with the capacity,” said McGinty.
She said vendors need to be able to cook onsite and have staff there through the duration of the state fair, for 12-13 hours at a time to keep up with the volume of customers.
McGinty said it takes a lot of work, commitment and funding to become a vendor; however, she is eager to help any business that is up to the challenge.
“I told him [Lewis] that I’m willing to be a part of any type of training or informational that can be given to future vendors to help them prepare for the fair,” said McGinty.
If any Black business is interested in becoming a vendor, they can apply on their Indiana State Fair’s website.
Contact staff writer Jade Jackson at 317-607-5792 or by email jadej@indyrecorder.com. Follow her on Twitter @IAMJADEJACKSON
Kristin Johnson, CEO and formulator of Kiss of Silk, started her business in 2017 — while she was a senior at North Central High School — as a way to create alternative skincare products to deal with acne and hyperpigmentation.
After trying out dozens of products, none of which seemed to work for her, Johnson said she started checking ingredients listed on labels only to find that most of those products contained toxic chemicals.
It was then that Johnson decided to come up with her own solution and try her hand at organic, handmade skincare products.
Kiss of Silk features all organic skincare products from body scrubs and butters, facial products, feminine care products and natural deodorants. (Photo provided/Kristin Johnson)
“I’ve always been pretty health conscious as well, so I found that all the ingredients in commercialized [products] were just not so great for your skin,” Johnson said. “I started looking up plants, and just organic material, and just natural material that you can put on your face. My mom had a jar of shea butter; we had olive oil downstairs, and we made a scrub, and a facial, and body butter out of ingredients in my parents’ house.”
Under Kiss of Silk, Johnson handmakes an entire line of organic and natural skincare products from body scrubs and butters to facial products, feminine care products and aluminum-free deodorants. Although not all of her products are entirely vegan — because some include beeswax — Johnson said all of her products are cruelty free and infused with essential oils for natural fragrance.
“My mission is just to keep expanding and keep healing each person one skin at a time with plants and educating people on the importance of what they put on their skin,” Johnson said.
Kiss of Silk can be found at pop-up events and festivals around Indianapolis, such as the Indy Vegan Hair Festival. Johnson’s products can be found and purchased on her company’s website at kissofsilk.com or social media platforms. For more information, contact Kissofsilk.inquiries@gmail.com.
If you have a minority owned and operated business you’d like to be featured in the Indiana Minority Business Magazine Directory, visitIndiana Minority Business Directory.
Contact staff writer Chloe McGowan at 317-762-7848. Follow her on Twitter @chloe_mcgowanxx.
One Black owned staffing agency is working to amplify diversity, equity and inclusion for small business owners by creating a one-stop-shop for hiring needs. Co-founders of Hirics Julia Taylor and Shane Russell have been on all sides of the hiring process and know the difficulties and challenges that can come with working while Black. That is why they created a one-stop-shop for Black business owners to help simplify and streamline the hiring process and develop workforce solutions for businesses nationwide.
Hirics was founded in 2020 when Taylor began outsourcing legal support for law firms while working as a paralegal — so much so that outsourcing the support quickly became an unofficial second job for Taylor. Clients continued to approach her, and Taylor soon recognized a need for a consolidated company that could personally help meet hiring needs. Taking their experiences as both a potential employee and potential employer, Taylor and Russell aimed to build a better recruiting process and created one of the few Black-owned staffing agencies in the country, known as Hirics.
Hirics is most notably known for recruiting in the legal field, but extends its services across the board, offering placements in accounting, human resources, health care, administration and more.
“A lot of our clients are getting burned by big companies, global law firms,” Taylor said. “So, we wanted to have a little bit more of a personalized touch and make recruiting a bit more affordable for companies of all sizes.”
Hirics created a model that offers lower fees and payment plans to uplift small business needs, Taylor said. Oftentimes, small businesses cannot afford big recruiting companies fees, which is why their model has been significant in helping small businesses meet and retain staffing needs.
Hirics personal approach to business helps build relationships with clients before placing them with potential employers, allowing Hirics to align employees with employers whose missions closely align.
“I think a lot of times you see in recruiting, it’s very fast paced, and people are just trying to make the sale. You end up placing people in situations where they’re not going to succeed or stay long and you lose a lot of money,” Taylor said. “I think if you just slow down a little bit and get to know the client, the culture and the type of individual that would fit there, recruiting becomes better for everyone because the employees stay in, the clients come back and ask us to fill additional positions. That’s always been a huge goal of ours.”
Retention and cultivating a good workforce culture is key to Hirics’ approach, Taylor said. Hirics gets to know small businesses’ culture, vision and values to help match employers and employees with the best fit. Hirics helps companies find employers that may not check all the boxes on paper but rather align with a business’s mission, goals and values, Taylor said.
“Having those difficult conversations onset are really important because we can eliminate a lot of issues and not set up employees or employers for failure,” Taylor said.
Hirics was founded to simplify and streamline the hiring process for busy employers. Hirics helps connect employers with dedicated individuals to best meet their needs. They offer flexible, permanent and temporary placements for long-term and short-term needs in the following areas:
Accounting
Human Resources
Legal
Information Technology
Health Care
Administrative
Engineering
Cross-Sector Roles
Marketing/Sales
For more information, visit their website here or call 404-689-5940.
Contact staff writer Jayden Kennett at 317-762-7847 or by email jaydenk@indyrecorder.com. Follow her on Twitter @JournoJay.
If you want your business highlighted by the Indianapolis Minority Business Magazine (IMBM), click here!
One Indianapolis mother decided to take matters into her own hands once she realized that the beauty products on the market were causing further harm to her daughter’s skin. Enter The Season Sisters Beauty.
Founded in 2020, The Season Sisters Beauty, LLC is a skincare line with a history as rich and organic as its products. Launched by Dorthea Hurt, The Season Sisters Beauty originated as a by-product of Hurt’s daughter, Spryng, being teased about her skin by her classmates.
“They used to call me ‘crocodile skin’ and other rude names because of my eczema,” Spryng Hurt said.
Dorthea Hurt wanted to do something about Spryng’s issues, so she created a line of products safe for her daughter’s skin. Hurt’s original product was a soap made of kale, honey and other natural products containing antioxidants. Hurt quickly noticed how her original soaps reduced the scarring on her daughter’s skin.
More on The Season Sisters Beauty, LLC
The skincare brand prides itself on its chemical-free soap, body butter, moisturizers, oils and scrubs. The Season Sisters Beauty also sells stylish planters and other novelty gardening products.
The organization gets its name from Hurt’s three daughters: Spryng, Wynter and Autumn.
Spryng, now age 13, religiously attends First Fridays near the Murphy Arts Center in Fountain Square, working at the business’ vendor booth, where products sell out often.
“If you dream it to be, then it can be,” Spryng Hurt said.
For those interested in purchasing products from The Season Sisters outside of First Friday events in Fountain Square, visit their website here.
This story was composed by multi-media staff writer Noral Parham III who can be reached at 317-762-7846 or via email at noralp@indyrecorder.com. Follow him on Twitter @NoralParham.
If you want your business highlighted by the Indianapolis Minority Business Magazine (IMBM), click here!
Don Briggs, founder and CEO of Briggs Professional Photography LLC, gives back to the Indianapolis community through complimentary photography services for organizations, such as Martindale Brightwood Community Development Corporation, the Indianapolis Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority and The Villages.
Briggs Professional Photography LLC was founded in 2004 and is a certified minority business enterprise (MBE). The business was awarded the August 2023 Certified Vendor of the Month by Mayor Joe Hogsett.
“I am honored to receive such a prestigious award, and want to thank all clients, supporters and community partners,” Don Briggs said. “I believe photographers are needed more than ever to capture the memories and experiences our clients cherish.”
Photography services require an appointment. To book a session, click HERE or call 317-372-4589.
Contact staff writer Jayden Kennett at 317-762-7847 or by email JaydenK@indyrecorder.com. Follow her on Twitter @JournoJay.
According to its two owners, the angel number 222 emphasizes creativity, which can lead to further self-discovery. The business believes that finding ways to express your own creativity is encouraging.
They are excited to announce their new hoodie dedicated to 16-year-old Serenity Wilson who was shot and killed at a block party in the 3200 block of Forest Manor Avenue slightly after 11 p.m. on July 3.
MAJESTICALLYEVIL222 is asking family and friends to get together to do a photoshoot with their hoodies.
Wilson’s family has been supportive of the business online.
