Line Out Watches
Product, Hemet, California Nik Heftman Product, Hemet, California Nik Heftman

Line Out Watches

Being an entrepreneur is nothing to scoff at. For Jordan Smith, being a young Black entrepreneur has been about persevering through a number of challenges. With his brand Line Out Watches, Smith is making luxury accessible to his community.

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Piedras Haseya
Boutique, Des Moines, Iowa Nik Heftman Boutique, Des Moines, Iowa Nik Heftman

Piedras Haseya

Paola Elena Acuña faced a number of challenges when she immigrated to the U.S. nearly two decades ago. She worked a number of jobs to support herself. At times, she struggled to put food on the table. Acuña never gave up, and she now owns her own business - Piedras Haseya.

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STC Dive Center
Recreation, Des Moines, Iowa Nik Heftman Recreation, Des Moines, Iowa Nik Heftman

STC Dive Center

Steve Kitchen is a Black scuba diver and owner of STC Dive Center in Des Moines, Iowa. Kitchen said he didn’t receive much help when he opened the dive center a decade ago. He did receive a loan from his mother, and he paid that loan back within the first year. Kitchen's business continues to grow with the help of Des Moines Area Community College and the Evelyn K. Davis Center for Working Families.

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