This teenager is on a mission to save the planet one scent at a time! Mahogany Young is what one would call, an earth-conscious entrepreneur. Recently, she started The Green Things — a candle business that focuses on handmade and eco-friendly products, according to Because of Them We Can (BOWTC). The 15-year-old is also keeping it in the family, lining the shelves of her parent’s historic bookstore, MahoganyBooks with her goods. In an effort to create something that her family would love, Mahogany created the vegan products without added chemicals or animal products, including beeswax!   View this post on Instagram   A post shared by MahoganyBooks (@mahoganybooks) “I wanted to make some [candles] that are vegan because I’m vegan,” Mahogany tells DCist. “Since becoming environmentally conscious, some of my friends have become vegetarian or try to eat less meat and dairy. My parents eat a little more vegan food…and recycle a lot more.” She made the transition to a vegan lifestyle two...

The fashion industry is a massive global market that relies on consumer demand to shape trends and production. Every purchase a consumer makes influences how fashion brands operate, from luxury houses like Dior to fast fashion retailers like SHEIN . Consumer responsibility plays a major role in the ethical, environmental and labor aspects of the fashion industry. Trends change quickly, and consumers are always looking for the next big style. Social media and celebrity culture drive these shifts, making people want to buy new clothes frequently. For fast fashion this means the priority is to create low-cost, trendy clothing at a rapid pace. Companies like Zara, H&M and Forever 21 design and produce new styles in just weeks, while SHEIN keeps a stable of designers on hand to release new looks daily. This ensures that customers always have something new to buy . However, this system comes with significant consequences. The Environmental Impact Of Fast Fashion (Fernand De...

Editorial Note: Opinions and thoughts are the author’s own and not those of AFROTECH™. “Health is wealth” is a phrase that people have been using for years, and to me, it does not only refer to the health of one’s body but also to the opportunities that I see in health. The category has historically been geared towards products for men and women as a whole — and not focused on the issues that women specifically face. However, in the first half of 2024, digital health startups looking to improve women’s health outcomes saw a 3% increase in capital invested when compared to the first 6 months of 2023, showing a total of $679 million for 2024, according to PitchBook . This increased investment interest, I believe, will not only l ead to better health outcomes for women but present a set of opportunities for people to build their tech careers in this growing sector. The areas within women’s health that tech companies are targeting and show the most promise are companies focused on...

A college student turned entrepreneur recently turned down a $300,000 offer on “Shark Tank,” a decision he credits to trusting his gut. Kobe Harris, then a student at Loyola University Chicago, launched his lip balm company, Kobee’s, from his bedroom in 2019 while researching sustainability and bees for a college project, CNBC reported . With $200 from his mom, he ordered ingredients on Amazon and started experimenting with simple formulas, using beeswax, coconut oil, sunflower oil, and mango butter, according to CNBC. Kobee’s offerings now includes lotion, lip scrub, cuticle butter, and hand salve — all packaged in eco-friendly, compostable materials and priced from $5 to $42. The company primarily sells through Amazon and its direct-to-consumer website, and once generated $15,000 in sales in only a day. Appearing on the Nov. 1 episode of “Shark Tank,” Harris sought a $300,000 investment in exchange for 6% equity, looking for mentorship and support in scaling distribution. Kendra...

Imagine waking up every morning, excited to pour your passion and creativity into a venture that not only pays the bills but also makes a meaningful impact on the world around you. From cutting-edge tech startups to eco-friendly initiatives, this list is curated with a diverse array of business ideas that cater to various interests, skill sets and market demands. You don’t always need a fortune or years of experience to get started, but you will need to do some focused networking and freshen up your tech knowledge. With determination, resourcefulness and the right guidance, you can transform these ideas into thriving enterprises. Basics Of Starting A Business There’s a lot more to starting a business than just having a great idea; it involves careful planning, execution and a good dose of passion. The entrepreneurial journey is often filled with uncertainty, but it can also be rewarding. Welcome the challenges that come with starting a business. You’ll gain personal growth and a...

Job interviews are some of the most important steps a person will take in their career. Making a good impression and ensuring you align with the company while sticking out from other candidates is what can help you secure the position . A great way to prepare for an interview is by becoming familiar with how you would answer these common interview questions. There is an endless amount of questions that could potentially be asked during an interview, especially across various fields . For that reason, preparing solid answers for a handful of questions is most effective. Here are some common interview questions as well as best approaches for answering them and example answers. Your response does not have to sound exactly like these examples given. It is actually better to memorize key points to highlight during the interview rather than memorizing your entire answer and sounding as though you are reading from a script. 18 Common Interview Questions Tell me about yourself. Why do you...

If you’ve felt like time on earth has been moving by faster than normal — your thoughts are valid and scientists have proof. According to the Seattle Times, a group of scientists operating out of the National Physical Laboratory in England revealed that the Earth is spinning faster than normal. To break it down a bit further, since the beginning of time, the Earth has completed its cycle in 24 hours. Within the last two months, that cycle has been shorter than normal. Per The Guardian, on June 29, that same cycle was 1.59 milliseconds shorter than usual, making it the shortest day since the 1960s, which is when scientists first began using atomic clocks to measure time. The month of June wasn’t the only time that the Earth was spinning at a rate much faster than normal. On July 26, the same thing occurred when the Earth finished its rotation just a few seconds shy of the previous record the month before at 1.50 milliseconds shorter than normal. Since Earth is spinning faster, the...

Trick Daddy is in a world of hot water — and this time, it’s with the courts. The rapper and former radio show host — who hit a world of a mess when he got stung by the BeyHive after snarking that its Queen, Beyoncé, couldn’t sing — is in default on his Chapter 13 bankruptcy filing. Court documents obtained by Radar Online reveal that Trick Daddy owes nearly $23,000 to bring his Chapter 13 bankruptcy filing current. He has 45 days to cure the debt, or he will be deemed in default. If he fails to come up with the nearly $23,000 owed to the courts, his bankruptcy will be discharged, and collection efforts can begin anew on his assets. And that’s not all he owes. According to the outlet, he’s delinquent by $300,000 to the IRS. He also owes $60,000 in back child support. What’s more, the “Naan” rapper revealed to the courts that he has more than $800,000 in debts, but less than $400,000 in assets. He’s underwater on his South Florida home — though he owes $435,000 on the home, the...