Muffy Mendoza, founder of Brown Mamas, Inc. and the Brown Mamas Marketplace, is excited about the next iteration of the marketplace on Saturday. It is no coincidence that the event aligns with Small Business Saturday, kicking off the holiday shopping season by supporting Black women.

She started Brown Mamas in 2012 to support local Black mothers by helping them achieve better health and economic outcomes.

At the time, there weren’t many resources for Black women entering entrepreneurship, especially for first-generation Black women business owners.

“There was not a lot of information out there about how to start a business or how to maintain one,” Mendoza said. Right before the pandemic, she hosted the first Brown Mamas Marketplace, a space for Black mom-owned businesses to sell their products.

“I did that because I needed space, and I knew other moms needed space, so why not create the space?” Mendoza said.

As her entrepreneurial journey progressed, Mendoza realized she needed additional support.

“I needed tips and tools on the legality of owning a business. I needed to find an accountant,” she said. “There was nowhere to go to find that.”

This year, the marketplace will include speakers, experts and professionals like lawyers.

“Brown Mamas Marketplace is about creating a place where moms can sell their products, be supported by the Pittsburgh community and also learn about different aspects of business,” Mendoza said.

The event focuses on three key areas: womb, wealth and wellness.

“As a mom-preneur, you have to be holistic in your approach to living a good life,” Mendoza said.

Guests will hear from speakers like Tayler Clemm, also known as DAWA Mama, who teaches about womb wellness; and Kahlil Darden, founder of Young Black Motivated Kings and Queens.

Clemm will present home herbal remedies, including how to create tinctures and plant medicine for everyday ailments like colds, headaches and ear infections.

“It’s geared toward new moms and their entire families. I’m really excited to share this with my sisterhood,” she said.

Mendoza intentionally scheduled the event for Small Business Saturday, highlighting the need to support Black-owned businesses in Pittsburgh that don’t have storefronts. The marketplace will feature a variety of vendors, including food, jewelry and clothing businesses, as well as community organizations like Pittsburgh Black Breastfeeding Circle and Black Women for a Better Education.

“What Muffy is doing in the city inspires me,” said . “I love how she brings women and moms together to build a sense of community, which aligns with my brand’s mission.”

Tyler Bowe, owner of Tyler B. Apothecary, is a birth worker, herbalist and holistic health educator who focuses on community building and reproductive health.

“My goal is to bridge the disconnect between our ancestral ways and the modern world,” she said. At the event, she looks forward to connecting with others and shedding light on the challenges facing reproductive health, including issues in the food system and the impacts of endocrine disruptors.

Tanya Willson, owner of Secret Saks, designs decorative bags for women to discreetly carry personal care and feminine hygiene products.

“We, as local businesses, can’t be successful without the support of the local community,” she said. “It’s difficult because we’re already competing with Target and Walmart, which have a jump on the competition. We’re just trying to share a piece of ourselves through our products.”

The event will be held at Emerald City on Smithfield Street from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m.

“We wanted to have it in a space where not only could we support Black-owned businesses through shopping, but every aspect of the event, from the décor to the venue, supports a Black-owned business,” Mendoza said.

The next Brown Mamas Marketplace is set for spring 2025, and Mendoza is eager to see the event become even more dynamic as it evolves.

“We just wanted all different types of mom-owned businesses to be represented and helping them get the tools they need to create community for themselves,” Mendoza said.

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