And she intends to empower and gather other Black entrepreneurs along the way. Rae has teamed up with American Express to create, the first nationwide certification program for Black ownership. ByBlack was founded to help elevate Black businesses and create meaningful opportunities for the Black community, including business certification, educational programs, grants and funding, and more.
While many celebrity entrepreneurs attach themselves to global corporations and venture-backed startups, Rae is proud to focus on small businesses. “I am very local. I love brick and mortars. I tend to focus on places I love to be at, or products that I use—it’s very self-centered in a way,” she says, laughing. “I think about the void I need to fill and tackle that. But it’s not about what’s sexy or popular, but a genuine need and an appreciation for a business.
She also made sure Hoorae was headquartered near her hometown. “It was a big deal to purchase property in South L.A., and our ultimate goal is to have a studio and that is in the works.” Rae adds: “I have such a love for where I come from and my city, and I also just approach my business ventures with my lifestyle in mind.” Building businesses that fit with her lifestyle is one of the reasons her portfolio includes clean beauty and wellness. This time, it’s a family business.