There are some people who dream of having a business of their own and there are others who make that dream come into reality. Enter Shanay Henderson who is the founder of D&S Craftworks, a homegrown Black business that specializes in creating handcrafted goods with love.
Henderson and her husband Don started their budding business three years ago after the pair grew a passion for woodworking and resin. What turned into a hobby of making small home decor gifts for family friends sparked a lightbulb in Henderson’s head. What if they could scale their passion into a full-on business? Well, she did just that. The two Brooklyn natives now make everything from wine glasses and tables to hangers and pencils for their growing growing customer base.
Since its launch, D&S Craftworks has seen much success even receiving a nod from Beyonce and a feature on Zerena Akers’ Black Own Everything Page.
With every business, there comes a number of unprecedented setbacks, but Henderson was up for the challenge. The busy entrepreneur told Target for their Revelations series that when COVID hit last year, prices for all her materials skyrocketed. It was important for her to find the best resources and the best vendors to continue to deliver quality products for her customers–she bounced back with ease too.
Looking to take that leap of faith and start your own business? Henderson says to do it, without hesitation. Hear how Henderson scaled her passion project into a profitable business below.
