Fearless Commerce: Elevating Black Women Entrepreneurs Across Minnesota

Published on: March 01, 2025

Fearless Commerce, LLC transforms Black women business owners from overlooked talent into economic leaders. Based in Saint Paul, Minnesota, this consulting firm connects entrepreneurs with essential marketing, legal, and HR resources they need to succeed in a business landscape that often undervalues their contributions.

A Foundation Built on Action

Shawntera Hardy and Camille A. Thomas founded Fearless Commerce in 2017 after recognizing a critical gap in support for Black women entrepreneurs. Their conversations with business owners revealed consistent patterns of exclusion from networks, funding opportunities, and visibility channels that other entrepreneurs take for granted.

The founders applied their combined expertise in economic development, business strategy, and community engagement to create practical solutions. Their approach focuses on removing barriers rather than simply identifying problems.\

Innovative Programs

Fearless Commerce has developed several initiatives that directly address the challenges Black women business owners face:

Fearless Commerce Magazine showcases Black women entrepreneurs in the Twin Cities through professional profiles, business insights, and success stories. The publication serves as both a marketing platform and a community-building tool.

Certified Access Initiative, funded by JPMorgan Chase, helps women-owned businesses navigate complex procurement processes. The program provides training on RFP responses, certification requirements, and relationship building with procurement officers.

Project Vanguard operates as a comprehensive business accelerator. Participants receive personalized mentorship, technical training in areas like financial management and digital marketing, and access to funding opportunities specifically designed for their business models.

Strategic Certification

Fearless Commerce received official certification as a Black women-owned business on August 17, 2022. This certification strengthens the company's ability to:

Secure contracts with government agencies that maintain supplier diversity requirements

Partner with corporations seeking to diversify their vendor relationships

Access specialized funding and growth opportunities

Serve as a model for clients seeking similar certifications

Business Impact and Economic Transformation

Operating under NAICS code 541611 for Administrative Management and General Management Consulting Services, Fearless Commerce delivers tailored business solutions that extend beyond traditional consulting frameworks. The company has developed expertise in:

Supplier diversity program implementation

Inclusive procurement strategy development

Access to capital initiatives for underrepresented entrepreneurs

Community economic development

Through partnerships with public agencies, financial institutions, and corporate leaders, Fearless Commerce helps reshape how economic opportunities flow to Black women business owners across Minnesota and the broader Midwest region.

Measurable Results

The impact of Fearless Commerce appears in concrete outcomes for the entrepreneurs they serve:

Increased contract awards to Black women-owned businesses

Expanded access to non-traditional capital sources

Higher business sustainability rates among program participants

Growth in visibility and market reach for featured businesses

Community Engagement and Future Direction

Fearless Commerce continues to build a robust ecosystem connecting entrepreneurs, corporate partners, and nonprofit organizations. This network creates mutual support systems, opens new market opportunities, and amplifies the collective voice of Black women in business.

The company actively seeks new partners who share their commitment to economic inclusion. Through their website, events, and community presence, Fearless Commerce invites others to contribute to building a more equitable business environment where entrepreneurial talent receives recognition and support regardless of gender or race.