More Black Women Entrepreneurs are Finding Their Niche in the Spiritual and Wellness Industry.

I’ve always found comfort in working in the wellness industry and giving back to others in search for wellness tips because, as an African American woman, using spirituality as a catalyst for coping and healing has been all that I’ve ever known. I’ve always found peace in my spiritual beliefs, and well, I found the perfect opportunity to spread a message of healing as a wellness writer.

Throughout the Pandemic, the uncertainty of job loss and the stock market failing caused many people to do just that. We saw more of a significant growth in the industry than ever before. People began to seek hope in religion and spirituality to get through tough times.

One of those entrepreneurs was Shontel Anestasia, an African American entrepreneur who launched the Urban Gurvi Mama Shop in 2017. She began her business in the spiritual wellness industry, and it has been growing ever since.

She told CNBC when the pandemic hit, she witnessed people going “back to their roots.”

“For the last two years, there has been a surge of people wanting to go back to their roots. Last year, I did just as well being self-employed at my shop as I did working in corporate America,” Anestasia said.

Historically, African Americans were always known for transmitting stories of “making it through” times of oppression that incorporate their strong religious culture – that is what makes us who we are.

The range of practice in the spiritual wellness industry includes everything from biblical practices to healing crystals, candles, which made significant growth and revenue since the pandemic. I particularly stick with traditional Biblical beliefs, but to each is own.

Spiritual practices have and many still do use them as an expression of their spirituality. It has been a strategy that has given African Americans meaning to their human existence for years.

The industry has seen significant growth and revenue since the 2020 reaching more than $2 billion collectively. The industry is also expected to continue to grow, hitting beyond $2.5 billion by 2026. So, I’m guessing that it may be an industry to look into for African American women and especially a way to be mindful of their own self-care practices.

“The resurgence of spirituality has created a market for people to want to purchase supplies that will allow them to create prosperity, to promote health, to bring in love, and to bring in all the good things that they want to attract to themselves by supporting people that look just like them,” Shantrelle Lewis, the Co-Founder of Shoppe Black said.

But even slightly before the rise, our interest in spiritual wellness has been increasing and was visible in the 180% increase in “music, meditation and therapy app downloads.” There has been a sustained preference from 2020 to 2021 towards apps like Calm and Headspace, platforms built to support at-home mindfulness practices.

Women entrepreneurs are hoping that the new spiritual awakening opens the eyes of the generations to come.

“I’m very big on leaving a legacy behind and finishing what my grandma started. So being in this place I’m in right now gives me a strong sense of purpose,” Anestasia says. “When I’m not here anymore, I hope my kids will be doing this.”