Thriving Entrepreneurs and Businesses: Part 2

Braid Mill, in collaboration with Ying, is pleased to present the second part of our panel discussion series. Join us for an inspiring conversation highlighting the remarkable success stories of local entrepreneurs and small business that are not only surviving but thriving in our community.

Our panelist include:

Christa Barfield, Founder, FarmerJawn

Christa is a health-care professional turned farmer and lifelong Philadelphia resident. It was 10 years into her career in health-care administration when she realized her work-life balance was unhealthy; she resigned from her job just weeks before she turned 30 to take back her life, health, and happiness. After a solo trip to Martinique in January 2018, she returned home inspired to connect with the land, plant life, and social issues that heavily impact Black and brown communities and all people’s perception of food. Her business is a reincarnation of her healthcare career with a focus on regeneration and nutrition security. Since 2018, she has developed earth-born brands based in regenerative agricultural values with a goal of traceable and transparent origins of 100% Organically Dope foods!

Now stewarding land totaling 128 acres and a non-profit arm, she is on a mission to train and educate the nation’s next generation of Black and brown Agripreneurs. Christa has also begun expanding her hemp farming knowledge with the goals of destigmatizing cannabis and impacting regulation related to unfair incarceration surrounding the plant.

Dr. Hava Rose, Creator, The Write Echo

Dr. Hava Rose inspires comfort and ease within the scope of whole being and wellness. With over 10 years experience in chiropractic medicine and over 5 years leading workshops and retreats, Hava approaches total well being creatively by inspiring people’s highest potentialities through journaling, meditation and communal connection. Through The Write Echo Community, an intentional journaling community she created, the daytreat experience Pause., international retreat experiences and working with companies and brands, she consistently creates spaces that imbue alchemical transformations that allow humans, teams and leaders to discover deeper connection to themselves and empowerment through their communities.

Hava merges physical, emotional and mental application in her workshops to bring together a whole-scale approach to wellness, which allows those attending to leave feeling more connected to themselves and those surrounding them.

Hector Nuñez, Founder, WooderIce.com

Hector is a graduate of Temple University. After graduating from Temple University, Hector worked several years in the field of Public Relations working with clients such as SEPTA, PA Tourism, Meeting Planners International and many more. After which he worked as a Project Manager in both the field of SEO and Marketing.It wasn’t until 2014 when he launched WooderIce.com. What started off as a humble blog pre-influencer era has developed into a go-to source for Philly news and events. Since launching the site Hector has worked with clients such as LiveNation, RocNation, Motown Records, Diageo, Tito’s Vodka and many more.In recent years Hector has been awarded Al Dia’s 2023 Innovative Entrepreneur of the Year Award, 2023 PhillyMag’s Best of Philly “Best Philly Tour Guide” and has received grants from both the Philadelphia Flyers as well as Comcast.

Steven CW Taylor, Owner, Ubuntu Fine Art Gallery

Steven CW Taylor, the visionary behind Ubuntu Fine Art Gallery, is a living embodiment of ‘The Ubuntu Way.’ His journey from a distinguished Senior Software Engineer to an acclaimed photographer and artist is marked by a relentless pursuit of excellence and a deep belief in the unifying power of art. Steven’s philosophy intertwines technology, art, and human connection, culminating in a unique artistic expression that transcends boundaries. His accolades, including being a Black Artist Fellow with Mural Arts and Visual Journalist of the Year, are a testament to his commitment to not just create art, but to weave a narrative that uplifts, connects, and inspires.