Ferrara Candy Company, which is headquartered in Chicago and has a factory and candy outlet store in Forest Park, 7301 W. Harrison St., gave $20,000 in microgrants to a pair of Chicago Black-owned businesses.
The grants were timed to coincide with August, which many Black-owned businesses mark as a National Black Business Month. The company is giving out a total of $50,000 in “Pause Now, Hustle Later” grants nationwide to “support the go-getters and changemakers in the Black community.” The grants are tied into Ferrara’s Now and Later candy.
The first grant went to Fancy Homebody, a women’s loungewear brand based in Chicago’s Beverly neighborhood. Founded in 2020, the company describes its brand identity as “as chic as they are comfy.”
The second grant went to Natural Radiant Life, a vegan skincare brand based in Chicago’s River North neighborhood.
Dave Foldes, director of marketing for the Now and Later brand, said it was important for the company to support emerging businesses, especially Black-owned ones.
“Now and Later is dedicated to supporting Black leaders and entrepreneurs who are making a positive impact in their communities, which is why we launched the ‘Pause Now, Hustle Later’ grant during Black Business Month,” he said “According to the Small Business Administration, 50% of small businesses fail within the first five years due to lack of financial resources. In recognition of the hustle of entrepreneurship, we’re proud to help amplify these small businesses.”
