Kelly Ifill grew up in a family that was filled with entrepreneurs. Her parents were contractors, her grandmother owned a cleaning company, and her extended family had various businesses. Seeing the pressure they lived under, she decided that wasn’t the direction for her. Until it was.
Raised in Brooklyn, New York, Ifill saw small businesses she’d grown up around struggle to stay afloat. Like many Black-owned businesses, it was hard to find financing and banking options. She felt compelled to help.
In New York, local beauty businesses – from aestheticians to nail technicians – were in high demand days before Beyoncé’s performance. However, the economic boosts of these tours may be short-lived.
Guava has since raised $2.4 million in funding and acquired over three thousand business members. Ifill’s venture is helping local and small businesses access banking opportunities they once struggled to receive.
By leveraging cutting-edge technology and expertise in finance, Guava is empowering Black business communities economically while fostering inclusivity within the broader financial world.