Boston Startup Looking To Help Local Minority Small Businesses

BOSTON — A local Boston startup is working to connect online shoppers and merchants to small Black-owned businesses throughout the Greater Boston area - just in time for the holiday season.

'Shop with Freedom' is a Google Chrome extension that can also be available as a mobile app on Google Play and Google Chrome store.

Co-founders Steffan Jackson and Aman Stuppard grew up in Boston, securing a personal tie to the start-up. Both Jackson and Stuppard were working corporate jobs before deciding they wanted to stop what they were doing and help small businesses in need.

The two launched 'Above and Beyond' Studios in 2020, with a focus on the 'Freedom' product which joined with local and Black-owned businesses to help their buyers shop e-commerce.

Jackson says that the pandemic has caused consumers to shop quickly with high demands on shipping and turnaround times.

"We saw the switch happen at the beginning of the pandemic," said Jackson. "But what happens to small businesses if this continues?"

Even though Governor Charlie Baker lifted Massachusetts' covid regulations before the beginning of the summer, small businesses have still taken a hit.

According to a report from the Boston Herald in November 2020, the total small business revenue in Massachusetts dropped 44% from January 2020.

"As the pandemic continues, small businesses aren't worried about shutdowns anymore, they're worried about staffing and outreach, and we wanted to create a platform that would help people shop at local businesses easily without having to use the big guys," said Jackson.

'Shop with Freedom' is working to make the small local minority businesses become more visible, sharing coupons, and using a feature called "Just Check It Out" which shows users related options from local businesses when searching for something specific in the platform.

The small startup began with a team of four but now has expanded to a team of 10, who all work to help people not just in Boston, but also on the North Shore.

Jackson says the team has already found success by helping local businesses like Alura Organic Beauty Care, and flower shop A Bella Mia out of Norwood.

Jackson grew up in Stoughton, went to school at UMass Lowell, and worked full time in the city which he says is what guided him towards entrepreneurship. "I love helping people, I feel like I'm on this earth to help others."

'Shop with Freedom' is currently applying to get a mobile app through the Apple Store.

For more information and a link to the Google Chrome extension click here.

Interested small businesses can contact Above and Beyond Studios at sjackson@freedomrains.com.