UrFriendCharles, Alexander, Va., introduced the official launch of UrFriendCharles.com, a groundbreaking eCommerce platform devoted completely to Black-owned spirits.
Based by content material creator Charles Everett, the platform combines curated purchasing with cultural storytelling to assist shoppers uncover, help and rejoice underrepresented entrepreneurs within the beverage business.
“Individuals wish to purchase Black — they only don’t know the place to start out,” Everett mentioned in a press release. “Stroll right into a liquor retailer and also you’re a whole lot, typically 1000’s of bottles. Even seasoned drinkers would possibly solely acknowledge a handful of names. That makes it laborious for smaller manufacturers — particularly Black-owned ones — to face out. Many of those manufacturers haven’t got superstar offers or massive budgets, however they’re making unbelievable merchandise. UrFriendCharles offers them a highlight — and offers customers a straightforward strategy to vote with their {dollars}.”
Black founders personal lower than 2% of spirits manufacturers, in accordance with UrFriendCharles, regardless of shaping international drink tradition.
UrFriendCharles gives the next functionality to assist bridge the hole:
Nationwide entry: Ships to 44 states
AI-Powered matchmaking: Chat with Lil Charles, the platform’s AI chatbot, to seek out Black-owned options to your go-to favorites
Uncover by id: Filter by HBCU grad, Divine 9, women-owned, LGBTQ+, veteran, Caribbean/African founders, and extra
Past on-line purchasing: Use the Black-owned brewery locator and liquor retailer finder to help native companies
Zero-proof love: Devoted part for non-alcohol choices
Everett is greatest recognized on-line for creating viral content material spotlighting Black-owned spirits manufacturers. With hundreds of thousands of views and a loyal following, UrFriendCharles is the subsequent evolution of his work — serving to shoppers “vote with their greenback” whereas providing small manufacturers an actual alternative to develop their attain, the corporate says.
