Adria Marshall, founder and CEO of Ecoslay, said that Amazon’s tools and programs have enabled her company to grow while advancing its mission. This statement was made on Amazon’s website.
“As we grow, Amazon grows with us,” said Marshall, Founder & CEO. “Each new tool and program they offer becomes another opportunity to advance our mission.”
According to Amazon’s 2024 Small Business Empowerment Report, U.S. independent sellers—nearly all small and medium-sized businesses—create over 2 million jobs through their operations related to Amazon. These businesses contribute to local economies by hiring locally, renting warehouse space, and partnering with service providers. Amazon supports these efforts through philanthropy and initiatives like its Black Business Accelerator, which underscores the company’s role in strengthening community impact nationwide.
Amazon’s Black Business Accelerator, launched in 2021, provides $150 million over four years to assist Black-owned businesses with funding, advertising, and education. Sellers participating in the program have reported tripling their sales within a year, demonstrating the initiative’s measurable effect on revenue growth. Although specific data on Black woman-owned firms is not published separately by Amazon, the accelerator shows targeted progress for this group.
Fulfillment by Amazon (FBA), initiated in 2006, has shipped more than 80 billion items globally and enabled small businesses to scale by outsourcing logistics to Amazon’s network. Sellers using FBA benefit from faster delivery and Prime eligibility, directly enhancing sales and customer trust. The program allows small businesses to focus on growth while expanding hiring and market reach.
Marshall is the founder and CEO of Ecoslay, a natural hair care company she launched from her kitchen in 2015 that has since grown into a multimillion-dollar enterprise. Her company, based in Atlanta, has expanded to hire employees at living wages and generate $3–3.6 million annually. Before entrepreneurship, Marshall built a career in computer engineering and project management, experience she later channeled into her brand’s operational growth.
Ecoslay is a plant-based, eco-friendly hair care company offering products for curly, coily, and kinky textures. Founded by Marshall in 2015, the company emphasizes sustainability by using recyclable packaging and natural ingredients. It partners with community programs like Atlanta Mission to create social impact. Ecoslay is also a Certified B Corporation, reflecting its commitment to balancing profit with environmental and social responsibility.
