Ebony Kirby-Hopkins: Building a Legacy of Support for Underrepresented Small Businesses

Born and raised in Brooklyn, Ebony Kirby-Hopkins grew up as one of ten siblings, driven by a desire to help others. After completing her education, she embarked on a career in Operations Management. However, her strong desire to make a positive impact on people's lives led her to consider nursing, but she ultimately discovered it was not for her due to an aversion to bandages and shots. But this detour led her to find a hidden talent for numbers and finance, which she honed while working for renowned investment firms.   

Despite her success, Ebony faced discrimination as a woman of color in the workplace. However, she turned these challenges into opportunities, obtaining a Human Resources certification that eventually shaped her career trajectory.    

In 2020, Ebony found herself working as an administrative operations manager in the non-profit space in Brooklyn. During this time, she learned of a successful bodega that had been set up with a construction firm that did not meet the required quality standards after approaching their local SBA for a loan. Ebony understood the business side of things and saw her potential as a valuable resource for small businesses. She founded Mesh Business Advisors to become a linchpin for underrepresented small businesses in her community and beyond, including family-owned businesses striving to leave a legacy for their children. At Mesh Business Advisors, she currently serves as the Managing Principal, leveraging her unique skills in Finance, Operations, and HR to help businesses succeed and thrive.

Ebony and her team of 18 women are dedicated to supporting small women's startups and non-profits. With a focus on compliance, governance, guidance, and employee engagement, Mesh Business Advisors is committed to helping their clients succeed and make a positive impact in their communities.   

Ebony goes beyond the standard offerings of human resources services, recognizing the shifting landscape of work and seeking to bring back the human element in her approach. Through leadership training and state law guidance on leave policies, she offers support to businesses and their employees. She also understands the challenges that come with hybrid work arrangements and aims to help companies maintain engagement and culture, even when employees are working remotely.   

Mesh Business Advisors also provides financial services, including grant writing and business operations services. They partner with businesses to ensure that their services are priced competitively without undervaluing their work. Training is also offered on critical topics such as contracts and payment processes.   

Overall, her firm serves as a comprehensive resource for businesses, taking care of administrative tasks that can otherwise consume precious time and energy. Their approach allows companies to focus on what they do best - pursuing their passion for their work.   

Ebony, a successful business owner, urges aspiring entrepreneurs not to be deterred by the prospect of starting a small business from home. Whether it's a pastry venture, hair salon, or product line, she believes that passion and a viable market are the key ingredients for a thriving enterprise.    

Looking towards the future, Ebony envisions Mesh Business Advisors expanding its focus on diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives, such as emotional intelligence training and conferences for first-time managers. As an HR professional, she plans to provide leadership training to navigate the evolving US business landscape. Additionally, Mesh Business Advisors aims to be a resource for grant writing and small business development while forging partnerships with financial systems that support small businesses. Ebony trusts that word-of-mouth and customer referrals from the network of women behind her will ensure continued success.   

For women who may be struggling to pursue their dreams, Ebony cautions against giving up too easily. She cites cases where individuals with groundbreaking ideas may have failed to recognize their full potential and sold them to others who had the resources and connections to reap handsome rewards, leading to regret down the line.   

Ebony advocates for living in a manner that minimizes regrets, comparing the feeling to sitting in a rocking chair that goes nowhere but leaves grooves in the floor from the expended energy. She encourages women to remain confident even if they're not currently pursuing their goals; the future holds endless possibilities.