Featured Spotlight – Bea Dixon

The Honey Pot Company is a plant-based, black-owned feminine care brand that was founded by Beatrice Dixon, 1 of the first 40 women of color to raise $1 million in venture capital. Today, it’s a multi-million dollar company that sells plant-based feminine care products such as affordable natural washes, wipes, tampons, panty sprays, pads, lubricants and other herbal products. They’re sold online and in-stores across the U.S. at Target, Walmart, Urban Outfitters, Walgreens, Bed, Bath and Beyond, Wegmans and Whole Foods.

Recently, the Honey Pot Company received backlash for a national ad as part of Target’s Black History Month series “Founders We Believe In,” where Dixon eloquently explains the company’s journey and the many difficulties she experienced at launch. She’s not alone: Startups led by black women receive less than 1% of venture capital funding. Target’s support helped get the business off the ground. At the end of the commercial, Dixon says, “The reason why it’s so important for The Honey Pot to do well is so the next black girl that comes up with a great idea could have a better opportunity. That means a lot to me.”

While the intention of the commercial was to promote inclusivity by championing black female entrepreneurs, some took Dixon’s statement as being “racist” to white consumers. Several online reviewers left one-star reviews on the website Trustpilot, accusing Dixon, and Target, of discrimination.