A QUICK TING WITH TSKENYA-SARAH FRAZER [@tskenya]

Giving an education where it’s needed, Tskenya-Sarah Frazer is the most recent author in the series to debut her ‘Quick Ting On‘ Black Business. The groundbreaking non-fiction book series created by publisher Magdalene Abraha in 2020 is the start of something great. Focused on covering topics specifically aimed at the Black British community, the A Quick Ting On series highlights subjects ranging from Afrobeats to bamboo earrings too many more. 

GUAP: What was the inspiration to delve into the world of Black Business in Britain?

Tskenya-Sarah: Magdalene Abraha and I initially met at the ACE hotel to discuss a potential collaboration. I was the director of Leomie Anderson‘s LAPP The Brand then. I wanted to write about black people in fashion. I love fashion; I am a fashion girl through and through, and I also run my fashion brand. But the thing I am most interested in is entrepreneurship and business. I felt the angst of not having people who look like me from my community is reflected in the discussion of entrepreneurship in Britain. I’ve done my research to know that Black British businesses have existed for hundreds of years, so I wanted to write about this. I wanted young Black people to have something to look to and know they can reach beyond what they’re taught in schools or what society may think of them. 

GUAP: In the book, you don’t shy away from any topic, especially when picking out the nuisances of growing up as a black Brit in the UK. Do you go out of your way to challenge older generations who may not see themselves as entrepreneurs but are?

Tskenya-Sarah: The spirit of who I am is always to provide a challenge. No one is free from the obstacles me, whether you are older or younger than me. It doesn’t matter to me, so I always offer them that alternative perspective. And for them to feel empowered and see that they are more than what the Eurocentric standard of success may have them believe. Even if they think they may not fit the parameters of Eurocentric success, I am constantly challenging them to look outside of this as they are leaders in their communities! 

GUAP: Knowing everything you know now, would you do things differently when you started your business, or are you content with the journey?

Tskenya-Sarah: I still struggle with the journey. If I could go back and ask for more help earlier on in my journey, I would have done and advocated for myself more. It’s taken me too long, and looking back; I would ask for help and utilize my network. The white businessmen who are unashamedly aggressive in their business strategies, I would have taken 10% of that aggression and been more assertive with my ideas. 

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