We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Shelissa Jones. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Shelissa below.
Shelissa, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today It’s easy to look at a business or industry as an outsider and assume it’s super profitable – but we’ve seen over and over again in our conversation with folks that most industries have factors that make profitability a challenge. What’s biggest challenge to profitability in your industry?
As a Black-owned creative business, Ebony By Design operates at the intersection of art, identity, and entrepreneurship—an inspiring space full of potential, but not without its challenges. Profitability is not solely determined by artistic talent or quality of work; it is deeply influenced by systemic factors that often create barriers for businesses led by Black creatives. Here are some of the most pressing challenges impacting long-term profitability:
Marketing & visibility: Without capital, it’s harder to invest in promotion and reach new audiences.
Scaling operations: Growth opportunities are delayed or missed entirely due to financial bottlenecks.
Material investment: Larger or more experimental works require upfront costs that become burdensome without reliable funding.
This funding gap is not about lack of potential—it’s about structural inequity in how creative entrepreneurship is financed in the U.S.
For Ebony By Design, profitability isn’t just about selling art—it’s about navigating an industry that has historically excluded, undervalued, and underfunded Black creatives. The work speaks for itself in quality and originality, but true financial sustainability requires access: to capital, platforms, networks, and respect.
Addressing these challenges is not just a matter of business growth—it’s about equity. Supporting Black-owned art businesses like Ebony By Design means recognizing their artistic excellence and investing in their long-term success through fair funding, visibility, and value.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
My name is Shelissa Jones, and I’m the founder and artist behind Ebony By Design—a creative brand rooted in originality, resilience, and connection. I’m a self-taught abstract artist based in Denver, Colorado, and my journey has been anything but traditional. After stepping away from art to raise my children as a single mother, I returned to my passion with deeper purpose and vision.
Ebony By Design was born from that journey—proof that creativity never leaves you; it evolves with you.
Through bold colors, recycled materials, acrylics, and alcohol ink, I create vibrant, one-of-a-kind pieces that invite people to pause, reflect, and feel. Every piece is intentionally designed to spark conversation, reflect identity, and breathe new life into homes and spaces. I believe art has the power to bring people together—and my work embodies that spirit through texture, movement, and emotion.
As a Black female artist, I’m proud to represent both cultural authenticity and creative freedom. I’m committed to pushing boundaries—not just in my medium, but in how and where my work shows up. My goal is to make art accessible, powerful, and personal.
Ebony By Design isn’t just a brand—it’s a testament to how art can transform, uplift, and connect.
Have you ever had to pivot?
After stepping away from art to raise my children as a single mother, I returned to my passion with deeper purpose and vision.
What’s been the best source of new clients for you?
A significant portion of my clientele is built through direct engagement at art shows and festivals, where I have the opportunity to connect with viewers personally and showcase the depth and originality of my work in a tactile, immersive setting.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.ebonybydesign.com
- Instagram: shelissa_ebonybydesign
- Facebook: Ebony By Design
