We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Kanchelli Iddrisu. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Kanchelli below.

Hi Kanchelli , thanks for joining us today. What was it like going from idea to execution? Can you share some of the backstory and some of the major steps or milestones?

I started my business, Buy Black in London, around 2018 while I was studying law at King’s College London. At the time, I was making and selling waistbeads, perfumes, and crystals online and at markets, and also working at Portobello Market. I loved the process of creating and selling products, but as I gained more experience, I started to think bigger. I began organising my own events, using the knowledge I’d gained from selling at markets to create something more. Venues in London were excited to host Black business markets, and I thought I could differentiate myself by offering not just a marketplace, but also free workshops, spoken word performances, and other activities that would bring the community together.

The journey wasn’t all smooth sailing. There were definitely some tough moments—bad experiences with venue owners, markets with low footfall, and some disagreements with business owners who were part of my events. But overall, I found that transitioning from being a vendor to running my own events wasn’t as difficult as I’d expected. The lessons I’d learned selling at markets were invaluable in helping me run things behind the scenes.

Then came COVID, and like so many others, we had to pivot. We moved our markets online, offering virtual events that were just as fun and interactive as our in-person ones. It was a bit of a learning curve, but it kept the business alive and gave us a chance to connect with our community in new ways.

After a bit of a break to focus on my PhD, I returned to Buy Black in London in the summer of 2024 through the encouragement of my partner in August who told me to just take the step to return to events without overthinking it. By that point, I had the support of my brother Charney, who had become a huge part of the business, helping to organise all of the events. We’ve since made a point of hosting at least one event every month in different venues across Hackney, Brixton, and Peckham, and it’s been incredible to see the response from both the vendors and the community. Looking back, it’s been a journey of ups and downs, but one that’s felt incredibly rewarding every step of the way.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I’ve always had a deep love for markets and the unique way they allow you to connect with people on a real, personal level. That connection is at the heart of *Buy Black in London*. My business brings together Black business owners based in London and creates spaces where they can showcase their products at various locations across the city. We work with different venues to host our markets, offering a diverse range of items from food and clothing to candles, crystals, and so much more.

What sets us apart from other marketplaces is the focus we place on community. Not only do we provide an opportunity for Black entrepreneurs to sell their products, but we also host interactive workshops and activities—whether it’s a spoken word performance or a business skills session. These workshops are an essential part of what we do, as they add value to the market experience, helping both vendors and visitors learn something new, share experiences, and grow together.

I’m most proud of the community we’ve built through *Buy Black in London*. It’s been incredibly rewarding to see the markets grow, and even more so to see the relationships that have been built, both among the business owners and with the people who support us. It’s about more than just shopping—it’s about creating a space where Black entrepreneurs can thrive, learn, and connect with their audience in meaningful ways.

Looking ahead, we’re excited to be launching a brand-new website that will make it easier to discover our markets, connect with our vendors, and stay up-to-date with everything we’re doing. My main goal is for people to know that *Buy Black in London* isn’t just about supporting Black businesses—it’s about building a vibrant, engaged community that’s centered on culture, creativity, and collaboration.

How’d you meet your business partner?

Right now, my main partner in the business is my brother Charney, and I have to say, he’s amazing at what he does. He’s the one who really shines on market days—organising everything, liaising with the venues, and keeping everything running smoothly. He’s also great at connecting with both the vendors and the customers, which is a skill I don’t always have. For me, I’m more behind the scenes, focusing on the online side of things, managing the website and social media. We’ve obviously grown up together, but working alongside him on this business has been a whole new experience—and honestly, it’s brought us even closer.

It’s not just Charney who’s been such a big help; the rest of our family has been so supportive as well. My other brother runs a popular page called @archiveafrica, which focuses on African culture, and my mum runs @vintageafricanwomen, a platform that celebrates African women. They’ve both been so generous with their time, offering advice, reposting our content, and suggesting new ideas. It’s been incredible to have their support as we build this business.

Having a close-knit family that’s so invested in each other’s success is something I truly cherish. It’s not always easy, but having that foundation of support makes the journey much more fulfilling. We’re not just building a business; we’re building something that reflects our shared values and passion for celebrating Black culture and entrepreneurship.

Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?

One of the biggest lessons I’ve had to learn is that waiting for things to be “perfect” before acting is not always the best approach—especially in business. I’m someone who likes to have everything lined up, every detail accounted for, and a foolproof plan in place before taking any action. I used to think that’s the only way to succeed: if I just wait until everything is perfect, then I’ll be ready. But the truth is, that’s not how business works—especially in the event world. There’s always going to be something that doesn’t go according to plan.

If you wait for perfection, you can miss out on opportunities, and you might never even get started. I learned that things will never be 100% perfect, and that’s okay. Well, I didn’t just learn this, it’s something I’ve been told multiple times by my family and partner so I’ve just decided to take their advice on it now. Sometimes, you have to move forward with what you have and adjust along the way. The key is to take action and learn from whatever comes up. If I had waited for everything to be “just right,” I wouldn’t have launched anything at all. I’ve had markets where things didn’t go smoothly, vendors faced challenges, or venues fell through at the last minute, but I always found a way to adapt and move forward.

Now, I focus more on the bigger picture—getting things done and making progress rather than waiting for everything to be flawless. It’s a mindset shift that has helped me get a lot further than I would have if I’d stayed stuck in the planning phase. It’s all about learning to embrace the chaos and finding solutions as you go.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/buyblackinlondon/
• Other: Tiktok: @buyblackinlondon