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

Raven, appreciate you joining us today. What’s the backstory behind how you came up with the idea for your business?

So I’m going to paint this as vividly as I can.

I was laying in bed one night after nursing thinking about starting a business. Now this wasn’t my first rodeo at thinking about starting a business. I had had the desire for a while mixed in with my random notebook of thoughts and ideas, but this time felt a little more “let’s really run with this thing.” I knew that I wanted my business to be centered around celebrating the women that raised me aka Black mothers. I text my God sister that night telling her my idea and she thought it was amazing ( shoutout to you always believing in me). A couple of late night texts later and I came up with the name cocoiv.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers

I’ve deemed myself the curator of spaces where Black women are the main event. So that in itself pretty much sums up who I do this for! Outside of business, I am a Cancer, mother to a Taurus ( yes pray for me) that loves some good R&B – with an occasional Future track from time to time. I am also a foodie coinsurer at heart.

As answered in the previous question, I got into business simply by having faith in an idea and listening to God. I truly know that part of my creation is providing safe spaces for Black women to not only be seen and celebrated, but to provide spaces for us to just BE. In a world that only sees us as magical and strong, I want to show that we are also human, influential, yet still growing and needing of grace. This is where I plug my other business – Diary of a grown ass Black woman, so be sure to follow.

How did you build your audience on social media?

As far as building my social media presence, it honestly just took patience and being authentic. I look at social media like I’m talking to one of my homegirls. So I may say, “sis”, “girl”, “don’t get me to lying”, because this type of language resonates with my core target audience. With that being said, you just have to find a tone that works with yours as well. If your brand is something that people can learn from and feel seen, then with time it will grow and encompass the right audience.

Are there any books, videos, essays or other resources that have significantly impacted your management and entrepreneurial thinking and philosophy?

I would definitely say the 12 week year and this entrepreneur group that I am currently in called, Big Idea Food.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.cocoiv.com
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/coocivbrand www.instagram.com/diaryofagrownassblackwoman www.instagram.com/asensitiveblackgirl