Why Supporting Black-Owned Businesses Means More Than You Think

We Were Tired of Settling

We’re Oluwatobi and Victry – Nigerian and Zimbabwean founders of Perky Pen, who grew up in the UK.

Our families moved here and sacrificed so much to give us the opportunity to succeed. But when it came time to celebrate them, we couldn’t find greeting cards that truly spoke to who they were. So, we resorted to creating our own personalised cards – ones that rightly celebrated both the occasion and our culture.

Every birthday, wedding, Father’s Day — we found ourselves reaching for generic cards that didn’t reflect our culture, our traditions, or our creativity. And we thought:
“How many other people feel like this too?”

This Isn’t Just About Cards. It’s About Representation.

In our cultures, gifts are how we say, “thank you,” “congratulations,” and “you’re important.”

So when we couldn’t find products that truly captured how we wanted to mark an occasion with family or friends, we had to rely on ourselves — and our artistry.

But why create only for ourselves when we knew so many others:

• Rarely saw their cultures represented on the shelf...
• Felt like gifting meant settling, rather than expressing genuine feeling

We took a chance to make a difference. Because gifting — and giving cards — isn’t just “something to do” or a last-minute add-on. Cards date back centuries. They’re a timeless tradition that wraps meaning into a moment and completes a thoughtful gift.

At Perky Pen, we curate our cards and gifts to ensure this tradition continues — with authenticity, creativity, and culture at its heart. So we can keep bringing people together.

Why Black-Owned Businesses Matter So Deeply

Supporting Black-owned businesses isn’t just a “nice-to-do.” It’s an act of recognition.

Here’s the hard truth:

• Only 0.24% of UK venture capital goes to Black founders
• Black entrepreneurs are three times more likely to be denied business loans
• Black-owned businesses contribute £25 to £30 billion to the UK economy

Businesses like Perky Pen are not only creating jobs — we’re inspiring change and reinvesting into our communities. And we’re doing it with fewer resources.

We do it for ourselves and to uplift others — so our children can grow up seeing their cultures represented, valued, and celebrated.

Perky Pen Gifts Is Our Love Letter to Our Culture

We set out to design plantable greeting cards, inclusive gifts, and cultural posters that reflect the richness of African, Caribbean, and Asian communities.

But it doesn’t stop there — we’re committed to celebrating the art of gifting in an eco-friendly and collaborative way.

We work as a diverse team of artists to create products because we believe:

• Father’s Day gifts should reflect all fathers
• Wedding cards should celebrate every kind of love
• Birthday wishes should come in every shade and dialect

We don’t stop at ready-made designs. We also offer a personalised service — allowing you to collaborate with us to create a truly bespoke and meaningful gift.

Big or small, whatever the occasion, our mission is to celebrate art, culture, and identity.

How You Can Support the Movement

Every time you support a Black-owned business, you help rewrite the story.
Here’s how you can get involved:

• Buy intentionally: For every ordinary gift, there’s an ethnic minority business creating something that reflects you.
• Share our stories: Representation grows when we’re visible. Don’t let our stories be forgotten or undervalued.
• Show up: Attend events, visit markets, and give gifts that mean something. You’re not just spending — you’re adding meaning to memories while uplifting Black-owned businesses.
• Choose differently: Swap the mainstream for the meaningful. Thoughtful decisions support the communities behind the products.

We’re Not Just a Business — We’re Part of Something Bigger

We hope we’ve inspired you to shop small and shop Black.

Like many other businesses founded by people from ethnic minority backgrounds, Perky Pen is about building what our younger selves needed. It’s about creating opportunities — encouraging people of all ages to explore, express, and connect more deeply.

As founders, we know that in a tech-driven world, the act of gift-giving can feel outdated. But it’s not. It’s about celebrating joy, expressing care, and making someone feel truly seen.

We all deserve to belong in a community where culture isn’t just accepted — it’s centred.

So, if you’re tired of generic gifts and cards that don’t reflect the people you love...
You’re in the right place.

Explore our eco-friendly, culturally inspired collection and personalised products — and gift something that finally feels personal.