By Megan Sayles

AFRO Staff Writer

msayles@afro.com

The 2025 Baltimore City Small Business Advancement Conference, hosted by the Mayor’s Office of Small and Minority Business Advocacy and Development, took place at the Baltimore Convention Center on June 12. At the conference, government agencies, universities, financial institutions and corporations shared opportunities for small, minority- and women-owned businesses to grow and scale their enterprises.

One of the significant challenges facing entrepreneurs that the event addressed was access to capital. Dyon Davidson, owner of Beadly Speaking Jewelry, has largely had to bootstrap her company, pulling from her pocket to fund the business.

“For the most part, funding has been a challenge, but I try to look at the impact,” said Davidson.  “If I have to spend $200 on beading materials, I look at what people get out of it.”

Davidson taught herself how to make jewelry after her mother suffered a brain aneurysm in 2004. In an effort to support her recovery, she used the hands-on activity to help her mother rebuild her fine motor skills.

Today, through Beadly Speaking Jewelry, she uses wood, beads and wire to create earrings, bracelets and statement necklaces. She’s also started a program to help children learn the trade and develop entrepreneurial skills.