Nicole Murphy is turning personal loss into a powerful solution for Black entrepreneurs. After losing her job and later closing her business during the pandemic, Murphy created Barter Black, a platform designed to help Black women grow their businesses through community, collaboration, and shared resources.
Her journey reflects a larger reality many Black business owners faced during that time. However, instead of stepping back, Murphy chose to build something new—something rooted in support, access, and collective growth.
How Barter Black Supports Black Women Entrepreneurs Through Community
Barter Black was created with one clear mission: to help Black entrepreneurs scale their businesses without relying only on traditional funding. The platform uses a bartering system, allowing members to exchange services, skills, and resources instead of money.
This approach is especially important because access to funding remains a major challenge. Murphy explained, “We [Black female business owners] receive less than one percent of venture capital funding.” Because of this, Barter Black offers a different path—one where entrepreneurs can still grow even without large financial backing.
In addition, the platform brings together a network of professionals who can support each other. From hiring experts to accessing services, members can build their businesses while staying connected to a strong community.
The Pandemic Setback That Sparked a New Business Idea
Murphy’s journey did not start with Barter Black. Earlier in her career, she entered the property management industry after losing her job in 2014. However, when the COVID-19 pandemic hit, her business became one of hundreds of thousands of Black-owned companies forced to shut down.
At that point, she faced a difficult question: “What’s next?” Soon after, another question followed—why Black entrepreneurs were not supporting each other more. That moment became the turning point that led to the creation of Barter Black.
Instead of returning to the same path, Murphy made a bold shift into tech. This decision allowed her to build a platform that could reach more people and offer real solutions to common business challenges.
Breaking Barriers: Funding, Community, and Business Growth
Barter Black directly addresses three major barriers Black entrepreneurs face: lack of funding, lack of community, and lack of sustainability. According to Murphy, these challenges are deeply connected and often create a cycle that is hard to break.
“We have to rely on each other,” she said. “Black Wall Street created an ecosystem where our people could thrive. Barter Black is that ecosystem for the present-day entrepreneur.” Her vision is to recreate that sense of shared success in a modern, digital space.
Furthermore, the platform helps entrepreneurs save money while still accessing the services they need. This makes it easier to grow without taking on heavy financial pressure, especially in the early stages of a business.
Rebuilding Barter Black and the Power of Collaboration
At one point, Murphy made the difficult decision to shut down Barter Black for six months in 2024 to rebuild the platform. While the move was risky, it allowed her to improve the system, services, and overall experience for users.
During that time, the same community she built stepped in to support her. Members provided services and helped bring the platform back to life, showing exactly how powerful collaboration can be.
Although she admitted the process was “scary,” Murphy emphasized that trying to do everything alone would have been even harder. Her experience highlights the importance of asking for help and working together.
Encouraging Sustainability and Long-Term Success for Black Women
Beyond business growth, Murphy also focuses on sustainability—both for businesses and for the people running them. She believes burnout is real and that rest is necessary for long-term success.
“Black women do everything well. But when you don’t ask for help, you create a ‘no’ for yourself. So ask and ask big,” she said. This mindset is built into Barter Black through features like wellness support, accessible services, and resource sharing.
Looking ahead, Murphy plans to expand the platform with new partnerships, education opportunities, and tools like Barter Bucks credit. Her goal is to create a well-rounded system that supports entrepreneurs at every stage.
