Creativity, Connection & Growth: Meet Grant Winner Bahati Benjamin of Balebe
Behind every small business is a vision—and sometimes, receiving the right encouragement at the right moment can confirm that the vision is ready to grow.
For Bahati Benjamin, founder of Balebe, receiving the $1,000 Flourish Media Small Business Grant, awarded through the August Dollars & Sense program, became a powerful moment of confirmation.
Winning the grant reinforced what Bahati had been building toward: Balebe is not only a meaningful creative wellness brand, but a business with real potential for growth.
Balebe is a creative wellness brand rooted in the belief that creativity can help people slow down, reconnect with themselves, and build meaningful connections with others. Through experiences centered around beading, color, intention, and self-expression, Bahati is showing that creativity can be much more than a pastime—it can become a powerful tool for wellness and community.
After receiving the grant and growing within the Behind The Leaf community, Bahati says she has gained greater clarity around what comes next for Balebe.
We spoke with Bahati about what winning meant for her business, why community matters when pursuing funding opportunities, and her plans to take Balebe’s creative experiences to new cities.
HOW DID WINNING CHANGE THE WAY YOU SAW YOUR BUSINESS?
Winning the Behind The Leaf grant gave me confirmation that the creative wellness brand I’ve been building is not only viable, but has real potential for growth.
Being part of this membership community has given me growth, strategy, clarity, and a stronger sense of how to position Balebe for its next chapter.
I’m excited to continue developing the business, pursuing new opportunities, and going for more grants.
WHY DID YOU DECIDE TO APPLY OR ATTEND ONE OF OUR EVENTS CONNECTING WOMEN TO CAPITAL?
I decided to apply after being encouraged by a fellow Behind The Leaf member who became my accountability partner.
The grant process gave me an opportunity to step back and critically evaluate all aspects of my business, removing some of the emotion that can come with building something so personally meaningful.
It allowed me to reflect on where Balebe has been, where it is going, and what the next steps need to be.
That experience is also a reminder of why community matters. Sometimes the encouragement to pursue the next opportunity comes from another entrepreneur who can see what is possible for you—and challenges you to go after it.
HOW HAS WINNING THE FLOURISH MEDIA SMALL BUSINESS GRANT IMPROVED YOUR MINDSET AROUND APPLYING FOR OTHER OPPORTUNITIES?
For me, business has always been a balance of perseverance, momentum, and strategy.
Winning this grant reinforced my belief that moving forward with grace, optimism, and a solid plan creates opportunities.
As a Behind The Leaf member, I also know that I’m not moving forward alone. I now feel more confident pursuing opportunities that can help Balebe grow, and I’m hopeful this grant will be one of many to come.
WHAT IS YOUR NEXT BIG MILESTONE WITHIN YOUR BUSINESS?
Bahati is ready to take one of Balebe’s experiences beyond its first city.
“My next big milestone is taking The Color Ritual on the road!”
After soft launching the experience in Manchester, New Hampshire, Bahati is preparing for the next stop: Chicago.
“I’m excited to see where this journey takes us and to introduce more people to a creative experience centered around color, intention, self-expression, and connection.”
As The Color Ritual expands, it represents an opportunity to introduce new communities to Balebe’s approach to creativity and wellness.
WHAT’S SOMETHING YOU’VE BEEN WORKING ON IN YOUR BUSINESS THAT YOU WANT THE WORLD TO KNOW?
At the heart of Balebe is an idea that may seem simple at first: beading can be so much more than a craft.
“We’re working to show people that beading can be so much more than a craft. These small intricate beads have the power to transform lives through the process of slowing down and mastering focus.”
For Bahati, the impact goes beyond what participants create with their hands. It is also about what happens when people have permission to slow down, focus, express themselves, and create alongside others.
“I’ve been amazed to witness the creative spark in all kinds of environments, and the results are always the same: creative spaces are a powerful tool for connection and community.”
That philosophy sits at the center of Balebe.
“At the heart of Balebe is a belief that creativity can help us feel less disconnected—from ourselves and from one another.”
HOW ARE YOU USING THE FMC PRIVATE FACEBOOK GROUP TO HELP BALEBE FLOURISH?
Bahati has also been using the Flourish Media community to stay connected and increase visibility for Balebe’s experiences.
“I've joined the private FMC Facebook Group and I've posted various events there—it’s always great to see other events there as well.”
As Balebe begins expanding into additional cities, she sees even greater possibilities for using the community to build connections.
“I’m looking forward to utilizing this space as we continue to expand into different communities across the country.”
WHY SHOULD OTHER WOMEN BUSINESS OWNERS APPLY FOR THE FLOURISH MEDIA SMALL BUSINESS GRANT?
Bahati’s advice is simple: apply.
“The grant process is straightforward and will help you get prepared for future grants and/or investors!”
For entrepreneurs, applying for funding can be valuable even beyond the possibility of receiving an award. The process can create an opportunity to evaluate your business, sharpen your story, clarify your plans, and become better prepared for the next conversation with a funder or investor.
For Bahati, the process helped provide that clarity—and winning gave her additional confidence to keep pursuing what is possible for Balebe.
Now, with The Color Ritual preparing to move from Manchester to Chicago and the brand continuing to explore the intersection of creativity, wellness, and community, Bahati is stepping confidently into Balebe’s next chapter.
And she plans to keep applying for opportunities along the way.
✨ Follow Balebe’s journey as Bahati brings creative wellness experiences centered around color, intention, self-expression, and connection to more communities.
🌱 Are you ready for your next season of growth?
Apply for the Flourish Media Small Business Grant and join a community dedicated to helping women founders access capital, resources, and collaboration.
Apply here:
https://www.flourishmediaconference.com/fmc-scholarship
