Introduction: The Right Tools Make All the Difference
Running a Black owned business comes with unique challenges, from limited marketing budgets to competing with larger corporations for customer attention. The good news? Technology has leveled the playing field, giving small business owners access to powerful tools that were once only available to big companies.
The right apps can help you get discovered by customers, manage your finances, create professional marketing content, and build lasting customer relationships—all without breaking the bank. Most offer free versions or affordable plans designed specifically for small businesses.
Here are five essential apps that every Black business owner should have on their phone right now.
1. BLK OWND: Get Discovered by Customers Actively Seeking You
What It Does
BLK OWND is a mobile platform that connects consumers with Black owned businesses in their local area. Customers use the app to discover, review, and save their favorite Black businesses, creating a direct connection between conscious consumers and Black entrepreneurs.
Why You Need It
Sixty-seven percent of Black consumers actively seek out Black owned businesses, but struggle to find them. BLK OWND solves this problem by putting your business in front of customers who are already committed to supporting Black entrepreneurs. Instead of competing for attention on crowded platforms, you’re featured in a community specifically looking for businesses like yours.
Key Features
- Free business listings with photos and descriptions
- Customer reviews that build credibility
- Location-based discovery (customers find you when searching nearby)
- Direct connection to customers ready to support Black businesses
- Analytics to track views and engagement
How to Get Started
Submit your business in under five minutes, or join the waitlist if you’re not a business owner to be up to date when we launch.. Complete your profile with high-quality photos, accurate hours, and a compelling description of what makes your business special. Encourage satisfied customers to leave reviews to boost your visibility.
Cost
Free to list your business
2. Square: Accept Payments Anywhere
What It Does
Square is a complete payment processing solution that lets you accept credit cards, debit cards, and contactless payments from your smartphone or tablet. It’s become the go-to payment system for small businesses, food trucks, pop-up shops, and service providers.
Why You Need It
Cash-only businesses lose customers. Square ensures you never miss a sale because someone doesn’t have cash. The system is incredibly simple to set up—you can start accepting payments within minutes of signing up. Plus, Square provides detailed sales reports, inventory tracking, and customer management tools.
Key Features
- Accept all major credit cards and mobile payments
- No monthly fees (pay only when you make a sale)
- Instant transfers available
- Built-in receipt system via email or text
- Integration with online stores and invoicing
How to Get Started
Download the Square app, create an account, and order your free card reader (or purchase the advanced reader for contactless payments). You’ll be accepting payments within days.
Cost
Free app with 2.6% + 10¢ per transaction (in-person), 2.9% + 30¢ (online)
3. Canva: Create Professional Marketing Content
What It Does
Canva is a graphic design platform that makes it easy to create professional-looking marketing materials, social media posts, flyers, menus, business cards, and more—no design experience required.
Why You Need It
Professional design used to require expensive software and expert skills. Canva democratizes design with thousands of templates you can customize with your brand colors, logo, and messaging. For Black business owners with limited marketing budgets, Canva is a game-changer that lets you compete visually with much larger companies.
Key Features
- Thousands of templates for every need (Instagram posts, flyers, presentations, logos)
- Drag-and-drop interface anyone can use
- Brand kit to save your colors, fonts, and logos
- Stock photos and graphics included
- Resize designs instantly for different platforms
- Schedule social media posts directly from Canva
How to Get Started
Create a free account at canva.com or download the mobile app. Start with a template that matches your need, customize it with your information, and download or share directly to social media.
Cost
Free version available; Canva Pro ($13/month) adds premium features
4. QuickBooks: Manage Your Finances Like a Pro
What It Does
QuickBooks is accounting software designed for small businesses. It tracks income and expenses, generates invoices, manages receipts, calculates taxes, and provides financial reports that show exactly how your business is performing.
Why You Need It
Many Black owned businesses fail not from lack of sales, but from poor financial management. QuickBooks takes the guesswork out of bookkeeping, ensuring you always know where your money is going. Come tax time, you’ll have everything organized instead of scrambling through shoe boxes of receipts.
Key Features
- Automatic expense tracking and categorization
- Invoice creation and payment tracking
- Receipt capture via mobile app (snap a photo)
- Tax deduction identification
- Cash flow monitoring
- Integration with your bank accounts and credit cards
- Reports that show profit, loss, and growth trends
How to Get Started
Sign up for QuickBooks Self-Employed (for solo entrepreneurs) or QuickBooks Online (for businesses with employees). Connect your bank accounts, set up your income and expense categories, and start tracking every transaction.
Cost
Plans from $15-$90/month; 30-day free trial available
5. Mailchimp: Build and Engage Your Customer Base
What It Does
Mailchimp is an email marketing platform that helps you build an email list, send newsletters, and stay connected with customers. It’s one of the most effective ways to turn one-time buyers into repeat customers.
Why You Need It
Social media platforms can change their algorithms or shut down overnight, but your email list belongs to you. Email marketing delivers an average return of $42 for every $1 spent, making it one of the highest ROI marketing channels available. For Black business owners, building a direct line to your community is essential for sustainable growth.
Key Features
- Build signup forms for your website or social media
- Design beautiful email newsletters with templates
- Automate welcome emails and follow-ups
- Segment your audience for targeted messaging
- Track open rates, clicks, and conversions
- Send birthday discounts and special offers
How to Get Started
Create a free Mailchimp account and install a signup form on your website or link it in your social media bios. Start collecting emails from customers at checkout or events. Send your first newsletter introducing your business, sharing your story, and offering a special discount for subscribers.
Cost
Free up to 500 contacts; paid plans from $13/month
Bonus Tips for Success
Start with Three
If five apps feel overwhelming, start with BLK OWND (for discovery), Square (for payments), and Canva (for marketing). Add QuickBooks and Mailchimp as your business grows.
Integrate When Possible
Many of these apps work together. Square integrates with QuickBooks for automatic bookkeeping. Canva lets you design Mailchimp newsletters. Look for ways to connect your tools to save time.
Mobile-First Strategy
All five apps have excellent mobile versions. You can run significant portions of your business directly from your smartphone—perfect for entrepreneurs on the go.
Take Advantage of Free Trials
Most apps offer free trials or free tiers. Test them out before committing to paid plans. Many Black business owners find the free versions sufficient, especially when starting out.
Conclusion: Technology as Your Competitive Advantage
The right apps transform how you run your business, helping you compete with larger companies while staying lean and efficient. These five tools—BLK OWND for discovery, Square for payments, Canva for marketing, QuickBooks for finances, and Mailchimp for customer relationships—provide everything you need to build, grow, and sustain a successful Black owned business.
Start by getting your business listed on BLK OWND today so customers in your community can discover you. Then add the other apps based on your most pressing needs. With these tools in your pocket, you have everything you need to compete and win.
The technology exists. The community is ready to support you. Now it’s time to put these tools to work.