In recognition of Black Business Month, the Recorder is sharing how local Black business owners are expanding their business with the Build Fund.
Intend Indiana’s Build Fund is a loan fund available to help business owners grow and create jobs, according to their official website. As those loans are repaid, those funds are used for new loans to support other business owners in central Indiana.
Sharika Webb is the founder of Mamba Investments and Mamba Realty. In a Q&A with the Recorder, Webb shared how the Build Fund has helped her business grow.
Recorder: What was the inspiration for your business?
Sharika Webb: I’ve been in real estate since 2018. As a new agent, you have to work under an established company for at least 2 years until you start your own real estate brokerage; however, I knew the goal was always to work for myself. In 2021, I broke off from Remax and started Mamba Realty and Mamba Investments. Specifically, Mamba Investments would serve the efforts in revitalizing underserved communities. The inspiration came from my mother who ran Watkins Family center for over 20 years where she mentored and poured a positive influence into the community. In my own way, I believe rehabilitating distressed homes and creating affordable housing in the same neighborhood is my way of giving back to the community that helped raise me.
Recorder: What services do you offer?
Webb: We offer all real estate services including helping individuals buy, sell, build, acquire and invest.
Recorder: As a recipient of a loan through the Build Fund, how will the funds help your business grow?
Currently, the funds have assisted in the new construction of a new single-family home in Crown Hill. Since the lot was purchased through Indy’s landbank the home will fall within the affordable housing guidelines. We also plan to continue our partnership to build more homes and multi-units that will fall in the same category.
Recorder: Business owners can face many challenges. What motivates you to overcome the challenges to achieve your goals?
Webb: The goal is to scale our portfolio and continue to help revitalize neighborhoods that have gone overlooked in the past. Bumps in the road are all a part of having a successful business so I welcome the challenges that every day brings.
Recorder: How can people connect with you?
Webb: People can visit our website at www.mambarealtyindy.com or follow us on Instagram @specialagentwebb and @mambarealtyindy. On TikTok, they can find us @sneakeragentwebbie.
For more information about the Build Fund, visit www.buildfund.org.
