Black Business Month Courageous Comebacks Series: Tanya R. Hill, ForeverFresh
Black-owned businesses were hit hard by COVID-19 and the ensuing economic fallout. But Black founders tapped into a well of resilience to forge a path forward. Some pivoted while others doubled down. The result is a renewed sense of purpose and a fresh perspective on building sustainable, marketable businesses.
In celebration of National Black Business Month, Jacqueline Hayes, the Founder & Chief Marketing Strategist of Crayons & Marketers, talks with some of the most remarkable Black-owned business founders about the impact of 2020 on their businesses and how they used innovation and timely marketing strategies to grow and sustain their companies.
Black Business Month, Episode 4
In episode 4, Tanya R. Hill, founder of ForeverFresh and managing member of AP United LLC (APU) joins us. Tanya developed and patented ForeverFresh Disposable Undergarments and later launched ToddiFresh, a children’s line of disposable underwear. The product is currently distributed to schools nationwide by School Nurse Supply, MacGill and School Health. This is the third launch of her product, and the company is now expanding into the medical markets.
As a managing member of APU, a joint venture with Paradies Lagardere (formerly LS Travel Retail) was formed to own and operate two retail stores and sixteen food and beverage concepts in the Detroit Metro Airport, including: The Economist and Michigan Sports retail stores (McNamara Terminal) and a mix of local, national, and international brands including Cat Cora’s Taproom, P.F. Chang’s, Long Horn Steak House, Qdoba, Plum Market, Chick-fil-A, Illy Coffee and most recently, Air Margaritaville, Atwater and MOD Pizza located in the North and McNamara terminals.
During our talk, Tanya shares the challenges she faced as an airport concessionaire at the height of the pandemic including employee layoffs, while demand for her company’s personal hygiene products soared.
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Learn More About Tanya R. Hill
Tanya has received numerous awards and recognition for her entrepreneurial accomplishments. ForeverFresh was the only U.S. firm to receive the prestigious European Disposable and Nonwoven Association award in Geneva, Switzerland. Other recognitions include the National Association of Women Business Owners (NAWBO) Top Ten Award, Women of Excellence Award, and induction into Who’s Who inaugural edition of Vital Signs: “A Tribute to African American Achievement in Healthcare.” She is also the recipient of the Powerful Women of Purpose Award from the Rhonda Walker Foundation and the Esteemed Women of Michigan Award.
Tanya attended the University of Detroit. She is a graduate of the Minority Business Executive Program at Amos Tuck School, Dartmouth College and Leadership Detroit Class XXIII. She is president emeritus of the National Association of Women Business Owners Greater Detroit Chapter (NAWBO GDC) and is a board member of its foundation, NAWBO Excel. She also serves on NAWBO’s national board.
Tanya is a current board member of the Detroit Children’s Choir, The Heat and Warmth Fund (THAW), the Oakland Schools Education Foundation, the Warriors Trust Fund, and the First Tee of Greater Detroit.
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