At just 20 years old, Siah Shaw is already running a growing online business while juggling full-time work as a Team Lead at T-Mobile and studying Cybersecurity Engineering at Colorado Technical University. Her company, Northgrove Co., is based in Pearl, Mississippi, and operates as an Amazon reseller, using data-driven tools to source products from wholesalers and turn a profit on one of the world’s largest marketplaces.

“I started this business when I was 18,” Shaw said. “I had seen my mom do it a few years earlier when she was a stay-at-home mom. At the time, I was using my own money, and between college, working full time, and paying bills, I had to take a break. But I’ve always been interested.”

That early inspiration, along with encouragement from her mentor Trishonna Helm — who owns two ice cream shops and runs a business funding and mentorship company — helped Shaw return to her dream with fresh determination.

“Essentially, I act as a middleman,” she said. “I purchase products from wholesalers and resell them on Amazon for a higher profit. The great thing about Amazon is you don’t have to do any marketing — people are already searching for what they want.”

Even with advanced software to identify trending and profitable items, reselling on Amazon can be capital-intensive. To keep growing, Shaw needed additional funds — and that’s when the Lending Team at Communities Unlimited stepped in.

“Trishonna gave me a list of CDFI lenders that work in my area, and you guys were on that list,” she said.

Shaw applied for a small business loan through CU and worked directly with Economic Development Loan Officer Chris Tillman. The process, she said, was smooth and efficient.

“It was a very quick and seamless process,” she said.

The funds are already at work. Shaw is using the capital to purchase more inventory and create the cushion she needs to grow her operations while balancing work and school.

“I’m excited to scale,” she said. “Now I have a little more wiggle room. I can still invest my own money, but the loan gives me the flexibility to grow faster.”

Though Northgrove Co. isn’t yet a full-time pursuit, Shaw’s disciplined approach and entrepreneurial drive are laying the foundation for long-term success.

“I love that everything is backed by data, so there’s not a lot of guesswork involved,” she said. “Amazon handling things like fulfillment and customer service makes it much easier for someone like me to run a profitable business.”

With the support of CU and her own determination, Shaw is proving that with the right tools and persistence, even the busiest students can build something big.