Carolynn Bain – Afrori Books
Carolynn had one-to-one sessions with a Business & IP Centre Information Specialist, who helped her to identify exactly what information and support she needed.
Afrori Books, founded and run by Carolynn Bain, is the UK’s largest supplier of books by Black authors. Carolynn reached out to her local Business & IP Centre at Jubilee Library in Brighton’s town centre, when she wanted to expand her business into a physical shop. Carolynn had one-to-one sessions with a Business & IP Centre Information Specialist, who helped her to identify exactly what information and support she needed to take her business to the next level. Carolynn worked with Business & IP Centre to look through the market intelligence databases available for free at the Centre in her local library.
In 2021, Afrori Books set up their physical shop and can now be found a short walk from Brighton train station. Not only are they a book shop, but they define themselves as a social enterprise that meets the needs of the community, delivering anti-racism training to adults, anti-racist clubs in schools across Sussex, women of colour yoga sessions, writers workshops, music events and much more.
Carolynn received personalised support, and she speaks highly of the fact that the Business & IP Centre is embedded in her local area – it is both easy to access and staffed by people who are knowledgeable about the area and its business landscape.
Watch our video of Carolyn talking about how BIPC Sussex helped her.
How can the Business & IP Centre help me?
Find a small business community and all the essentials to start and grow your business at the Business & IP Centre (BIPC).
