“Persistence, determination and don’t let anyone ANYONE diminish or knock down your dream. Hard work beats any and everything!” That was the message that Audrey Seabrooks shared with me as the recipe for success as a Black woman entrepreneur.

Audrey Seabrooks is the owner of Heritage Treasures, a screen printing and embroidery business founded in 1990. Heritage Treasures is Northern Virginia’s largest supplier of HBCU apparel, Divine 9 Greek paraphernalia, and promotional items. The company also provides apparel for schools and other organizations.

I sat down with Audrey to talk about her journey as an entrepreneur.

Retiring from Xerox Corporation after a successful career with the company, including being their 1st President of the Chicago Black Caucus, Audrey started designing shirts in 1990 while still living in Chicago. She moved to the Virginia area shortly after that and has been in Virginia for about 20 years. When she first moved here, finding printing shops that had excellent quality and lower prices was difficult. Audrey didn’t let that stop her. She would drive to Chicago at 3 a.m. on a Saturday, get her items printed and drive back by Monday! Rather than stand around and wait for her items to be printed. Audrey would watch, ask questions, and learn the printing side of the business, and in 2001, Audrey opened up her print shop in Sterling, Virginia.

What was it like being a Black woman entrepreneurship?

“In Northern Virginia, it was difficult. Getting the support and resources was much more challenging in Virginia than it had been in Chicago. It wasn’t until a man from New York, my hometown, could give me a break on my spot in Sterling. But even with the hard times, God has always brought people on my path that have helped me reach my goals.“

Tell me about determination and how that benefitted you?

“When I had my shop in Sterling, I knew I wanted a full manufacturing plant, but I didn’t think I had the money for what I wanted. For 2 years I would drive by this building and I would say, ‘that’s where I want my plant to operate.’ Eventually, I brought my husband to check it out, and he pointed out the limitations of the space I had been admiring for those 2 years. But one day I was driving by this building and I noticed a sign on another part of the building. I called the number and after many conversations and negotiations, including my sister, who is a master negotiator, we could move to this location. And I’ve been here for 9 years!”

Audrey has also traveled around various states, and that gives her an additional edge to work with a variety of people. Originally from New York, she went to school and got married in South Carolina. They then moved to Bethesda, Maryland, then Indianapolis to Atlanta and then Chicago, and from there, to Virginia.

While Audrey is the owner of Heritage Treasures, she credits the continued success to her family, which helps run the business. Audrey also spends her time mentoring young entrepreneurs that have an interest in e-commerce, especially the shirt and apparel business. She feels with over 30 years in the business, it’s her responsibility to pass on her knowledge and experience to the next generations!

Heritage Treasures is currently located at 44710 Cape Court in Ashburn, VA.