Becoming J’lee Laureen is a published guidebook for beginners in e-commerce and entrepreneurship.
Written by an entrepreneur who launched her own e-commerce brand using social media and the strategies shared in this book, Becoming J’Lee Laureen is both a documentation of Jae’s (J’Lee’s) journey as well as an affordable and proven business model. The book is available for purchase on Amazon, and J’Lee Laureen products can be found at jleelaureenshop.com.
Skillset Showcased: Branding, Editorial Design, Entrepreneurship, Product Development, Social Media Marketing
BLACK AMERICANS IN ENTREPRENEURSHIP
Emerging Black and African American entrepreneurs often face significant challenges in accessing essential resources such as funding, networking opportunities, and educational support. These systemic barriers limit their chances of success and discourage many from taking the first steps toward entrepreneurship.
Becoming J’Lee Laureen aims to bridge this gap by providing a business model centered on e-commerce. The book offers practical advice and affordable—or free—resources for transforming skills into profitable ventures, mastering financial and business planning, building a simple brand, and leveraging AI for efficiency. Emphasis is placed on accessible tools, social media marketing, and strategic networking, offering a step-by-step path to launching, scaling, and sustaining an e-commerce business.
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THE PROCESS
Research
Research shows that African American entrepreneurs face significant funding barriers due to systemic bias, often relying on self-funding or associating with white-owned brands to gain investor trust. Limited access to resources forces them to compete with less-qualified peers who receive support more easily. Corporate aid is frequently ineffective, and bias further restricts access to networking and mentorship opportunities. Guidance on branding, legal setup, and financial planning is essential, as many also struggle to develop market-ready ideas.
Book Structure
Drawing from primary and secondary research, the book focuses on three core issues: funding, networking, and education. It outlines the common challenges entrepreneurs face when starting a business and features insights from J’Lee Laureen, along with affordable resources and a proven business strategy.
Design Exploration
Explored imagery and compositions related to fresh ideas and entrepreneurship, incorporating elements such as puzzles, brain activity, mazes, and other symbols of creativity and problem-solving.
Illustration Creation & Annotation Iteration
Initially created illustrations by hand before transitioning to digital drawing, with a focus on how the eyelets could interact with standard text to create visual intrigue and reinforce each chapter’s theme.
Focused Pagination Iterations
Used the illustrations and annotations to explore various spread and cover compositions, experimenting with layout options to determine the most effective way to present the artwork and text in alignment with the overall design concept and to enhance visual flow.
Want To Learn More?
Explore the full process document to uncover the research and designs that led to the final product.