By Megan Sayles
AFRO Staff Writer
msayles@afro.com
While some entrepreneurs set out early to become their own boss—or inherited a family business—others took the leap to launch their own enterprise after years of working a 9-to-5 job.
Tiffany Veney, owner of Madison Street Build and Design Group, and Leslie Frelow, owner of The Wine Concierge, took the latter path.
Though Veney didn’t open her business until 2019, her interest in design and construction began when she was a child. She recalled constantly rearranging the furniture in the small bedroom she shared with her sister.
(Photo courtesy of Madison Street Build and Design Group)
“As I got into middle school, I thought about construction and building things but it was such a male-dominant industry that I felt like it was too masculine for me,” said Veney. “Then, as a first-generation college student, I wanted to choose what felt like a safer route.”
The construction field is not only primarily male-dominated, it’s also largely led by White professionals. Notably, just 11.2 percent of all construction workers were women in 2024, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The agency also reported that a mere 6.5 percent of all construction workers were African American in 2024.
Veney, a Baltimore native, ultimately decided to study finance at Bowie State University. Upon graduation, she worked as a mortgage-backed securities analyst for a few years before becoming a mother of two and staying at home to take care of the children.
When it came time for her to re-enter the workforce, Veney knew she didn’t want to return to her former career. She spent a couple of years as a real estate agent, but it was her introduction to project management that laid the groundwork for Madison Street Build and Design Group.
“I was overseeing some rehab projects, and that’s when I realized that I wanted to be a part of this world,” said Veney.
She continued with project management for about two years, but she became frustrated with the lack of direct control over the construction teams she was responsible for.
“I decided I was going to start my own company so I could have more control over the finished product timelines and more say-so in the projects,” said Veney. “I initially thought that I would just be doing some small interior design projects and little things here and there, but the business actually exploded as soon as I put it out there on social media. I didn’t even do any major marketing.”
Today, Madison Street Build and Design Group offers commercial build-outs, residential remodels and interior design services. It also creates 3D renderings for clients who might not require construction but need help visualizing their projects.
Veney’s favorite project so far has been helping the Reginald F. Lewis Museum of African American History and Culture finish its “Lynching in Maryland” exhibit, which opened in 2024.
“I never would have pictured myself working in the museum, doing construction. I also grew up in the neighborhood. As a kid, I walked through that area and passed that building,” she said. “To be a part of its history in installing one of their exhibitions was a full circle moment of me putting the work in and letting my path lead me into doing things I couldn’t have imagined.”
For Frelow, it was finances and fear that made her hesitant to start her own business. The Landover, Md. native spent much of her career in public policy and administration, working for the state of Maryland and managing a multimillion-dollar broadband access fund at a national not-for-profit.
But, eventually, she realized that chapter of her career had run its course.
While attending a wine festival, she saw a posting for culinary school and remembered that she once had a passion for food and drink. However, a high school career counselor squashed the dream, telling her she wouldn’t earn enough money to support herself.
In 2013, Frelow began exploring wine as a side hustle and established Vino 301 Wine Concierge. On weekends, she would rent a car and take people on tours of Maryland vineyards—while still working full-time. When the COVID-19 pandemic hit and in-person tours were no longer possible, she pivoted to virtual tastings.
That transition led to the launch of The Wine Concierge in late 2020. With aid from a COVID relief loan, Frelow was finally able to turn her side hustle into a full-time venture.
She ultimately decided it was her excitement about the business’ possibilities that pushed her to quit her day job.
“When I thought about continuing in my situation it was so unsettling, and I saw so much potential and a niche that wasn’t being fulfilled,” said Frelow. “We have an underlying mission to support small, Black businesses, and I saw that as my social calling to do.”
An e-commerce platform, The Wine Concierge features a variety of wines from boutique vineyards that are produced by women and minority makers. The goal is to give small, underrepresented brands exposure to a vast customer base without burdening them with distribution costs.
The Wine Concierge also runs a quarterly wine club called, “Shades of Vino,” and a number of wine tasting events and festivals.
For people who find themselves daydreaming about starting their own business while working a traditional job, Frelow advised that they find a mentor in the industry they want to enter. That person may have insight that can be especially helpful to budding entrepreneurs as they’re starting out.
“Intern and shadow people because it may be something that you’re interested in and seem exciting, but after you do it for a while you may realize it’s just a hobby and not a business,” said Frelow. “Don’t be afraid to try things on a small scale and see what they’re like before the big leap.”
