By Prior to 2020, Morrone began her path to entrepreneurship by starting an Etsy shop specializing in party supplies.
“There were no parties during Covid so I spent the time really just connecting with my kids. I realized how important it was to spend time with my children so as the pandemic restrictions eased, I thought how can I help my kids, how can I be more proactive in their lives?” said Morrone.
This realization inspired her to launch Heart of Gems, a business dedicated to creating products for modern parents with busy schedules to strengthen parent-child connections and teach self-love all in one.
The list of products includes affirmation cards, conversation cards, lunch box notes for parents, worry stones and card decks for family fun.
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“Our conversation cards help kids to understand how they're feeling or what they’re thinking. The lunchbox notes are great to slip into kids' lunch boxes, reminding them of how loved and valued they are when parents are not there. Affirmation cards help reaffirm positive thinking. Worry stones are a simple glow-in-the-dark stone to take away your worries. They’re small, simple tools to help kids fight anxiety and create a mindset shift. I used it when my kid was worried about something big like a test or going into a new class. The card decks are for fun to keep kids entertained,” said Morrone.
Her goal is to support emotionally healthy families. When reflecting on her own upbringing, Morrone believes Heart of Gems has tools she could have used as a child.
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“I started this company to heal my own inner child. A lot of parents are trying to do things differently from how we were raised so I just thought, what are the things I was lacking growing up, how would it have benefited me, how would my kids benefit from these tools, and then making it accessible for everyone,” she said.
The mother of two got her business off the ground through RBC’s Black Entrepreneur Startup Program (BESP). In partnership with Futurpreneur, RBC has committed to offer small business loans, mentorship, and business resources to Black entrepreneurs aged 18-39. In addition to BESP, the RBC Black Entrepreneur Business Loan (BEBL) was launched in late 2021 and provides eligible Black entrepreneurs at all stages of their business journey with loans of up to $250,000. Both solutions are part of the Black Entrepreneur Program, RBC’s $100 million commitment supporting Black entrepreneurship. Since launching, the program has provided financing to over 400 entrepreneurs.
“The main program focuses on mentorship and financial support. The program comes with a mentor who supports you – which was particularly crucial in the early stages when I felt like I needed more support and guidance. The mentorship was key; I also wouldn't have been able to get this far without initial capital and the RBC loan,” said Morrone.
“I really appreciated that the payments in the first year are principal only, which was welcome breathing room to get the business established. There’s nothing worse than taking money and struggling to pay it back. RBC is a great option for Black businesses,” said Morrone.
With studies showing that systemic barriers hinder access to funding, mentorship, education, and services for Black entrepreneurs in Canada, RBC’s Black Entrepreneur Program is more than a solution for entrepreneurs, it’s a step in the right direction.
Not only is Morrone proof of the program’s success, but RBC has also helped her employ other creatives and people of colour through Heart of Gems.
“The RBC Black Entrepreneur Program has given me the opportunity to get good quality freelancers, support in hiring, and put money back into the community. I’m very thankful for this program honestly because getting into business, I was worried about how I would get it off the ground, but RBC has presented a viable option and I’m so happy with the program so far,” said Morrone.
You can use learn more about RBC’s Black Entrepreneur Program here: rbc.com/blackentrepreneur
