Cash and Controversy!

In 2010, Christelyn Karazin launched the No Wedding No Womb campaign and set the blogosphere ablaze.

Overnight, she became a nationwide trending topic and nearly doubled traffic to her blog, Beyond Black and White. Karazin had no idea she would gain so much notoriety for asking others to join her in advocating against black children being born out of wedlock. Or that people would have such an issue with her (a black woman) being married to a white man.

“This year, I’ll make around $75,000,” she tells PINK. And, that’s just from her blog. Karazin also has a book deal.

She’s made controversy her business. “I learned the need to be a provocateur,” she says. It’s what sets her apart.

Karazin recently launched She Thrives, a blog network similar to BlogHer but for the “new generation of women of color.”

“I learned the need to be a provocateur.”

“There’s a subset of women who aren’t going to stereotypically black or white sites,” she says. “They’re not necessarily tackling who our demographic is.”

She often feels the ramifications of speaking opposite to group think, but the stay-at-home mother of four turned entrepreneur says she doesn’t need the validation of a few loud voices.

“My Alexa rating validates me,” she says. Beyond Black and White was recently voted one of the top 10 interracial dating sites.

Three years ago, she had no idea her blog would turn into a viable business and she would be starting a network.

“It’s been amazing.”

COMMENT: Did your business idea come about in a way you least expected? Tell us.

BONUS PINK LINK: How do you overcome adversity? Here’s how one entrepreneur weathered the storm.

By L. Nicole Williams

Nicole is the Editor at Little PINK Book. Follow her on Twitter @iamnicwill.

“A lot of people are afraid to say what they want. That’s why they don’t get what they want.” Madonna

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