Sisters in charge: innovative women entrepreneurs

Ebony, March, 2002

Fine Arts by Todd has showcased proven artists such as the late William Tolliver as well as emerging artists such as Tolliver's stepbrother, Kenneth Humphrey, Latrell DuBose, Lee White, Alfred Gorkel and Charles Bibb. "Initially, as a publisher-distributor, we looked for talent," says Todd, who mentors young artists. "Now, talent looks for us."

The company was flying high, with reported revenues of more than $500,000 in 1997 and roughly $750,000 the following year.

When the economy slowed down, the demand for luxury items declined, and Todd was forced to close the retail portion of her business in 2000. "Art is a luxury product, so it's not something people really think they need," says Todd, a divorced mother of one adult son, Eric. "The biggest challenge is to show people how important art can be."

This time, though, people showed her. Loyal customers from the Afrocentric art gallery asked her to reopen, to try again. Last year, she found a different, smaller location with more retail traffic and not only reopened the gallery, but maintained operations and administrative offices.

The new space is a cozier, more artsy incarnation of Fine Arts by Todd. "It was almost like people insisted that we stay," says Todd, who works with corporate and residential clients to build a collection of just about any art form--paintings, photographs, sculptures and the like. "And the world tells us that they love it."

The award-winning entrepreneur supports and is a community partner in several organizations, including the Atlanta Kiwanis Club, Atlanta Business League and 100 Black Women. "Not only are we a growing business and an asset to the community, but also we're supporting the community," Todd says. "That's really important to us."

The company is looking to expand into other markets. Todd says she would like to see African-American art showcased in more corporations, more movies, television shows and special events. She wants more people to view art as an investment in our culture.

And so this business-minded woman with the "soul of an artist" is still doing one thing that brings her joy and sometimes touches her so deeply that it makes her cry. "I'm an entrepreneur from my soul," says Todd. "The key to success is to bring something special. I strive to be the best."