Local business owner joins prestigious Spark 10 for women in manufacturing

A local Black business owner is getting a place on the national stage.

Nisha Blackwell, CEO, designer and founder of Knotzland, was nominated by a long-time customer to be part of Recast City’s inaugural Spark 10, which focuses on women in manufacturing — specifically, small business owners with brick-and-mortar retail spaces, making it a perfect fit for the Wilkinsburg bespoke bowtie studio and its mission to amplify innovation in different cities.

“The process to pick the Spark 10 was multifaceted. I am passionate about small-scale manufacturing businesses,” said Ilana Preuss, the founder and CEO of Recast City and the creator of Spark 10.

There was an open call for nominations, and 10 women across the country were selected for their outstanding contributions as individuals creating innovative models for small-scale manufacturing — models that benefit their communities and serve as examples of excellence and blueprints for others to follow.

“Businesses that create products, from artisans in our holiday pop-ups to food product businesses, are growing as a sector but still aren’t receiving the investment they deserve,” Preuss said.

Being part of Spark 10 connects Blackwell with leaders from across the country. Blackwell said that this opportunity has been a blessing, allowing her to network with different organizations and learn about diverse business models.

“Nisha is really a community hero,” Preuss said. “She also teaches others how to run successful storefronts, sharing her experiences to help others succeed.”

Knotzland works with what Blackwell calls a “social network” of 29 community members, including moms, students and others, who are paid fair wages to create products from materials shipped to them. Each item undergoes a quality check before being sold.

“We call on them to help us with production when creating collections that require additional hands. On the other side, we work with partners to repurpose their fabrics,” Blackwell said.

The model stood out to Preuss.

“Her personal story of teaching herself to sew and her business model is truly innovative. It’s a distributed production model, where everyone works from home within their own space, forming a core part of her business approach. It’s a phenomenal model for other entrepreneurs to learn from,” Preuss said.

As a former city planner who worked on downtown redevelopment, Preuss emphasizes that small businesses and small-scale manufacturing are critical to local economic development.

“This approach looks at how to bring wealth-building opportunities to people, no matter where they are in the country,” she said.

For example, the Minnesota Opera sends Knotzland remnants from their productions.

“The fabrics are gorgeous, and we reshape and rework them,” Blackwell said, emphasizing her commitment to sustainability and community service. Knotzland also collaborates with designers, interior design companies, nonprofits and suppliers like Humanscale Warehouse in New Jersey, which provides upholstery materials. They even work with men’s suiting companies, transforming suit swatches into bow ties. “This is really popular because it reimagines traditional men’s wear into something new, Blackwell said.

The Spark 10 had its first online meeting in November.

“Being able to share ideas and build together in that way was inspiring. Listening to the stories of these diverse women and hearing about their challenges made me realize that my own challenges aren’t isolated to my industry,” Blackwell said.

Through 2025, Spark 10 will offer more promotions and opportunities for the entrepreneurs in the program. Recast City plans to produce short videos and publish profiles on each business owner nationally.

“We want to promote, highlight and shine a light on these individuals and the models they’ve created,” Preuss said. “The stories told nationally are the ones people replicate and are inspired by. Often, women who are catalysts in their communities creating these amazing models aren’t having their stories told. I wanted to ensure we shared those stories.”

“I’m excited to see what’s to come. Pittsburgh has been really supportive, it’s often hard to gain visibility outside of the city,” Blackwell said.

To support small-scale manufacturers, Preuss recommends shopping locally, especially during the holiday season, by attending pop-up shops and purchasing household items and goods as much as possible from small businesses.

Blackwell, who taught herself to sew, reflected on the business’s 10-year journey.

“Founding Knotzland combines my passions: community, sustainability, supporting other small businesses and using bow ties as a portal to serve and advocate within the community,” she said. “In 2014, I made a hair bow for my friend’s daughter. I had no idea that one hair bow would lead to this 10 years later, a bowtie company that encapsulates everything I’m passionate about,” she said.

Raised in Homewood, Blackwell appreciates her journey.

“I’ve experienced the ups and downs, but I’m grateful to be an example of someone who used creativity to build a life and a small yet powerful business,” she said.