Grow Your Brand with UrFriendCharles

We help consumers discover Black-owned spirits, wine, zero-proof, and lifestyle brands — and we give founders a place to shine. If you want your product in front of a fast-growing audience of culturally conscious drinkers, you’re in the right place.

You can apply to join the platform using the form below.

How the Platform Works

UrFriendCharles is a digital marketplace that helps people find and
support underrepresented founders in the beverage space. We don’t hold
inventory. Instead, we partner with retailers, brand-owned online stores, and
affiliate programs to give your products real visibility.

Your brand can be listed in one of several ways:

How Your Brand Can Be Listed

1. E-commerce Integration

Your products appear directly on UrFriendCharles.com, and checkout is handled through our retail partner network. Shoppers buy on our site, and fulfillment goes through a licensed retailer. This gives your brand a seamless presence within the platform.

2. Shopify Collective

For Shopify brands, this is the smoothest option. Your products sync into UrFriendCharles through Shopify Collective. You keep control of pricing, inventory, and fulfillment, and customers experience a clean, integrated listing on the site.

3. Affiliate Link Placement

If you sell through Amazon or use an affiliate program, we can add your products and send shoppers directly to your store. You maintain full control of the transaction on your end.

4. Directory Listing

A simple, clean brand page that links to your website. No commerce integration required. Ideal for brands focused on visibility and discovery.

What to Expect

Our mission is to make it easy for people to find and support underrepresented founders. Whether you're looking to gain visibility, build awareness, or scale into new markets, UrFriendCharles puts your brand in front of people who want to support what you’re building.

You can expect:

  • A review of your application
  • A follow-up email with next steps
  • Direct outreach if we need more information

After You Apply

  • Once you submit the form:
  • You’ll receive an email confirming we received your information
  • We’ll review your submission
  • If your brand is a good fit, we’ll reach out with next steps
  • If we need more information, we’ll ask for it directly

FAQ for Brands

Is there a fee to join?

No. There is no fee to be listed on UrFriendCharles, and that won’t change.

Down the road, we may introduce optional paid tiers for brands that want added marketing or upgraded page layouts. But the basic listing — being discoverable on the platform — will always stay free.

Do you work with zero-proof and mixers?

Yes. Zero-proof, mixers, syrups, sodas, and non-alcoholic spirits all fit. If it pairs with the culture or enhances the bar cart, it qualifies.

Do you work with non-beverage brands?

Yes. UrFriendCharles already features glassware, games, accessories, and other lifestyle products. Books and other categories may come next.

If your product matches the vibe and serves the community, it’ll be considered.

Do I need to ship inventory to you?

No. UrFriendCharles does not store or ship products.

All orders are fulfilled by trusted retailers or by the brands themselves depending on the integration model.

Do brands have to be 100% Black-owned to be listed?

NYou do not need to be 100% Black-owned to be considered.

We look for:

  • Black founders or co-founders
  • Black leadership involved in decision-making
  • Clear participation from underrepresented entrepreneurs

We also welcome African, Caribbean, Afro-Latino, and global African diaspora founders.

This platform is about elevating the people who built global drinking culture and rarely get the spotlight — not excluding anyone.

Is there a preferred way for my brand to be listed?

Yes. All listings are welcome, but some integrations offer a better experience for customers and for the brand. Our preference is:

  1. Full first-party e-commerce
  2. Shopify Collective
  3. Affiliate links (Amazon, Impact, ShareASale, direct programs)
  4. Directory listings (for brands without an online store)

Every brand can be listed, but deeper integrations help customers shop faster and help your brand get more exposure. The goal is inclusivity, so we meet brands wherever they are — but we’re always happy to level you up.