Pulse Check! with Terrell Dominick: Building Community, Resilience, and a Fashion Brand with Purpose

In this episode of Pulse Check!, Main Street Assembly Founder & CEO Zahra Amanpour speaks with entrepreneur and fashion designer Terrell Dominick, founder of the e-commerce fashion brand Terrell Dominic.

Terrell shares her entrepreneurial journey—from launching an online vintage clothing business in the early days of e-commerce, to creating a handbag line inspired by her hometown of New Orleans, to building a fashion brand that fills the gap between luxury fashion and fast fashion. Along the way, she discusses the importance of body inclusivity, authentic customer relationships, and creating products that reflect the needs and experiences of the women she serves.

The conversation also explores the challenges facing Black women entrepreneurs in today's economic climate, including declining consumer spending, barriers to accessing capital, and the broader impact of shifting social and economic priorities. Terrell offers a candid perspective on what it means to build a business while navigating these realities and why deeper community connections may be the key to long-term resilience.

Zahra and Terrell also discuss the growing role of AI in small business operations, where the technology is creating efficiencies, where it still falls short, and what business owners should be considering as AI continues to evolve.

At its core, this conversation is about staying grounded in purpose, listening to customers, and building businesses that grow alongside the communities they serve. Terrell's honesty, insight, and commitment to her customers offer valuable lessons for entrepreneurs, business leaders, and anyone interested in the future of small business.