SoFlo Black Pages’ Post

New Episode from the Business First Podcast. Very much enjoyed this conversation. It's wherever you get your podcasts. #businessfirstpodast #soniaalleyne #robertblackwelljr #meanolelionmedia

As I approach year five with Notedd (crazy!), I realized that I’ve been participating in entrepreneurial bootcamps and growth programs since launching in 2019. While all of the pre-accelerators, bootcamps, and programs have been spectacular, along with all of the amazing founders and mentors I worked with, I still have the interest to apply and participate in even more this year. But I made the commitment to work and be in my business rather than continuing in this state of working on or for my business. These are the types of conversations I’m looking forward to having when we officially launch SheNotedd, a community and referral network for Black women service-based entrepreneurs to grow, scale, and learn from one another. Let’s connect if you’re interested in signing up! But in the meantime, looking to my fellow entrepreneurs and founders in this community: How do you stay committed to working in your business? Any tips for continuous learning while growing your business? Share your wisdom! 💡

I read the comment section of this article on the WishTV FB page, and there is a perspective missing that I didn’t see. I was invited to sign up for this when it first launched and I declined. Many of these programs for Black or minority people aren’t nuanced enough for the range of businesses and skills entrepreneurs already have. This gap is not exclusive to this program. There have been other programs as well that have reached out. The “benefits” aren’t useful to me. The trade off paying some participation fee or completing mandatory classes doesn’t appeal to when the classes include information I don’t need or already know. When I look at some of the offerings from some of these minority based programs, they are basic 101 stuff. Yes, that is needed for some folks. What about everyone else? Other people aren’t looking for that. I don’t need a program to tell me how to register my business name with the state or how to do my taxes. Some of these programs lack the differentiation to appeal to the target group they are targeting. Last, do these programs even consult the target audience before offering stuff that entrepreneurs “need” ? Every day, it seems like a new program is popping up to help Black folks but it remains to be clear what the benefit is outside of selective stats that just tells you how many participants the program has. How much renevue did these entrepreneurs gain? How many grants (not loans) did they secure? How much did their clientele increase?

✨One of the greatest compliments I received in business was when an interviewer told me how much they appreciated how raw I was in my storytelling of my journey as a black female entrepreneur. Don't get me wrong, I appreciate all the 𝓶𝓲𝓷𝓭𝓼𝓮𝓽 courses and coaches (𝓪𝓷𝓭 𝓘 𝓷𝓮𝓮𝓭 𝓽𝓱𝓮𝓶!), but I could not grasp what was next for me in my professional prowess until I learned to identify and overcome the inevitable ugly obstacles. For instance, during my virtual assistant business launch, I kept seeing TikToks, Instagram posts, and Facebook ads about how easy virtual assistance was. I felt broken because it wasn't seemingly working for me like everyone else. Between taxes, finding clients + retention, skills, systems, processes, startup costs, legal needs... I was OVERWWHELMED! 😩 I had to find my footing, and I am NOT afraid to tell ALL of my stories so that others don't make the same mistakes that I did. I aim to make the 'answer' more practical so that we can ALL have results. ...my name is Rachel-Anna Gilmer, and this is my vow...✨ #femaleentrepreneurs #blackexcellence #blackownedbusiness #businesstips #virtualassistance

Turning Lessons into Legacies 🖤💡 When a summer punishment turns into an opportunity for growth and entrepreneurship! This young man was challenged to use his time off electronics to start a business, and he rose to the occasion, earning over $1K and discovering a new passion along the way. 👏🏾 "I think this should be the standard punishment for preteens and teens. We started with a business plan. We really struggled through that. Then went on to marketing strategy and then budgeted for startup costs then execution! Im so proud of my son for turning a negative into a positive. He made over $1k this summer and now has a new grown passion. If he keeps this up, promised for his 16th birthday, I’d buy him his own car wash and detailing van. Let’s see! 🙌🏾❤️🎉" - IG // thewrexperience and IG // sirritad Parents, are productive punishments the new wave? Let us know in the comments! 👇🏾 Follow us for more Black excellence and Black-owned businesses. #BlackEntrepreneurs #YouthBusiness #BlackExcellence #FinancialLiteracy #OBWS #BuyBlack

Building generational wealth starts with where we focus our time and resources

📡 Ever faced the challenge of running your business without reliable internet? In Episode 205, Antwon Alsobrook, founder of A2D, Inc. tackles this harsh reality for many Black communities, unveiling his mission to bring high-speed internet to underserved areas. 🔗Tune in to the full conversation: https://bit.ly/3KR3C4f

Black-owned businesses are vital to their communities, but they face systemic barriers on their path to reach their professional and business goals. In honor of #Juneteenth, we’re highlighting tools, tips, and stories that can help Black entrepreneurs grow their businesses: https://bit.ly/3KUTnMk

Black-owned businesses are vital to their communities, but they face systemic barriers on their path to reach their professional and business goals. In honor of #Juneteenth, we’re highlighting tools, tips, and stories that can help Black entrepreneurs grow their businesses: https://bit.ly/3KVqOOV

Black Business Month is a time to recognize and celebrate the contributions of Black-owned businesses and entrepreneurs. While financial support is crucial, many other impactful ways exist to uplift these businesses and entrepreneurs. 🗣️ Spread the Word! Share posts, stories, and events about your favorite Black-owned businesses to help them reach a wider audience. ❤️ Engage and Interact: Follow a Black business on social media, subscribe to their newsletters, and actively engage with their content through likes, comments, and shares. 🤝🏾 Collaborate with Black-owned businesses that align with your vision for events, promotions, or joint ventures. 💼 Volunteer your professional skills in marketing, accounting, or any other area to help a Black-owned business grow. 💬 Write Positive Reviews: Boost a Black business's online visibility and reputation by leaving glowing reviews on platforms like Yelp, Google, and Facebook. Support Black businesses this month and beyond! ✨🖤 . . . . . #BlackBusinessMonth #SupportBlackBusinesses #WealthWednesday #BlackExcellence #BlackAchievements #BlackCommunity #BlackCulture #fyp #BlackEmpowerment #BlackEconomics #BlackWealth #BlackWealthMatters #BlackDollarsMatter #BlackEntrepreneurship #BlackOwnedBusiness #BlackBusiness #BlackLeaders #BlackConciousness #Goals #SmallBusiness #BlackBusinessInitiative