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Great ideas lead to business success. Please believe it.
Black entrepreneurs from Homewood and Flossmoor participated in the Black History Month program “Roots to Success: Bringing Black Entrepreneurship Across the Generations” on February 19th, jointly hosted by the Village of Flossmoor and HF. He told students at Homewood Flossmoor High School that dreams can come true through hard work and determination. expensive.
Nine business owners offered their insights on how to launch and successfully launch a business. The panelist was Gregory Austin of GCA Apparel. Marlana Baylis, HXM Consultant and Career Coach. Dr. Bree Coleman of The Pelvic Gem. Chogy and Tony Fields of Conservatory Vintage & Vinyl. Karen Ford of Sutton Ford; Dr. Carlesa Hughes of Suburban Pediatrics; Rita Natasha of Tyrape. Mariah Smith from POSH Pageants with her Luckeyia Polk-Murry from Luckeyia’s Balloons.
There were many encouraging messages telling me not to give up, believe in myself, love what I do, show discipline, follow my passion and don’t be afraid to make mistakes. and personal stories intended to provide direction and guidance to students.
“A business is like a baby. You have to grow that business and feed that business. Like a newborn, you have it forever,” Luckyia Polk-Marie “If you’re doing something you really love, it won’t feel like work,” he said.
Polk-Murray and several other panelists said there is no working capital pipeline in Black communities. She told her students that every idea needs funding. She recommends starting a small savings account to build up reserves to use to start and maintain your business. Mariah Smith recommended her Black Girl Ventures website for information on funding sources.
“It’s business for the bank because we don’t have a strong community of managers and entrepreneurs,” said Dr. Carlesa Hughes. “So we definitely need to do some financial planning and think about opening our own bank, so we unfortunately don’t have that stigma in our community. There are a lot of talented people who can start a business, but they can’t because they don’t have the money. That’s just something to think about.”
Gregory Austin said hiring an accountant made a difference for him. He now has better control over his income.
Karen Sutton, who graduated from HF in 2006, believes she is breaking new ground in the auto industry, where only 6% of dealerships are black-owned, even though black purchasing power is well above 6%. He said he often feels like he’s pioneering. Sutton Her Ford was founded by her parents and is now owned by her.
“I knew it was going to be difficult. I knew there was no one like me and I had something to prove,” said Sutton, who is a Black woman. She said, “I enjoy what I do…I want people to say, ‘I can do it too.'”
Several presenters sell their services. Her career coach, Marlana Bayliss, said they had invested in her education to gain her prestigious qualifications.
“That was an ‘aha’ moment, because when you charge people, you’re investing in something that you want to do, so you have no fear. I believe in it and I know I can make it happen.”
Being able to create your own schedule is a blessing for entrepreneurs. Hughes said her job treating sick children doesn’t always have a set schedule. In addition to her work hours, she takes calls and provides care within the hospital. However, having her own business allows her to make her own schedule and plan time with her family.
Choggy Fields, who still holds a full-time job, said work-life balance is important.
Fields said she decides the activities must be spiritual, family-oriented or a way to give back. If not, she decides not to do it. “Unfortunately, sometimes we have to say it’s not convenient for us,” she said.
Mr. Fields emphasized that: “Make sure you get your sleep hours. When you’re home, eat lunch on a plate instead of eating from a Styrofoam or take-out box. Eating on a plate is very intentional and purposeful. , now it’s time to rest and take care of yourself. If you are not healthy, your business will not be successful.”
Eric Baker Jr. of Homewood, a sophomore at HF College, participated in the panel discussion as a student presenter. As a freshman, he had an idea for a clothing line and was sketching out designs, but it was an entrepreneurship and management class that gave him insight into how to create a business plan.
He only had $80, so instead of spending that little money, he used YouTube and TikTok videos as educational tools. He launched the EMP Clothing Apparel website.
He remembers wanting everything to be perfect and believing, “Come out and bang!” That would be perfect. But I had to learn that I had to start somewhere. So if you start with what you have, you will definitely get better, but it will take time. ”
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