Hotep
If you listen to Major Black Influential “Spokesman” you will continually hear a repeated message. " Buy Black and Think Black First"
I just finished reading How to make Black American Better and one of the topic addressed by Tavis Smiley was that we as Blacks need to begin to think black first and buy Black.
Thus, meaning if were looking for someone to clean our carpet, we should consider all of the black owned carpet cleaning companies before we considering any other racially owned business.
Now, We are all consumer in this growing society and I will attest that I don't always consider "Buying BLACK"
I have a problem spending money (The little I have) at a place where the lighting is dim; customer service is terrible, among other things.
I am not saying all Black Business are terrible I support many here in Columbus, but I will say that there are some that I wouldn't step foot in if you paid for everything I brought.
I believe that BLACK Businesses need to step up their game and as consumers we need to stop using the EXCUSE, YOU KNOW OUR PEOPLE.
So, How do you feel about "BUYING BLACK AND THINKING BLACK FIRST”?
Prince...
This seems to be a common theme. These kinds of businesses aren't experiencing problems because they are Black-owned, but rather because they are simply poorly managed businesses.
When White-owned businesses are run by unprofessional, disorganized employees or the product is unsatisfactory, they too will not be succesful.
So the larger question at hand is why aren't Black entrepreneurs seeking the proper training and experience when starting / operating a business. I'll come back to this topic later with my thoughts. Holla!
How can we seek the proper training if we are overall unable to afford it?
Overall unable to afford what...? I believe that's an excuse because there are so many free resources out there to expand your business intellect as well as your training in entrepreneurship. You have to admit that there are some people who are just flat out lazy and do not want to commit to improving their skills and training. There are books that you can check out from the library with a wealth of information, free workshops, classes, seminars, etc. The information is available you just have to LOOK.
Probably because people don't see the need or value of it. Although people have started businesses with no experience, getting a background in basic management, marketing, and finance drastically increases your chances of success.
Probably because people don't see the need or value of it. Although people have started businesses with no experience, getting a background in basic management, marketing, and finance drastically increases your chances of success.
Preach!!!
This is the same thing I try to tell folks in the church. Minister who want to preach God's word but don't want to get the proper training needed.
I sorry but I believe in Educated Preacher as well as Business owners.
Prince...
^^I agree with you.^^
True, there are a whole lot of free resources, but I don't think that we'll be able to reach the business level that we SHOULD reach without a proper education. Granted, there may be a few exceptions that could be very successful, but to be able to get to the degree where we can OVERALL be successful, I feel that its necessary to come out of the pocket, and most of us can't do that, with or without loans.
I feel you on the whole coming out of pocket thing. But I mean how many times can you complain about something? Lots of black businesses put their problems on other things except for themselves. You can't depend on others to solve your issues, it's your responsibility. Going back to the whole "buying black" thing, I mean black folks can moan and groan about how their businesses aren't expanding and how their business is not getting enough support from the black community all they want to but the question is, Who is at fault for your problems?
But we can't even support ourselves if we can't come up out the pocket to get an education. Our product has to be something that both black and white want to buy. Otherwise, we're SOL.
Basically, because if you are going marketing products to a specific minority group, how can you expect expansion in your business? Your business is considered one-dimensional. So I agree with you, AggieHighlander.
