IF YOU WANT TO MAKE MONEY BE OF VALUEI have always said, if someone has a crappy product, don’t support it. But at least TELL THEM WHY are you not supporting it instead of talking about them and laughing behind their backs to other black people or even worse . .. . mixed company.
It is one thing for YOU not to support a black business but why would you convince others to do the same? Running a business is an amazing process but it’s also outrageously taxing. I personally have been repeatedly told: “Kev, I want to support you but if I do then I will get multiple calls from [others in the industry] asking why I’m supporting you and not them.
” I can’t help but to wonder what does one have to do with the other? Value does not equate to tenure but I have heard this repeatedly from the labels in my own business some stating competitors have even cried on the phone or cussed them out for not supporting them and supporting me because they have been around longer than me or they do the same thing I do. Nonetheless, in the digital industry, this can be proven with a few clicks that generate instant reports but we are still dedicated to all or nothing at all.
Where there are limited resources there are interesting stories. The older I get the more I see both sides of the story. At the end of the day, we KNOW we have to work harder as black entrepreneurs, it’s a given, so expecting to be rewarded without delivering is futile but for those of us who DO the work, it’s unwavering to be lumped in with those who are only out to make a quick buck.
This is not the case when it comes to doing business with major corporations from a white perspective. It’s more about numbers with them, for the most part. From the executives’ position on the black side, it’s easy to see why he or
THE SMART BLACK ENTREPRENEUR HAS CREATED SEVERAL SOURCES OF INCOME The Black entrepreneur consistently offers opportunities to other blacks who many black entrepreneurs state come with ready-made perceptions that black businesses are subpar and a stepping stone to something greater (whiter) and not to be taken seriously.
I have taken many, many, many chances on supporting a multitude of Black businesses throughout my life. My reward has been un-professionalism, lack of respect, and poor quality of service in 9 out of every 10 cases.
When I call you and leave a message, call me back. When I am polite and respectful to you, treat me the same way. When I come into your business to buy something, don’t act like you are doing me a favor.
The customer service is so bad with many Black businesses that it isn’t even funny. The few Black businesses that have their stuff together are quite successful, but they are very few and far between.