All Articles Tagged "entrepreneurs"
Entrepreneurs You Should Know: Tiffani Bell, A New Face in Silicon Valley
When it comes to creating computer programming and Internet start ups, you’re more likely to imagine a socially awkward, gangly white man with unkempt hair and thick glasses than you are a young, black woman from Howard University. But Tiffani Bell is that woman.
One of two black women featured in Black in America 4: The New Promised Land- Silicon Valley, Tiffani was one of eight African American entrepreneurs who took part in the NewME Accelerator Program. The program, which housed the eight entrepreneurs under one roof last summer, was designed to prepare and train African Americans to present and acquire funding for their online businesses.
Madame Noire caught up with Tiffani Bell recently to talk about her start in computer programming, getting along with her housemates, her business and being a role model.
How did you initially get into programming?
It was from when I was a kid, actually. I had the V Tech Pre Computer 1000 that my parents bought me back in first grade. You could play games and stuff on it but I got tired of the games that got built in. So I was just flipping through the user manual one day and they had directions on how to program that to a computer and make your own games. I started making little simple hangman games. That was kind of my first foray into programming but I was like six, so I didn’t keep up with it. I actually wanted to grow up and be a cartoonist. Probably later, around fourth-fifth grade or so, I started building web pages. Still just tinkering. So that kind of kept up. So around tenth grade, I turned fifteen and my uncle bought me a programming book. And I ended up reading through that. It’s been off and on for a few years but I finally just kept up with it and ended up going to Howard for it. That’s kind of the start.
Did your parents know what you were doing? Many adults today don’t know anything about programming. Did they know that was actually a skill?
Not really. Not at all, really. More of just like, “what is that?” ‘Why are you on the computer so much?” Even today, they really kind of don’t know. But they know, ok, this is important, finally, it’s not just kids playing on the computer and doing absolutely nothing.
So you mentioned you went to Howard, then you graduated and had internships with IBM. How did you make the transition from a predominately black environment to a predominately white, male environment?
That transition wasn’t that bad for me. I was a military brat so I grew up with a bunch of people around that were diverse. I’ve had white best friends, Asian best friends, black best friends. It wasn’t a stretch to say ‘oh yeah, it’s a bunch of white people now.’ I say going to Howard, from the environment that I came from before, was more of a stretch. It was like “wait, there’s all these black folks, so you mean an HBCU is mostly black people? I’m like, ‘where’s everybody else at? Is there another campus or something?’ That transition [to IBM] wasn’t all that bad. I joke that I spent more time talking about Porsches and golf. So the end of the summer they were like, ‘you fit in just fine with us.’ I was like, ‘Yup, I know.’
How did you hear about the NewME Accelerator Program and what made you decide to take part in it?
Probably March of this year, they [Angela Benton and Wayne Sutton] e-mailed me and told me what they were doing as far as a start up house. And it turned into an incubator after that. I really didn’t pay much attention to it. I was like, ‘Well I’m at work right now.’ They didn’t have anything official at the time. Then they sent me a bunch of slides two or three weeks later with information on sponsors and housing. They were like you should be a part of it. As an example of a black woman, in technology, who’s actually technical. So from there I was like, ‘Ok, well that’s cool.’ And I left my job.
Because I had the idea for “Pencil You In.” I’d been working on it all that time but I still hadn’t gone full time with it at that point. Because I was like, ‘You’re still not at a point where you’re entirely ready to.’ Apparently, you’ll never be in a perfect spot to do something. I was like, ‘All right, this opportunity presented itself, so let’s take advantage of it.’
Tell us what the experience was like, what was it like living in a house with all those men and Angela?
Me and Angela had our own room. It was funny because it was the biggest room in the house. Plus we had our own bathrooms and separate sinks. The guys would complain a little bit. Like they’re in there in the suite. I was like, ‘You didn’t expect the founder of the program to be sleeping on the couch did you?’ That was fun. There were no conflicts, none of this whole ‘two black women can’t get along.’ We were actually good buddies in the house. I think of Wayne and Hodge as big brothers. They looked out for us and helped us with ideas.
So it wasn’t like “The Real World” house or anything.
It definitely was not at all like fighting… I mean there was… we kind of laugh because the guys had more conflict than we did, by far. It was like, ‘Who are the woman in the house? Us or them? We got along just fine. It was pretty nice. It wasn’t like “Real World” people fighting or kicking each other’s butts in the backyard. People were there to work and of course make friends. But it was none of this goofing off or somebody’s just here to loaf and be free for the summer.
Should You Go Out of Your Way to Buy Black?
A few months ago, my mother-in-law called me raving about a new pastry shop—owned by a young, black woman. Being that I love to see my sisters in business for themselves, living their dreams, I couldn’t wait to taste the sweets. For black businesses to thrive, we have to give one another a chance. Unfortunately, my excitement came to a sudden halt when we showed up not once, not twice, but three times during business hours and no one was in the store. There were no notices, just an open sign some tumbleweeds rolling and crickets.
We gave up.
Two weeks ago, she relocated into a shopping center less than two miles from my house. I’ve driven by several times and she appears to be open. So, when celebrating my birthday last week, a piece of me wanted to give her my business. She is young, black and female. How could I not support that?
Well, I didn’t.
Instead of patronizing her store, I purchased overpriced key lime and red velvet cupcakes from another nearby pastry parlor owned by a white family. Why? I knew the product and service were reliable.
Am I saying white establishments are more reliable than black? No. I am saying I went out of my way on multiple occasions to buy black and it was a bust. I had no reason beyond melanin to chance going back to the store and leaving disappointed.
Black businesses with lackluster products and poor customer service don’t deserve black dollars any more than other-owned businesses. All companies should be held to the same standards. Black business owners shouldn’t receive a get-out-of-jail-free card on account of being black. It is important to support men and women of color in business, but we should always remember we are paying customers first. It’s your money, not “black” money.
Furthermore, black entrepreneurs who prove their abilities should have no problem reeling in black patrons. We should be eager to support the diversification of American business and uplift deserving people from our community. And, for you and them, it won’t feel like going out of your way because you will feel like your money is appreciated.
LaShaun Williams is a Madame Noire contributor and columnist whose work has appeared in the New York Times and across several popular sites, such as HuffPost Black Voices and the Grio. For more information, visit her blog Politically Unapologetic or follow her on Twitter @itsmelashaun and Facebook.
To Succeed in New Economy We Must Drop "Civil Rights" Mentality
Blackinnovation.org is a site dedicated to promoting future-oriented business and career development for African-Americans. In a recent essay on the site, writer Johnathan Holifield decries the “civil rights” model most black leaders use when pushing for the creation of jobs. This trend was evident in the “poverty tour” conducted by Cornel West and Tavis Smiley, and in the job fairs promoted by the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC). As an addendum to these acts meant to draw attention to the 17% black unemployment rate, leaders like Rep. Maxine Waters have chastised President Obama for failing to create economic programs targeted for our community.
This type of thinking — seeing the creation of jobs as a political act generated through tactics similar to those of the Civil Rights movement — is exactly what Holifield believes is holding us back. He believes there are no rights in the New Economy, which he calls the “Innovation Economy.” Nobody is owed anything. You have to “self-select” (as Holifield puts it) to participate and then prepare yourself at the highest level possible. This means no waiting for the government or any organization to help. Abandoning the Civil Rights model in favor of self-motivated creating is the only way to prevent blacks from being left behind. Holifield explains:
Unlike the Civil Rights Movement, which secured for African Americans the rights and privileges owed to every American citizen, in the Innovation Economy, we are owed no rights or privileges to innovate — there is only the opportunity to participate through self-selection.
The Civil Rights Movement was spiritually fortified and legally girded by the confidence and expectation that America would be true to her highest governing law — the Constitution — and ensure that every citizen enjoys equally all rights and privileges owed to all Americans. [...]
Reflecting the Civil Rights Movement, if the idea had taken root that we are owed a right and privilege to innovate and connect to the Innovation Economy, then all hopes for our 21st century prosperity would have been anchored in false confidence and misplaced expectation.
Imagine African Americans demanding rights and privileges where none exist. Imagine how much time, energy and prospects would have been wasted if we had undertaken an Innovation Economy Movement based on opportunities being owed to us when none are.
10 Things Successful Entrepreneurs Have In Common
by Sakita Holley
The beauty of studying successful entrepreneurs is that you can learn what took them 30, 40 and sometimes 50 years to learn in a matter of hours. And no matter what industry you’re focused on, you can always find that common thread that links everyone together.
So even when you think business owners like Tiffani Bell, Daymond John, Jacqueline Nwobu and Damone Roberts are worlds apart in terms of experience in the game, you’ll find that they all share at least one or more of the following attributes.
1. Passionately curious
Most entrepreneurs have an insatiable appetite for information about their field and related industries because they are always searching for that tiny nuance or lingering question that could lead to their next big break.
2. Have a great team
No self-made man ever got that way on his own, which is why most successful people in business surround themselves with individuals that are often more intelligent and capable than they are. Oh, and then they delegate which is a huge reason why it seems like they are able to do it all.
3. The right to be wrong
They say that the fastest way to get to success is to experience your fair share of failures. Because if you’re not failing then that means you’re not taking any risks.
4. Laser-like vision and focus
The most revered business owners are known for sticking to their plan no matter what is happening around them. When the proverbial blinders are on, no industry change or economic volatility can deter them.
More Entrepreneurs Looking for Gov't Loans
(Wall Street Journal) — Amid tougher lending standards and riskier times, a growing number of small-business borrowers are seeking federal government loan guarantees to loosen the purse strings at their local bank, according to SmartMoney’s latest Take Two profile of 50-plus entrepreneurs. With several weeks left in the fiscal year, the Small Business Administration’s two main lending programs have already surpassed arecord-high $18 billion in guaranteed loans issued through banks and other conventional lenders, agency data show. That’s more than double the full-year total in 2009. Depending on size, SBA loans are guaranteed for up to 85% against default. Like many borrowers, Alan Green, a former television news photographer who is the subject of this week’s profile, was initially turned down by three banks for a loan he needed to buy an ailing Molly Maid franchise in Salt Lake City. Yet after applying for an SBA 7(a) loan, Green, 59, had a check for more than $100,000 within a matter of weeks.
NOVAD Management Consulting CEO Shares Entrepreneurship Essentials
The challenges of being an entrepreneur are many, especially for African-Americans. At a time when our economy is still in a weak recovery, some are opting to start their own businesses rather than looking for jobs. New entrepreneurs must realize that the business community requires its leaders to be able to grow their business, thrive, and embrace the notion of civic responsibility.
One successful black firm doing all these things is NOVAD Management Consulting. Founded in 2003, the corporation has grown to serve a wide clientele, and currently has offices in Maryland, Georgia, and New York. The CEO of the company, Davon Kelly, prides himself on steering his firm with high performance standards that exceed the needs of clients. In 2010, this level of commitment was recognized by the state of Maryland, as it named him as one of top Minority Business Enterprise owners of the year.
The Atlanta Post reached out to Davon Kelly to help us understand some of the challenges he faced in starting his business, his accomplishments after overcoming these obstacles, and the wisdom gained that every aspiring entrepreneur should seriously consider.
How did you start NOVAD Management Consulting?
I started NOVAD Management Consulting in 2003 based on my desire to grow a business and give back to the community. I did not want my consulting firm to focus on quick fixes or short-term answers; instead, I focused on cultivating long-term relationships with my clients. I work to understand my clients’ business and provide staff that can support and anticipate their needs. These relationships are built based on ongoing dialogue, mutual trust and integrity. Finally, and most importantly, I consider myself a “boots straps” businessman. I did not have family or friends to go to for seed money, so I used money saved from previous employment and small individual investment plans as the start-up funds for NOVAD. My personal mantra is, “slow and steady wins the race.” This philosophy has enabled my business to flourish despite the challenging economic times.
How did you grow the business?
NOVAD’s initial business came from relationships that I had developed with the CEOs of firms that I worked for as a consultant. Instead of remaining a 1099 consultant [or independent contractor], I decided to leverage these relationships to establish capabilities for my company. We developed a small resume by “pounding the pavement” like most other start up businesses – responding to RFPs [requests for proposals], and attending industry forums, government networking events and business leader groups. Getting the business is always a great start. However, the main reason our business has been able to grow is that with each new opportunity we have far exceeded the expectation of our clients, provided a viable solution to the problem that was assigned to us and helped integrate that solution into the client’s business. Each day, I make sure our team members understand that exceptional performance and seamless execution keeps our clients coming back. I also carefully select the consultants that work for NOVAD. Currently, we have technical expertise in the fields of project management, accounting and auditing, strategic planning, business process re-engineering, financial advisory services, asset and property management, IT support — as well as training and coaching skills.
How to Get Money to Start an H Street NE Business
(DC Centric) — D.C. has just unveiled the application for a grant program that gives money to new or existing retail businesses along the H Street NE corridor. There’s about $1.25 million available for the program, and the first wave of applications is due by Oct. 26.
You're the Boss; Now Act Like It
(Inc.) — 1. Don’t Always Stay Behind Your Desk: For everyday conversations about budgets, meetings, or reports, you can remain seated behind your desk. But for anything that’s not part of the daily routine—meeting a client, an interview, a review—stand up. If you welcome that person and shake his or her hand while standing over your desk, you set up a power play. You seem in charge, yes, but also dominating and impenetrable, which will hurt any attempt for a honest or frank conversation. Some business executives keep a separate table in their office for occasions like this.
The Start-Up Company That Helps You Start Your Own Business
Most entrepreneurs start with an idea, or a love a particular industry. Having relied on their bosses to focus on the details of keeping their place of employment in order, many are at a loss when setting up their own companies. Bryan Janczko understands this scenario completely. As a small business owner who has started more than one enterprise and sold one for millions, his latest firm Wicked Start aims to transfer his wisdom to new entrepreneurs. Based on his own personal experience and that gained by answering many questions as a speaker on the small business lecture circuit, Janczko has formulated Wicked Start — a structured system to make starting a firm more manageable. The New York Times details how Wicked Start works:
The heart of Wicked Start is a series of customizable templates for each of 10 steps in starting up a business, running from producing a business plan to raising money to building the company’s infrastructure to marketing, and more. The site automatically tailors the templates to any of several industries, such as brick-and-mortar retail, e-commerce, consulting or food services, covering about 70 percent of start-ups, according to Mr. Janeczko, and users can further customize as needed. Each template lays out action items, including pinning down your business idea and creating PowerPoint presentations to hit up friends and relatives for financing. It goes on to help with taking on partners, setting up a marketing plan and signing a lease. The items prompt you to set deadlines and to create e-mail reminders to nudge you to stay on track. In a sense, it’s a project management tool that’s been thoroughly adapted to the project of getting a company off the ground.
Janczko stresses that Wicked Start does not have to be followed exactly to be helpful. While the program provides timelines and reminders in addition to forms, what sets it apart is its component of built-in inspiration. Wicked Start’s community features, how-to videos, and educational articles guide participants every step of the way with a human element that is missing from similar online tools.
Speaking of similar tools, The Times also recommends BizTree as an essential element for any start-up’s success. While a bit pricey at almost $250, BizTree grants access to over 1,500 downloadable documents that assist sole proprietors with forms for things like hiring employees and setting employee policies. Definitely a time and money saver for a small business.
The plethora of small business tools available online makes it easier than ever to get an idea off the ground and manage the process efficiently. Although capital, talent and drive are key, don’t underestimate the power of technology to fuel your new venture’s success.
Is Your Business Prepared for Disaster?
(Wall Street Journal) — Entrepreneurs are known to take risks. But when it comes to dealing with Mother Nature, erring on the side of caution may be a smart move. Just this week, an earthquake centered in Virginia shook much of the East Coast and a hurricane is expected to hit Florida on Thursday. Business owners can minimize potential harm from a natural disaster or severe storm by taking the following precautions:
