By Brittany Hutson
Like many accomplished entrepreneurs, 30-year-old Dante Lee has been through all the ups and downs that come with being your own boss. At the age of 19, he launched Diversity City Media, an African American marketing and public relations firm based in Columbus Ohio, known for its online businesses, BlackPR.com and BlackNews.com, and has clients like McDonald’s, Verizon and NASCAR. With 10 years in the game, it’s only natural that Lee would become an invaluable source of knowledge for other aspiring or rookie business owners.
Two years ago, he decided it was time to get all of his insight together for a new book, especially after he discovered differing statistics on African American business owners. For one, the 2007 Census Bureau revealed that minority business ownership increased by 45.6 percent to 5.8 million between 2002 and 2007, more than twice the rate of other demographic groups; however, a more recent statistic from the census revealed that African American business owners are five times more likely to fail in business than their white counterparts. Lee says that for many entrepreneurs, there is a lack of application of basic components. “Many companies underestimate how important it is to market and advertise their companies on a consistent basis,” he says.
In his recent offering, “Black Business Secrets: 500 Tips, Strategies, and Resources for the African American Entrepreneur,” which he dedicates to ensuring that entrepreneurs succeed despite discouraging statistics or myths, Lee includes anything you’ve ever wanted to know about building a successful business. The book includes chapters on financing, marketing and advertising, public relations, using the web and numerous resources like mentoring and educational organizations, business blogs and publications to read, phone apps, and much more. The book also includes advice and stories from successful entrepreneurs such as Bob Johnson and George Fraser. For a sneak peak into the advice that can be at your fingertips, check out 10 of Lee’s 500 tips, strategies and resources:
