10 Successful Business Owners Pass On Insight They Wished They Had When Starting Out

Judith Bella Jacques

Judith Bella Jacques is the CEO and founder of BLACK STREET, an online publication showcasing the black community. She’s also the creator of the annual Black Celebration Awards, honoring black achievers. And she is the creator of the annual  Black Culinary Expo, the first such event that highlights the black culinary community.

What she wished she knew:

“Many of us go to these great networking events. We attend empowering conferences. We have these dynamic and powerful conversations with fellow entrepreneurs and successful individuals who have the experience and the knowledge of how we can reach the next level. However, after these meetings, we simply throw their cards onto a pile of other cards of individuals we promised to link up with! This used to be the very mistake I made.

“After meeting these dynamic individuals, I follow up with an email stating that it was a pleasure meeting them. I include my credentials, and I’d love to have lunch or dinner sometime soon. I’ve paved the way in creating a beneficial and rewarding business relationship!”