Black In Business

How many of us have been told by well meaning family members,”study hard so you can get a good job.” Or, “Go to college so you can get a good job!” I wonder how many of us heard? “study hard so you can start your own business.” Or, “Go to college so you can start your own business.”

I spoke with my barber, early one morning, he opens at 6am. Do we think of our barber as a businessman? Do they sell,service,market,account,pay taxes, plan to grow, reinvest? You are darn right they do! Some of our most long termed and successful Blackbusiness people are right under our noses and in the neighborhood,yet often are over looked as successful business leaders.

My barber drives a TownCar and a Navigator, owns a home,paid for his daughter’s college education, at a private college, and employs 9 young black barbers. I have seen the positive influnce he has provided these young men. They have all worked hard, some have been with the shop for over 10 years. All of the barber shop employees drive nice cars, most have brought homes and are fixing them up. The barber shop supports 10 families, that are all headed by a black business man.

I spoke to my guy at 6am, a competitive advantage over the shops that open at 9 or 10 am. He usually has a crowd of working men, first thing in the morning. My barber, whom I will refer to as Mr. P, grew up in Mississippi and heard all of the family encouragement to get a good job. Mr. P got a good job and became a service manager that was well compensated. Mr. P  had the forsight to know “the man,”  could take his job away anytime because it was a job not a business.

It was not a situation he was confortable with, Mr. P knew he could do more. Mr.P discussed his business with his family. He was told,”you have a good job, you are making good money, why take the risk.

Mr.P even found resistance at the bank. He wanted to open a laundry matt, and was perpared to invest 300,000 dollars in equipment,which the bank approved. Mr. P also wanted to buy a building to house his laundry. This is where the bank drew the line. The bank wanted Mr.P to house his  his laundry in the building of  white  bank customer and rent his space.Mr. P felt renting a space will still give him a white boss, the landlord. He felt the landlord could fire him anytime by not renewing the lease. The rent could increase yearly and he would not of equity as a renter.

Mr. P rejected the deal and went to barber school, brought a building and now has a business thatsupports 10 black families. I am proud of Mr. P and will comment he has worked hard and set high expecations for himself. He is an excellent manager and treats his customers and employees with respect. His shop is a fun business experience. Let’s us know your comments and provide some insight of what you would like to see on this blog