Strategic business insights, prospecting and sales tips, growth ideas, and services to help entrepreneurs make better decisions. Financial, Marketing, Leadership, Legal Insights.
#entrepreneurshipisempowerment
Transactions create income. Creating success stories = people whom you've served who are better off after you've engaged them, than previous to having met you = builds your business.
Paraphrasing Kobe Bryant, boos don't stop dunks. And naysayers don't stop execution. Identify those who you want to serve, and do your part to make sure every one of their days is a beautiful day in the neighborhood.
by JuJuan Buford | Entrepreneur, Writer, Business Development | @JSBUFORD
We Believe Entrepreneurship is Empowerment.
And that entrepreneurship is not only a form of empowerment, but it is also freedom. Freedom to explore, to shape, and to express oneself to the fullest.
What is fertile soil? People who have visions that are comparable or bigger than yours. People who want to see you reach the zenith of where your character and gifts can take you. People who believe there are Win Wins everywhere.
Most of the time, it's you. But sometimes it's not. Don't be afraid to move.
None of us are born sprinting out of the womb. Gravity tugs and the winds of turmoil blow on us all the same. Everything is hard in the beginning. But not indefinitely. Some things are worth the squeeze.
Building Outside Your Comfort Zone. How Do You Create a More Resilient #EntrepreneurMindset
@jsbuford
The key is not to become comfortable, with the uncomfortable. The key is to accept what's uncomfortable, trust that you'll survive it, and no longer be surprised or become emotionally distraught by it.
Preface. I'm forever #DetroitZone. No matter where I move in the world, Detroit's coming with me. And Detroit will always be home base. However, being a patriot and repping your city doesn't mean you turn a blind eye to challenges. No test. No testimony.
At JSB Business Solutions Group, we believe entrepreneurship is empowerment. We're committed to providing advice, resources, and tools to help entrepreneurs empower themselves, their neighborhoods, and communities. Subscribe here for unlimited access.
The being is in the doing. Leaders recognize impact when they see it, and time will either promote or expose you. You've chosen entrepreneurship, therefore your dictates, titles, and acronyms matter little here. You're in the show me business now.
by JuJuan Buford | Entrepreneur, Writer, Business Development | @JSBUFORD
Drafting and redrafting this editorial, and writing in general has been tough for me personally throughout the months of August and September. I feel duplicitous about the conditions that are coloring the lives of Detroit’s citizens and it’s entrepreneurs specifically. On one hand, I honestly cannot wait to turn the page on the COVID-19 induced pandemic. I want to move on from the 40% of business owners who were ravaged irrecoverably from the pandemic, and focus on the 60% that survived and highlight those that are thriving amidst the turmoil. And I believe ardently that we must focus our attention forward if we are to build thriving, competitive enterprises in the 21rst century. You don’t win races by staring in the rear view mirror.
Still, I found myself staring at an image on the wall ofThe Commons located on Mack Avenue a couple weeks ago. Anyone who’s visited the eatery slash laundromat knows the tribute I’m referring to of what Mack Avenue looked like during the African American community’s economic and entrepreneurial heyday. I found myself imagining what it would have been like to walk the streets of Mack Avenue and Black Bottom before racial pandemics swept through the United States disenfranchising ebony people, and eradicating their businesses and wealth.
My mind wondered to the financial pandemic that eviscerated black wealth in Detroit during the 2008 recession. And how it literally broke the backs of Detroit’s residents, transforming homeowners into renters. The job losses, plunging credit scores, divorces, and the funneling of families who were already operating on razor thin margins into subsistence living.
However, the most recent pandemic is particularly pernicious because it has exposed and further exacerbated a digital divide that is directly and fundamentally impacting the financial and commercial viability of our communities. Despite the incredible opportunities presented by the digital economy, the existence of internet deserts is nothing short of catastrophic. Further compounding the issue is the closure of schools, public libraries, workplaces, and cafes that were once a free source of internet access.
Before the COVID-19 pandemic, the ability to access the internet was widely debated by some as an essential service, on par with the provision of water, electricity, and other utilities. Others argued that it was a privilege or a welcomed convenience. However the necessity of internet access for the well being of communities, and more specifically business development is no longer debatable. Internet access directly determines a community’s ability to access educational resources, adequate medical services, the ability to secure employment, secure transportation, or simply acquire groceries depending on the zip code you reside in. For the super-majority of business owners, access to the internet is as almost as valuable as capital itself.
Due to the public's increased appetite for digital products and services, coupled with the fact that consumers are now making buying decisions based on businesses’ existence online, not leveraging the internet is tantamount to operating in complete obscurity. And as the pandemic continues to accelerate our usage and dependence upon the internet, the existence of internet deserts has become an even more prominent subject. African American entrepreneurs who lack access, fail to accept, or underestimate the fact that people's buying habits and expectations have forever been altered will meet a slow, painful demise.
According to most reports the lack of internet equity is not an issue that exists solely in cities like Detroit; most notably a Microsoft communication published in 2019 indicating the number of people without high speed internet is approaching 162.8 million Americans. And it’s not likely that telecom companies will continue to offer programs providing free and discounted internet services indefinitely. Additionally, the level of services provided by these programs are not adequate enough to support the needs of entrepreneurs.
There are those that would argue that the most effective way to address the existence of internet deserts is to allow the private sector to provide solutions for more equitable access, but what has that gotten us? How well has the private sector done providing access to grocery stores or alternative places where residents can purchase healthy, nutritious foods? How well has the private sector provided competitive, accessible educational opportunities from the elementary level to college? How effective has the private sector provided affordable housing for U.S. citizens; specifically those living in Detroit?
According to a research project, Mapping Detroit’s Digital Divide, published by the University of Michigan, 70% of Detroit’s school age children live in households that do not have internet services. The degree of disparity is a clear indicator of the savage inequalities that exist in the city of Detroit for African American residents. It’s beyond alarming. When you consider most businesses being born today are home-based, micro-businesses the severity of these circumstances become deafening.
What is required is a systemic approach from the federal, state, and city government to address the challenge of internet desserts; coupled with the ingenuity and capital of civic and private interests. The impetus must come from the federal government via funding (with incentives geared toward providing access in areas where the need is greatest) and the bully pulpit to sound the alarm about the deleterious impact of allowing millions of U.S. citizens across the country to be shut off from the broader economy.
Perhaps the retrofitting of already existing places where people congregate and access internet services can be an answer. I imagine the first group of entrepreneurs to make internet cafes more profitable would enjoy an incredible windfall. Or the provision of co-working spaces not just for entrepreneurs, but an increasing number of stay at home workers and employees working in the digital marketing space. Sitting still by your lonesome in front of a computer smashing pizza and chips is bad for one's temperament, the knees, and waistline. Just a couple thoughts.
The #1 question on the top of everyone’s mind should be how do we make the ground more fertile for hungry minds, able bodies, and people with vision?
Else, what is the impact of these conditions if they continue to persist? As the rest of the world, the nation, and the winners in the 21rst century economy are barreling forward, African American families and neighborhoods in Detroit are being set up for an existence as a permanent underclass. It is imperative that Detroit’s business and political class become galvanized by this threat to equality and the ability to be competitive in today’s society.
At JSB Business Solutions Group, we believe entrepreneurship is empowerment. We're committed to providing advice, resources, and tools to help entrepreneurs empower themselves, their neighborhoods, and communities. Subscribe here for unlimited access.
Join us every week at NextOppSocial! A place where you can listen, learn, and consume actionable content to launch, build, grow, and scale your businesses. We explore new topics each week and interview entrepreneurs throughout the Detroit Metropolitan Area, sharing insights regarding various subjects, important business strategies, success mindsets, and tools you can use to level up in your business endeavors.
We bring you content for entrepreneurs, by entrepreneurs sharing their invaluable experiences and wisdom. We feature fledgling and established entrepreneurs alike; everyone from multi-millionaires, subject matter experts, CEOs, best selling authors, and some of the brightest minds in business.
About This Episode:
Our most recent interview with Kristina T. Wilson, Principal Attorney of The Law Offices of Kristina T Wilson - serving entertainment, sports and corporate clients in transnational matters - was absolutely filled to the brim with invaluable information about the importance of mentorship, learning how to raise capital, starting non-profits, transitioning from being a start up to being a BOSS, learning how to make sure the right people know you, and understanding how to manage multiple businesses and partnerships... In other words it was a BANGER!!!
Dive into this episode to learn more about how Kristina took all of her experience, hustle, and mentorship to become a powerful advocate for not only her own clients, but to the Detroit & Los Angeles community as well.
If you're smart, industrious, committed to personal development, and building financial independence hit the subscribe button. We believe entrepreneurship is empowerment, and we look forward to helping you achieve a life of satisfaction and success.
We believe ENTREPRENEURSHIP IS EMPOWERMENT, and we are committed to sharing content that is actionable, and providing a space whereas entrepreneurs who are looking to level up in their businesses and or develop more substantive relationships can be supported and edified. It's not rhetoric with us.
At the NextOppSocial - The Aftershow we strive to provide a safe, respectful, and stimulating environment for entrepreneurs to engage in lively discussions, explore business topics, share and beta test ideas, create substantive relationships, and sharpen the saw.We invite you discuss, comment, ask questions, seek advice, or offer suggestions to the NextOppSocial community. Participate & Enjoy!!!
This week we did a deeper dive into what entrepreneurs should expect and how we can protect ourselves form the continual socio-economic upheavals that are sure to follow the pandemic: economic policies, the housing moratorium, and changing dynamics of what it means to be employed.
We believe entrepreneurship is empowerment, and provide content, information, and resources to help aspiring and established entrepreneurs launch, grow, scale, and thrive. To continue receiving vital and informative content, click the following link to confirm your email address and subscribe at https://bit.ly/yesthereismore
When many of us start up businesses, our heads are filled with all the things entrepreneurship can provide for us. The financial independence and time freedom associated with it. The respect and recognition. The cars, boats, jewelry, clothing, Instagram foodie and vacation pics, and all the other things. The ability to give, to scale your service and or influence, and all that you receive from achieving entrepreneurial success.
And you know what, that's OK. Our reasons are our reasons, and critics don't win championships.
However....... So many entrepreneurs fail to realize that when you sign up for entrepreneurship, you sign up for all of it. There are things your business and the new life you're curating are going to require of you, and a lot of it isn't going to be fun, satiating, comfortable, or even edifying at times. You're not going to feel like it. The Bigger the Dream, the more that is going to be required of you.
And you can't make excuses, and succeed at the same time as an entrepreneur. Gasp!!
Yes. There are going to be many a night, when you don't go to sleep, rather you'll fall asleep. Or in the middle of a Zoom call. There are other commitments that will need to be met, that will either temper you, or expose and harm your efforts.
We believe entrepreneurship is empowerment, and provide content, information, and resources to help aspiring and established entrepreneurs launch, grow, scale, and thrive. To continue receiving vital and informative content, click the following link to confirm your email address and subscribe at https://bit.ly/yesthereismore
We believe entrepreneurship is empowerment, and provide content, information, and resources to help aspiring and established entrepreneurs launch, grow, scale, and thrive. To continue receiving vital and informative content, click the following link to confirm your email address and subscribe at https://bit.ly/yesthereismore
Join us every week at NextOppSocial! A place where you can listen, learn, and consume actionable content to launch, build, grow, and scale your businesses. We explore new topics each week and interview entrepreneurs throughout the Detroit Metropolitan Area, sharing insights regarding various subjects, important business strategies, success mindsets, and tools you can use to level up in your business endeavors.
We bring you content for entrepreneurs, by entrepreneurs sharing their invaluable experiences and wisdom. We feature fledgling and established entrepreneurs alike; everyone from multi-millionaires, subject matter experts, CEOs, best selling authors, and some of the brightest minds in business.
About This Episode:
Today's conversation is about sacrifice within entrepreneurship. It's something that comes up from time to time here on our NOS channel, where someone says, "You have to give up certain things to gain certain things as an entrepreneur." What does sacrifice really mean within entrepreneurship? Do you actually have to give up things in your life or stop doing certain things to be successful?
If you're smart, industrious, committed to personal development, and building financial independence hit the subscribe button. We believe entrepreneurship is empowerment, and we look forward to helping you achieve a life of satisfaction and success.
We believe ENTREPRENEURSHIP IS EMPOWERMENT, and we are committed to sharing content that is actionable, and providing a space whereas entrepreneurs who are looking to level up in their businesses and or develop more substantive relationships can be supported and edified. It's not rhetoric with us.
At the NextOppSocial - The Aftershow we strive to provide a safe, respectful, and stimulating environment for entrepreneurs to engage in lively discussions, explore business topics, share and beta test ideas, create substantive relationships, and sharpen the saw.We invite you discuss, comment, ask questions, seek advice, or offer suggestions to the NextOppSocial community. Participate & Enjoy!!!
This week we did a deeper dive into what entrepreneurs should expect and how we can protect ourselves form the continual socio-economic upheavals that are sure to follow the pandemic: economic policies, the housing moratorium, and changing dynamics of what it means to be employed.
We believe entrepreneurship is empowerment, and provide content, information, and resources to help aspiring and established entrepreneurs launch, grow, scale, and thrive. To continue receiving vital and informative content, click the following link to confirm your email address and subscribe at https://bit.ly/yesthereismore
As entrepreneurs our survival and ability to thrive is determined by how effectively we build our networks and relationships. Still, you have to guard your gates.
There should be a cost associated with occupying your mind space. If someone isn't willing to pay the rent - positive mindsets, constructive criticism, being an advocate, celebrates your success - well.....
How do you level up as an entrepreneur when you come from a family, neighborhood, or environment that doesn't celebrate entrepreneurship? How do you overcome not being born from the right zip code, or you've made errors in judgment in the past.
I was recently asked why do African American men deal in absolutes? It's directly related to our relationship with integrity, accountability, and consequences.... especially high performing men.
We believe entrepreneurship is empowerment, and provide content, information, and resources to help aspiring and established entrepreneurs launch, grow, scale, and thrive. To continue receiving vital and informative content, click the following link to confirm your email address and subscribe at https://bit.ly/yesthereismore
Join us every week at NextOppSocial! A place where you can listen, learn, and consume actionable content to launch, build, grow, and scale your businesses. We explore new topics each week and interview entrepreneurs throughout the Detroit Metropolitan Area, sharing insights regarding various subjects, important business strategies, success mindsets, and tools you can use to level up in your business endeavors.
We bring you content for entrepreneurs, by entrepreneurs sharing their invaluable experiences and wisdom. We feature fledgling and established entrepreneurs alike; everyone from multi-millionaires, subject matter experts, CEOs, best selling authors, and some of the brightest minds in business.
About This Episode:
Are you looking for help as an entrepreneur and don't know where to start? There are free resources here in Michigan built for small business owners and we want to make sure you don't miss out! This week we spoke with Kory Schieber, a business consultant with the Michigan Small Business Development Center. We talked about the vast amount of resources that the SBDC can provide to entrepreneurs at every level and what Kory believes is critical to helping you secure a business loan in today's climate.
If you're smart, industrious, committed to personal development, and building financial independence hit the subscribe button. We believe entrepreneurship is empowerment, and we look forward to helping you achieve a life of satisfaction and success.
We believe ENTREPRENEURSHIP IS EMPOWERMENT, and we are committed to sharing content that is actionable, and providing a space whereas entrepreneurs who are looking to level up in their businesses and or develop more substantive relationships can be supported and edified. It's not rhetoric with us.
At the NextOppSocial - The Aftershow we strive to provide a safe, respectful, and stimulating environment for entrepreneurs to engage in lively discussions, explore business topics, share and beta test ideas, create substantive relationships, and sharpen the saw.We invite you discuss, comment, ask questions, seek advice, or offer suggestions to the NextOppSocial community. Participate & Enjoy!!!
This week we did a deeper dive into what entrepreneurs should expect and how we can protect ourselves form the continual socio-economic upheavals that are sure to follow the pandemic: economic policies, the housing moratorium, and changing dynamics of what it means to be employed.
We believe entrepreneurship is empowerment, and provide content, information, and resources to help aspiring and established entrepreneurs launch, grow, scale, and thrive. To continue receiving vital and informative content, click the following link to confirm your email address and subscribe at https://bit.ly/yesthereismore
Many people call themselves “entrepreneurs” nowadays. Essentially, anyone who can make some kind of income on their own is an entrepreneur, but there is a big difference between an entrepreneur and a business owner. While an entrepreneur can start businesses, a business owner can build, enhance, and delegate out a business. This is something that today’s guest, James Wedmore, is proficient at.
James’ experience in this field speaks for itself, he’s an 8-figure CEO, a highly sought-after coach for successful business leaders, and runs the Mind Your Business Podcast. He has a unique viewpoint when looking at growth, which allows many business owners to take a step back and think “what is truly achievable?”
James helps business owners grow their businesses into scalable, profitable, and successful operations. He focuses on building a “machine” that can run as a business, as opposed to a business owner doing 10+ different tasks, solely because they can. He also talks about the importance of having urgency in your product offering and giving your business what it needs to thrive, not just trying to extract what you need from it.
I hunger constant for content, conversations, books, activities that sharpen the saw. This episode dropped some invaluable nuggets. You have to be willing to do the hard my friends.