Support Your Locals... Business (?)

Yes.

You should.

Think about it: Some cultures, in some areas, always seem to be thriving, almost recession proof (although nothing is TRULY recession proof, but still). They always seem to frequent the same haunts, shop the same grocery & corner marts, and staunchly, proudly represent and advocate these places, and the people that own these businesses.

People that look like, THEM.

They can relate to them, share stories with, and, in most cases, are family, extended family, or friends of the family.

Hmmm.

Italians, Latinos, Africans, West Indian & Caribbean, Lebanese, Irish, Jewish, the list could go on & on. And all these and more nationalities don’t always have a published directory for their services; it’s 100% WORD. OF. MOUTH.

Hmmm.

Unfortunately, there are still several demographics that continually have a hard time supporting businesses run by their own kind. And unfortunately, African Americans are amongst the lion share of this area.

But why? Why is it hard for us to support black-owned businesses, plays, record shops, food spots, etc. ?

Hmmm.

Commonly, too often are we looking for a ‘hook-up’ or some form of ‘discount’, and to be ‘cool’ with the customers, black business owners will cut the deals so that they are always seen as ‘cool’ and ‘showin love’.

But ‘showin love’ doesn’t pay rent. Or light bills. Or business expenses.

Then those same people that waned the ‘hook up’ wonder why the place of their ‘hook ups’ is closing.

Because we DON’T. SUPPORT.

FINANCIALLY.

Yeah, it’s cool to say ‘that’s the cool spot, my guy owns that place’. But that’s not SUPPORTING it, by simply endorsing it as a ‘cool spot’. It takes MONEY to run a business. So if anything, if that’s ‘your man’s & them’, you should be the FIRST one in line to make a FULL PURCHASE. AND bring others and encourage them to do the same.

But on the flip side, more often than not the business owner’s themselves are only in it for a ‘quick buck’, not looking for longevity, and the quality of what is offered is rushed and lacking. Which perpetuates the stigma of ‘black businesses’ being ‘bootleg’, ‘second rate’, or, more bluntly, ‘half assed’.

So how do we fix this? Simply? (in my opinion, anyways) I offer the following:

1. Black business owners: TAKE. YOUR. TIME. Plan out your business, and form a business that you are PASSIONATE about, that you have saved up and gathered venture capital enough to endure you through your first 3-5 years of business, and BE. PATIENT. Stop forming a business because you NEED money; because it TAKES money to MAKE money, and if you’re in NEED of money, you won’t be inclined to SPEND the necessary money to keep your business thriving (read:
Quality Products, Presentation, and ADVERTISING).

2. Increase the QUALITY of goods & services you offer. Again, this goes back to taking pride and doing something you are TRULY passionate about. IF you feel you’re doing it just for money, when you’re not getting it, you can become discouraged, which can lead to half-assing the job, etc.

3. CONSUMERS: When supporting the business, pay them for their work, and give them HONEST FEEDBACK. This will help them to better grow, tailor, & improve the quality of what they are offering, and assist in their longevity as well.

4. Lastly, SPEND THE MONEY. Stop looking for hook-ups, discounts, etc. You owe them more than they owe you. They will not be able to afford to stay in business if enough revenue is not coming in. PERIOD. END OF STORY. Quit telling everyone about how much you co-sign ‘your man’s & them’s business. Put your money where your MOUTH is. If you can make it rain in the club, cop rims & gold grillz, why can’t you pay full price for your clothes, shoes, food, house work, auto repairs, etc.? And help keep the doors of their business open?

Pardon my ranting; it’s just that if we won’t endorse and invest in OUR local businesses, why would anybody else? It’s time to take pride in what we have, and teach our business owners how to pace themselves for the long haul and help them stick around.

It takes an entire village to raise a child. And our businesses are currently neglected, lost children. What will you do to help show them the way and help them ensure their future?