BMORENEWS.com

Doni Glover

6th Annual Baltimore Black Business Week is Feb. 15-21, 2009

(BALTIMORE – January 28, 2009) - When I was but a mere public information guy down at the Baltimore Empowerment Zone with Diane Bell and Michael Preston, I had the blessed opportunity to work with a number of people living and working in our beloved city so as to create opportunities for not just themselves, but others.

It was there that I first worked with LaRian Finney. He had just taken his game to another level and began producing a most celebrated event, the African American Business Forum. The event has matured incredibly since then, and is now a premier event in the city.

Each year, I look forward to his business event. Over the years, I have met some wonderful business people, entrepreneurs, governmental allies and the like. I have also met some pretty inspiring success stories – live and in-person.

And so, as this year’s activities for the 6^th Annual Black Business Week are geared up and ready to go, I’m taking a minute to reflect on how LaRian – and Tyrone Taborn – and Ray Haysbert – and countless others have dumped their hearts and souls into this third week into this third week of February to produce a litany of business-related events and activities that are bound to impress any visitor of like-mindedness.

I also reminisce on how advocates for businesses – people like Andrea Garris, Paul Taylor, Myra Blanchard, Luis Borunda, Sonya Stockton and Carla Tucker – continually give of themselves so as to assist people on the wonderful journey of entrepreneurship.

Understand, for many of us out here – there is no other way. Entrepreneurs dream of no other thing than being successful at this thing called business.

And so, when I think about the significance of a LaRian Finney and a Tyrone Taborn, as well as the fearless advocates for business in our community – including Arnold Jolivet and Wayne Frazier, I am inspired to help keep things moving.   

During our monthly HARAMBEE Dinner Club events last year alone, so many business owners made contact with potential allies and customers. And that’s one of those unforsaken blessings I happen to enjoy: Seeing businesses – black businesses, in particular – grow and develop.

Considering that African Americans between Baltimore and Washington, DC own some $45 billion in annual disposable income, I personally believe that no black business with a decent product and/or service ought have any problem staying in business. Nationally, this same group represents nearly $800 billion. I say it’s a no-brainer: Supporting Black Business is Good Business!

So, do join us this February 15^th through the 21^st as we celebrate black business in Baltimore.  

Finally, these are some tidbits for business owners out there especially during such a rotten economy from "the man" himself, LaRian Finney. Do read, digest, and execute:

"Preparation is a critical component to business success. But keeping your shop afloat, especially in a down economy, requires innovation, strategic planning, and some basic business tools. Here are five ways you can gain momentum and build more business along the way:

1. Develop a brand plan: Defining yourself as a brand is what separates you in the market. Start by taking the characteristics of your brand and identifying those people most likely to be attracted to it and to your personality. Develop a marketing plan to reach this core group. Then, take every opportunity to push your product or service to the forefront of consumers’ minds. This could be in the form of holding speaking engagements to talk about your company, creating a Website to disseminate information, and other promotional tools.

2. Be innovative: Develop new and unique products or services that will create positive change for consumers.

3. Stay connected: Don’t wait for the economic storm clouds to blow over before searching for new business. Get out there and network. Attend only those functions whose attendees are in your “brand friend family.” Don’t waste time sharing information with those not likely to be attracted to your business or your brand.

5. Hire a business coach: It is money well spent. Business coaches or consultants can provide personalized information on how to develop your enterprise. They also offer a support system that many small business owners lack and need to gain ground in a competitive marketplace."

Thanks

LaRian Finney

President and CEO

VMG, Inc.

410.235.4427 ext. 216 (office)

410.235.5449 (fax)

www.vmginc.net

"Keep Going No Matter What"- Reginald F. Lewis

Tags: business, political economy