Fundraising is a major obstacle when it comes to Starting a new business or getting the right credentials to be respected within your industry.  Whether it's getting the degree or certifications to back up your skills, or getting the funds to launch your big idea.  Many times businesses and individuals just do not have the funds to launch.

To address this we have created our own Black crowd funding program.  Our visitors will be able to raise funds for their new business venture, start-up, certification course, business expansion, new website, and more.  If you are interested, please contact us @ This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. with the following:

1. First and Last Name
2. Contact Phone Number
3. Email Address
4. Detailed description of the project that you would like funded.
5. Amount of funds you are looking to raise
6. Your Photo
7. Photo representing your project
8. Optional: Link to your website/ twitter / facebook page.

Please send the information from above to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

We will contacted if your program is selected.

Every successful entrepreneur eventually comes to the point where they have to quit their day job to focus on their own business. Before you decide to take that big leap, make sure that you take steps to prepare yourself for your journey ahead.

1. Stash some Cash: Have at least six months worth of living expenses saved. This is your backup plan. If you are not making enough in your business, these funds will pay the bills while you work on building your business
2. Register a domain name: Before you choose a business name, make sure that the domain name is available.  Once you find a domain and business name, register your business. Make sure you can get a domain name that accurately reflects your business name. Once you find a domain name that works best for you, register your business name.
3. Buy Supplies and Equipment: If you do not already have everything that you need, then purchase your supplies and equipment after you have registered your business.  Remember that the business purchases you make after you have registered your businesscan be written off as tax deductions.
4. Get a business checking account: Having the ability to accept multiple forms of payment is essential for any thriving business.  Don't limit your clients.  Having a checking account gives you the ability to accept cash, checks, and credit cards.  Most importantly, having a separate business checking account allows you to keep you personal funds separate from you business funds.
5. Create a website:  Yes, it's good to have a Facebook fanpage, twitter account, and to be active in other social media platforms, but consumers still want to see your website as a way to verify that you are a real business. Get a PROFESSIONAL website before you start spreading the word about your business.  Your starting website should focus on answering two main questions:
• What do you do
• How you can be contacted.
The website is an essential step when launching any business and is a step that should never be skipped.  .  It not only presents your business professionally, but it validates your business.  With the internet being so easily accessible, the first thing consumers do when they hear of a business is to search for it on the internet.

What steps are you taking to prepare yourself to quit your day job?

Becoming disabled from the waist down is enough to stop anyone from pursuing their dreams. But it wasn't enough to stop one determined man.

Anthony Stroy, the owner of the Locker Room Barbershop in Vivian, Louisiana was shot in 2005.  As a result, he became disabled from the waist down.  For many individuals, a tragedy such as this would mean the end of the world, but not for Anthony.  Anthony managed to turn tragedy into triumph.  Anthony looked at his situation and said, "NOTHING is going to stop me!", and nothing has.
 
As soon as Anthony was physically able, he returned to school at Louisiana State University Shreveport ( LSUS ).  He went on to receive his degree in Kinesiology Health Sciences and became a teacher at the Hosston Alternative school in Hosston, LA.  The school soon closed leaving Anthony without a job.  Determined to not receive a disability check, Anthony started looking for other options.
 
Little did Anthony know, losing his job was the first step leading him on the path to bigger and better things.  Using his skills as an artist, Anthony decided to attend tattoo school where he excelled.  While in tattoo school, he used his networking skills to make the right connections.  He was later caste on TLC's reality show "Tattoo School" which premiered on Thursday, May 24, 2012 at 10/9c.  "Tattoo School" profiles prospective tattoo artists who are given a once-in-a-lifetime, two-week intensive course on the art of tattooing at the World's Only Tattoo School.

With his career taking off, Anthony still has not stopped.  Anthony manages to give back to his community in many ways.  Anthony said that "God saved me to help others". He spends his spare time mentoring neighborhood kids and helping to prepare them for their GED, ACT, and SAT tests.  Even though he is in a wheelchair, Anthony is also a coach for the local little league football and basketball teams. That's still not enough for Anthony. When school starts, Anthony also spends his time giving free haircuts to the neighborhood kids who cannot afford them.
 
Anthony is an entrepreneur, businessman, teacher, barber, tattoo artist, and a role model.  He is an inspiration for his community.  He lives by his words that "Quitting is not an option".

So what's next for Anthony Stroy?  He plans to expand his business, the Locker Room Barbershop, to offer a tutoring program, study hall, and a place for kids to go after school.  He plans to offer all of these services under one roof.  He is determined to make his community better.

BLACK OWNED BUSINESS DIRECTORY
www.BlackOwnedBiz.com
PRESS RELEASE
CONTACT: Black Owned Business Network
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Website launched to Support African-American Business

The Black Owned Business Directory has launched a new website designed to help consumers promote and support black-owned businesses. According to the US Census, the average black owned business grosses about $72,000 per year. This is below the national average for other minority businesses which gross an average of $179,000. In addition, non-minority firms gross an average of $490,000 per year. The www.BlackOwnedBiz.com provides tools to strengthen networking abilities and to provide valuable business resources that will enable the black community to close the gap in the profit margin between black owned businesses and non–black owned businesses.

The Black Owned Business directory is a means to find and do business with black minority owned businesses.  Businesses can add photos of their products or work samples, information about their business, coupons for current promotions and events, and receive direct contact from potential leads. Businesses can also receive and respond to reviews from their clients.

In addition to an online business directory that allows businesses a free and low cost means of advertising and promotions, the Black Owned Business Directory also provides business resources such as business tips, education, and the black community. The site includes a minority scholarship search, and spotlights positive events that occur within the black community.


For more information visit www.blackownedbiz.com or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

 

*** CLICK HERE TO ADD YOUR BUSINESS TO OUR DIRECTORY ***

Our goal is to empower black businesses with tools to strengthen networking abilities and to provide valuable business resources that will enable us to close the gap in the profit margin between black owned businesses and non–black owned businesses.

In 2007 there were over 1.9 million black owned businesses in the United States. That number is growing rapidly. According to the US Census, the average black owned business grosses about $72,000 per year. This is below the national average for other minority businesses which gross an average of $179,000. In addition, non-minority firms gross an average of $490,000 per year.

Improved networking is the key to the success of the black owned business. We will start by giving black businesses the ability to network with other black owned businesses. We will provide valuable resources to businesses that will enable businesses to move forward and focus on their business needs. These resources include the following:

• Black owned business directory that will offer business a free listing to all black owned businesses
• Scholarship listing that will list scholarships that target African American students
• Job board that will list jobs that are offered by African American business owners
• Discounts on web design services to black owned businesses who do not have a web presence
• Discounts on Lean Six Sigma training to businesses to give black owned businesses a means to increase profits internally.