Melanistic Magazine - Vol 13

TO M Y YOUNG, BLACK ENTREPRENEURS

BY: KARIMA LESLIE

Alberta is slowly expanding on cultural diversity. So much so that both its major cities, Edmonton and Calgary, have made the list of top 10 Mulitculural Cities in Canada. Black owned businesses are thriving, despite the myriad of challenges they’ve faced.

Four Black entrepreneurs get open & honest about the invaluable lessons they learned to create, maintain, and grow successful businesses in a pre- & post-pandemic world.

Whether you’re an aspiring business owner, current entrepreneur, or you know someone who is, you’re going to want to hear what they have to say.

After navigating through all the financial, legal, mental, and emotional roadblocks that owning a company presents, this is what they wish they knew sooner:

BE CLEAR ABOUT YOUR SPECIFIC BUSINESS NEEDS

JASMINE DUNCAN SNK EVENTS - IG: @snkeventsyeg

Networking with local businesses, events, and festivals has been key to the success of Jasmine Duncan, founder of SNK Events. “I would definitely say social media has been my biggest resource in growing my business, especially Instagram… It just made the process of connecting with people and finding people a lot easier than doing a Google search or back when you had yellow pages.”

By clarifying her business needs and staying true to what works for her, the event planner and coordinator stays booked. She maneuvers without a website, and pools her marketing time into growing her online presence. “It’s just easy to connect, it’s easy to send a DM and say, ‘Hey what’s up I’d love to collaborate with you.’” This is not limited to seeking clients. Jasmine advises us to “create yourself a business family;” it’s a win-win situation when you’re able to give advice and you’re able to take advice. If you’re not good at certain areas of your business that’s ok, you can’t be good at everything. Find people who compliment your skills; not just as employees but as friends too.

JASMINE DUNCAN SNK EVENTS

Image courtesy of: Sarah Stalzer

“It’s a win-win situation when you’re able to give advice and you’re able to take advice.”

NETWORK AND COLLABORATE

BOLA BADMUS: BB ATLANTIC

Bola Badmus, has expanded his consulting firm, BB Atlantic, across borders and oceans in a mere five years. With the Canadian government as one of their prestigious clients, their expertise in business development and process improvement is undeniable. But, as he states, “if you can’t get the right media coverage to showcase your services, product offerings, or concepts, there’s a limit to what you can do.”

For black-owned businesses, Badmus emphasizes the importance of unity and collaboration. He advises to seek out opportunities to join forces with other start-ups and align with organizations that share your vision. Ensure that your voice is heard, actively search for media outlets that will give you a spotlight and project your talents and skillset.

In today’s fast-paced business world, media coverage is vital, and Badmus has recognized this crucial aspect and has taken proactive steps to make sure his firm is seen and heard, continuing to increase his marketing budget and ensure the company gets noticed by the right people.

“We’ve facilitated over 60 projects with 30-40 businesses so far in just a few years…we couldn’t have done that without strategic alliances and collaboration. In 2023, that’s the way to go.”

BOLA BADMUS BB ATLANTIC

“Align with organizations that share your vision.”

Share With a Strong Support System: Layered by Rissa

Web: www.layeredbyrissa.com IG: @layeredbyrissa

At just 24 years old, Tarissa Woolaston is the CEO of Layered by Rissa. Although she had a passion for baking from a young age, this career path took work. While initially studying abroad to become a teacher, Woolaston was a victim of a violent crime. Returning home to Canada, reeling from the incident, and struggling to return to her studies, Tarissa found solace in baking.

As she shared her creations with others, her passion for decorating cakes was reignited, and those around her noticed. Gaining a mentor, Tarissa committed to going professional and received a new mixer and a professional camera from loved ones. She used the pandemic to create new recipes, devise a business plan, and discover her brand identity.

Today, Layered by Rissa is a thriving business with almost more customers than she can handle. Her story is a testament to the power of having a strong support system. Tarissa’s pastor, family, and friends were instrumental in her success. Surround yourself with people who will lift you up. With Romans 8:38 as her guiding scripture, her pain was truly turned around and transformed into something good.

As Tarissa says: “Just like life, a cake has different layers, and eventually, things add up to make something fruitful.”

Tarissa Woolaston

Image courtesy of: Audrey French

Fail Forward: AGU Athletics

Web: www.aguathletics.com IG: @agu.athletics

The journey of a business owner is often a rocky one. Focusing on advertising over inventory has been a learned experience for JM, creator of the activewear brand: Agu Athletics. “Months where we have really low sales correlates to challenges in marketing and putting ourselves out there… The product won’t sell itself.” But growing in marketing knowledge and asking for help haven’t been his only keys to overcoming.

JM Igbelina - Agu Athletics

JM goes on to share how he navigates obstacles, mitigates mistakes, and uses

failure as an opportunity for success: “Sometimes it’s the difference of taking one action to be successful, but you have to actually take that action. [At the end of the day, I spent a lot of time in the past, theorizing and planning without executing. Knowing something in theory is great, but once you actually start trying things out, that’s when you learn so much faster. Not everything you do has to be a success, there’s success in failure too.” So, get out there and try.

“Knowing something in theory is great, but once you actually start trying things out, that’s when you learn so much faster.”