Amazon Prime is an extremely popular service that Amazon offers to subscribers. Standard annual membership is $119 per year. An annual Amazon Prime membership for students is $59 per year. They also offer a month-to-month membership for $12.99 per month and $6.49 per month for students.

With the membership, you get 2-day delivery on most items, provided they have the Amazon Prime logo. You also get a plethora of (what I like to call boring) videos to watch. However, if you look at most of the small items you buy, the prices are often higher and include “free postage” but other places that sell the same item are cheaper and if you add in the cost of shipping it ends up being the same price without the yearly fee OR LESS.

Without Prime will you get your packages in 2 days?

Depends on where you are ordering from. Many of the places you order from are all over the country, if you order from someplace close to you, you will get it sooner.

Amazon Prime is BEST when used with big items like couches and furniture. On the other end of that, many of the companies that make the furniture have free shipping as well. Amazon Prime has its ups and downs. For me, mostly downs which is why I canceled it.

1. Free two-day shipping

Good if you buy big items or need something in a hurry. You can always just go to the store that sells the item.

2. Free release-date delivery

On books. If you are over 40 this is great. Otherwise, who cares.

3. Free 2-hour delivery

On food mostly. Problem is there are MANY services that do that now. Of course, you could always just get in your car or walk to the store and get it yourself. Are we REALLy that busy?

4. Free (or flat-rate) grocery and household item delivery

Um, Costco?

5. Alexa deals

Repeat, you can always go to the store. Who has time to ask Alexa for her deals to waste money on random stuff that you don’t need?

6. Restaurant delivery

Many services already do that. Did you see the greasy guy who took a sip of the kid’s shake before delivering it in that video for Door Dash (below)? Yeuch, makes you think twice about people delivering your food. Lesson: Never shop when the DELIVERY GUY is hungry

7. Whole Foods Benefits

How’d that work out? Not too well. Amazon had to rethink this concept after it failed miserably. Who even thinks of Whole Foods and discounts in one sentence? EVERYONE knows Whole Foods is elitist and extremely overpriced and a “discount” would literally land STILL above the average price of a Ralphs or Krogers. No thanks to this.

8. Unlimited video streaming

I don’t know of one person who watches Amazon videos. Do you? Netflix is supreme and while they JUST went up on their prices to a paltry $10.00 to $12.00. I’d pay triple that each month for their amazing original programming and movies. Sorry Amazon, you’re too late on this one. Why didn’t I buy that Netflix stock?

9. Limited music streaming

Sorry, I’m old school on this one. I’d rather rely on my OWN music collection. The people who grew up after the 80s will never know about the ‘EXPERIENCE” of buying vinyl. Oh, wait there is a huge resurgence with Millenials and Gen-Xers with vinyl. That’s a great thing. Now that iTunes has announced it’s ending what will happen to all that music we RENTED … yes RENTED not purchased.

10. Unlimited photo storage

Cloud storage on Amazon S3 is actually a good deal, but you don’t need to have the threat of it being canceled each year if you don’t maintain a subscription with Amazon Prime. Simply sign up for Amazon S3 on your own and pay the small fee each month.

11. Access to Amazon Elements

Who cares?

12. Access to Amazon Dash

A service that lets you reorder paper towels or laundry detergent. How about just getting up and going to the damn grocery store, Target and Costco anyone?

13. Early access to Lightning deals

More ways to spend and waste your money on sh you don’t need or want.

14. One free e-book per month

A free ebook? Oh joy. Most of them only cost $3.99 anyway or less. Considering the HORRIFIC reputation Amazon has for taking a HUGE chunk of a writer’s profit for their ebooks and books, this is not something I support.

16. Free books and magazines

(sleeping) who reads magazines anymore?

17. Free Washington Post

(sleeping) You can get ALL the news that you want and MORE online

18. Free audiobooks

You can listen but you don’t own, so essentially you are RENTING these books. My suggestion? Try the Scribd app. It’s a LOT cheaper than Amazon and not as limited.

19. Free games

Who cares

20. Exclusive phone discounts

This might be worth looking at but most of the carriers have specials each month for MUCH greater savings.  Recent “sale” items: the LG V35 ThinQ ($650 at Amazon) ($650) and G6 Plus ($450), Moto Z3 Play ($350 at Amazon) ($450) and G6 ($300) and Nokia 6($140 at Amazon) ($149). The GREAT thing about this is they’re all sold unlocked that’s how you want to buy your cell phones today for any carrier.

Several years ago, I was wondering the halls at a music industry event. I walked past a bunch of empty rooms and was stunned to see an industry legend in one of the rooms by herself accessing the room. Sylvia Rhone was about to leave and I had never met her and here was my chance to introduce myself. I introduced myself then told her about my (then) new business (Radio Facts) and how I wanted to grow. She listened intently as I went on and one and then said something to me that I will never forget. She said the nature of a business is to build it then SELL it. How I wished I would have listened to her.

Years later, I’ve come to truly understand the truth behind her statement. Indeed it’s the only way to true wealth. Minority black entrepreneurs believe in keeping a business until either it dies or we do, or both. Chances are our kids don’t want to do what we did so all is lost. All the years of building a brand and wealth … gone.

While being an black entrepreneur is not easy, by any means, many of us will miss the payoff because we are afraid to let it go when we NEED to and HAVE to instead of when we WANT to. Who doesn’t know it’s always better to leave on top instead of being asked to leave. Your greatest level of influence is when you are at the top of your game not on your way down.

Running a business requires a certain amount of passion, dedication, and most important sales. If all of those things are not working in concert on a continuum there may be a problem.

I can honestly tell you, I know of several successful black entrepreneurs who are miserable people. They lead very unhappy lives and their businesses take a toll on their health, and well being. We can always walk away from our businesses but actually doing it is very difficult because raising a business from infancy is truly like raising a child. At some point, you are going to have to let it go into the world and see if all that you have done can continue to succeed but for many of us, that’s a very difficult thing to do so we never do it and we end up missing out on a financial windfall or building a new exciting and even more successful business. Truth be told, it’s time to let it go when one or all of three things happen:

1. It’s no longer fun
2. Your industry is changing and you refuse to change with it
3. Your aging out

The new regime of minority entrpreneuers are firm believers in being serial black entrepreneurs. Unlike many of us in the older black entrepreneur generation, they KNOW their value at the start and they will build a business and learn as they go then let it go when they get bored with it or they want to do something else.

When they get an offer to sell they do it then start another business. Some of them come from very dark backgrounds or homelessness with parents on drugs etc yet still they rise. Considering many older minority black entrepreneurs also have tumultuous or challenging upbringings, it’s a given that perhaps this is a catalyst to our success too.

Let’s explore some of the things that you may be experiencing that allow your business to hold you hostage.

Can’t Leave, Can’t Stay

When you think about it, isn’t this why you stopped working for other people? When you are in this position, you are making JUST enough money to stay but NOT enough money to leave, you are trapped right? But are you?

BEST STRATEGY: Find where you can eliminate payments for something that you don’t need (your credit card statements are full of subscriptions you can cancel etc) and take that money and reinvest in yourself. Could you be taking some of that money and going to a few local seminars on another subject where you have some interests? The key here is to REINVEST your money BACK into yourself and re-motivating yourself.

Many times when you’re in the “Can’t Leave Can’t Stay” zone you’re also depleted of positive energy. You are going to have to motivate yourself BACK to the top of a new game or end up with nothing. None of us can afford to start over.

Watch YouTube Videos

Allow me to tell you I get a TON of inspiration and motivation from YouTube videos. There is MUCH more to the site than silly kids, men in drag with makeup videos and goofy pranks. There are brilliant black entrepreneurs some well known and others not so well known who are more than willing to give great tips on running, starting and selling your business.

One thing that I’ve seen MANY older black entrepreneurs do it stop learning. I will raise my hand here too. This is a HUGE mistake. We NEVER have all the answers and when you stop learning you stop growing and stop living and there is a TON of information out there at your disposal but you have to be willing and able to receive it.

Not Fun Anymore

Do you recall leaping out of bed when you first started your business in anticipation of the day? If you have never experienced this I can tell you, you have always been in the wrong business. it’s the highest high you can ever imagine and I have felt that feeling. You are in control of your own destiny and don’t answer to anyone and someone is willing to pay you for it?  Of course, this is before everybody discovers you are making money and try their best to separate you from it.

As the years go on you want to build a business that has a great deal of passive income and not so much work on your behalf, especially if you are not ready to sell it. Are their ways that you can automate your business? Yes, with technology there are many tools. Automating many of your tasks also gives you the time to explore your other options.

Changing Industry

Sometimes you may still enjoy what you are doing but part of the black entrepreneur’s job is to be on top of where your industry is headed. Is your industry changing? Even if it doesn’t do you still enjoy doing what you do? Eventually, we will all age out and we have to look at our replacements. You never want to be the dinosaur in the room. Once it’s determined that you are no longer relevant your stock price will tumble fast and it’s hard if not impossible to bring it back up. To add insult to injury, your credibility will also take a hit so your previous clients may not be as willing to support you in your next venture.

The Desire to do Something Else

Are you fantasizing about being in another business and doing something else? This is not a good sign for your current business. If you are stuck in your current business you have to find a way to get out. Quite often we look at business by standing on one foot and afraid to let the other foot (our other desires) touch the ground but we are not keeping very good balance standing on one-foot anyway and we have to understand that it’s better to stand on two feet.

The other shoe is going to drop eventually but it’s up to you HOW it happens, will it be YOUR choice of the universe’s choice? I would suggest you make it YOUR choice. Your feelings not only matter they are an indication of where you need to be and what you need to be doing.

Taxes and Bills

This could be another reason your business is holding you hostage. You have a long line of bills to pay. Well, the bad news is, those bills are not going away so whether you stay or leave you still have a commitment. You can look at it like you’re struggling OR look at a way to double or quadruple your income to kill two birds with one stone and pay the bills quicker.

To That End …

At the end of the day you will have to get your mindset right and understand that no matter what you do, you have to do something before something is done FOR you like the end of your business because it no longer serves your industry or you being exhausted from your futile efforts to rebuild and rebrand something that you no longer believe in.

Consider that if you are not happy in your business, the only escape is to well … escape not to sit idly by and hope something happens to improve your situation. The odds are against you. The key is to invest what you HAVE to get what you WANT so this means taking elements from your current business, from money to experience to contacts to leverage and creating something new. Congrats on your NEW endeavor.

Minority Owned Operations Ayurvedic Pharmaceuticals, Bakersfield, CA 7-Eleven Franchisee Association and Fresh Choice LLC Secure Cannabis Convenient Store Distribution Deal

Ayurvedic Pharmaceuticals Inc., (https://www.vedicpharma.com/), an African American owned and operated naturopathy pharmaceutical company and cannabis testing laboratory, has announced a groundbreaking distribution agreement with Fresh Choice LLC convenience store distributors, and the Bakersfield, CA 7-Eleven Franchisee Association, both minority dominated operations. The agreement will encompass the sales and distribution of Drip SZN (www.dripszncbd.com/), Ayurvedic Pharmaceuticals’ new line of CBD-based products.
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Los Angeles – Ayurvedic Pharmaceuticals Inc., (https://www.vedicpharma.com/), an African American owned and operated naturopathy pharmaceutical company and cannabis testing laboratory, has announced a groundbreaking distribution agreement with Fresh Choice LLC convenience store distributors, and the Bakersfield, CA 7-Eleven Franchisee Association, both minority dominated operations. The agreement will encompass the sales and distribution of Drip SZN (www.dripszncbd.com/ ), Ayurvedic Pharmaceuticals’ new line of CBD-based products. Drip SZN will be carried in over 5000 stores throughout California, Nevada, Arizona, and Texas, to include smoke shops, liquor stores and 7-Eleven convenient stores. John Salley, NBA legend, vegan and well-renowned cannabis activist, serves as Ayurvedic Pharmaceuticals’ COO, overseeing the logistics and operations of this landmark deal.

Ayurvedic Pharmaceuticals is dedicated to maintaining wellness through plant-based supplements, nutrition, exercise and Pranayama (breathing). Drip SZN, their new lifestyle brand, will consist of an array of offerings including vape cartridges and lip balm sticks, all infused with or containing natural broad-spectrum, USA grown, hemp extract CBD, with zero THC. CBD, or cannabidiol, is the popular natural remedy used for many common ailments and has no psychoactive properties, unlike its counterpart, tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). CBD is heralded for offering natural, alternative relief from pain and inflammation, anxiety, depression, and enhancing the quality of sleep, reducing joint pain, relieving stress and improving moods. Ayurvedic Pharmaceuticals’ products will be domestically manufactured and are vegan-friendly, using proprietary homeopathic formulas. Drip SZN will be available in select stores in April 2019.

The Ayurvedic Pharmaceuticals’ endeavor is a significant one and serves to tip the diversity scales within the cannabis industry. With marijuana positioned as the new gold rush trade, the issue of diversity within this multibillion-dollar industry has become a heavily debated topic. According to Marijuana Business Daily, approximately 81% of cannabis business owners or founders are non-minorities, while African Americans only represent 4 percent. Testing laboratories, in general, have historically been non-minority owned, and cannabis testing laboratory spaces hold true to that paradigm.

Barrette LaRoda, Jr.
president, Ayurvedic Pharmaceuticals

“This deal is significant and historic on so many levels,” explains Barrett LaRoda Jr., the 23-year-old president of Ayurvedic Pharmaceuticals. “As a millennial ‘gangapreneur,’ I am an advocate for testing not only THC but CBD as well to ensure that the consumer always receives a superior cannabis product. Though CBD testing is not required or regulated yet, our CBD infused Drip SZN products will adhere to our stringent standards and regulations and support the highest measures for maintaining health and wellness.”

John Salley, COO,
Ayurvedic Pharmaceuticals

Cites John Salley, COO of Ayurvedic Pharmaceuticals. “Iam involved in several cannabis ventures, but I consider my role with Ayurvedic Pharmaceuticals as pivotal. As a health and wellness brand we are now able to provide healing resources to the community that are completely accessible to all. To be able to purchase a Drip SZN CBD vape pen that might ease your stress or soothe a headache, from your local convenience or liquor store, is the kind of consumer access I have been campaigning for, for years now.”

“Collectively we have found that the cannabis industry presents great business opportunities,” adds Barrett LaRoda, the advisory board chairman. “However, access to information and financing has not been well promoted to people of color. We actually plan to start a division in our company for this much needed education service.”

Principals involved in the deal include Barrett LaRoda,chairman advisory board; John Salley, COO; Yogi Solanki, chairman, Bakersfield, CA 7-Eleven Franchisee Association; Earl Bryant, chairman and CEO; Barrett LaRoda, Jr., president; Anthony Francis, CFO; Johnathan Van Beer, CEO of Under Pressure Xtractions; and Raja Mittal, chairman of Fresh Choice Distribution.

Drip SZN will also be available at the Ayurvedic Pharmacy in Pasco County in Florida, the first of Ayurvedic Pharmaceuticals’ plant-based naturopathy wellness centers. Ayurvedic Pharmaceuticals has also partnered with Hollywood actress, Bai Ling to produce her line of CBD-infused beauty products, Eternal Youth Beauty Formulas and White Spirit Cosmetics. In addition, the company is planning to produce the first of its kind “N.O.P.E. National Opioid & Prescription Epidemic Risk Mitigation Conference & Expo” later this year in New Port Richie, Florida, with a focus on utilizing CBD and naturopathy products in the rehabilitation process.

For more information about Drip SZN, go to www.dripszncbd.com/ and for Ayurvedic Pharmaceuticals, visit https://www.vedicpharma.com.

Shouldn’t Retail Rates be LOWER as a Benefit to Having an Account?

The other day I was at FedEx and I was mailing a package.  I was told never to use the standard FedEx retail rate but to always use the three-day “Express Saver” rate which is supposed to be the cheapest rate. On this particular time, I paid cash and I immediately noticed it was cheaper than when I use my FedEx account. This seemed odd to me. I had paid $9.00 for the Express save to send a client a magazine but when I used my account to send it the same way a couple of weeks before it was almost twice that price for the same weight?

I asked the woman behind a counter why was there a price difference when I have an account and she said it actually cost more when you use your account? I asked her how is that possible. Should I have a benefit for having an account? She said you have to work your way towards the discount by the amount of money that you spend and that the discount is offered for people who didn’t have accounts. This made absolutely no sense to me.

FedEx Retail Rates vs Account Rates

Using FedEx quite a bit and mailing quite a few things I’ve obviously wasted quite a bit of money having an account I immediately thought. You may want to check and make sure that you’re not overspending too. A simple phone call may help. Once again the best rate with FedEx is doing the 3-day Express Saver. Ask what the difference is between doing it with cash or with your business account. Let us know about your experience in the comments

QUESTLOVE INTRODUCES “QUESTLOVE’S CHEESESTEAK™,” MADE WITH IMPOSSIBLE™ PLANT-BASED MEAT, ROLLING OUT NATIONWIDE THIS SPRING

LAUNCHING AT CITIZENS BANK PARK IN PHILADELPHIA DURING ALL PHILLIES HOME GAMES ON OPENING DAY MARCH 28th

AVAILABLE AT 40 LIVE NATION OWNED & OPERATED VENUES THROUGHOUT NNORTH AMERICA FOR THE 2019 SUMMER CONNCERT SERIES

This spring, James Beard® Foundation Book Award nominee Questlove makes his first proper foray into the food industry as he introduces “Questlove’s Cheesesteak™,” made with Impossible™ plant-based meat.

Questlove encountered the Impossible™ Burger in 2015. He was immediately impressed with Impossible Foods’™ plant-based product and their mission to be the leading manufacturer of sustainable foods. Additionally, he resonated with the company’s ambitious goal to impact the global environment by creating a delicious and sustainable alternative to animal meat. In 2017, he became an investor in the Silicon Valley based-company.

Re-imagining this Philadelphia tradition back home, “Questlove’s Cheesesteak™” will launch at Citizens Bank Park on opening day March 28 at two locations on the main concourse (behind Sections 108 & 120). “Questlove’s Cheesesteak™” will be sold at all 81 home games for The Phillies. The Cheesesteak starts a new chapter this spring in Philly and is in line with the Phillies efforts to make the world a cleaner place with their “Red Goes Green” campaign, focused on sustainability.

This summer “Questlove’s Cheesesteak™” will also be introduced on the menu at 40 Live Nation owned and operated venues across North America. Aligning with another kindred spirit, Questlove found the perfect partner in Live Nation who was the first to offer Impossible™Meat in the concert space when they introduced the Impossible™Burger at over 35 venues in 2018. Live Nation venues maintain a commitment to responsible food sourcing, climate-friendly menus, locally grown produce, and its own “Sustainability Rocks” program.

“We first tested this product at our annual Roots Picnic music festival in Philly in 2018. Without any forewarning we offered the Cheesesteak in our VIP area which was mainly populated with friends and family and no one believed me when I told them the “meat” was not beef, but plant-based. My team and I saw an opportunity to roll out the product on a much larger level. To have the Phillies and Live Nation as our initial partners is great as it speaks to my love for my hometown of Philadelphia combined withmy love of music. However, the goal for this product is to create a global network of restaurants, venues, and retail locations where Questlove’s Cheesesteak can be purchased,” says Questlove.

A bona fide food aficionado and passionate connoisseur, Questlove continues to expand his culinary oeuvre and make major moves in the business. “Questlove’s Cheesesteak™” will be the first company he launches in the space where he’s made a major impact over the past two decades.

Representative of his expertise, his book, somethingtofoodabout: Exploring Creativity with America’s most Innovative Chefs, became nominated for the James Beard® Foundation Book Award for Nonfiction and won an AIGA 50 Books | 50 Covers award. Building yet another brand, he famously hosts “Food Salons” where the paths of Michelin-starred chefs, thought leaders, and creatives in diverse fields cross under his purview. In 2018, he unveiled a collaboration with Williams-Sonoma around his love of popcorn; Questlove X Williams-Sonoma. Illustrative of his commitments, he remains a member of Food Council for City Harvest and sits on boards for the Food Education Fund at Food & Finance High School and Museum of Food & Drink (MOFAD) in addition to working with No Kid Hungry. He is focused on diversity and inclusivity in the food space.

Questlove is a GRAMMY® Award-winning musician, designer, co-founder of The Roots, and The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon Musical Director.

Questlove will be making further announcements very soon.

Even as People Use Search Engines to Research and Purchase Online – More small businesses with SEO strategies are incorporating PPC advertising (60%) to compete for decreasing organic visibility in search results.

Thirty-six percent (36%) of small businesses have an SEO strategy, and 38% more plan to invest in SEO in the future, according to a new survey from Clutch, the leading B2B research, ratings, and reviews company.

Social media marketing (63%) and mobile-friendly websites (54%) are the most common SEO activities small businesses spend time and money on.

Having a mobile-friendly website can help small businesses rank in search results, especially because of Google’s mobile-first index.

Clutch’s data shows that as more small businesses invest in SEO, choosing which SEO efforts to prioritize will remain a challenge. Small Businesses Invest in Content Marketing for SEO

Nearly half of small businesses (48%) invest in content marketing for SEO. Content marketing helps small businesses attract potential customers and guide them through their purchasing journey.

The quality and clarity of online content is important as optimizing websites for voice search becomes a priority for small businesses. Clutch found that only 21% of small businesses invest in voice search optimization for SEO.

Other SEO activities small business pursue include keyword research (51%) and link building (28%). Small Businesses Depend on In-House Staff for SEO Small businesses rely on in-house employees (54%) for SEO nearly twice as much as they hire an SEO agency (28%).

In-house staff are less expensive than an SEO agency and offer small businesses more control over their SEO strategies.

“In-house offers more control over planning, content creation, and budgeting,” said Jaykishan Panchal, who manages SEO strategy for digital marketing agency E2M. “The in-house SEO team probably has the best understanding of the brand voice, company culture, and availability of resources.” Internal employees may lack the expertise of SEO agencies, however.

Small Businesses Use Website Traffic & Leads to Measure SEO Success

The top two SEO metrics small businesses track are website traffic (25%) and leads and conversions (19%). Small businesses value these metrics over backlinks (14%) and keyword rankings (13%).

Tracking website traffic and leads and conversions demonstrate that small businesses tend to invest in SEO to generate revenue. These metrics, though, don’t fully capture SEO success.

More Small Businesses Turning to PPC Advertising to Achieve Search Visibility

Sixty percent (60%) of small businesses with an SEO strategy also invest in PPC advertising. An additional 17% of small businesses plan to invest in PPC in 2019.

PPC advertising guarantees placement at the top of search engine results pages, which helps earn clicks and impressions. These immediate returns appeal to small businesses with limited budgets.

Clutch’s 2019 Small Business SEO Survey included 529 small business owners and managers in the U.S.

Read the full report here: https://clutch.co/seo-firms/resources/small-business-seo-2019.

For questions about the survey, a comment on the findings, or an introduction to the industry experts included in the report, contact Grayson Kemper at [email protected].