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L’Oreal USA announced today the signing of a definitive agreement to acquire Carol’s Daughter. Headquartered in New York City, Carol’s Daughter is a premier American multi-cultural beauty brand with a pioneering heritage in the natural beauty movement. Created by Lisa Price in 1993, the brand caters to a diverse, rapidly growing market and has established a loyal consumer following across the country. Following a multi-channel distribution model, Carol’s Daughter offers a comprehensive range of products that are available at specialty beauty stores, mass retailers, on HSN, through e-commerce and at Carol’s Daughter branded stores in New York City. For the 12 months ending September 30, 2014, Carol’s Daughter had net sales of US $27 million.

“Carol’s Daughter possesses an expertise in the multi-cultural consumer segment, a rapidly expanding market that represents an important growth opportunity in the beauty industry,” said Frederic Roze, President and CEO of L’Oreal USA. “This acquisition will enable L’Oreal USA to build a new dedicated multi-cultural beauty division as part of our Consumer Products business, and strengthen the company’s position in this dynamic market.” Carol’s Daughter will continue to operate out of their New York City headquarters under the brand’s current leadership team. This acquisition further enhances L’Oreal USA’s roster of American brands which includes Maybelline NY, Kiehl’s, Essie, Urban Decay, Clarisonic and NYX.

I have worked hard for the past 21 years nurturing my brand and am thrilled that we will have a new home with L’Oreal USA,” said Lisa Price, Founder and President of Carol’s Daughter. “L’Oreal has a proven track record of helping established companies achieve their full potential while staying true to the core of the brand and they have an understanding of the future of multi-cultural beauty. I could not be more proud to begin this next chapter of the Carol’s Daughter brand with them. I know that my mother (Carol) is smiling as well.”

This is a very powerful video that is both informative and inspirational .

Are People Coming to you for your services? Then you have VALUE. KNOW YOUR VALUE

Have you ever heard about the person having a garage sale and they have a painting for $2 that ends up being a collector’s item? The person who buys it then sells it for millions and the original owner tries to get the money back claiming they didn’t know the actual value? Well look at your business like that. If you don’t know the value you will sell yourself short. The fact that people come to you for your services indicates VALUE. You have something they want and they need. DON’T BE FOOLED!

Over the last couple of years, I have written about the many ways we get taken advantage of as black entrepreneurs. What I have not addressed too often is what we do to ourselves. In an effort to gain clients, we will often give too much information in selling our services. If a potential client asks too many questions, know when someone is trying to buy or just trying to get information for free. When someone comes to you and asks for a favor agree to it with a price tag and feel no guilt. This is a business not a welfare agency.

They see your value, do you? You can offer them a discount but never EVER free. If they get upset… so be it. They see your value which is why they came to you. They need YOU so you charge them if not, expect them to keep coming to you for free. Finally, if someone puts your brand down in a slick way by saying something like “I’m helping you get the word out about what you do” or “Nobody really knows who you are” etc…. kindly move on.  They are acting as if they are helping YOU and that you will give them what they want for free or a super steep discount in return and it’s a test of your personal and business esteem. They may also balk at your prices. If they do shrug your shoulders and tell them to contact you when they are ready. If others are willing to pay for what you are asking, you are on the right track.
My best in business
Kev

It’s incredibly great to see a radio show with black hosts talk about more than music and sports. This is critical information on building wealth in the black community.

Lenard McKelvey aka “Charlamagne tha God” is an black entrepreneur of sorts, who is smart enough to manage his own career in radio. This is virtually unheard of for MOST black announcers on the air today. He was terminated from Radio One in Philly a couple of years ago when a VP of programming could not put a leash on him to control his content and delivery like most of the other black announcers at the corporation. Some state the VP was envious of Charlamagne’s potential and tried to curtail it. After being out of work for a while, he landed the biggest job of his career at Power 105.1 in NYC. Hosing the morning show. That’s not the most interesting part of his short career in the industry. He served time in a South Carolina jails as a youth and finally got his life on point after his 3rd offense and got an internship at a radio station there. He asked the right questions and got his big break when he was brought on WBLS by TV Talk Show host Wendy Williams during the twilight of her radio career before a successful jump to TV. Charlamagne was in the BEST place at the right time and it’s virtually unheard of for black announcers to climb the radio ladder so quickly. So what set’s Charlamagne apart from other black announcers? His refusal to be controlled. In addition, his idol was Howard Stern. I can honestly tell you I have rarely heard of a black announcer who’s idol was Howard Stern for the most part many have idolized announcers who said goodbye to their heyday years before they started and unfortunately there are VERY few stars in Urban radio with true radio backgrounds who break the usual mold and bring excitement to the industry. Stern still being a huge star is certainly a great choice and more realistic as an idol in today’s radio climate.

Charlamagne never wanted to be ‘the 40-year-old DJ that dyes his beard and tries to act like he’s 20,’ He understands the essence of  timing. He continues to achieve success by creating it instead of waiting for someone to give it to him, which rarely happens to a majority of jocks in the radio industry. There are only a few stars in radio and nobody can deny that Charlamagne is one of them. Out of all the national black radio stars Charlamagne has the greatest potential. He is a natural and it’s incredibly evident that he is not trying to be a “personality” and this is not a backup career for him, he IS a personality and he is great at what he does. There is not one single (at least urban) jock on the air today that could ask a guest if they could “Suck a fart out their butt” without the intense fear or should I say REALITY of not only getting fired but being BLACKBALLED by the heavily patrolled politics at major radio corporations. Charlamagne brings leverage because he is atypical and not afraid to be himself on the air. He is the Petey Greene of this generation.

KEVIN ROSS: I’ve noticed that you understood from the beginning that being a basic radio DJ would only get you so far. Were you advised against taking a more non traditional approach to radio and what made you go against the grain?

CHARLAMAGNE: Well any field a person gets involved in they shouldn’t want to be basic at it. You should want to be amongst the elite I don’t care if you’re an attorney, architect, veterinarian, radio personality, whatever you should want to be at the top of the food chain and strive to be one of the greatest so it was just a conscious decision to be great in my chosen profession which just happened to be radio. Nobody ever advised me to take a non traditional approach it’s just coming up when would listen to radio I would say to myself why isn’t the interviewer asking the most obvious question? Why is the interviewer acting like this person has talent when he doesn’t I just wanted people to talk the way we talk in the hood everyday, in the barber shops, and now on social media. That’s why Petey Greene, Howard Stern, Wendy Williams and Star were so refreshing to me. It just sounded like they were being honest. Tom Joyner, J Anthony Brown they just sounded like they were being honest. Regular people on the radio having regular conversation so that’s what I wanted to bring to the table. I’ve had PD’s in the past tell me you’re not supposed to have an opinion in radio, tell me not to give my opinion but I would rather not do it if I can’t be me which is probably why I’ve been fired 4 times in my career LMAO. (wonder if he’s talking about Philly?)

KR: You have calmed down your presentation quite a bit. Why is that?

CTG: I have? Didn’t realize that. I’ve been doing the same exact thing since day 1. This isn’t a shtick or a gimmick. I don’t even know what that means when you say I’ve calmed down my presentation. I’ve never had any FCC fines, never had any major controversies, that shock jock, hip hop Howard Stern label is a label put on me by the industry so I think people read that and think about what they are used to hearing from the great’s that came before me that were labeled that and expect to hear that from me but I’ve never been that. I’m just a regular guy having regular everyday conversations on the radio. Nothing more nothing less so when you say “calmed down my presentation” truth is I’ve never been as wild as people make me out to be to begin with.

KR: Is there anyone in radio that you admire? If so can you give 3 names?

CTG: Past or Present??? I admire a lot of people personalities and programmers. Elvis Duran, Tom Joyner, Steve Harvey, Ryan Seacrest, Cadillac Jack, Mike Love, George Cook, Sway, Big Boi, man I admire a lot of people in this radio game. That’s a loooooooong list and each one for various reasons but my top 3 ever or Petey Greene, Howard Stern, and Wendy Williams.

KR What’s next for Charlamagne?

CTG: I’m just striving to be the best me that I can be. It’s so many opportunities being presented to me and I plan on taking advantage of all them. All i’m going to say is don’t put me in a box I may be what you think I am and I may be not. Don’t limit what you think I can do based on the perception you have of me. I might be doing late night like Jimmy Fallon or Arsenio, I might be getting my Bill Maher or Jon Stewart on, I might move in to Dr.Phil or Jerry Springer territory you never know? No matter what it is radio will be the foundation of it all. I’m not walking away from that microphone if Steve Harvey and Ryan Seacrest can do their radio shows every morning and still take over the world…then so can I.

KR: If you were not in Radio what would you be doing?

CTG: I don’t even want to think about such things. Your thoughts become things and i’m not even entertaining the thought of what my life would be like without radio. I don’t know, don’t want to know, and glad I didn’t or won’t have to find out. I will say the times I was unemployed and wasn’t in radio I felt completely naked, completely but booty naked, worse feeling in the world. Matter fact let’s change subject don’t even want to think about it…

KR: BONUS QUESTION: What advice would you give a person just entering radio?

I would tell them to be able to recognize opportunity even if it’s not a dollar amount attached to it. I would tell them if their reasoning for wanting to be in radio is money then they are absolutely in it for the wrong reasons. I would tell them hard work beats talent when talent doesn’t work so I don’t care how good you think you are if you don’t work hard nothing will come of it and I will tell them that manners will take them where money won’t. Treat everybody you come in contact with respect because you get back what you put out. Always be nice and respectful greatest compliment someone can give you in this business is “He or she is a pleasure to work with” and most importantly always let Gratitude be your Attitude. When you’re happy for what you have you will get blessed with more!!!

Here at Biz Tipper we love to see minority black entrepreneurs prosper even if it’s by mistake. Cab drives have owned the cab industry for decades and now they are claiming they are being treated unfairly because companies like Uber and Lyft are exploding nationwide. I know several people who work for Uber and LOVE it. They love the freedom and the independence and a taste of what it’s like to be an entreprenur for the first time. It’s a great thing that the city governments are on the side of companies like Uber and Lyft stating that if the cab companies are willing to add aps and update their services they would be willing to allow them to compete. Cab drivers have carte blanch at many airports and Uber and Lyft are not off-limits to pick people up there which may border on a security issues but the ride sharing companies are taking over the rest of the cities. These services work via an app and provide great opportunities for people who are unemployed or looking for work as long as they have a car that is 5 years old or less. Your thoughts…

Over the years, I have given friends breaks on what I charge major corporations the full price for. Why? Because they were my friends (or so I assumed, the older you get the more careful you are about using the word “friends”). In the long run, I have realized this has NEVER worked to my advantage but always mostly to theirs. I absolutely always make sure I respect my friends and associates in business and even exchanges are rare so unless I absolutely need it, I don’t ask for friends to use their businesses to help me and NEVER for free, at least at this point. I have decided that it’s best that I don’t mix my business with my friendships and I don’t think that you should either.

Always consider what you do and why you do it. You must at all times have the utmost respect for your business and your clients. It’s OK go give discounts but just realize that it’s like telling a lie. Telling a lie to your best clients UNLESS you make it fair to everyone involved. In other words, if you are giving a discount to a client with less budget, make sure you are being fair to  your biggest clients in the process. For those who pay less, offer less and those who pay more… give more but NEVER anything for free. Here are the reasons why… (click NEXT for next segment)

Friends IMMEDIATELY take Advantage of Your Relationship

You can’t get mad at friends for seeing how knowing you can help them accomplish their goals but the question is how does it make YOU feel extending yourself and your business? THAT’s what you should pay the most attention to and focus on. They don’t look at it like this but YOU must, they will be stealing money out of your pocket. (click NEXT for next segment)

It’s not a Win/Win Situation

A majority of the time the greatest benefactor of the favor will be your friend, not you. ESPECIALLY when it’s free. An associate recently asked me for a favor for free that I KNOW he will get paid for. You read that right, by me doing the favor, my associate makes money and I don’t?  You can allow your brand to be used for philanthropic efforts, which I do all the time but NEVER as a welfare agency. If friends or associate are not willing to AT LEAST give you half or more than you usually charge you and your business are being taken advantage of. Walk away and don’t look back.

When You Give something for Free or NEARLY Free, NOBODY will ever see the value…

Why should your friends every come to you with money when they KNOW they can come with the usual, “I’m Broke”  bit and get it for free? You can’t beat FREE!

They Will Spread the Word to Other Potential Clients

Make no mistake someone will (and even if they MAY) mention it, it could hurt your bottom line. I have had clients call me and say, “I hear you are offering lower prices to other people so I need the same.” The “friend” that I have done the favor for sells me out then tells the person not to tell me they said anything so they can keep their deal in place and hurt my future business? Not good.

They will come back for MORE of the Same Thing

We teach people how to treat us. Once they learn they keep doing it, especially when it works to their advantage. You can ask for money if you want but once you give it for free there is no turning back.

How Well Will the Favor Serve your Business?

You have a bottom line and employees to pay. Is doing the favor paying you or COSTING you. (Hint: if it’s not paying you, it IS costing you… time is money)

They will “Dangle Carrots”

They will use strategies like: “I’m working on getting your some paid accounts!” As if that is supposed to sustain you. It’s even MORE insulting when they spend money with your competitors but come to you for free as if you don’t know it, problem is THEY DO which is why they do it. How well will that sit with your landlord or mortgage company? Imagine telling them “I’m working on paying you rent after this free month. What’s the problem?”

It Might not only Affect your bottom line but also your Brand

How well does the favor fit with your mission or your brand. Is it a good fit or it is out-of-place? If it’s out-of-place you are going to pay a higher price for doing it than just doing if for free. You customers will notice something that does not fit the rhythm or the flow of what you are doing and you don’t need that. Never whore your business out to do a favor for a friend.

When you object to anything they want the next time, YOU are the Bad Guy

Once you extend yourself, you are obligated for many more favors. When you complain or state your dismay YOU become the bad guy. After all, they are working on getting you some paid business what are you complain about? Your job is to shut up, lay there and get f’d by people talking advantage of you but I have some bad news… you can’t blame them… (read next segment)

Learn to say NO

When someone asks you for something and it does not feel good (that gut feeling or your intuition comes into play saying ‘I don’t like this’ simply and UNregrettably say NO with absolutely NO explanation. If they ask you why, say NO again. You don’t have to explain why you refuse to be taken advantage of. If they STILL push it.. state, “I’m not comfortable with it…. that’s all I’m going to say about it” Saying “NO” really feels good when you say it because you mean it. It feels a LOT better than saying YES when you really WANT to say no. Practice it and don’t worry about the outcome. It is them asking YOU for something not the opposite and if they don’t like the answer and decided to cut you off, you are probably better off. After all, how often do you hear from them anyway?

Be Reasonable with your discount

Respect your business at all costs. You can only offer 10 or 20% as a discount. My mother is a sketch artist and I asked her to draw a picture for me. I paid her FULL PRICE. If it didn’t have the money I would not have asked her. She didn’t even have a chance to tell me she would give me a break. I don’t believe in taking advantage of people even if I am related to them. You should have respect for a person’s business as they should have respect for yours.

Make Sure You Do the Same

A friend once told me that someone asked him to do something for them from his business and he gave them the full price and he stated they were insulted. He talked about this person like a dog and said “Can you believe how cheap he is?” The VERY NEXT week, he needed a favor from another friend’s business and he offered an INSULTING rate (less than 10% of the actual cost) the friend told him NO and now HE was insulted and told me, “Can  you believe he wanted to charge me full price?” I brought up the first situation and he paused and said … well, I just can’t afford to pay that much money (referring to the second situation) . I told him when it comes to favors, don’t expect more than you are willing to give. You are no better than the first man who you attacked and you were disrespecting him.

BONUS: Who are you Keeping Company With?

If you find that you are dealing with these kinds of situations on a regular basis, you are surrounding yourself with the wrong people and that’s the last thing your business needs. Seek those who have achieved MORE than you have to be in your circles otherwise y0u will ways be struggling. Feed and BE fed

My best in business

Kev Ross

 

Over the years, I have given friends breaks on what I charge major corporations the full price for. Why? Because they were my friends (or so I assumed, the older you get the more careful you are about using the word “friends”). In the long run, I have realized this has NEVER worked to my advantage but always mostly to theirs. I absolutely always make sure I respect my friends and associates in business and even exchanges are rare so unless I absolutely need it, I don’t ask for friends to use their businesses to help me and NEVER for free, at least at this point. I have decided that it’s best that I don’t mix my business with my friendships and I don’t think that you should either.

Always consider what you do and why you do it. You must at all times have the utmost respect for your business and your clients. It’s OK to go give discounts but just realize that it’s like telling a lie. Telling a lie to your best clients UNLESS you make it fair to everyone involved. In other words, if you are giving a discount to a client with less budget, make sure you are being fair to your biggest clients in the process. For those who pay less, offer less and those who pay more… give more but NEVER anything for free. Here are the reasons why… (click NEXT for next segment)

Friends IMMEDIATELY take Advantage of Your Relationship

You can’t get mad at friends for seeing how knowing you can help them accomplish their goals but the question is how does it make YOU feel extending yourself and your business? THAT’s what you should pay the most attention to and focus on. They don’t look at it like this but YOU must, they will be stealing money out of your pocket. (click NEXT for next segment)

—————————–

It’s not a Win/Win Situation

A majority of the time the greatest benefactor of the favor will be your friend, not you. ESPECIALLY when it’s free. An associate recently asked me for a favor for free that I KNOW he will get paid for. You read that right, by me doing the favor, my associate makes money and I don’t?  You can allow your brand to be used for philanthropic efforts, which I do all the time but NEVER as a welfare agency. If friends or associate are not willing to AT LEAST give you half or more than you usually charge you and your business are being taken advantage of. Walk away and don’t look back.

—————————–

When You Give something for Free or Nearly Free, NOBODY will ever see the value…

Why should your friends ever come to you with money when they KNOW they can come with the usual, “I’m Broke”  bit and get it for free? You can’t beat FREE!

—————————–

They Will Spread the Word to Other Potential Clients

Make no mistake someone will (and even if they MAY) mention it, it could hurt your bottom line. I have had clients call me and say, “I hear you are offering lower prices to other people so I need the same.” The “friend” that I have done the favor for sells me out then tells the person not to tell me they said anything so they can keep their deal in place and hurt my future business? Not good.

—————————–

They will come back for MORE of the Same Thing

We teach people how to treat us. Once they learn they keep doing it, especially when it works to their advantage. You can ask for money if you want but once you give it for free there is no turning back.—————————–

How Well Will the Favor Serve your business?

You have a bottom line and employees to pay. Is doing the favor paying you or COSTING you. (Hint: if it’s not paying you, it IS costing you… time is money)

—————————–

They will “Dangle Carrots”

They will use strategies like: “I’m working on getting you some paid accounts!” As if that is supposed to sustain you. It’s even MORE insulting when they spend money with your competitors but comes to you for free as if you don’t know it, the problem is THEY DO which is why they do it. How well will that sit with your landlord or mortgage company? Imagine telling them “I’m working on paying you rent after this free month. What’s the problem?”

—————————–

It Might not only Affect your bottom line but also your Brand

How well does the favor fit with your mission or your brand? Is it a good fit or it is out-of-place? If it’s out-of-place you are going to pay a higher price for doing it than just doing it for free. Your customers will notice something that does not fit the rhythm or the flow of what you are doing and you don’t need that. Never whore your business out to do a favor for a friend.—————————–

When you object to anything they want the next time, YOU are the Bad Guy

Once you extend yourself, you are obligated for many more favors. When you complain or state your dismay YOU become the bad guy. After all, they are working on getting you some paid business what are you complain about? Your job is to shut up, lay there and get f’d by people taking advantage of you but I have some bad news… you can’t blame them… (read next segment)

—————————–

Learn to say NO

When someone asks you for something and it does not feel good (that gut feeling or your intuition comes into play saying ‘I don’t like this’ simply and UNregrettably say NO with absolutely NO explanation. If they ask you why say NO again. You don’t have to explain why you refuse to be taken advantage of. If they STILL push it.. state, “I’m not comfortable with it…. that’s all I’m going to say about it” Saying “NO” really feels good when you say it because you mean it. It feels a LOT better than saying YES when you really WANT to say no. Practice it and don’t worry about the outcome. It is them asking YOU for something not the opposite and if they don’t like the answer and decided to cut you off, you are probably better off. After all, how often do you hear from them anyway?

—————————–

Be Reasonable with your discount

Respect your business at all costs. You can only offer 10 or 20% as a discount. My mother is a sketch artist and I asked her to draw a picture for me. I paid her the FULL PRICE. If it didn’t have the money I would not have asked her. She didn’t even have a chance to tell me she would give me a break. I don’t believe in taking advantage of people even if I am related to them. You should have respect for a person’s business as they should have respect for yours.

—————————–

Make Sure You Do the Same

A friend once told me that someone asked him to do something for them from his business and he gave them the full price and he stated they were insulted. He talked about this person like a dog and said: “Can you believe how cheap he is?” The VERY NEXT week, he needed a favor from another friend’s business and he offered an INSULTING rate (less than 10% of the actual cost) the friend told him NO and now HE was insulted and told me, “Can  you believe he wanted to charge me full price?” I brought up the first situation and he paused and said … well, I just can’t afford to pay that much money (referring to the second situation) . I told him when it comes to favors, don’t expect more than you are willing to give. You are no better than the first man who you attacked and you were disrespecting him.

BONUS: Who are you Keeping Company With?

If you find that you are dealing with these kinds of situations on a regular basis, you are surrounding yourself with the wrong people and that’s the last thing your business needs. Seek those who have achieved MORE than you have to be in your circles otherwise y0u will ways be struggling. Feed and BE fed

At times we need to give a little more thought to our actions as business owners especially when it involves clients. Here are a few of the hardest lessons I’ve learned over the years. I hope they can save you a lot of time and misery.

Be careful who you surround yourself with in front of your clients

I had a situation a few years back where I took a “friend” to an event because she was out of work and I knew there would be people there that could help her get back into her field. The VP of the company wanted me to ride with him to the event and I sat in the lobby with her while he got dressed. When the VP came downstairs and was ready to go, she complained that her feet were hurting and we were walking too fast. FIRST WARNING! We get to the event after the VP and I slow down for her and she speaks to everybody and she had a drink which leads to another drink and another drink.  She gets drunk and I can hear her slurring her words and speaking loudly while I’m talking to colleagues on the balcony. SECOND WARNING. I pull her to the side and tell her “You are drunk and you are talking too loud bring it down a few notches. She agrees and 10 minutes later she is even louder. THIRD WARNING. I am HUMILIATED and EMBARRASSED and my client is being cordial but I can tell he is not impressed. I opt to leave the event early just to get her out of there. As we leave she goes for the final coup-de-gras and asks several people for their cards. I was MORTIFIED as they all lied and said they didn’t bring any cards. FORTH WARNING. We leave and she takes off her shoes and is complaining about her feet again as we end up in a coffee shop and she is now fully drunk. I can’t believe I invited her and I KNEW she had a drinking problem but I was trying to help her get a job. The next day at another event, I had one glass of wine to try to relax after the mishap the night before and I got tipsy myself. I usually don’t drink. Now I have made my OWN impression.  While the client still does business with me, they have not invited me to any of their events since and its been 3 years.  I mentioned to her that she made a fool of herself and I was trying to help her and she did what people like her do, she told me I was over thinking it and that I should not care what the client thinks. I should have never expected an alcoholic to take responsibility especially when she then stated she was not that drunk.

LESSON LEARNED: I have a bad habit of always looking out for others even to the detriment of myself.  I should have escorted her back to her car and sent her BACK home when she complained about her feet and wanted the client to wait while she tried to maneuver in high heels that she could not wear. All of this could have been avoided if I had stopped everything right there or not invited her at all-knowing her history, which I did. I have to take full responsibility for this grave error for trying to help a “friend” out. I put friend in quotes because we have to KNOW who our true friends are as small business owners. There are some people who ACT like they are your friend to go along for the ride, to reap some of your benefits of your hard work, to pick your brain and drain you. My uncle told me when I was a boy that you must always make sure you deal with people in just about every circumstance, who have as much to lose AS YOU DO. That’s how you establish trust. He was right, another entrepreneur who was in the same field as me would have thought twice about doing what this woman did. I had to realize that most people are in the situations they are in by CHOICE. They don’t want to make the necessary moves to get out of a rut and we are not their babysitter. Some of us have been there too. You can’t lay your burdens on other people if YOU are not willing to do the work FIRST. Truth be told this woman is an alcoholic and people who have addictions put the addiction ahead of everything else. Being her friend was too much weight on me so I had to let her go after a couple of other really negative experiences with her. When it comes to doing businesses make sure you surround yourself with people who have YOUR best interest in mind along with theirs and not just theirs. CLICK “NEXT” ABOVE OR BELOW TO SEE THE NEXT TIP

Develop a relationship with Clients

In my field, people call clients only when they want something. In the interest of their time, I have done the same. I have been told early on by a client that I only call when I want something. I was dumbfounded by that because I thought what the hell else would I call for? Then I realized that in the true art of selling you SHOULD reach out to your clients every now and then to have a regular conversation. There is always room at the end to do a quick pitch but you never want your clients to avoid your calls. I make sure I KNOW my clients and I KNOW things about them that we can talk about besides sales. In the long run they greatly appreciate that. They know that you are there for business but going the extra mile will put you miles ahead of your greedy competitors.

Take a Vacation

I RARELY do this but it is SO important. The more you work the harder it is to leave your business in the hands of others. You fear that they will destroy your business but that’s rarely the case. Your business can survive for a few days without you and the benefit is that when you get back you are ready to take on your job with a new perspective fresh eyes and new energy. You can even take a mini vacation in a nicer resort part of your city for a few days or somewhere close.

Treat Yourself

Take yourself to lunch, a movie or the museum once a week. If you are over 50 AARP has AMAZING coupon deals where you can try different restaurants and various entertainment functions. Whatever it is you like to do pick a day to do it and do it alone or with another POSITIVE entrepreneur.

Watch your Accounting and Taxes

VERY IMPORTANT. Make sure you finances are on point. Nuff said

Step away to create Your Growth

Take a day off a couple of times a month to attend seminars of meetings that can help your business grow. The time away will do you good.

Competitors can be Dirty

When you are on top, it’s very hard to stay there and there are people who don’t want to see you there. Always be cordial, handle your business and know your enemies and what they are up to. Clients are a great source for this kind of information. When they like you they will look out for you and give you valuable information about competitors as well as your employees.

Make appearances but never isolate

There was a time when I was content to do the work, hide and just collect the money. That’s a mistake. This is your opportunity for growth. Hire someone temporarily to do some of  your work while you play politician on occasion. Never NEVER stay till the end of an event and never be the first one there. Whisk through, make sure you speak to the VIPs, leave a great impression and allow the guests to wonder where you went.

Spend your day wisely

Stay off social nets unless it’s Linkedin. FaceBook is a HORRIBLE way to spend anytime during the day as well as Twitter unless you are marketing your product. I don’t even watch TV. I don’t like wasting time.

Take care of yourself/Work out

Hire a QUALIFIED trainer and go to the gym I say qualified because there are a TON of fake trainers out there who don’t know what they are doing and you will get injured. Spend the money and the time on what actually works. Being an entrepreneur in great shape opens MANY more doors for you. I’ve seen it firsthand. Appearance IS everything. Don’t be fooled and spend money on chain gym trainers, they suck and they lack the qualifications. Real trainers balk at chains because they don’t pay enough and so they don’t work for them. My best in business… Kev

Entrepreneur lessons  – At times we need to give a little more thought to our actions as business owners especially when it involves clients. Here are a few of the hardest lessons I’ve learned over the years. I hope they can save you a lot of time and misery.

Entrepreneur Lessons That I Learned the Hard Way – Be careful who you surround yourself with in front of your clients

I had a situation a few years back where I took a “friend” to an event because she was out of work and I knew there would be people there that could help her get back into her field. The VP of the company wanted me to ride with him to the event and I sat in the lobby with her while he got dressed. When the VP came downstairs and was ready to go, she complained that her feet were hurting and we were walking too fast. FIRST WARNING! We get to the event after the VP and I slow down for her and she speaks to everybody and she had a drink which leads to another drink and another drink.  She gets drunk and I can hear her slurring her words and speaking loudly while I’m talking to colleagues on the balcony. SECOND WARNING. I pull her to the side and tell her “You are drunk and you are talking too loud bring it down a few notches. She agrees and 10 minutes later she is even louder. THIRD WARNING. I am HUMILIATED and EMBARRASSED and my client is being cordial but I can tell he is not impressed.

I opt to leave the event early just to get her out of there. As we leave she goes for the final coup-de-gras and asks several people for their cards. I was MORTIFIED as they all lied and said they didn’t bring any cards. FORTH WARNING. We leave and she takes off her shoes and is complaining about her feet again as we end up in a coffee shop and she is now fully drunk. I can’t believe I invited her and I KNEW she had a drinking problem but I was trying to help her get a job. The next day at another event, I had one glass of wine to try to relax after the mishap the night before and I got tipsy myself. I usually don’t drink. Now I have made my OWN impression.  While the client still does business with me, they have not invited me to any of their events since and its been 3 years.  I mentioned to her that she made a fool of herself and I was trying to help her and she did what people like her do, she told me I was over thinking it and that I should not care what the client thinks. I should have never expected an alcoholic to take responsibility especially when she then stated she was not that drunk.

LESSON LEARNED: I have a bad habit of always looking out for others even to the detriment of myself.  I should have escorted her back to her car and sent her BACK home when she complained about her feet and wanted the client to wait while she tried to maneuver in high heels that she could not wear. All of this could have been avoided if I had stopped everything right there or not invited her at all-knowing her history, which I did. I have to take full responsibility for this grave error for trying to help a “friend” out. I put the word friend in quotes because we have to KNOW who our true friends are as black entrepreneurs. There are some people who ACT like they are your friend to go along for the ride, to reap some of the benefits of your hard work, to pick your brain and drain you. My uncle told me when I was a boy that you must always make sure you deal with people in just about every circumstance, who have as much to lose AS YOU DO.

That’s how you establish trust. He was right, another black entrepreneur who was in the same field as me would have thought twice about doing what this woman did. I had to realize that most people are in the situations they are in by CHOICE. They don’t want to make the necessary moves to get out of a rut and we are not their babysitter. Some of us have been there too. You can’t lay your burdens on other people if YOU are not willing to do the work FIRST. Truth be told this woman is an alcoholic and people who have addictions put the addiction ahead of everything else. Being her friend was too much weight on me so I had to let her go after a couple of other really negative experiences with her. When it comes to doing businesses make sure you surround yourself with people who have YOUR best interest in mind along with theirs and not just theirs. CLICK “NEXT” ABOVE OR BELOW TO SEE THE NEXT TIP
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Entrepreneur lessons – Consistently Develop a Relationship with Clients

In my field, people call clients only when they want something. In the interest of their time, I have done the same. I have been told early on by a client that I only call when I want something. I was dumbfounded by that because I thought what the hell else would I call for? Then I realized that in the true art of selling you SHOULD reach out to your clients every now and then to have a regular conversation. There is always room at the end to do a quick pitch but you never want your clients to avoid your calls. I make sure I KNOW my clients and I KNOW things about them that we can talk about besides sales. In the long run they greatly appreciate that. They know that you are there for business but going the extra mile will put you miles ahead of your greedy competitors.
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Entrepreneur lessons – Take a Vacation

I RARELY do this but it is SO important. The more you work the harder it is to leave your business in the hands of others. You fear that they will destroy your business but that’s rarely the case. Your business can survive for a few days without you and the benefit is that when you get back you are ready to take on your job with a new perspective fresh eyes and new energy. You can even take a mini vacation in a nicer resort part of your city for a few days or somewhere close.

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Entrepreneur lessons – Treat Yourself

Take yourself to lunch, a movie or the museum once a week. If you are over 50 AARP has AMAZING coupon deals where you can try different restaurants and various entertainment functions. Whatever it is you like to do pick a day to do it and do it alone or with another POSITIVE black entrepreneur.

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Entrepreneur lessons – Watch your Accounting and Taxes

VERY IMPORTANT. Make sure your finances are on point. Nuff said

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Step away to create Your Growth

Take a day off a couple of times a month to attend seminars of meetings that can help your business grow. The time away will do you good.

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Entrepreneur lessons – Competitors can be Dirty

When you are on top, it’s very hard to stay there and there are people who don’t want to see you there. Always be cordial, handle your business and know your enemies and what they are up to. Clients are a great source for this kind of information. When they like you they will look out for you and give you valuable information about competitors as well as your employees.

—————————–

Entrepreneur lessons – Make appearances but never isolate

There was a time when I was content to do the work, hide and just collect the money. That’s a mistake. This is your opportunity for growth. Hire someone temporarily to do some of your work while you play the politician on occasion. Never stay until the end of an event and never be the first one there. Whisk through, make sure you speak to the VIPs, leave a great impression and allow the guests to wonder where you went.

—————————–

Entrepreneur lessons – Spend your day wisely

Stay off social nets unless it’s Linkedin. FaceBook is a HORRIBLE way to spend anytime during the day as well as Twitter unless you are marketing your product. I don’t even watch TV. I don’t like wasting time.

12 REASONS YOU SHOULD NEVER HIRE FRIENDS

Entrepreneur lessons – Take care of yourself/Work out

Hire a QUALIFIED trainer and go to the gym I say qualified because there are a TON of fake trainers out there who don’t know what they are doing and you will get injured. Spend the money and the time on what actually works. Being an black entrepreneur in great shape opens MANY more doors for you. I’ve seen it firsthand. Appearance IS everything. Don’t be fooled and spend money on chain gym trainers, they suck and they lack the qualifications. Real trainers balk at chains because they don’t pay enough and so they don’t work for them. My best in business… Kev

Entrepreneur lessons – Build a New Side Business from another Hobby

This one is self-explanatory but it’s a backup plan and believe me, you will need it. Not only do I do this and one other blog. I’m also a real estate agent.

Entrepreneur lessons – When it’s no longer fun … STOP DOING IT

Not only will you waste your time but your energy levels will tank and you will sleep a lot, gain weight and not look forward to the day. Remember when you started how you felt? You almost could not sleep in anticipation of the day when that feeling is gone don’t waiver and hope it will come back TRUST ME it’s GONE. Start doing your backup career until you get your next idea. It’s better to leave on your own terms than to be kicked out. KNOW when the leave.