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People of color can become business owners of Black-Owned Businesses and create financial independence for their families. They also provide opportunities for other members of their community to find work. Small-business owners also contribute to the economic health of their locality by contributing taxes that are paid into the state and city coffers. They make neighborhoods more vibrant by occupying retail space.

It is not easy to start a business and keep it running. Many small businesses fail to survive beyond a few years. Black business owners are more likely to be in trouble. According to the Federal Reserve 2021 Small Business Credit Survey, while most owners suffered financial hardships during the pandemic, Black business owners reported the highest rate of 92 percent.

Black business owners have had to overcome many obstacles over the years. Some of these were based on racism and some are still prevalent today. Yet, Black-owned businesses are still able to succeed and continue to grow. Here are some ways you can help.

Black-owned businesses by numbers

Many Black-owned businesses continue to grow in America despite the difficulties. A study conducted by Merchant Maverick showed that Black-owned businesses increased by 38 percent between February 2020 and August 2021, while the number of Asian-owned businesses fell slightly.

MerchantMaverick.com’s “Top States for Black-Owned Businesses in 2022” report found the pandemic had created opportunities for Black entrepreneurs, particularly in Mid-Atlantic and Southern states — Virginia, Maryland, and Delaware ranking in the top five states for Black entrepreneurs. Each state has a large Black population, and there are many private and public initiatives to support Black-owned businesses. The top 10 were also dominated by the southern states.

The study did show that payroll inequalities continue to plague Black-owned businesses. Nationally, the average annual payroll of employer businesses is $ 1.25 million. This is more than four times that of Black-owned businesses. According to the findings, a funding gap is almost certain to play a part in this situation.

It is important to support Black-owned businesses.

While Jim Crow laws were declared unconstitutional by the 1954 Civil Rights Movement, segregation finally ended in the 1960s, and there were still unfair banking practices. These practices were made illegal by the federal Community Reinvestment Act, which was passed in 1977 to combat racial discrimination when it was first implemented.

Challenges remain. Black-owned businesses face more challenges in securing capital from investors and other investors. Crunchbase reported that venture funding for Black entrepreneurs in the United States dropped to $324 million in the second quarter after showing growth in previous quarters.

The amount of funding for Black startups in America has been low compared to overall startup funding. However, last year was a remarkable year with record-breaking investments in Black-owned businesses. According to Crunchbase, the quarterly funding ranged between $850m and $ 1.2 billion in the five prior quarters.

A 2020 Bureau of Economic Research paper shows that Black entrepreneurs have an average of $35,205 in startup capital, while white entrepreneurs have $106,720. Black-owned businesses are less likely to get business loans than white-owned companies.

Groupon and the National Black Chamber of Commerce conducted a study that found that 59% of Black business owners were victims of racism or bias in starting their businesses.

During the COVID-19 epidemic, this disparity was even more severe. The New York Times reported black business owners had more difficulty finding lenders willing to work with them in the Paycheck Protection Program than white business owners.

The racial wealth disparity is another. According to a Duke research paper, the average Black family has 12 cents per dollar of wealth compared to the typical white household.

These are just a few of the reasons you might be motivated to support Black-owned businesses. You will not only be an economic force, but you can also celebrate and sustain Black culture. Increasing sales can prove to lenders that the company is worth investing in. You can also increase your company’s visibility by becoming a frequent shopper.

Six ways to support Black-owned Businesses

There are many easy ways that you can support Black-owned businesses.

Black-owned businesses are worth shopping for.

It is possible that you don’t know where to look for small Black-owned businesses. Nextdoor and other community boards, such as Craigslist, are great ways to start your search. Post a question asking for help in your area. Then wait for the responses to come in. This is a great way for people to start a dialogue about how they can help each other.

A sourcebook is another option to help you spend at Black-owned and operated businesses. The Official Black Wall Street directory provides a comprehensive listing that allows you to search for a wide range of products and services both online and in brick-and-mortar. Make a list of the places that you want to shop and the products and services you wish to buy.

It is also a good idea to set aside money for Black-owned businesses. This means determining how much you can afford and choosing at least one Black business to visit per week or month. You can help someone stay in business when they are struggling.

Share and write reviews about Black-owned businesses.

Share your positive experiences with Black-owned businesses on social media platforms that are widely used by the public. Data from ReviewTrackers.com shows that 88% of reviews will come from top review sites like Google, Yelp, and Facebook in 2021. Of course, there are many others. You might find unique items on Etsy, for example. Write a glowing review after you have purchased and loved what you received. Every compliment is appreciated.

You can help a business get found online by using search engine optimization analytics. Your praise can also inspire others to spend money at these businesses.

Recommend Black-owned Businesses in person or on social media

Social media platforms such as Twitter, Facebook, and TikTok, in addition to official review sites, are great vehicles for spreading the word about Black-owned shops in your area that you like.

Write content that explains why this business is worth your attention. Include photos or videos and the website. Post the physical address if it is available. It is important to make it easy for potential customers to find the business and to patronize it. Tag the business to let them know. Social media platforms are used by billions of people every day. This means that the reach is huge.

Are you not able to access the internet? It’s okay. You can keep the conversation going by telling your family and friends about the business. Think outside the box if you are interested in supporting a cafe, bar, restaurant, art gallery, clothing store, or cafe. You might also be a customer and inquire about how you can help them by renting the space out on slow days or off-peak hours. You may even be able to buy items at the event, party or meeting.

Support Black-owned banks

You might consider looking for a Black-owned bank or credit cooperative to manage your loan, deposit and credit card accounts. This designation is official: The Federal Deposit Insurance Corp (FDIC) classifies these financial institutions under the heading Minority Depository Institutions. The criteria require that at least 51 percent of the ownership be owned by minorities or that the majority of the board members are minority members to meet these requirements. A financial institution must also serve a majority-minority community.

MDIs are available to all races. This will help these businesses survive and continue to provide valuable services for the community. Check out their digital banking services if there is no MDI near you. You can be a customer and show solidarity with those who have suffered discriminatory experiences with lenders, both historically and current.

Invest in the Black Community

investing in Black communities can help you achieve your goals of being a part fostering equality and company growth. There are many ways to invest effectively.

• Black-owned Startups: Micro-investing Platforms such as Kiva allow you to invest in them
• Buy shares in Black-owned businesses that trade on the stock exchange
• To reach your investment goals, you should work with a Black investment professional such as a CFP, CFA or CFA.
• Focus your investment decisions on ETFs for minority empowerment, which are designed to expose U.S. companies that have exhibited racial or ethnic diversity policies.

Whatever your decision, remember that it can help to end the cycle of debt Black-owned businesses are in. According to a 2019 report by the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation, 17.6 percent of Black entrepreneurs use personal credit to finance their businesses. This compares to 10.3 percent for White non-immigrant startups.

Entrepreneurs are at a disadvantage because credit cards have higher interest rates than bank loans. You can help them become more financially stable by investing in them.

Establish relationships with Black-owned businesses

Another way to show support is to ensure exposure. Owners of small businesses may be too busy running their venture that they don’t have the time to promote it. Help the business owner to establish and maintain valuable relationships.

• Invite them to join your community groups where they can display their products and services.
• Ask for the owner of the podcast, a blog or a newsletter that is widely published to get your name in the media.
• Ask the owner if they are interested in joining relevant business networking groups and events.
• Offer workspace and facilities if you have them (either free of charge or at a discounted rate).
• Refer to your business contacts.

You can mentor and provide resources to help Black-owned businesses that are struggling to survive. There are many options, including the Black Business Association and Black Founders. The Coalition To Back Black Businesses is a joint effort of American Express, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation, and the National Black Chamber of Commerce. It also includes the U.S. Black Chambers, National Business League, and Walker’s Legacy.

Many Black business owners face real challenges and still have to deal with them. There are many things you can do to make your business a positive force. It is a great idea to find Black-owned businesses that you can support and give them some business. Spread the word.

Source: Bankrate – https://www.bankrate.com/finance/credit-cards/support-black-owned-businesses/

There are some basic ideas regarding efficient ways to manage a business that can apply and make our daily jobs much easier in the process.

How to Manage a Small Business Effectively

Certain rules need to be adhered to that help us to prosper and grow. These rules can help us avoid frustrations and turmoil in the future and make our daily grind smoother. Here are a few tips to consider and reconsider daily.

How to Manage a Small Business Successfully

How to Manage a Business: Hiring – how to manage employees in a small business

Never be fooled into thinking that you can do everything yourself. Running a small business is no easy task, especially when finding people who take direction remotely as seriously as you do.

I’m letting you know that it will be challenging; I’m going to tell you that right now, it’s not easy, but it’s not impossible either.

When you find dedicated people do your best to reward them and hold onto them because they will be challenging to come across

How to Manage a Business – Sales, How to Manage Growth in a Small Business

If you ever get to a position where you don’t have to do sales, you’re at the peak of your business. I was blessed enough to be there and was spoiled for several years.

Everything came to me, and I didn’t have to do any work. It’s a great position to be in, but it’s not going to last, and more importantly, you are missing a TON of valuable information that could help you grow.

You have to constantly make sure you’re improving your product line to continue getting sales, but you also need to keep in touch with your clients as they may change positions, and someone else may come in to replace them, who might be their assistant or secretary today.

Develop Business Relationships

By not developing a relationship, you have blown an opportunity to get to know them over the months or years. They may come in with their team of people and only be loyal to the people they have learned and communicated with. I’ve seen it happen more times than I care to remember.

It is effortless to be fat and happy and even to reinvent yourself, but starting from scratch is difficult. Stay in touch with your clients.

Visiting clients is a fantastic way to give you tips and tabs on how well you’re doing. They know what the industry is looking for, what they need, and who they need you to target. Don’t waste the opportunity of not doing client visits even if they’re in another state. Plan a trip. A lot of my clients are in New York and Los Angeles. I arrange lunches and dinners regularly to help me stay on top.

How to Manage Finances

 In order to stay on top of your business finances, it’s a really good idea to have several bank accounts. You can literally have as many bank accounts as you want. I will talk about bank accounts in another article and the types that you should have, but for sure, you should try to have high-yield savings and business account. You can’t get both.

That’s just to start with. You want to make sure you have accounts where you will save 10 to 20% or more of everything that you make for your Business and for yourself (separate accounts).

You also want to make sure you have an account for your taxes so that you can pay each quarter for your business and your personal.

You also wanna have a working business account where all the income comes in and a main personal account. The benefit is that you can transfer the funds from your computer but having separate accounts makes it much easier not to comingle funds and to keep better track of your earnings.

Manage a Business – Schedules and Goals

Having a schedule to adhere to daily, weekly, and monthly is an absolute benefit. Keep a vision board that you can write on near your desk and write down your goals for the week.

Write down what you expect to make each week and what you expect to accomplish each day or each week. They certainly help you guide yourself to success. Having it written down in your handwriting and looking it up once an hour or whenever on the board will help you to achieve what you’re trying to accomplish for that day of that week. This works!

Keeping Track of Billing to Manage a Business

Billing can be tricky, and it also can be annoying there’s nothing worse than making money and then having to chase it. Your bills are always going to come in on time, but your money is not, and there are times when your invoices will be lost or sitting on someone’s desk, or they may be too busy to sign off on it, and this is going to affect your bottom line.

I’ve talked in previous articles about how important it is to make sure you have an emergency fund, where you take 10, 20, or 30% of every payment that comes in and put it in a separate bank account (pay yourself first). This can come in handy if you’re having difficulty collecting or on another rainy day.

I don’t believe in paying interest to credit card companies, so I pay my bills entirely off every month. Getting into the habit of paying the minimum amount on your credit card bills will have you paying forever and multiplying the amount you owe in interest. This is how credit card companies make money. Avoid the temptation to use your credit card to pay bills if you can, at all costs.

Stay Ahead of Trends to Manage a Business

Find time to pay attention to trends in your industry, even if that means taking a couple of young people out to lunch once a week. You’ll be amazed at what you can learn, and being ahead of the curve will help you stay relevant much longer.

This is an absolute necessity and running your business. Eventually, you’re going to get burnt out, you’re going to get tired, or you’re not going to be interested in what’s happening anymore.

About every seven years, you get burnt out, which is the maximum that most small businesses should have one owner (for 7 to 10 years). Anyway, which is the case you want to hang on longer, make sure you surround yourself with people who know what the trends are so that you can stay afloat

Staying on Top of Your Taxes

Here’s another important thing you have to take care of, just like the credit card companies where you’re paying multiple interests. You don’t want to get behind in your taxes.

Try to avoid this at all costs. You will be paying an amount for years, and it will look like your account has never decreased from what you owe because the interest constantly adds up when you have a payment plan.

Do yourself a favor and avoid tax issues. Make sure you pay your taxes can entirely and don’t disrupt the running of your business, and you don’t get away with anything but try your best not to be a flake or take the advice of people who are telling you to be slick

Building and Growing Your Business

It would help if you consistently were focused on building and growing your brand. There are opportunities for every brand to expand. Don’t ignore them in paying your taxes on time and getting income without making sales which leaves you free time to build another ad for a product related to your business.

This is something I did not do early on, but I do wish I would’ve done such as doing a conference or events. A part of me hates the politics of doing events, but I certainly could’ve increased my income. Am I relevant tenfold? By doing so, there are always opportunities to grow.

Have a Short Term Business Plan

The most crucial aspect of running a business is to have a plan, and an exit strategy, something else I should’ve done but didn’t. What happens is you end up in the middle of the ocean.

Are you just sailing forever? Make sure you know when you want to sell or when you want to make changes to your business and start something else. Map it out.

They use a column business plan, and it still makes sense to have a plan for the next 5 to 10 years where you want to be again. Once it’s written out on paper, it’s solidified, and you can achieve it much more accessible but make sure that you have the plan to end or wrap your business and start another one when you’re ready to start.

How to expedite slow-paying clients. One of the greatest frustrations can be slow accounts receivables. You’ve done the work now. How do you get paid for it so that you can run your business? Here are a few tips that have worked for me over the years.

Get paid for your services and move on to the next client. Many of us have been ripped off in the past. I can honestly say I have only had it happen to me twice in 18 years, but advanced technology should certainly make it easier for us to get our money these days.

There is NOTHING worse than completing the work than being lied to and misled about the check being in the mail etc.

The worst part is like a fool; you are waiting for the mailman (or your ACH) for a check that the client KNOWS is not coming. You can save yourself from all of this by doing a few simple things. First: Always have high esteem when it comes to your business.

By high esteem, I’m not saying “Arrogance” I mean believing in your business, knowing your VALUE, and having an appreciation for what you do.

If you show signs of weakness, potential clients can see that, and they will take advantage.  Here are 7 tips to collect your money in a timely fashion without chasing the cash.

Ask for the Money Up Front

This is simply the best way to do it. However, you can’t blame them if they are suspicious and wonder if they will get what they have paid for. Nevertheless, that’s not for you to worry about IF they came to you. If you go to them, then this method may or may not work.

Imagine you ask someone to support your business and then give you the money before you do the work. That’s kind of an insult, and it looks like you are desperate for money. Treat each situation accordingly.

Offer a SLIGHT Discount if they Pay Up Front.

I would not give them more than a 10% discount. Keep in mind whatever you offer them is what they are going to expect each time.

Tell them New Clients Have to Pay up Front.

This is a good rule, but only if they come to you. If you go to them or if it’s a corporation, you should not expect to be paid upfront. You can offer independents a “new client discount” if they pay upfront.

Ask them if they use Paypal, Zelle, and Cashapp … NO, Tell them you ACCEPT Paypal, Zelle, and Cashapp.

If you ask them, they may make up an excuse because they don’t have the money upfront. Remember who is in the driver’s seat. TELL them you accept Paypal instead of asking them.

Technology is changing the face of business and helping you to get paid for your services faster. (thank God) now you don’t have to pay outrageous fees to have someone pay you with a credit card.

You can just use a small device on PayPal called the PayPal Card Reader and charge them over your cell phone. There is a small fee, but PayPal also offers pay by email and more features, and they don’t have to be a PayPal client. Did I mention I LOVE all three?

If They are a New Client, they come to you, and they Can’t Pay upfront…

Don’t crawl or walk but RUN. This is a sure sign you are about to get ripped off, and you will not get paid for your services.

They Come Back After Being a “Slow Payer” the Last time?

Tell them you have to collect upfront. Remember, have esteem in your business. Your bill collectors do not want to wait to be paid after they provide a service, so why should you. You have obviously made a good impression on them if they come back now, it’s their turn to show good faith for their mistakes. If they can’t pay upfront, at least get half or walk.

Avoid Small Talk Get Straight to Business.

If someone comes to you for business, MAKE IT business and avoid small talk at all costs, you are a busy black entrepreneur, and you need to be paid for your services.

The small talk is a setup to ask for a discount or some kind of deal that’s gonna work more in THEIR favor. Don’t fall for it. If they can give you small talk to get the business, they will BS you when it comes time to pay too.

Less than 3% of companies nationwide are owned by people of color who manage a business.

However, according to Census Bureau data, the proportion of Black-owned firms has increased by 8.52% over the previous two years. This is faster than the 0.46 percent growth rate experienced by all enterprises. These are some regions of the nation where starting a business is easier for Black entrepreneurs to manage a business.

2. Franklin, Murfreesboro, Nashville, Tennessee
3. Due to its welcoming atmosphere for start-up businesses and prosperous economic climate for Black households and individuals, Nashville-Davidson-Murfreesboro-Franklin, Tennessee, rates as a top location for Black entrepreneurs. The area’s firms recorded sales of more than $250k in 2019 at a rate of about 74%. The general unemployment rate recently registered at 2.7%, the 13th-lowest among the 57 metro regions, and the 2019 Black unemployment rate was 4.5%.

San Francisco, Oakland-Hayward, California
San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward has the 13th-highest number of Black-owned businesses (2,087) and the 11th-best two-year change in the number of Black-owned businesses (40.54%) in the area of Black-owned company success. The region has the highest start-up early survival rate (81.83%) for new business environments for black entrepreneurs who manage a business. Finally, the 2019 Black unemployment rate was 6.5%, while the median Black household income was approximately $61,700 (fourth-highest) (12th-lowest).

Sandy Springs, Atlanta, and Roswell, Georgia
The Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell metro area is among the top 10 metro areas in terms of six different study parameters. The area has a high proportion of Black-owned businesses (6.67%) and a high number of Black-owned firms (7,539). New enterprises make up around 31% of all businesses in the area, making it the fifth-highest percentage. Additionally, the area has a relatively high median Black family income ($56,245), low Black unemployment rate (5.9%), and a low December 2021 unemployment rate (2.3%), making it a strong performer in economic scenario criteria.

Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX
The changing economic environment in Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, Texas, may appeal to black entrepreneurs who want to manage a business there. Nearly a third of the enterprises in the area were founded in the last three years, with a start-up early survival rate of nearly 80%. Additionally, a lot of companies record significant profits. Data from the Census Bureau show that in 2019, 70.90% of enterprises had sales and receipts that were higher than $250,000.

Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV
The nation’s capital has a high proportion of newly established businesses, with more than one in four enterprises having been established in the previous three years. Black business owners in Washington, Arlington, and Alexandria may also have a higher median income of $77,813 to invest in their startups. The area’s Black households have the second-highest levels of income, and the Black unemployment rate of 6.9% is relatively low.

Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA
In Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, California, there were 7,200 Black-owned enterprises in total in 2019. This is an increase of more than 41% over the previous two years. In Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, new enterprises account for 30.09 percent of all businesses.

Richmond, VA
Richmond, Virginia, has had significant success with Black-owned businesses. Nearly 7% of all businesses in the area are owned by the 1,700 or so Black-owned firms. In addition, the proportion of Black-owned companies is rising quickly. According to Census Bureau data, the number of Black-owned firms that manage a business increased by over 54% between 2017 and 2019, which ranks as the sixth-highest growth rate. In addition, with a median household income of $47,445, Black households have the 22nd highest income and the 19th lowest unemployment rate overall (6.9%).

Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Lands, TX
As per two separate metrics, Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Lands, Texas, ranks among the top metro regions for both the number of Black-owned businesses (approximately 4,000) and the proportion of new firms to all businesses (30.85%). Additionally, the Lone Star State ranks 11th highest for its start-up early survival rate (79.63%) among the 50 states and the District of Columbia.

San Antonio-New Braunfels, TX
The median income for Black households in San Antonio-New Braunfels is $55,009. It also has the 12th-highest percentage of new enterprises (29.64%). Additionally, out of all 57 metro regions in 2019, the Black unemployment rate was third-lowest (5.2%).

Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC
The North Carolina-South Carolina metro areas of Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia do well in the categories of economic climate and success of Black-owned enterprises. Black people own about 4% of local businesses, and in the past two years, their number has climbed by 10.30%. In terms of the status of the economy, Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia has the ninth-lowest Black unemployment rate (6.2%) and the 23rd-highest median Black family income ($46,548). This is a great place to manage a business.

Source: SmartAsset – https://smartasset.com/data-studies/best-places-for-black-entrepreneurs-2022

Capital One Café comes as a surprise because for most people, Capital One is a credit card company and one that does an excellent job of marketing and promoting its services.

It is not often that I have heard too many complaints about Capital One, and I myself am a customer and greatly enjoy the services.

Recently, I learned about the Capital One Café, And I thought it was very interesting.

Is this a bank or a coffee shop? I asked, then I realized there was one in Woodland Hills, so I paid a visit today.

The first thing that I noticed was it was in a mall and I’m not the biggest fan of malls, but it was conveniently located and there were two people at the door who are ready to answer all questions that you have about the services.

It’s set up like a bank at a coffee shop, but a bank in the sense without the tellers and with offices where you can discuss your Capital One account.

The layout was very nice and of course, I couldn’t help but compare it to Starbucks. The first thing I noticed was there was a healthy amount of outlets if you want to work and tables and chairs that look very comfortable as you can see in the pictures

Capital One is obviously ahead of the curve and coming up with a new service that kills two birds with one stone and in this gig economy. We’re gonna see more companies doing that in the near future.

Anything I ordered was 50% off as long as I had a Capital One card. Even though the coffee that I ordered was six dollars, the same coffee that I get a Starbucks for $4.50 it was still $1.50 off the Starbucks price, but it actually tasted better.

Apparently, they have a deal with Peete’s coffee, which is what they sell in-store along with fresh bakery items.

They also have separate offices where you can go and work outside of the public area, as well as ATMs where you can pay your credit card bills, and they have all-gendered bathroom space and plenty of it.

Getting back to the plugs, I was really impressed because that is one thing that Starbucks is severely lacking. While Starbucks will not admit it, I’m pretty sure it’s to keep the population from sitting in Starbucks all day long and charging their devices and it actually works, unfortunately, it also keeps people who are spending money and who wanna sit in and get some work done out of the space too.

One thing I noticed right away about Capital One Café and stuff and comparing it to Starbucks is that Starbucks tables are really dated along with the chairs. They need to make it more comfortable for customers, But if I can’t charge my laptop or my phone while I’m there it’s useless to sit in there.

It’ll be interesting to see how the Capital One Cafés fair in the near future but at this moment it looks like a pretty good idea, it is very possible to pay your credit card bill online directly from your bank account so I’m not sure how convenient that aspect is except when the guy told me that you can also use cash to pay your credit card bill I don’t see anybody going to a mall to do that

I think the Capital One Café will have to think of other ways to lure people in and to garner more business

The other concern I have is whenever a company starts to develop brick and mortar outlets, the benefits of having a credit card for the company starts to wain because someone has to pay for that space along with the heavy advertising and marketing that they do each month

Overall I would rate the Capital One Café with an eight out of 10. I would definitely recommend you check it out. I’m just not quite sure of what the purpose or the benefit is as of yet.

I do know that if they had a drive-through and I could get 50% off my coffee they are in direct competition with Starbucks and that would be great but I’m not so sure that would benefit them financially. There are several locations around the country if you want to check them out Click this link.

At the height of the pandemic, when spending on home entertainment increased by fifty percent because people were forced to stay indoors for extended periods to avoid the virus, Terrell had this brilliant idea.

Not only did Terrell create a method for friends to communicate online, but he also enabled them to profit from playing and listening to their favorite video games, songs, and films. The majority of individuals believed that the social media platform would only serve as a typical social media platform; however, it also functions as a streaming platform.

Monytize is a social networking platform that allows users to maintain relationships with friends and family. However, it has additional advantages that eliminate the time-consuming wastefulness of social media browsing. Monytize aims to make social media profitable for both content creators and content consumers, going beyond the simple act of consuming information to also put money in their pockets.

The network is intended to facilitate the sharing of videos, photographs, and other media content, all of which will be monetisable. This platform, which can only be accessed by invitation, enables users to construct their own networks however they see fit. For each new member they bring into the community, the user who invited them receives a monetary reward.

Monytize is used by notable celebrities such as actor and comedian Tiffany Haddish, actor Kenan Thompson, NBA player Duane Washington Jr., and actor Jesse Tyler Ferguson, among others, so that they can earn money while interacting with their fans.

Monytize is a streaming platform that enables users to obtain the latest music, videos, and games from their preferred content creators in a centralized location. This affords content creators an additional opportunity to monetize their work and earn revenue from each stream they receive. It is particularly advantageous if their followers join via the invitation links they provide.

Terrell developed a business model to generate revenue for Monytize that donates a portion of each dollar to charitable organizations, needy communities, religious institutions, and any other part of the world in need of financial contributions. Users can also facilitate this model by inviting others to the platform, persuading them to spend money, receiving compensation for their efforts, and having a portion of their spending on Monytize donated to a charity of their choosing.

Monytize is the first and only platform of its kind, allowing the company, its users, and the general public to generate revenue concurrently.

Monytize enables users to earn money through their participation in social media, fulfilling the hopes and expectations of a large number of individuals.

You will have access to a variety of features as a member of the Monytize community, including the ability to stream entertainment, participate in gaming, interact with your friends, family, and communities, and follow your preferred content creators, influencers, brands, and other entities.

Members will be able to invite their networks via a unique invitation link, and for every dollar spent as a result of their influence, they will receive 20% of the total. Each member link keeps track of each transaction and ensures that the correct member receives credit.

Audio Up, one of the most innovative brands in the audio entertainment and media space, has announced the initial closing of its Series C fundraiser. The fast-growing media company raised the round at a $150 million pre money valuation. 

The company’s combined A and B raise in the fall of 2021 made headlines for its list of high-profile investors; including entertainment luminaries like The Weeknd, Wassim “Sal” Slaiby, Larry Rudolph and top media entities; SiriusXM, MGM-Amazon, Primary Wave, and Reservoir Media. 

Additional names from series A and B funds included Entertainment One’s CEO Darren Throop, producer Will Ward, and Draft FCB founder Howard Draft. 

“We have achieved an incredible amount in a very short time frame,” says Audio Up founder and CEO Jared Gutstadt. “Having our business organized around a small group of elite media companies and entertainment luminaries allows us to grow in a way few can match.”

Among the fund raise’s top contributors includes longtime Audio Up investor Ben Lurie who will be joining the company’s board.

“Jared is an incredible visionary in the media space and I’m betting on his leadership,” Lurie said in a recent statement.

Populated with a singularly dynamic joint venture between Audio Up and Universal Music Publishing Group (UMPG) that launched in the spring of 2022, Audio Up will use the proceeds to continue amplifying the music side of their business.

Among their top objectives in 2023 will be to strengthen their vertical integration strategy by building new studios and post-production facilities in Nashville; complementing the two outposts they already have in Los Angeles, including their highly buzzed-about Brentwood, CA recording space, Audio Chateau.

The Nashville location (Audio Chateau South) will be an outpost for podcast and music creators, housing guests and collaborators of the Audio Up world. The list of music city collaborations alone includes Miranda Lambert, Florida Georgia Line’s Brian Kelley, Breland, Willie Jones, Scarlett Burke and Elle King, with many more to be announced in 2023. 

Another portion of the proceeds will be used for IP acquisitions to grow Audio Up’s already prolific output which has generated 40+ million podcast downloads and nearly 100 million music streams across 30+ podcasts released in the past two years alone. This comes hot on the heels of the company announcing the largest book IP acquisition in the history of podcasting with its coming adaptation of 52 books from the legendary Harlequin romance catalog.

Since the company’s launch in 2020, Audio Up has become renowned for unlocking original music in their podcast properties, paving the way for the next frontier for how consumers discover new music.

Gutstadt explains, “Our podcast strategy goes beyond the CPM model synonymous with Podcast 1.0 success. Audio Up has become a true gateway for content development and the testing of new IP.  Along the way, our podcasts are becoming a new discovery platform for music, and is hitting a blind spot being missed in this inherently audio centric media.

By discovering new recording artists and writers which we plug into our content and into the world of DSPs, we are becoming a go to IP source for major labels and studios alike. In success, we hope to be at the epicenter of hit records, television shows, films, tours, and brand experiences of the future. Discovery has become one of the biggest challenges for all aspects of the entertainment space. 

This is our challenge and we believe we have a unique angle into discovery.  Come for the podcast, stay for the music. The next phase will allow us to push the boundaries further and finally have our Encanto or Old Town Road Moment utilizing the podcast as the fire starter.”

In order to continue building Audio Up’s growing music vertical, the remaining proceeds from the Series C raise will fund the creation of new copyrights, which will become the backbone of their audio original slate. 

Having already collaborated with a who’s who of the best and brightest in the music space (NAS, Machine Gun Kelley, 24kgoldn, iann dior, Maejor, Nile Rogers, Nessa Barrett, Travis Barker, Scarlett Burke, Trippie Redd and Poo Bear), the venture will continue to be led by Gutstadt, who also has 25 ASCAP award wins, two Emmy Award nominees, and multiple Clio and Cannes Lion Awards to his name. 

“Our boots on the ground approach allows us to roll up our sleeves with all of our collaborators. This is not a business where you can have distance and agency. You have to get in the trenches with all of your creators, from Stephen King to Machine Gun Kelly and beyond,” concluded Gutstadt. 

“We create things every single day, and the amount of buying lanes has expanded for us significantly in the past few years. We want to meet this moment with the funding to allow us to create as much as possible. That’s the mission for 2023.”

Among 2022’s top properties include the Spanish language podcast Dia De Los Muertos, which topped the podcast charts in Mexico and USA simultaneously; the smash, scripted-country musical podcast The Ballad of Uncle Drank (also the company’s first chart topping music podcast), and Make It Up As We Go, one of Audio Up’s marquee podcasts now in its second season. 

The company has also made a name for itself creating a slate of adapted premium audio entertainment, which includes Stephen King’s Strawberry Spring.  Released through iHeart in 2021, the podcast went #1 across Apple Podcasts fiction charts. 

Coming in 2023, the company will release an adapted seven-episode series for Audible titled, The Playboy Interviews: Icons and Iconoclasts, and the upcoming 13-episode adaptation of famed crime novelist (LA Confidential) James Ellroy’s American Tabloid, which promises to alter the podcast landscape with its star-studded cast, immersive audio, and original score.  That property will also release through Audible next year. 

A Nashville man has been arrested after lighting up a crack pipe in front of a T-Mobile employee.

According to Antonio Rivera’s arrest affidavit, officers responded to a robbery call at the store at 932 Richards Road on Wednesday to find Rivera there while the store was still open.

Responding officers said that Rivera was sitting in a chair when he “immediately started to light a crackpipe in-front me.” Rivera was arrested immediately, and his body searched for cocaine base.

Rivera was not the first time they had a run-in with employees and store manager. He was arrested for trespassing and was denied entry to the store in September. Rivera was then told by employees that he entered the store with a weapon. He then sat down on a chair smoking crack pipes. Rivera was arrested for disorderly conduct during his latest arrest.

Fans Can Wear Digital Fashion Lines Created by WMG’s Roster of Artists

Warner Music Group today announced a partnership and investment in DRESSX. DRESSX is a digital fashion retailer that focuses on sustainable fashion and the largest digital clothing store. This partnership is the first of its kind and will allow select WMG artists to create their own virtual fashion lines.

Artists will work directly with DRESSX in order to create and launch AR and 3D virtual clothing that they can share and enjoy on Instagram, Snapchat and other platforms. Artists will be able to generate new revenue streams and fans will have additional avenues to show their support across digital platforms.

Oana Ruxandra is Chief Digital Officer and EVP, Business Development at WMG. She stated, “The representations of our future digital selves are as important and, depending on the sheer volume of interactions measured, perhaps more important than how physically we represent ourselves.” 

We are focused on creating partnerships that will allow WMG and our artists to become more powerful and impactful as our digital identities grow exponentially. DRESSX, a leader in sustainability and wearables, is the partner we need to help us build the future.

We are proud to be a partner with Warner Music Group, their amazing artists, and to help them continue building and scaling the DRESSX-meta-closet vision. 

Digital fashion is a visual language that allows people to communicate and create bonds online. At DRESSX, we use technology to make digital wearables with augmented reality, machine learning, and blockchain. Digital merchandise and music swag will be an integral part of digital fans’ digital wardrobes.

It is exciting to see more stakeholders believe that this new area is changing the fashion industry on a large scale. We are moving closer to our goal of making fashion accessible to all people through innovation and technology every day.

Since August 2020’s DRESSX launch, the company has grown to be the largest digital-only fashion platform with over 3,000 digital items in its DRESSX library. It also launched the most popular AR fashion app. 

DRESSX has partnered many top tech, fashion, lifestyle, and tech companies like Meta, Roblox and Snapchat as well as Coca-Cola and FARFETCH. Its digital fashion expertise cements its position among WMG’s increasing number of Web3 collaborations.

DRESSX is committed towards sustainable fashion. It promotes the digital clothing market to give consumers opportunities to show their style online. DRESSX is committed to sustainability and invests in science-based assessment of its digital fashions’ carbon footprint. 

The Carbon Accounting Company validated the patent that DRESSX developed as a pioneer in digital fashion carbon calculation. DRESSX is a partner with Flow Carbon since June 2021 to offset carbon emissions from all its operations. This makes the company carbon-neutral due to the use of offsets. Click to learn more about DRESSX’s sustainability and carbon footprint methodology.

FCTRY LAb is a BIPOC-led, LA-based footwear prototyping lab and venture studio aiming to democratize sneaker production and open-source innovation for emerging and established designers and brands of all sizes.

FCTRY LAb’s fundraise for their launch on December 15th is one of 2022’s largest investments in a Black Founder.

Founded by Omar Bailey (Former Head of Yeezy-Adidas Innovation Lab) and Abhishek Som (Former Wall Street & Private Equity Executive), FCTRY LAb is an independent innovation studio that is US-based to avoid the risks and delays of overseas supply chains, thus shrinking product development time from 8-12 months to a short 1-3 months.

Making high-technology accessible, FCTRY LAb is working to provide equity in an industry where large sneaker corporations often make an overwhelming majority of profits off the creative power of minority designers, influencers and athletes.

This initial $6 Million tranche included a diverse group of venture capital firms, top professional athletes and a myriad of pedigreed angel investors.

Investors include the Co-Founder of Tinder (via Time Zero Capital), Co-Founder of WeWork, the West Coast Head of Warburg Pincus, and a consortium of NBA & NFL stars via Chicago based Aurelien Capital.

Venture capital investment was led by the LA-based, Pay-Pal-backed Slauson & Co, with additional investment from Relay Ventures, Elysian Park Ventures (the private investment arm of the Los Angeles Dodgers ownership group), Level One Fund & Fog City Capital among others.

Omar Bailey helped transition the gap from cutting edge conceptual design into physically wearable footwear during the $1 Billion revenue growth of Yeezy-Adidas.

With over 20 years of global product development and manufacturing practice as a design engineer, his other experiences include developing footwear for entertainers such as Jay-Z and Lady Gaga, athletes such as Karim Benzema and working alongside culturally-impactful brands like Supreme, New Balance, K-Swiss & Timberland. Satyan Gohil, also a footwear prototyping and development veteran at Yeezy-Adidas, has joined FCTRY LAb as Head of Innovation.

In a short period of time FCTRY LAb has already designed, prototyped and manufactured multiple lines of collaborative footwear with top design and brand partners and a reigning Super-Bowl winner.