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When it comes to African-American film and TV Directors, the first one that comes to mind is the legendary and pioneering Black author and filmmaker Oscar Micheaux.

He was the son of slaves and made over 40 films without the help of Hollywood. Many credits him as the quintessential director, who started it all for a long lineage of history-making Black directors in the film and television industry.

From the genius of the Hughes Brothers delivering inner-city tales like Menace II Society, Reginald Hudlin giving us the cult comedy classic, House Party and the forever mood of Black excellence with Boomerang, John Singleton, who is a legend among legends, Malcolm D. Lee providing the smash hit romantic comedy, The Best Man, Spike Lee coming through with the timeless, Do The Right Thing, to Ava DuVernay giving us the powerful and poignant, When They See Us, Black directors have painted the pictures we live. The world needs to see from our cultivated lens.

While many barriers still need to be broken, Black directors, producers, and writers are making strides in today’s industry that we have not witnessed thus far. From Shonda Rhimes massive Netflix deal to Ryan Coogler’s gargantuan success with Black Panther, Black excellence is finally being recognized in a way that we always knew it. In contrast, others ignored it or even siphoned it without us benefiting from the fruits of the talent and labor.

We labor on in this industry trying to find our way, or others like Tyler Perry are just kicking the door down and building their own doors. Either way, we are witnessing a true renaissance, and this list consists of just a few Black directors who have their foot on the proverbial gas and don’t seem to be slowing down anytime soon.

Lee Daniels

While Lee Daniels is a triple threat in that he is a director, producer, and screenwriter, today, we focus on his work as one of Hollywood’s premiere directors. Daniels has been in the game for a while, and he was first recognized largely as a producer with the success of Monster’s Ball when Halle Berry became the first and only Black woman to win an Academy Award for leading actress in 2002. Ever since then, Lee Daniels has been on a role.

Daniels directed Precious in 2009, and the film was nominated for six Academy Awards, including two nominations for Daniels (Best Director and Best Picture). Monique won the Oscar for Best Supporting Actress for her powerful role in the film. In 2013, he directed Lee Daniels’ The Butler, a drama that tells the story of an African-American butler who served at the White House during seven presidential administrations.

In 2015, Daniels co-created and directed Fox’s Empire and served as executive producer for all six seasons. The critics are raving about this new directorial project, The United States Vs. Billie Holiday, which stars Andra Day. The film is already getting nominations and awards buzz, so the sky is the limit for Mr. Lee Daniels once again.

Regina King

Regina King has had “it” since she was Brenda on 227. We all know the dynamic work she did on Boyz N The Hood and Poetic Justice, but Regina continued to flex her incomparable acting skills in many more dynamic roles that showed her true talent. While she has won an Academy Award, Golden Globe, and several Emmys for her acting chops, she is also beginning to build an illustrious directing catalog.

Of course, other Black directors have done more; however, Regina King is on the rise after directing episodes of Being Mary Jane, Southland, Insecure, This is Us, Shameless, Pitch, and several other television shows. She has now ascended into the world of film.

With her directorial debut in the film world with One Night In Miami, in which she also served as the Executive Producer, Regina is slated for more success.

Salli Richardson-Whitfield

It’s something about the Chi that can’t be denied. Salli Richardson-Whitfield is a Chicago native who left a significant footprint on the television and film industry. While she has lent her acting skills to the small and big screen, we can find all her directing accolades via television.

Whitfield has been a true force in the world of television when it comes to directing. Since 2011 she has done a masterful job behind the camera while still blessing us with a few appearances on the camera.

Black-ish, Luke Cage, Queen Sugar, Chicago Med, America Gods, Survivor’s Remorse, Scandal, Lethal Weapon, and so many more shows have benefited from Whitfield’s talents as a director.

Ryan Coogler

Simply put, Ryan Coogler dominates the game as a film director, producer, and screenwriter. Since his powerful entry into the industry with his debut film, Fruitvale Station, which won the top audience and grand jury awards in the U.S. dramatic competition at the 2013 Sundance Film Festival, Coogler has not looked back.

He has gone on to co-write and direct the two Creed films, and we all know the monumental success of the Marvel film Black Panther.

Since coming on the scene with the success of Fruitvale Station, he and actor Michael B. Jordan seem to have the keys to Hollywood, as many view them as an unstoppable tag team. Coogler will be returning as the director of Black Panther II, and also be directing Lebron James’ Space Jam II film.

Ava DuVernay

I recall when Ava DuVernay called the office for Radio Facts magazine, where I was working at the time, to request interviews for her clients when she was running the DuVernay agency, which was a PR agency. Fast forward many moons later, DuVernay is one the most sought directors in Hollywood with her outstanding work on Queen Sugar and the powerful film Selma.

DuVernay’s 2018 Disney children’s fantasy film A Wrinkle in Time made her the first black woman to direct a live-action film earning $100 million at the U.S. box office.

The following year, she created, co-wrote, produced, and directed the Netflix drama limited series When They See Us, based on the 1989 Central Park jogger case, which has earned critical acclaim. The series was nominated for 16 Emmy Awards, including the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Limited Series, and won the Critics’ Choice Television Award for Best Limited Series.

F. Gary Gray

Like many other directors, F Gary Gray started off directing music videos for artists like Dr. Dre, Ice Cube, TLC, Outkast, and a host of others. Once he directed the cult classic Friday, his career took off. He has since directed the films Set It Off, The Negotiator, The Italian Job, Be Cool, Law Abiding Citizen, and Straight Outta Compton.

He also directed the eighth installment of the Fast & Furious franchise, The Fate of the Furious, the 18th-highest-grossing film of all time.

Gray is well deserving of his star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, which he received in 2019 for his illustrious career in Hollywood.

Gina Prince-Bythewood

For all you Love & Basketball fanatics, Gina Prince-Bythewood is the visionary behind that classic film starring Omar Epps and Sanaa Lathan. Gina wrote and directed the film after working as a writer on shows like South Central and A Different World. Blythewood has gone on to direct The Secret Life of Bees and Beyond the Lights.

Most recently, she directed the 2020 film adaptation of Greg Rucka’s The Old Guard for Netflix, starring Charlize Theron and KiKi Layne.[ She is the first biracial black woman to make a comic-book film.

The film was very well received, and now Gina Prince-Bythewood has been tapped to direct Silver & Black, a movie based on Marvel Comics characters Silver Sable and Black Cat.

Tyler Perry

Tyler Perry once said, “While everybody else is fighting for a seat at the table, talking about ‘#OscarsSoWhite, ‘ I said, ‘Y’all go ahead and do that. While you’re fighting for a seat at the table, I’ll build my own in Atlanta. Because what I know for sure is that if I could build this table, God will prepare it for me in the presence of my enemies.”

No one can deny this man built his table instead of begging Hollywood to accept him at their proverbial table. From the stage and small screen to the big screen, Tyler Perry has done it all as a director, producer, screenwriter, and actor. The self-made billionaire is a shining example of how it should be done.

While some may criticize of his content, no one can knock his hustle and empire-building legacy. We all know his claim to fame was the creation of the character Madea, but Perry is so much more than that role. With several television shows currently running and a plethora of films and plays under his belt, there is no stopping the force that is Tyler Perry.

Jordan Peele

Jordan Peele exploded on the scene as a director after the success of his film Get Out. Although had previous success as an actor and comedian, the film was a critical and box-office success.

He received numerous accolades, including the Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay and Best Picture and Best Director nominations. He received another Academy Award nomination for Best Picture for producing Spike Lee’s BlacKkKlansman.

Jordan Peele also directed, wrote, and produced the acclaimed horror film Us in 2019. He is the founder of the film and television production company Monkeypaw Productions.

Jordan has been so successful and significant behind the lens that he plans to leave acting alone and focus on directing, producing, and writing. Peele has a brilliant mind, so we should expect more greatness from him soon.

Spike Lee

Spike Lee has been around forever, so why is he even on this list? Lee is on the list because he continues to make strides despite all of his accomplishments.

We all know about, School Daze, Do The Right Thing, Malcolm X, and countless other films that will go down in history as cult classics.

From teaching at Harvard, directing Nike Commercials, throwing Michael Jackson and Prince parties, and directing movies in every decade since 1980, Spike Lee is still doing it in a big way. Lee’s Vietnam war film Da 5 Bloods was released on Netflix. The film starred Delroy Lindo, Jonathan Majors, Clarke Peters, Isiah Whitlock Jr., Mélanie Thierry, Paul Walter Hauser, and the late Chadwick Boseman.

The film received widespread critical acclaim, with the website Rotten Tomatoes’ approval rating being 92% based on 252 reviews, with the critical consensus reading: “Fierce energy and ambition course through Da 5 Bloods, coming together to fuel one of Spike Lee’s most urgent and impactful films.

Spike is now partnering with other Black directors and producers to bring iconic films to the masses. Let’s appreciate Spike for the legend he is.

To put it simply, music licensing is the licensed use of copyrighted music. You would be surprised or maybe you wouldn’t be as to how many artists don’t generate any income via this revenue stream. I personally know of one legendary hip hop music artists that sought out my help a few years ago regarding music licensing because he surprisingly didn’t have any of his music synced in any television shows, films, commercials, or otherwise.

We talked and all I told him was what I do but I also said, he had fame on his side so he didn’t need to take the route I did. I don’t take any credit whatsoever but I’m proud to say he is now reaping the benefits of sync money.On the other hand, I also personally know one songwriter/producer that hasn’t accumulated the fame of the aforementioned hip hop music artist but he lives a quality life via the world of music licensing. He only creates music for the purpose of providing the perfect accompaniment to a key scene or scenes on the big or small screen.

He hasn’t accumulated the wealth of P. Diddy, Jay Z, or even one of the industry’s top songwriters like Diane Warren but trust me when I say, he lives quite comfortably.I could site many situations about artists I know that have capitalized off the music sync world but I will just give you these tips via my personal experience as I too have made a little change in this world. I don’t want to give the illusion that the bottle popping will commence once you start taking advantage of music licensing but you can at least create another viable revenue stream that can help you sustain your career.

If you are an independent artist that doesn’t have fame on your side, these tips may work for you. By no means am I saying this is the only path to music sync success, but it is the path that lead to my first placement, other placements on ABC, NBC, HBO, Spike TV, FOX, CW, some decent royalty checks, and my most successful placement with my song “Good Life,” produced by David Whiteside of P5Audio, ending up on the American Reunion soundtrack and beyond.  (CLICK NEXT FOR TIPS)

TIP 1: DO YOUR RESEARCH

Assuming there is no need to tell anyone that creating good music with great sound quality is the true first step, let’s get the party started.As an artist/songwriter, I’m very proud of my music catalogue just as most of us are, but many times what we or our fans think is awesome may actually be awesome but it’s not what a music supervisor is looking for.

It is quite possible that something in your current catalogue fits the criteria but you may need to create some new music with the purpose of getting it synced. Do your research by finding out what music supervisors are looking for.

One easy way to do this is by watching TV. See what types of songs are already getting picked and how they match with the scenes. Without even doing any research, I can tell you that music supervisors always need party music so if you have a quality party song, there you go. Another way is the get on the mailing list of a music licensing company that specializes in placing music, which leads me to TIP 2. (CLICK NEXT FOR ANOTHER TIP)

TIP 2: GET WITH A TRUSTED SOURCE

Just like everything else in the music business or any business, it’s all about relationships. Most artists don’t have direct personal relationships with enough music supervisors so how would we even know what they are looking for. The answer is simple. I’m usually a person that says find a way to cut out the middleman but in this case, you may need one. Find a music licensing company or music company that supplies music to music supervisors.

These companies have direct relationships and history with music supervisors so when it’s crunch time and a music supervisor needs that last minute song to fit their scene; they usually go to a trusted source.  Music supervisors are looking for a good song for reasonable price and that is the entire job of a music licensing company.

They negotiate deals with music supervisors using your music on your behalf. There is an obvious cost to this but my recommendation is to go with the companies that only get paid, when you get paid. Usually these companies have a great reputation because they review and refuse most the music they receive so music supervisors know that they are about quality over quantity. The same company that has rejected 10 of my songs has placed 10 of my songs.

That being said, I’m not knocking any other business model but I’m just telling you what has worked for me. The beautiful thing about all of these companies is that you still own all the rights to your music. They are just there because of their relationships and ability to negotiate. They do not own your music.  (CLICK NEXT FOR MORE TIPS)

TIP 3: BE PREPARED

Once a music licensing company has accepted your song to its catalogue, make sure you make the song available via iTunes, Amazon, Spotify, and all the other music purchasing or streaming websites as soon as possible. You don’t even have to promote that it’s available for purchase yet but have it ready because once the music licensing company contacts you to let you know that your song has been placed, you generally don’t have enough to time to get the song up on iTunes or get album artwork prepared. They can call or email you on Monday to say your song will be on a television show on Tuesday. This has actually happened to me so be prepared. I can’t tell you the number of times one of my songs has been synced in a television show or a film and instantly fans of that show are requesting how to get that song. This is how your placement translates into another revenue stream.

TIP 4: PROMOTE PROMOTE PROMOTE

 Once your song has been placed in a film, commercial, or television show, promote like crazy. If you can, get out a press release, tell your mother, tell your father, go on social media and make sure to hashtag the film or television show your song was placed in. Make a youtube video of you watching the show your song was placed in.

I’m basically saying, be creative and let people know about your accomplishment. Add this new credential to your bio or resume immediately because people will look you up. This gets you new fans and it makes your current fans take you more seriously. It may also garner attention from someone that can aid in taking your career as an artist, songwriter, or producer to the next level. Once your garner one significant placement, it makes that song more marketable and you as well so take advantage of this opportunity. 

TIP 5: BUILD ON YOUR SUCCESS

Once a music licensing company places your song thank them for it. I know it’s their job to do it but everyone likes to hear those two special words, “Thank You.” It also makes them remember you and they may start to pay more attention to you. This is how you start to build more of a personal relationship with them and trust me, it may lead to an unexpected phone call or email from them where they need you for special project they are working on.

Yes, this has happened to me also. When you are appreciative and grateful of any opportunity, somehow it seems to generate even more positive results for you. It may also lead to an “easier” submission process. The next time you submit a song to them for consideration, they may be more likely to accept it because they know your material produces results and they remember your personable demeanor. Not only build with the music licensing company, but also use them as reference when you are pitching your music for other opportunities.

Relationships are everything in this business so building, nourishing, and maintaining them is essential to take your quality music to the next level and beyond.Just to put a st on it, I have placed many songs but I received my first placement of the song “Good Life” in 2011 on a network television series. In 2012 the song appeared in the film American Reunion and on the soundtrack. Just last week that same song was featured in an episode of ABC Family’s “Switched at Birth.’ The song has never been on radio but has lived a life of it’s own and continues to provide me with some viable income. I hope this helps because we are all in this together.

From blackface, minstrel shows, Mom’s Mabley, Flip Wilson, Bill Cosby, Dick Gregory, Richard Pryor, Whoopi Goldberg, Eddie Murphy, Chris Rock, Martin, Kevin Hart, the Kings of Comedy, Dave Chappelle, and beyond, Black people have always found a way to laugh at our pain. How many times have we heard the expression, “we laugh to keep from crying?”

I would say too many times to count just as we can’t count the many stories of tragedy that we turned into triumph by hitting that stage and using that moment to offer therapeutic healing through our comedic gifts. Black comedians and writers have always been masters of making societal taboos like racism, sexism, politics, religion, marriage, sex, raising children, sexuality, and more laughable and palatable in a way that soothes our soul.

We are innovators and creators of culture that has shaped our existence and the American landscape as a whole. While a small stage and one microphone has been all we needed in many cases to express our comedic complexity, it is through the power of television that has catapulted our genius into the lexicon of society. From the varietal vision of the Flip Wilson Show to the raw, uncut, and unapologetic realness of Def Comedy Jam, television has been a game changing force behind the careers of many Black comedians. Eddie Murphy’s meteoric rise came as his popularity grew with his historic stint at SNL as he brought us classic characters like Gumby, and Mr. Robinson. He used his standup roots to position himself as one the most revered sketch comedians of all time and to put it simply – one the of the greatest of all time in general.

While there is a difference between standup comedy and sketch comedy, the latter finds its roots in those who were bold enough, like Eddie, to leave it all on the stage. I would be remiss to not mention the genius of Chicago’s own Robert Townsend who brought us the film Hollywood Shuffle, which was sort of like a sketch comedy film that made it to the big screen. Even his 1990 Partners In Crime comedy special was a mix of standup, sketch, and music. It is no secret that Townsend and Keenen Ivory Wayans were friends, comedic colleagues, and business partners and their collaborations sort of birthed what was to come from that point forward.

From the benevolent brilliance of Keenen Ivory Wayans, who brought the world the incomparable In Living Color, the cult classic cleverness of The Chappelle Show, to the dynamic duo dexterity of Key & Peele, Black sketch comedy has become iconic, memorable, and unmatched. We will see what the future holds for recent shows like Robin Thede’s A Black Lady Sketch Show or Bahsir Salahuddin and Diallo Riddle’s Sherman Showcase as they also bring new energy to the game.

For now, we will leave the “who was the best” or “G.O.A.T” rhetoric for those who choose to engage in that, this list is simply 10 classic sketches that we just can’t get enough of.

Wanda

While Martin gave the world Sheneneh, Jamie Foxx gave the world Wanda courtesy of In Living Color. With the famous tagline Heeey, Fo Real Do! – Jamie was launched into a new strastosphere.

Oprah once asked Jamie if he was acting when doing the Wanda character an he responded, “That was just fun. But you know what Keenen Wayans taught me? He said, “Take this time to work on your acting skills. Even in those little 30- or 40-second Ugly Wanda sketches, there’s acting. You’ve gotta make people care.” Mission accomplished – because people care about Foxx so much that he has gone on to win an Oscar, a Grammy, and achieve A-List stardom while still remaining one the funniest comedians to ever pick up a mic.

Fire Marshall Bill

“Let me show you something!” While Jim Carrey may not be Black, it was the genius of a Black man who gave him his start on television. Jim’s Fire Marshall Bill character is hilarious and became staple for the show as a recurring character. Carrey knows very well what that character of other characters he portrayed on In Living Color did for him.

“Brilliant Black minds gave me a start in Hollywood when none of the White guys thought I could connect or be a leading man. I got my first starring role (Ace Ventura) because of In Living Color. “

Men on Film

Men on Film as a sketch gets an automatic, “two snaps up.” This recurring sketch that was also brought to us by In Living Color became a cult classic. I can personally recall people waiting for the next one to see what would be new with “snap” approval Damon Wayans and David Allen Grier would deliver as Blaine Edwards and Antoine Merriweather. When asked if he ever received any backlash from the gay community, David Allen Grier once said, he never did the character with any intent of malice but didn’t think this sketch could be done now without intense criticism. Keenen also chimed in those classic characters and he said, the intent. of In Living Color as a whole was to include everybody. “Everybody is going to a laugh,” according to the legend.

Racial Draft

“Konnichiwa Bitches! ” is the classic line from the GZA as the Asian delegation chose the Wu-Tang Clan to join the Asian community in this classic episode of Chappelle’s Show. The racial draft sketch is so poignant because it addresses the entire concept of cultural appropriation, “acting Black” or “acting White” in a way that as hilarious. Dave Chappelle, Bill Burr, and Robert Petkoff serve as the analyst while Mos Def and Angie Martinez make special appearances. While we don’t know how Condoleezza Rice or Tiger Woods may have felt about the sketch, it is definitely an all-time classic.

Substitute Teacher

The comedic genius of Key & Peele was on full display in this legendary sketch. Yes, I said legendary. Michael Keegan truly delivers as the substitute teacher Mr. Garvey who is so used to teaching in the inner city that he can’t seem to fathom that his students have traditional names. “Where is A-A Ron right now?” is so hilarious. Why can’t it just be Aaron? That is really a rhetorical question but you get it. This sketch was so popular that they had to b ring it back for a round 2.

Wayne Brady

“Is Wayne Brady gonna have to choke a bitch?”was Wayne Brady’s revenge to show he wasn’t having it when Paul Mooney previously said on Chappelle’s Show “White people love Wayne Brady because he makes Bryant Gumbel look like Malcolm X.” Although Brady didn’t appreciate what Paul said in real life, he did the sketch with Dave to show he does have a sense of humor and he is far more than what people think he is. Out of this moment came one of the most funny sketches in history.

Clayton Bigsby

Once again, Dave Chappelle proves he is on another level how he can tackle taboo subjects but make it hilariously funny. His Clayton Bigsby character, who is a Black While Supremacist is truly brilliant being that he is blind. Even the documentary style way in which it is shot is excellent in itself. Only Dave Chappelle can make a mockery of White supremacy and find a way to do it that turns into a classic sketch. This skit became so powerful that there were comparisons to real life people who fit the image and actually believed in some of the ideals of this iconic character.

Homey the Clown

“Homey don’t play that” became a thing to say when we were growing up in the 90’s. While it was quite funny, this sketch was brilliant in that it addressed the thing that so many Black artists had been dealing with for ages. We had to sing, tap dance, and smile in the face of systematic oppression while sometimes feeling less than who we truly are. Damon Wayans took this iconic character to a new level and Homey was surely missed in the latter years of In Living Color once Damon left the show.

2. Charlie Murphy’s True Hollywood Stories -Rick James

“I’m Rick James Bitch!” became a household phrase after this iconic sketch came out. There is always comedy in the truth and the beauty of this sketch is that it was a true story told by the late Charlie Murphy and the late Rick James while Dave Chappelle played a young over the top James in the sketch. Charlie Murphy’s classic delivery of the story while Rick chimes in from time to time with lines like “Cocaine is a hell of a drug,” made this skit a timeless classic. Besides, who doesn’t love a good celebrity story?

Charlie Murphy’s True Hollywood Stories – Prince

Last but definitely not least is another Charlie Murphy classic Hollywood story. While the late Prince didn’t appear in the sketch, he confirmed on several occasions the that story was absolutely true. Leave it up to Dave to deliver the flawless execution of playing the iconic music. legend in a comedic way. Only Prince would invite you back to his house to play a game of basketball and serve you pancakes after whoopin’ your ass on the court. Imagine Eddie Murphy, Charlie Murphy and their crew playing against Prince and his band. This sketch is truly one of the greats and all we have to say to that is – “Game, blouses!”

Tyler Perry is a billionaire and without question, the odds were absolutely against him. Initially homeless after taking his life savings and investing it into his first play he was determined not to give up.

He is a Black man making films and building an empire which in Hollywood is an anomaly. He is a Black man who has completely gone against the grain of Hollywood’s elite in the vain of doing what he feels is right, he has certainly garnered (not made) naysayers and enemies. Enemies who often want to control the thinking, the spending, and the dumbing down of the black culture.

Unfortunately, some of those naysayers and enemies have come from the black culture too. Huey Newton said the first thing a revolutionary must realize is that he is a doomed man. But Tyler Perry is not doomed because he is protected by his fan base. He helps others in distress and he never comes off as angry or as an opportunist. Anger is the catalyst to getting Black men and women pointed at as the antagonists. Another tool that has been used against Black culture for control.

Tyler Perry KNEW what it was like to sleep in his car and be homeless. He knew what it was like to be physically abused as a child and he knew what it was like to be rejected. He has at one point or another, used all of that pain as a way to get his message across and in the process become an icon then a billionaire as his fans can connect with his journey..

Hollywood powerbrokers have had to acquiesce to Tyler’s refusal to buy the BS they have been handing down for decades about Black films but it doesn’t matter because his goal was to build a black entertainment empire for black people not to continue to make Hollywood more money. Therefore he established his footing in Atlanta, a once untapped largely black populated market as the home of his entertainment business. In the process, he was protected from most of Hollywood’s influence to shut him down. Many have come before Tyler but few had the business savvy and the desire to accomplish a greater goal than simply making a film. Tyler wanted to create longstanding opportunities for others as well.

There are those who criticize Tyler from the black culture for putting on a dress and playing Madea but the difference is he didn’t put on the dress because Hollywood asked him to, he created a character that his base could relate to. Black women have always been the glue that has held the black community together.

Any of us who grew up poor saw how black women formed a community for each other when black men were absent or in prison. This is not to say that it was all the fault of black men, racism certainly played a HUGE part in their absence but Black women still came to the rescue, watching each other’s children, grandmothers, aunts, and daughters were taught to take care of the household and the burden was heavy, Tyler had often been criticized for protecting black women more than black men.

The black community has the greatest respect for black women, especially mother figures. Had Tyler played a male character to get his point across, his success would have been short-lived and limited. He did what he thought was best for his plan and whether you like his movies or not, it doesn’t matter.

He’s not making them for everybody, he’s making the movies for his fans. Here are 10 brilliant things about Tyler Perry in our Black Top 10 segment

Never Allow Research and People Outside of Your Culture tell you ABOUT Your Culture

There are those in the black community who are stuck on white people’s ice always being colder and we have been misled for decades by feigned research by people who are not a part of the community and who to have their own middleman motives to drive black thinking. NOBODY knows black people better than BLACK PEOPLE.

Tyler knew this and he refused to buy Hollywood’s crock of sh about having white people in his movies as leads in order for them to be successful. He hired who he WANTED to hire and the Black experience RARELY involved white people in everyday life so he knew his audience would not buy it.

When he was turned down by every major studio for his projects Lionsgate took a chance on him and allowed him to do his project the way he wanted to. In the process, he proved Hollywood wrong and put Lionsgate on the map. He has been loyal to them for years even then those big studios who said no realized he knew better and could have successful films without them.

Super Serve Your Audience

Tyler Perry does just that. People have gotten on his case for all the Madea movies but that’s what his base wants. Not just the character but the humor and the chemistry with the other actors on the set. The audience is loyal and they know when they are being duped.

Another great example is In Living Color in the early 90s. Keenan Ivory Wayans had a super successful formula that worked great and a consistently growing fan base. When the white producers started giving him a hard time he left, they thought they could pull it off by keeping many of the same characters but once Keenan left, the show was HORRIBLE and died a rapid death. Who was going to harass and fire Tyler? He owned the company and his rights. Which is our next point.

Own it and stop asking for a Piece of what Someone Else Owns

There is nothing worse than begging for a seat at a table where you are not welcomed. What is the benefit of that? Eating with people who’d rather not be eating with you in a room where you are not wanted? Yet we consistently beg for equality and inclusion? Tyler doesn’t believe that, he is a firm believer in ownership.

Who needs recognition or some award when you own the whole company THAT in itself is a reward. When you lose your job or the corporation fires you. If you don’t own it, it’s not yours and you can lose everything in the blink of an eye. Own it.

This is one of the best statements Tyler made while being honored at the BET awards recently. We’re not sure if the Black audience realized the power of his words but he was preaching that night. We have a habit of asking to be included when we can create our own empires and don’t have to ask. We don’t own anything because some of us are still in the master/slave mindset that white ice is always colder and we are subservient instead of dominant.

Tyler knows his audience, he knows what they want and he knows how to give it to them. He doesn’t need a research company that knows NOTHING about the black community doing tests with sample populations like Hollywood and black radio does, he KNOWS his own community. That’s a huge benefit to succeed. He doesn’t have to hire black people temporarily to have them bring the culture to the industry he IS the culture

Resist and Persist

Just because one person tells you no doesn’t mean you should not ask someone else. If you keep asking the odds WILL eventually be in your favor, somebody is going to take a chance on you and your idea. Any of us who have been repeatedly rejected know that. There are some people who are NEVER going to support you no matter WHAT you say or do some will even try to discourage you in the process. They don’t deserve your time or energy and they will certainly be back to kiss your ass when you become successful. Tyler never stops asking questions.

Build a Safety Net

Success does not guarantee that you will be protected, to the contrary, it often leaves you open for attack. But the one thing that Tyler Perry does is he is extremely private but he insulates himself with his fan base by being extremely supportive of them. He also believes in giving back, to charitable causes and to the families of police brutality.

Tyler has paid for several funerals, he has paid attorney’s fees for people and he has even given to other stars in need like Fantasia, helping her to avoid bankruptcy on a couple of occasions.

In addition, your support systems may always be filled with people who look like you. Unfortunately, as a community we are still not in a place where we respect black businesses and quite often we don’t support them/us. You have to put together the best team and the best people and not feel guilty if they are all not black.

You DO Have Time

One of the greatest lessons I have learned from Tyler is that we DO have time to do the things that we need to get done. The key is to get rid of all the things that WASTE our time to make room for the things that bring value to our time.

Sometimes that even includes people. This man writes an entire season of tv shows, movies and produces them singlehandedly. That is someone who has mastered the use of time.

Know Your Value

As black people this is a MUST, we have always as a people and as a culture had to settle for much less than we were worth because of our lack of business acumen and esteem. If you don’t know your worth it will be determined for you and it will ALWAYS be less than you deserve. So you better understand what you bring to the table and walk away with a doggie bag.

Ignore the Naysayers

Whenever you succeed as a black man you will always be critiqued and criticized. We just have a habit of doing that in our community without the help of white people which is very unfortunate. If we don’t understand something instead of embracing or questioning or giving it a chance we attack it. As a community, we have got to learn to let each other drive in our own lanes and stay in our own if we can’t celebrate the success of others.

Bring it Home in ANOTHER Way

Too often we see sports figures take on their entire families’ financial woes. They end up broke and right back where they started because they don’t understand the power of money and it’s easy to think that your success lasts forever … but it doesn’t. If you are not investing your money and making it work FOR you instead of you working FOR it, you will end up broke. Tyler brings his success back home in a way that doesn’t benefit Pookie and Man Man as much as it does the ENTIRE black community. His message is clear. You can have a piece of the pie but you have to work for it. I’m going to provide you with the tools.

That’s a win/win/win: A win for the fans, a win for the community, AND a win for Tyler. You can never allow people to make you feel guilty about your success and when it comes from our community it stings even harder. The truth is ANYONE can have it if they are willing to work for it. KUDOS to Tyler Perry, keep doing what you’re doing.

I learned how to be an entrepreneur by trial and error and since I am celebrating my 25th year in business I’d like share the truth about Black Owned Businesses

I learned how to be an entrepreneur by trial and error and since I am celebrating my 25th year in business I’d like share the truth about Black Owned Businesses

So I’m celebrating my 25th year as an entrepreneur this year. I was prompted to write this after someone called me about someone who has just lost their corporate job and they asked me “Why doesn’t he last anywhere more than a few months?” I thought about that knowing that I’m blessed to be a successful entrepreneur and I believe this person has the same passion and potential from their past experiences. It’s not that they can’t keep a job, they may be better suited to work for themselves.

The longest job I have ever had in my life was at Urban Network, a now-defunct magazine in Los Angeles. It was one of the most educational music industry jobs I’ve had in my career but I lasted there under two years. I’m glad the late Jerry Boulding hired me because working there was like college for me and I learned SO much from Jerry.

A few months after I started, I was assigned as the rap editor and I HATED that job and I begged them to give it to someone else. I believe Harry Akaki wanted the gig and I would have given it to him on a silver platter but I didn’t have the power to do so.

I was not that guy that you would find hanging in the hip hop spot, or playing hip hop music in my car so I was not qualified to rank hip hop songs on a chart. Then again I have worked at many organizations in the industry where a LOT of MFs were far removed from their titles, but they were not the same color as me and they made/make a LOT more money so I was/AM not an anomaly.

I was not into hip hop music and it reminded me of how I grew up and I wanted no part of that again. But they made me do it and I’m glad they did. My job was not only to do the chart and ACT like I was interested in the genre. I knew that I looked like a damn fool ACTING like I was interested in hip hop. Wearing baseball caps backwards, speaking hood dialect and not smiling for pictures and trying to act pissed off and hard. I was a happy MF, but I was also an actor and that was the hardest role I EVA had to play and I didn’t do it well. So the Oscar DIDN’T go to … To make matters worse they wanted to fire me for a job I didn’t want in the first place, dirty MFs (lol).

I’m embarrassed to even admit it. You would have thought I would have caught a glimpse of my damn self even in a rearview mirror while thuggin’ my way down these LA streets wearing Tims. I should have just stopped and said “Um, hey Kev, yeah … this shit isn’t working! WTF are you doing?” But I needed the MF money, I had to do what I had to DO. I had just moved to LA. I wasn’t trying to be on deese damn streets.

The Hip Hop Songs Pay Off

I knew the management and owners at Urban had no interest in hip hop music either so it actually shielded me for a few months from the BS but it was also going to be my demise at Urban. Let me feign disappointment … DONE!

I had to sell the ads AND collect the money. The accountant, a short grouchy old white woman named Eyouna or Ulgar (I think) came down one day, cracking the whip and she told me, “You need to collect this amount from Priority Records!” The amount was about $10,000. I got something like 5% commission of what I sold so I would get a whopping $500.00 of the $10,000 for the ads I sold.

I called Priority Records and got the money a couple of days later. I looked at that check that was addressed to “The Network Group” or something like that for $10,000 and I thought to myself. I did the chart, I sold the ads but it’s not my magazine. This fkn check should have MY name on it.

Eclipse or Eyouna or Ulgar, whatever the F her name was, was there to snatch that check from my hand as soon as it came in and it took her about two months to give me my $500.00. She even complained to the Bird brothers that I kept asking her about it and Urban Network management told me to stop asking for MY commission. Really? Sht, I had rent to pay. So I had to wait another MONTH for $500.00?

It was at that moment that I decided to learn everything I could about a magazine while everybody in management at Urban Network was fighting each other for sh that didn’t belong to them … position and the damn magazine.

Me and Dusean Dawson used to have a field day laughing at them fighting while we told jokes and played music that I sang to drown out the slamming doors and arguing. And Scott Galloway would always have his headphones on bopping to the music in his ears while playing his wide-ranging plethora of music in his office den. He may not have even been aware of what was going on. They were, and still are, my two favorite people from Urban. Jerry Boulding was too.

I started staying later and coming in during the weekends too. I wanted to learn all that I could about doing a magazine and I did. Ironically, I had no plans to do my own magazine. I just wanted to learn as much as I could.

Entrepreneur Characteristics

It was a natural progression for me to be an entrepreneur and perhaps it is for you too. Let me share with you the things that I know and what MANY of my entrepreneur friends have also agreed with. So, if you’re even thinking about taking the dive I want to give you a few suggestions and some insight on what you can expect … you’re welcome. And so it begins …

It Will Take Over Your Life

I can honestly say, it takes a LOT to excite me these days but talking about business always perks me up (as well as singing, dancing and telling dirty jokes). I LOVE everything about business, well ALMOST everything and I love to see black entrepreneurs prosper because I know the circumstances that many of us come from and face.

My first job was being my own booking manager at 14. I booked my own TV commercial with no experience. I just called advertising agencies in the phone book (remember those) and sent the only copies I had of my grade school pictures (I didn’t know where to get them copied) I booked a series of commercials with the now defunct Weil, Levy and King ad agency in Buffalo as the stock boy in the Tops supermarket commercials. My face was all over Western New York, I was on Billboards and TV. I was a neighborhood star and it got me into Performing Arts high school on the spot. I saw what success could do for a person at a very early age. I came a long way from the kid who had to use food stamps at the same Tops grocery store. I was hooked and didn’t quite know it yet.

You May Be Single for a Long Time or Have Problems in Your Relationships

Most of the entrepreneurs that I know are single or if they are in relationships they are almost always short term or headed towards divorce.

Being an entrepreneur is like being a firefighter when duty calls you have to go NOW and your job becomes your soulmate and those close to you get jealous of that.

I know entrepreneurs who WANT love in their lives but they have to schedule a time to use the bathroom, how can they be in a relationship? In other words, YOUR JOB is your man or woman or significant other FIRST or you won’t be successful. Welcome to sacrifice.

You Will Be Extremely Gratified

Every success will bring you joy and every failure will drive your ambition. I have been blessed to leap out of bed in the morning feeling like the world was an amazing place and it was my canvas to paint on. When I worked for other people I never had that feeling, I was always stressed. I have worked in my draws and washed clothes while I worked and ran errands for myself and others while making sales calls. I LOVE IT and this is the benefit of being an entrepreneur, you beat the world at everything and go against the grain instead of with it.

You are ahead of the curve, while everyone is at work you are at the cleaners, or putting together a campaign for a client or planning a vacation but taking your laptop to work while you are there. But you are ALSO working while everybody else is watching TV or having drinks with their friends. I will say that “working” is a strong word because I have not worked in 25 years. I have been “building” and there is a HUGE difference but an even greater sacrifice.

I RARELY hear other entrepreneurs complain about being an entrepreneur but they DO complain about certain aspects of it like hiring people.

Things Will Not be Fair for Black Entrepreneurs

… but if you are a great strategist they will be JUST. I see a lot of money for hip hop songs and R&B go to other trades that don’t spotlight the urban industry or have the audience that I have but I also see what they CAN’T do and how I can be better doing what I do too.

You have to know that success in business is a STRATEGY not a competition and successful entrepreneurs know strategy. Black Owned Businesses will meet face to face with racism as it has no boundaries but don’t take it personal … take it where it has never been before or fill a hole that only YOU can fill. Nobody can do what you can do.

You Will Be Have to Change The People You Deal With

You will Have to be a Jack of All Trades

There are three things that you BETTER know as an entrepreneur, how to sell, how to strategize and how to stay on top of trends and mostly BY YOURSELF. These are the tools that keep you relevant. Oh, there is a fourth thing and it’s THE most important … KNOW YOUR ACCOUNTING! Make sure you use services like Quickbooks Online and HIRE a bookkeeper and accountant. You will not have time to do this yourself. As you grow, consider sources like Intuit Payroll to help keep your taxes on point.

You Will Find it Difficult, if not Impossible, to Hire Good People

Sam Sylk is a DJ and Entrepreneur who works in radio. He owns his own restaurant in Cleveland. He told me “People don’t want a job, they want a paycheck.” Let the church say AMEN … He was SO right about that.

Unfortunately, entrepreneurs are SO dedicated to solving problems which is what makes us entrepreneurs and Black entrepreneurs are even more susceptible to this because we know about racism and people not getting a fair chance.

The problem is many black people don’t give a shit about black-owned businesses (lol) this is what I like to call unrequited support. It often seems that you can never do anything right with OUR people? You can pay them more than white companies can give them breaks that white companies won’t give them and you can pay their rent for a year and they will STILL talk about you.

It is VERY TRUE that we really do think white ice is colder and more refreshing. THEN when you hire white people as a black-owned business … YOU become the no good dirty MF who abandons the community. You can’t win so you better put the business FIRST and find other ways to help the community.

You have to make the decision, do you NEED the best assistance or sign up for Public Assistance? As Steve Harvey said (I cannot BELIEVE I am quoting Steve Harvey) “You don’t encourage poor people by becoming one of them” there was truth in that. HIRE THE BEST PEOPLE TO GET THE DAMN JOB DONE, Black, White, Green, Gay, Crippled, Drunk with a Dead Eye and Crazy. Be the priority NOT the Option for the people that you pay and don’t give a sht because they are going to talk about you no matter WHAT you do.

You have to keep all poison and negative sht at bay or it will destroy your business. Your first friend, Your Wife, Husband, Partner and Child is your BUSINESS. If you can’t commit to that, it’s better to find a job.

You Will Have to be Very Strategic

… especially if you are of the Negroid persuasion. We have to be incredibly crafty, creative and strategic to keep the ball rolling and we have the background to do it. The key is to pace yourself and take care of yourself and your needs FIRST so that you are able to run the business. People will come at you a mile a minute with THIER needs. You are not jehovah jireh. Always do what’s best for the business FIRST.

Most of Your Friends Will be Other Entrepreneurs

If you are a successful entrepreneur, there is absolute certainty in the fact that we attract who WE are good and bad. 90% of my closest friends, the people that I talk to every day are successful entrepreneurs. We are a very misunderstood group of people but we get each other.

No matter what our background is we somehow have that commonality and associate best amongst ourselves. Since I have always been misunderstood anyway, being an entrepreneur has been a true blessing for me.

You Will Find Most People Really DO have Agendas Except …

Ironically, the people who support you the most … want the LEAST!!! They see the value of your business and they don’t have time to play games with you. The biggest clients are ALWAYS the BEST clients. (well at least for ME)

I have celebrity contacts who have said over the years that they can’t trust anyone and I can honestly say this is true of most entrepreneurs too. Your job is to live your passion and the money comes after that but then it seems it’s everyone else’s job to separate you from your money.

People are EXCELLENT at selling themselves as the second coming of Jesus then delivering a truckload of Hippo shit after you take the time to train them and hire them. You are trying to build a business and they are trying to pay their Cricket cell phone bill.

I had one potential writer tell me, and I kid you not … “If you pay me now for the next two weeks, (this is before she did any work) I will give you an extra week of work on the house. I have to pay for my motel room and I have to do it by tomorrow.”

She sent me a link to writing credited to someone else online and told me she was a ghost writer for the story. I guess I needed to go up to a wall and bang my head against it to see if it hurt.

Another time, I posted a job in one my email blasts to the industry and someone wrote me back, “This would be a good job for my niece. She works at Walmart. She will be at work on Wed around 10 am, can you call the store and ask for her and tell her about the job?” Sure, after I take my head off and put it on the nightstand before I go to sleep.

Success Will Make You a Small Scale Celebrity

Yes, it’s true, success is the same across the board it’s just on different scales. I have people email me like they know me asking for meetings and sending people they know my way saying “I’m a friend of So and So and he or she told me to reach out to you. And I don’t know either of them.

“I need to start my own business can we meet?” or “I need the record labels to send me product” or “I need tickets to a concert for my cousin” … you name it. It’s no wonder that celebrities and business people have buffers, you really do need them.

I was asked by someone to post something that was completely against the grain of what I do in business. I told then no via text and why I could not do it and they posted the exchange in a screen shot on Facebook. I was very disappointed but realized I had to take responsibility for surrounding myself with the wrong people. I haven’t made that mistake since.

Your Competitors Will Hate You or Turn on You

Certain people who can’t do what you do will have a disdain for you when they are trying to drive in the same lane. Never take it personally just know when this happens you are on to something and they are alerting you to it.

Your Best Ideas Will Come at 3 am

Successful entrepreneurs know this. In the middle of the night in your REM sleep, you will get a great idea that you KNOW if you don’t get up and work on it THEN and there you will forget it. My idea to do RadioFacts came to me in the middle of the night in 1995.

You HAVE to Micro-Manage People

It NEVER fails. The people that I have hired work out great for a short time but they almost ALWAYS lose their focus after a few weeks and get lazy. YOU HAVE TO MICRO MANAGE. The minute you get comfortable and think that you can breathe you get caught up in the BS.

I had to erase writers from the site who wrote hundreds of stories for me because I found out they copied stories from other sites. This cost me thousands in revenue and profits because I was not watching them but it saved me from being sued too because I caught it in time.

You can never expect people to give anywhere near a sht as much as you do. You have to be on top of it all the time.

Mentors Can Help or Hurt You

I’ve never had a mentor and that was a HUGE blessing for me. Had I had a mentor in 1995 when I started RadioFacts, they would have told me NOT to do the magazine because it was encouraging people that they were taking advantage of.

It actually DID happen. There were people who were cool with me who cut me off when I started doing RadioFacts. And still don’t speak to me. Give me a minute to cry … done! Fk em

You Have to Keep Learning

keep being a student, keep working.

Kevin Ross

If you keep being a student, you will keep working. I’ve seen enough of this from this perspective in the music industry and I have another saying “Radio is a Springboard NOT a Recliner” and that means that any opportunity that you have in the industry is an opportunity for something greater.

Take advantage of job opportunities when you are working because it will usually be something better than what you have. If you wait until you are NOT working to find something better it could be cleaning toilets.

Keep learning ALL the that you can while you can. That experience can come back later to serve you for the greater good. The more you know the better qualified you will be to run your own business.

If you rest on an opportunity you will lose greater opportunities and outgrow the first one. Trust me, I’ve seen this happen MANY times in the industry and few people recover from it.

Passion is the First step to success, Money is the last.

If you are in any business to make money ONLY. You will not be in business for long. Today’s industry is about passion and people are very sensitive to those who are knowledgeable about certain subjects and to those who are bullshitting. Passion will keep the ball rolling. Greed will slam the door shut. Feel free to share and comment.

Brand Ambassador Sheila Coates Talks to Biz Tipper

Biz Tipper talked to Sheila Coates recently. Coates is considered to be one of the best in the business of branding and this description from her site says it best.

Sheila Coates, the creator of BYOB, brings two decades of entertainment experience with expertise in branding, marketing, artist development, lifestyle & business strategies and creating great images.

Her successful career includes memorable red-carpet appearances and marketing campaigns for “A” list celebrities such as: Diddy, Babyface, Mary J. Blige, Monica, Angie Stone, Faith Evans, Lenny Kravitz, Deborah Cox, Barry White and numerous others. Sheila’s held executive positions with: Sony/BMG, EMI/Capitol, Arista, Virgin, MCA, Perspective and Hidden Beach Records leading multi-million dollar marketing budgets.

Her creativity, visual presentation, imaging and branding talents have created numerous performances for: The Oprah Show, The Grammy’s, American Music Awards, The Today Show and others.
Sheila has the passion; confidence and expertise to help people “Be Their Own Brand” by helping them define their unique “visual” DNA! She recently appeared on the national Steve Harvey Morning Show to talk about branding.

KEVIN ROSS: Greetings Sheila, thanks for talking to the Biz Tipper audience today. From my many years in business, it’s apparent that some people really don’t understand the importance of branding. Can you explain what branding is and why it’s so important?

Sheila COATES: Branding is influencing and persuading as opposed to marketing. You have to get people to see the difference. When you are talking about branding it’s about leaving an impression not so much making an impression but getting people to believe what you want them to see.

KR: How important is branding to a new business? Should you be focused more on money or branding when starting out?

SC: Well you definitely want to make money but I think in order to make your income more sustainable, you have to create a (click next above or below to read more) —————————– brand. In other words, why would I come to your company as opposed to someone else’s. Why am I buying from you? We can get anything we want from several locations right?

KR: So then branding is what brings the customers back…

SC: Exactly… and it tells the client what they can expect. More importantly, if I buy Tide, I expect to get the dirt out. If I go to to BMW, I’m expecting to get the ultimate driving machine. Even if you have similarities you have to tell me what makes you a little more unique.

KR: What are some of the most common mistakes you see with start-up businesses?

SC: I’m in the process of teaching a couple of small business courses and I was talking about one of the ways I was able to get Macy’s in my first year of business. They said, “Your brand looks like it can represent the Macy’s brand.” What many small businesses fail to realize is that a major business is not going to give you a shot to diminish their brand that they have been working on for years. So you have to make sure you represent yourself properly. There is a perception. You may be the only one in that business…but a brand must have the perception that it can handle the business at hand. Macy’s told me they got the same perception from my website, my business card and my stationary. You can’t give people your business card and tell them, ‘don’t use that email address” or ‘don’t go to my website right now.’ There has to be consistency and professionalism. Logos, colors etc. When you get a card from Macy’s you will see there is a consistency. You will see that logo everywhere. A lot of times with small businesses we have too many excuses for not creating consistency which is essential to branding.

KR: Considering more people DON’T succeed in small business would you say that’s what set them apart from those who do? It would appear the perception is reality in the case where someone’s brand is not defined neither is their business?

SC: It’s best to define your brand by looking at what makes YOU unique. There is a reason why some people listen to Steve Harvey over Tom Joyner. They both offer something different. That’s not saying one is better than the other it’s not about competing but businesses have to define what makes them unique and what makes people come to them. There are only two to three things that you need to define that make you different.

KR: So are you saying you should define your uniqueness and ignore your competitors?

SC: No, not at all but when you look at Beyonce, her brand influences. It’s very strategic. Her brand is ‘hot, sexy, pretty.’ Whenever you see her she’s consistent always hot, sexy and pretty whether she’s on stage at a Basketball game or in Cuba. You never see her dowdy unless it’s an acting gig. She understands that’s part of a brand. Then you look at Jennifer Lopez who is also hot and sexy but she is also funky. J Lo owns her lane and Beyonce owns hers, you never see them compete. If you want hot, sexy and pretty you go to Beyonce and if you want hot, sexy and funky you go to J Lo. You can’t let people tell you who you are, you have to define it for your business. The first step is defining. The second step is to be what you define.

KR: What about expanding the brand?

SC: When you look at Apple, Steve Jobs’ thinking was “Think Different” well in order to think different you have to BE different which is why he created the iPod, iPhone, iPad. Had he stuck with the iPod it would have become boring. When I started I took classes and they always said “your business will expand.” I fought that, I didn’t want to do that but now after four years of being in business, I realize it’s true. Create things that go with the brand to help you grow.

KR: I understand that it’s important to state then to be your brand but after 28 years in the business and 18 years doing Radio Facts I have to maintain a level of creativity and determination and that means surrounding myself with positive, innovative and creative people. I think there comes a time when we must grow and let the younger generation enjoy the industry too. I send people that work for me to many events and have them cover it. I was recently told by an industry vet that I need to go to more industry events but I don’t enjoy them in LA. It’s always the same people talking about the same thing. Should you go to all events that have to do with your brand?

SC: You have to pick and choose the events that you go to, to represent your brand. I would suggest asking yourself WHY you need to go or WHY you are going and that should help you make a decision. I think it’s important to show up every now and then.

KR: A couple of years ago, I went to a private event for another one of my brands. I took a friend with me who has not worked in a few years. She got drunk at the event. I was very embarrassed.

SC: Everything that you do to represent your brand is a reflection on you. You have to be strategic. J-Lo will never go down as one of the greatest singers but she has 15 brands because she’s consistent and authentic. Once I get you to see that I can get you to do what I want you to do.

KR: If you have a slip up can you recover?

SC: Absolutely.

KR: So what do you think about Paula Dean?

SC: When you hurt yourself people are more forgiving but when you hurt other people it’s hard to recover. Paula will be able to rebuild to an extent but not to where she was before. Look at Michael Jordan. Most football players and basketball players are broke 5 years after they quit. Jordan was always professional, hard-working and first class. That’s the way he is now too. He had handled everything negative the same way, his divorce, his father’s death, gambling etc. His brand is truly what he is. You won’t always be perfect but a MAJORITY of the time there is a consistency.

KR: I am burnt out on FaceBook, I don’t get a lot out of it. How important is it for people who are trying to brand to be on social networks.

SC: I don’t use FaceBook because my interactions with clients are personal and I don’t want to be on there talking about what I talk about with my clients. I do like Linked in.

KR: Thanks so much Sheila, I’m sure our Biz Tipper readers will get so much information from this interview.

SC: Thanks Kevin, Have a great week.

Great Business Management

Congratulations, entrepreneur….you’ve made it through another year of doing business. There is always room to improve, and my golden rule is, “If a client is not coming back for more services from you, you are doing something wrong.”

Too many times, we are living in the business moment and looking for instant financial gratification instead of building a great relationship with a client(s). There are ways you can improve your services that you may be overlooking.

I would strongly suggest avoiding all debt that you can, like small business loans or small business credit cards, but if you have to do it, then you just have to.

Good Business Ideas

I made this decision last year. You can offer great service all day, but just like there are some clients who will be dedicated to you, there are others who will be dedicated to your competitors or who may not believe in what you have to offer or see the benefit or they may just not like you.

In order to have the best business management and business strategy, you have to stop wasting your time and your business self-worth and esteem by chasing dead clients who, no matter how much you say or do, will never support you. Move on and spend your time looking for clients who do want to support you.

Improve Customer Service Skills

Once again, if NONE of your clients are coming back to you repeatedly, you are doing something wrong, and there is a great possibility that you may offer a great service by the way you do business sucks.

There is no room for growth in you keep begging for support, and after a while, you will appear desperate, and you will annoy your potential clients, who will steer even further from you and they will start avoiding you. Look at your competition to see what they are doing better than you.

You may not be able to offer what they are offering, but you can offer SOMETHING that they don’t or are not that will make your service more valuable to clients.

Over Deliver

If you expect to deliver something on Tuesday…. tell the client you will have it by that Friday.  This has a two-fold benefit. The client will get what they want early and if you have a problem you have more time. Once you deliver, you will shine bright in your client’s eyes and this is a great way to establish a great client/business relationship.

Ask Your Clients, How you CAN Help instead of asking FOR help.

In my business, I never “beg,” and neither should you. Calling someone and saying ‘gimme, gimme, gimme’ is annoying, and it’s usually the mistake most of the other people calling that client are doing.

Study what the potential client is working on and then call them with suggestions on how you can help. That’s very impressive, and you can work something in the deal where they spend money with you.

Do  a Client Visit or Luncheon

This is a dying art and proper good business etiquette. Unfortunately, it is one that I, too, have been guilty of not doing enough. How are you going to establish a relationship if you don’t get to know your client one-on-one? Take them out to lunch and pay for it.

Treat everyone with Respect. You Never Know Who you May Need.

The other day I was talking to a client who once needed someone to help him; the person refused and was a complete jerk about it, taking complete advantage of his power.

Now years later, the shoe is on the other foot, and the guy who couldn’t get any help is not refusing to help the guy who would not help him.

It is best, if nothing less, to at least respond to people who reach out to you, and it takes very little effort to do what you can to help in certain situations. If you are in a position to do it…. do it.

Update your website and hire an SEO Expert and Website Builder

Many sites in my industry leave a lot to be desired. It is beyond evident that many people in my industry are still not convinced of the power of the internet, and they are going to pay dearly for that.

Make sure you understand the advantages of social networking and how the internet works so that you can be in a position to offer your client FULL service. If you are not doing anything online, your business will look antiquated and out of touch.

If you don’t know what you are doing when it comes to building your business website, it’s best to hire someone. It can be extremely cumbersome.  You want to have the absolute best website design for the money.

Keep a Diary

Keep a diary of your transactions with clients. Many times they will tell you to call them back on a certain day, and it’s easy to forget that. If you don’t keep a diary, at least consistently update your calendar.

What are your Competitors’ Weaknesses

Any competitor who does what you are doing has strengths and weaknesses. Instead of trying to be better, be different. What can you offer that your competitor is not?

Offer Additional Services

Could your business benefit from offering additional services? Think of ways you can add to what you are presently offering to improve your services.

 

Mentors Key to Small business Owner Success

You have a compelling business model … ambition … black entrepreneurial spirit. Add in a solid business plan and the necessary capital, and you may be well on your way toward launching a business. But before you take the leap into owning your own business, it’s worthwhile to consider adding in another important element — the guidance of a mentor.

According to a recent survey conducted by The UPS Store, 88 percent of black entrepreneurs believe having a mentor has been invaluable. As evidence of the value this unique relationship brings, more than two-thirds of business owners who had a mentor prior to starting the business are still in contact with their mentor.”For many, starting a business can be overwhelming — it’s not just about exploring a passion or following a dream,” said W. Kenneth Yancy, chief executive officer of SCORE, a nonprofit association dedicated to helping small businesses get off the ground. “A mentor can help navigate the complex challenges that often come with being a business owner, and the guidance from someone who has been there themselves can be a real asset.”Beyond the intangibles — access to knowledge and the confidence that comes from having a respected colleague rooting for your success, for example — a mentor relationship can have a very real impact on your bottom line. In fact, 70 percent of black entrepreneurs who receive mentoring survive for five years or more, double the rate of those who do not.

“Many black entrepreneurs feel like they’re all alone when it comes to facing challenges,” said Tim Davis, president of The UPS Store. “Getting help from an expert, or advice from another business owner who’s already experienced something similar, can be invaluable.” A mentor’s contributions can take many different forms, so it’s important to find a partner whose expertise and approach to business is similar to yours. Through organizations such as SCORE, black entrepreneurs can — at no cost — pull from a pool of more than 11,000 certified experts from every industry to find a mentor that fits their personal work style and needs. Before choosing a mentor, consider the following questions to help you find a match who can maximize your business potential:How strong a role would you like your mentor to have? Are you looking for someone to bounce ideas off of, or someone who will guide youWhat timeframe does your schedule allow? Are you looking for a mentor to connect with weekly? Bi-weekly? As needed?

Where are you most comfortable meeting with your mentor? Is an electronic or phone-based relationship acceptable, or do you prefer chats over coffee?
Are there specific skills you lack that a mentor could help develop?
What credentials does your mentor need in order to provide you the greatest benefit?

To access tools, templates and other resources to help you find a mentor, and to search for a mentor with expertise in your field, visit www.theupsstore.com/score.

The Bottom Line

Small businesses that receive mentoring are 20 percent more likely to experience growth than those that don’t.Small businesses that receive 3-plus hours of mentoring report higher revenues and increased business growth.
70 percent of black entrepreneurs that receive mentoring survive for five years or more. Marketing Your business – A smart business plan includes a marketing strategy to help guide the communication and growth of your company. As you consider how you’ll approach marketing for your new business, you’ll need to consider things like your marketing goals, your target market and what the competitive landscape looks like.For help creating your marketing plan, visit the SCORE Marketing Assessment Tool at www.theupsstore.com/score. The free tool offers a survey to help black entrepreneurs plan and execute an effective marketing strategy.

Family First

John Davila, third generation architect and founder and CEO of LBCT Architectural Engineering and Design, learned everything he knows about architecture from his mentor.In 1919, John’s grandfather started an architecture business in Scotland. He mentored John’s father for many years, who eventually took over the business and finally, when the time came, his knowledge and expertise were shared with John.”My father is my mentor, I took the knowledge from him to create my own business that incorporated some of his principles with my business goals,” said Davila. “Having a mentor helped prepare me for obstacles I faced as a black entrepreneur.”

Just like his father, John has found great joy in mentoring. John is currently mentoring a past client’s daughter who has interest in entering the architecture and design industry. John knows the importance of being educated in the field you are hoping to turn into a career and feels that a mentor’s experience is extremely helpful when making the transition of opening a business.

EEOC AND FTC OFFER JOINT TIPS ON USE OF EMPLOYMENT BACKGROUND CHECKS

User-Friendly Documents for Employers, Job Applicants, and Employees Explain Laws Governing the Acquisition and Use of Personal Background Information

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) and the U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC) today co-published two technical assistance documents that explain how the agencies’ respective laws apply to background checks performed for employment purposes. One document is for employers; the other is for job applicants and employees. This is the first time that the two agencies have partnered to create resources addressing concerns in this key area. The documents are available on the EEOC’s website: Background Checks: What Employers Need to Know and Background Checks: What Job Applicants and Employees Should Know

The agencies emphasize that employers need written permission from job applicants before getting background reports about them from companies in the business of compiling background information. Furthermore, they reaffirm that it is illegal to discriminate based on a person’s race, color, national origin, sex, religion, age (40 or older), disability, or genetic information, including family medical history, when requesting or using background information for employment, regardless of where the information was obtained.

At the same time, the agencies want job applicants to know that it is not illegal for potential employers to ask about their background, as long as the employer does not unlawfully discriminate. However, when people are turned down for a job or denied a promotion based on information in their background reports, they have the right to review the reports for accuracy.

“The laws enforced by the EEOC and the FTC intersect on the issue of employment background checks, so this was a unique opportunity for the agencies to work together to provide user-friendly technical assistance to our stakeholders,” said EEOC Legal Counsel Peggy Mastroianni. “The No. 1 goal here is to ensure that people on both sides of the desk understand their rights and responsibilities.”

“The FTC is pleased to work with the EEOC to help ensure that employers and potential employees have a solid understanding of their rights and responsibilities,” said Jessica Rich, director of the FTC’s Bureau of Consumer Protection.

The EEOC enforces federal laws against employment discrimination; more information is available at www.eeoc.gov. The FTC enforces the Fair Credit Reporting Act, the law that protects the privacy and accuracy of the information in credit reports. More information is available at www.ftc.gov.

Without question if you want your business to grow you have to upgrade your business repeatedly as well as things that you do and the people you deal with. It’s unfortunate but everyone is not going to grow with you and some people will even hold you WAY back from forging ahead. Finally, success is not defined by millions of dollars, it is defined by success and leadership. the man or the woman who does their own thing and does it well. Successful black entrepreneurs are looked highly upon and we are few and far between.There are hundreds of thousands of people who have fake business cards and  fake businesses with email addresses that end in gmail.com or yahoo.com and they are telling people they are black entrepreneurs. They are not and they give us a bad name but for those of us that are successful

This week, a friend in Atlanta called me to tell me about a guy that he knew that is trying to promote his exercise business.  I knew this kind of call so well and I don’t like doing businesses with friends.It never works out well. My friend was trying to impress his friend by telling him that he knew someone in show business, marketing and promotion. My friend, who I talk to every few months went on and on about this guy and how he really believed in what he was doing and wanted me to talk to him. At times, I am far to concerned about the feelings of others and I felt obligated to finish the conversation as if I owed my friend that much but I didn’t.I did not ask him to do what he did.

This is incredibly uncomfortable for me because I am too busy to follow though with fake clients. I asked my friend, “Does this guy have a budget” he said “I’m sure he does” which in no way means yes, so I suddenly got another call (not really) because I didn’t want to waste another minute having this discussion. A few minutes later, my friend called again, I answered and he asked me to talk to the guy because he told him I would talk to him (why am I obligated to fulfill YOUR obligations?) I told him I had to take another call and that I would call him back. I’m not sure if you have had to deal with these kinds of people before but perhaps it’s a good idea to reevaluate the friendship because you begin to realize you are being used. At any rate I cut the conversation short again and told him I would call him back hoping he would get the message that I did not want to be bothered with this but trying to be polite at the same time.

The next day my cell phone rings and I see that it’s a number I don’t know. I answer and it’s the guy. My friend gave him my CELL number without my permission. I was angry but it was too late and I felt very uncomfortable about the whole thing. I was being preyed upon by a situation that I knew was a waste of my time. I told the guy I would call him back. He called me back an hour later. He was already coming of as inconsiderate which was a turn off. A person who has money to spend has no problem waiting for you to call them back. I am always suspicious of clients who are too eager.

A few days later, I called him back and indeed, it was a waste of my time but I knew the experience would be great for readers of Biz Tipper who have their own businesses to know the warning signs. Here are a few tips for you to look out for. At the start of the conversation, this guy went on and on about how his business worked and how successful he was. He told me his product was in several countries and that it was very successful. I knew this statement would come back to haunt him as we talked further. He was lying and I could tell….  (click “Next” for the next story)
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1. Look for Keywords Like: “We’re looking to Team up…”

…but that’s not what I’m looking for. He told me, “We are looking to team up with a great company so that we both can make money.” I knew IMMEDIATELY this was bullshit. I have an established business that reaches the target, I’ve been doing it for almost 20 years.  I get paid from clients who pay the full price. I’m not looking for a “team” or to join one especially with businesses that are not established. This is a game fake clients play to make it appear that they are here to help YOU when you don’t need help… THEY do.  He wanted me to push his brand for free and if anyone purchased it, he would give me a percentage, so he says. He was asking me for credit based on my friendship with the guy who introduced us. Now I was being used by two people.

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Look for Keywords Like: “Build a Relationship”

Building a relationship takes the cooperation of two people or businesses doesn’t it? What if I don’t want to build a relationship with you? How can you assume that I would be enticed by this? This all SOUNDS good but how do I know that you will honor what you say? I don’t and it’s too risky.

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Look for Keywords Like: “What can you do for us”

Really? You need me and you want me to explain what I can do for YOU ? My time is totally being wasted here and the fake client is grandstanding.

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“So Tell me about your History”

If I have been in business for many years and it’s YOU THAT NEEDS ME, you should do your research. To ask an established business person to state their history is an insult and the greatest sign that you are wasting your time. Many fake clients will play a game with you to see if they can screw with your self esteem. If they can break you down a bit they may be able to get something for free or at a very steep discount. Don’t fall for it. Tell them they can research your company on the website or ask them, “Did you get a chance to research us?”

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“I don’t want for us to waste each other’s time”

Too late, you are already wasting my time because you are playing games. Once again grandstanding.

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“We have talked to many people who can’t deliver”

Oh so now I’M the bad guy? You want me to prove my value to you before you spend any money? No, ironically this is another game to get something for free. It is possible that they worked with someone who ripped them off because they didn’t know what they were doing now they want everyone else to prove themselves by going out of their way to get their business when it’s actually THEM that needs the help.

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“Are you familiar with what we do?”

Why is it my job to do that? Remember YOU NEED ME! You have to figure out if we can benefit each other. At this point, I don’t care. I’m getting very bored with the conversation and I’m ready to deal with real clients.

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“Send me Some Info and your Stats”

The conversation should have ended 30 minutes ago. My time is still being wasted here. You are trying to sound important and you can’t afford to buy our services. It’s beyond evident. Let’s be done with this.

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“I Saw Some Things that can build your business Right Away”

OK this was me having a bit of fun. I KNEW how he would respond to this statement. But after wasting my time, it was time that I wasted some of his.He asked me,”So what are the things you think I can work on?” I told him we don’t discuss those things with people who are not clients, sorry. He then told me,well we are trying to work that out. I told him, “Well when we do and my company is paid we can talk about your needs further.” He was lost and could say nothing. He was trying to get free info across the board and it didn’t work but there were times that it did. I had to learn about these kinds of clients the hard way. BUT I did learn. I’m sure I won’t be hearing from him again.

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Finally, you can ask them..

“We really like working best with honest clients. It works best for us and the client.” I’m telling you, a majority of the time, this is when they usually come clean and admit they can’t afford it. So there goes 30 minutes of my life I can never get back wasting on you bullshitting.  He admitted he could not afford my services. So every negative thing that he applied to everybody else now applied to him. I am sending a text to my friend to ask that he not give out my cell number without my permission from this point on.