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Lowell Hawthorne, a 57-year-old Carribean business owner committed suicide in New York over the weekend.  He was the founder and CEO of Golden Krust Caribbean Bakery & Grill.  He was once featured on the hit show “Undercover Boss” a show about black entrepreneurs who have challenges with their businesses.  He had 120 restaurants in nine states and built an empire. But as we all know being an Entrepreneur is like being manic, the highs are very high but the lows are very low. Read the whole story here.

ENTREPRENEUR AND 21-TIME GRAMMY^® WINNER SHAWN “JAY-Z” CARTER TO BE HONORED WITH THE GRAM

MY SALUTE TO INDUSTRY ICONS^® AWARD AT THE 2018 PRE-GRAMMY^® GALA

CLIVE DAVIS AND THE RECORDING ACADEMY^™ WILL PRESENT GALA ON SATURDAY, JAN. 27, 2018, AT SHERATON NEW YORK TIMES SQUARE ON THE EVE OF THE 60TH ANNUAL GRAMMY AWARDS^®

 Clive Davis and the Recording Academy^™ will present the annual Pre-GRAMMY^® Gala on Saturday, Jan. 27, 2018, at Sheraton New York Times Square, the evening preceding the 60th Annual GRAMMY Awards^®. As part of the celebration, black entrepreneur and 21-time GRAMMY winner Shawn “JAY-Z” Carter will be recognized as the 2018 GRAMMY Salute To Industry Icons^® honoree for his significant contributions to the music industry and his numerous philanthropic endeavors.

Sponsored by Delta, Hilton, JBL By Harman, and Mastercard, the invitation-only Pre-GRAMMY Gala has long been one of the music industry’s most prestigious events, having hosted the industry’s top leaders and welcomed the world’s most talented artists on its stage. For the past decade, the gala has also included a presentation to honor industry luminaries through the Recording Academy’s GRAMMY Salute To Industry Icons Award. Past recipients include Herb Alpert and Jerry Moss, Irving Azoff, Martin Bandier, Sir Richard Branson, Clive Davis, Ahmet Ertegun, David Geffen, Berry Gordy, Lucian Grainge, Debra L. Lee, Doug Morris, Mo Ostin, and Antonio “L.A.” Reid.

“We are absolutely thrilled and delighted to honor JAY-Z with this year’s GRAMMY Salute to Industry Icons Award. His contributions as an industry trailblazer and music visionary only begin to touch on the tremendous impact he’s made both in entertainment and beyond,” said Neil Portnow, President/CEO of the Recording Academy. “JAY-Z also embodies the vibrant spirit of New York City and we couldn’t imagine a more fitting honoree as we return to Manhattan for this year’s GRAMMY Awards.

“JAY-Z is a quintessential icon and I couldn’t be happier and more excited to share the evening with him,” said Clive Davis, co-host of the Pre-GRAMMY Gala. “What a night this will be!”

Since 1996, Songwriters Hall of Fame inductee and 21-time GRAMMY Award winner Shawn “JAY Z” Carter has been a dominant force in popular culture, with multiple businesses and accolades across the recording industry.

Among his achievements, Carter has served as President of Def Jam Recordings, launched the successful Made In America festival, acquired luxury spirits brand Armand De Brignac, and maintains his role as majority owner in the 40/40 sports clubs. In 2013, Carter launched Roc Nation Sports, whose roster includes NBA Champion Kevin Durant and MLB All-Star Robinson Cano. Carter became co-owner in global streaming service, TIDAL, in 2015. In 2017, Carter became the first hip-hop artist to be inducted into the Songwriters Hall Of Fame.

Carter is active in giving back to the community, most notably through his philanthropic work through the Shawn Carter Foundation. The Foundation, founded in 2002, is dedicated to helping individuals facing socio-economic hardships further their education, encouraging them to tap into their potential. Since the foundation launched, Shawn Carter Scholars are studying at more than 100 institutions of higher education throughout the nation.

 

Ask for free or discount services?

What I find most amazing about people who ask for discounts is that they are always the same ones who OVERCHARGE other people for their services. And they demand premium rates. This is OUTRAGEOUSLY selfish and unacceptable to your growth.

After many years of falling for this trick, I finally had to stop. People who are closest to you will try to make you feel obligated. Like you owe THEM something for YOUR success. No matter how you look at it, that’s exactly the way it comes off. If I work hard for what I have and I’m providing a great service and you need to pay the price and shut the hell up. Don’t ask me for this.

Know that if you allow someone a discount or free services it is absolutely possible they’re going to tell other people. In addition, they will NEVER pay you full price. They will CONTINUE to ask for MORE discounts. Which in essence is going to destroy your business and make you ask for discounts and hookups as well. Someone once told me, nobody wants to do business with someone who looks like they NEED it. Stop doing ghetto business or you’ll never get corporate clients.

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Don’t Hire Friends, Just Give them the Money

It is not your job to save the world (aka Hire Friends) but if you volunteer, be prepared to work 24 hours a day. I’ve heard every sob story you can imagine and I’m not falling for it anymore. I’m not saying that it’s impossible to have a good experience but it’s RARE.

Hiring friends is always a problem. It almost always starts with some kind of a sob story which puts you behind the 8 ball from gate. They have an unfair advantage. Their mission is not to build your business as much as it is to get money in their pockets. You are not the welfare office. Not only with it hurt YOU it will absolutely affect your business to. You would seriously be better off to just GIVE the money.

They think that you’re obligated to help them and they treat you in that way. They give you excuses they take their time getting the work done they want you to do extra favors like drop off the money at the bank and other things that you don’t have the time to do.  I have one friend that I hired who was really good at what she does but she wants me to always drop money off at the bank, stand in line give her account number because she doesn’t have PayPal and refuses to get it. Really? Well, I will mail you a check then. So I’m obligated to go and stand in line and wait and then pay her money to her in another state I finally told her to get off her ass and get a PayPal account or set up Zeele with her bank account. I do not have time to go to the bank park my car and stand in line to pay someone. That’s not my damn job and it’s asking a LOT for me to do it.
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WPengine and StudioPress are the BEST

Who has the time to repeatedly look for the best web hosting?

I know that I don’t and I completely understand what it’s like to have a site all set up and get a spike in traffic then have your site crash. Right at the time when you could be converting a ton of viewers to your email list. A few years ago. I got the exclusive for one of my sites when a celebrity died. I literally think I was the FIRST one to report on her death and my site was hosted by a very popular hosting company. Needless to say, they didn’t live up to their promises and my site crashed giving other sites an opportunity to falsely claim that THEY were the source for the news. Of course it was tragic because someone died but this can also happen when you have news to share with your customers.

Link directly to discounted business plan

To that end, I’ve been with at least 5 hosting companies at this point and the one that is at the top of my list is WPengine. Hands down they have the BEST and most knowledgable customer service and they are right there if your site crashes or you need tech help for your blog, which I have found out is the MOST important aspect of hosting. WP stands for WordPress so they are experts in the are of the most popular format for blogs. I’ve been with WPEngine for 4 years now and I love it. I have had traffic spikes with no problem and even when my site has crashed without me knowing, they were on it by sending me an email to let me know they were either working on it or they had fixed it.

If you are serious about your business and your presentation I have two recommendations for you WPengine for your hosting and StudioPress for your amazing template.

StudioPress Theme of the Month – business Pro Theme

Please let me know how it goes.

Allow people to downgrade your business?

If someone insults or puts down your business. It’s should be as if they insulted one of your children. I lose it.

There are times that when people don’t get what they want from you and then act like kids in the playground, pissed because you won’t play with them. They downgrade your business and try to make you feel bad saying things like … ‘nobody’s interested in your business’ or you’re dated or you don’t know what the hell you’re doing. At that point, they see sharp teeth and hear growling (lol). I have worked TOO hard for what I have. Not having it.

That psychology is them putting you down because you didn’t give them what they want but at the end of the day, it’s pure jealousy and envy. Unfortunately, that kind of vitriol comes from so-called friends/associates and even family members. Once again don’t let anybody mess with the flow of your business.
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Beware the Relentless Middlemen: How to Avoid Being Held Hostage in Your Own Business

In 2025, the entrepreneurial landscape is more connected yet more complex than ever—and the old problem of middlemen holding your business hostage remains stubbornly relevant. These middlemen aren’t just the traditional brokers or agents anymore; they’ve evolved into AI-powered platforms, automated agencies, and creator economy gatekeepers who expect a lifetime cut or perpetual favors in exchange for introductions or services.

The worst kind of middlemen are those who constantly remind you of past favors or “help” they provided, expecting you to pay them back forever—often at steep discounts or with free work. This is the business equivalent of a loan shark: you end up paying back 20 times over, long after the original favor. In today’s world, that might look like a platform taking a huge cut of your creator revenue indefinitely or an AI service that locks you into expensive subscription tiers under the guise of “exclusive access.”

When someone helps your business, send a genuine thank-you—whether that’s a lunch, a thoughtful note, or a small gift—to close the loop and signal that the favor is settled. This is crucial because if you leave the debt open-ended, you’ll never stop paying it back. In 2025, with AI and automation making business introductions and services more scalable, it’s easier than ever to fall into this trap if you don’t set clear boundaries.

Another modern twist is how some middlemen block you from direct access to your customers or clients—the “purse strings.” Whether it’s a platform algorithm controlling who sees your content or an agency that insists on being the sole contact point, don’t let anyone keep you from building a direct relationship with your audience or buyers. Your business thrives on direct connections; middlemen should facilitate, not gatekeep.

Remember, middlemen exist for a reason—they often provide expertise or access you don’t have. But the key mistake entrepreneurs make is ceding too much control to them. You need to lead these relationships, not be led. In negotiations, dial up your own involvement and dial down reliance on intermediaries. This is especially true when AI tools and automation can sometimes obscure who’s really in control of your business outcomes.

In short, don’t be a victim to relentless middlemen in 2025. Use technology and human connections wisely, set clear boundaries, and always keep your direct relationships front and center. Your business—and your sanity—depend on it.

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DON’T: Bring an assistant to a business meeting without telling the other party

I’ve had this happen on a couple of occasions and while others may not mind, I find it to be very rude and inconsiderate. It pisses me off. If you’re going to bring someone else to a lunch meeting or dinner meeting let the other business person now. They may want to discuss something with you that is private or personal.

In addition, it is disrespectful because the assistant is being treated as an equal party.  Information can later be used against you or the other person at the table. I did not request a meeting with your assistant, I requested a meeting with YOU. At LEAST give me the option to say no. It comes off as grandstanding and very diva-like to bring other people into a meeting unannounced. The next time that happens I’m walking out of the meeting. More tips coming this week.

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Minding Your Own Damn Business – By Kevin Ross

Any successful black entrepreneur will tell you that running a SUCCESSFUL business can be both rewarding and very challenging; you are literally married to your business. You may not have much of a personal life or balance because running a successful business can become an addiction but as time goes on, you will become more accustomed to what it takes to have a smooth operation, which includes being able to delegate and hire the right people, keep your sales intact and continuing to educate yourself in your industry so that you can grow. It’s a herculean task and not everyone can do it but I have noticed that those who are not fully committed don’t reap the rewards and they continue to struggle. Whom will you be? The one that struggles or the one that succeeds? It’s up to you. Your business can make, break, build you or even KILL if you if you are not careful. Buy now at Amazon 

Are you a Frustrated Business Owner? You Can’t grow a business you don’t still LOVE doing.

As an Entrepreneur, the way you plan for your business is paramount especially the future of your business. As I’m sure you know, many unpredictable things can happen. Your industry may change, you make age out, or you will be tired of doing what you do. Sometimes everything can happen at the same time. And this is incredibly unfortunate especially when you could’ve moved on to do something else.

We all know that it takes quite some time to establish a business and a brand. But the benefit that we have leverage now. That means we can do what we did before … again. The trick is to tap into it. If you ask yourself ‘am I happy’ and the answer is no, it’s time to explore what you want to do, before it is determined for you. As we all know, if we want to be unhappy, we may as well get a job.

Waking up with Joy or Frustration?

Are you getting out of bed each day with anticipation looking forward to the new day? Or are you frustrated trying to ‘fake it’ another day? If you are faking it, it’s time to look at changing gears.

Being stuck is no fun. What do I mean by stuck? When you’re making a majority of your money from the business you no longer love is what I mean. A majority of your time is spent doing it and it’s difficult to find the energy to go after a new venture. Doing what you no longer love is zapping your energy to do so.

Frustrated Business Owner: Using Your Leverage

Now the question becomes how can you leverage what you were doing and turn it into something else? This may mean that you have to pull out completely for a few days and look at everything from a distance. Another way is you may have to ask yourself questions and perhaps create a spreadsheet of what you can do with the skills you’ve acquired.

I heard a quote recently a TV show one day and a woman said: “it’s better to be done with your industry before the industry is done with you. I have seen people destroyed when the unexpected happens!” She makes a very good point. If you hate what you’re doing right now it’s going to get worse. Eventually, your audience or whoever you’re targeting will see it as well as your clients and the whole ship will eventually capsize either slowly or all at once but neither way is good ESPECIALLY when something can be done about it in advance.

What are some of the way that you can handle the situation so that you can move on?

I know it’s EXTREMELY hard to find good workers but its’ not impossible. You may want to bring in a manager, somebody who thinks exactly like you and can do what you do. Another suggestion, Would be to work on your business for a few days each week and mark off a couple calendar days of the month or week to work on your new projects in other words having someone to fill in for you for couple days during the week so that you can totally dedicate yourself to working on your new place or projects. I find this works best while you migrate from one business to another.

The benefit of this if a client or the target can survive a couple of days without you. They are not going to miss you if you just took a couple days off. Another option is to take more vacations perhaps twice a month getting away and establishing a greater perspective about your company. I always wondered what that adage meant “you can’t see the forest for the trees” and now I know. When you’re in the midst of something, you can’t see all that going on. You have to step out to get a better view.

When All Else Fails

Finally, you could try to sell. There’s no guarantee that this will work either but at least you can walk away (provided you are making a profit) with a successful venture and sale.

At the end of the day being an black entrepreneur means you should love what you do. That’s why you work for yourself! If you don’t like what you do or it has just become boring or not fun anymore then you might as well just go get a job. Do some SOMETHING now or eventually, you’ll sit back and watch the weeks, months and eventually years go by where you could’ve invested in something else. You can get everything you once had back except wasted time. You have to do some serious soul-searching and ask yourself is it really worth it at the end of the day if it’s all taken away and you spent years doing what you didn’t want to do?

My best in the business Kevin Ross.