At Provident1898, we are dedicated to helping Black female entrepreneurs grow their businesses as a way to continue the legacy of Durham, North Carolina’s historical Black Wall Street. In particular, we want to help uphold and support Black female entrepreneurs and provide resources to help them overcome challenges in the business world. In this article, we will provide a few key business tips from leading Black female entrepreneurs to help you get started.
1. Don’t Be Afraid to Ask Questions. One piece of advice that Tracy Vontélle Green and Nancey Harris, the founders of Vontélle Eyewear, have for fellow Black female entrepreneurs is to do your research and ask questions. They recommend reaching out to entrepreneurs in a variety of industries to ask how they achieved their goals or reached certain milestones. Your fellow entrepreneurs are valuable resources, so it’s wise to turn to them for knowledge and advice.
2. Solve the Problem in Front of You. Grace Elayae, who launched a hair product line of the same name, has this to say to fellow Black female entrepreneurs: “Keep going—solve the problem in front of you.” She elaborates that it’s easy to feel overwhelmed by the obstacles you are likely to face as an entrepreneur, but by focusing on one problem at a time, you will be able to make it through.
3. Seek Mentors. A third piece of advice for Black female entrepreneurs comes from Jamila Powell, founder of Naturally Drenched, a vegan hair care line for natural hair. She recommends seeking out a business mentor or advisor to guide you along your journey and help you get established in the business world.
