Looking for some 2022 inspiration? We’ve gathered some of our favorite advice from black entrepreneurs. And we’d love to know who inspires you and your business!

Advice from Established Black Entrepreneurs

One of our favorite pieces of concise advice comes from Dr. George C. Fraser, who said “Hustle beats talent when talent doesn’t hustle.”

Along those same lines, Dr. William Pickard, a philanthropist and one of the most successful African American businessmen in America, reminds us that “failure is never fatal, and success is never final.” It’s not always about getting it right, but rather persevering when you get it wrong to learn and grow from the experience.

Advice from Up-and-Coming Black Entrepreneurs

Jeremiah Emmanuel, a Black entrepreneur and youth activist who has just published his first book, is the epitome of hustle culture. He recently spoke with Inc about his new book, and the journey he’s taken from homelessness to becoming an advisor to brands like Rolls Royce and Nike. He shared his four main lessons for business learning and entrepreneurship: hustle (of course), complete what you start, persevere, and define your niche. Reflecting on his experience, he had this to say: “I make sure that my business helps the people who are important to me.”

Tiffany Griffin, co-founder of Bright Black, says that smart financial moves are what can set a black-owned business apart from other less-successful businesses: “With financial stability comes freedom. We’ve also learned to plan and plan and plan some more…and stick to your values.” And content marketing like social media programs, blogs, and podcasts can be ROI-increasing investments that can both promote your brand values and help you achieve financial stability.

Building a Framework for Success

Historically, black entrepreneurs face a wider range of challenges than their white counterparts, and that should be something you factor in as you start your entrepreneurial journey. For that, we love Forbes’ article “6 Tips for Overcoming Adversities as a Black Entrepreneur,” which features a ton of insightful advice from Hope-Noelle Davenport, Founder of HauteTrader. The tips include:

•  Be resourceful and find other means to fund or bootstrap your business.

• Learn as much as possible about your industry. This is one of our favorites

• Have a tribe of supporters. HarlemAmerica Digital Network wants to help you create that trusted network of entrepreneurs that understand your struggles as a black entrepreneur.
• Understand what your cash flow and requirement is to start your business.

• Focus on the things that will drive your business forward. These can include strategic marketing and content creation – these assets can live forever on your website and for your followers. A blog or podcast is a great way to do that.
• Have clear agreements and understandings with yourself and others. There are always going to be issues on the horizon, and prioritizing communication and expectation management should come before you encounter those issues.

HarlemAmerica is the Home for Black Entrepreneurs

As black-owned entrepreneurs ourselves, HarlemAmerica Digital Network has unique insight into the things your business needs, and the struggles you will face. We want to help ease your burdens and continue your company’s forward momentum by offering a host of podcast and TV show services to help you create the content you need to propel your business into the future with success.

Hustle with us! Check out our website to learn more about our small business membership packages.