Business Owner: What Makes You the Best?

Hello Scribes,

This week I want to share my reflections on an event I attended earlier this month at the Hill District Library. If you own a business and plan to sell your products as a vendor, get your pen and pad ready. Take note of what it means to be an excellent vendor whether you sell food, jewelry, clothing or other products. If your desire is to set up a table at community events to sell your products, you need to attend The "Vendor Certification Workshop" sponsored by Global Networking Exchange and the African American Leadership Association.

On June 4, 2016. Vernard Alexander and Darcel Madkins gave a no nonsense presentation that charged the entrepreneurs in the room and gave them a jolt of reality. The purpose of the class is to teach entrepreneurs best practices in vending, how to avoid common mistakes and how to maximize earning potential. For me, it was well worth the two hours. I wish we had more time. Let me sum it up for you:

It is time to set yourself apart from the crowd as a business owner. Stand out and be excellent. One bad seed can corrupt the perception of all of us who are African American entreprenuers.

Vernard Alexander, is the "Networking King." His mission in business is to connect minority business owners. If you know Vern, you know that everything he touches fulfills his mission. To the chagrin of some, the session started with ALL participants giving an elevator pitch. His instructions were for each of us to introduce ourselves in 45 seconds or less. He would not allow anyone to hide, nor would he allow us to be timid. We were required to answer three questions: "Who are you? What do you do? What makes you better than the rest?" He taught us that declaring greatness in business does not mean "throwing shade" or putting someone down, it means that to an investor you can make money in a niche audience.

I had never met her, but Darcel is razor sharp, focused and intentional. I was on the edge of my seat trying to catch every phrase and nugget she shared about her experience coordinating community events with vendors. Darcel is well-known in the vendor community and is a successful business owner herself. One significant moment for me was when she stated, "If you are not excellent, I cannot recommend you to represent my name."

Here are a few of the nuggets for you. Implement them and be excellent as a vendor:
1.) Presentation is key.  Invest in a table cover with your logo on it. Make sure your table is full, if you don't have enough products, partner with someone.

2.) Manage your time. Be early to set up your equipment and products and be prepared with all of your supplies.

3.) Staff your table with professionalism and customer service. You can't vend, greet guests, take money, package your product and network at the same time. Customer service reputations precede business owners and can be used to exclude them from vending opportunities.

4.) Give customers the opportunity to join your email list. Make sure that you give your customers the opportunity to join your email list. Offer them coupons, or exclusive information.

5.) Manage your money. Diversify the ways you accept payments: cash, credit cards, mobile payments and website payments are ideal while out in the community.

I am grateful to Vern and Darcel for being willing to share their time and knowledge with a group of entrepreneurs. We will uphold your names and ours with excellence.

Unpluckable Me,