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]]>Know Your Target Audience
This is where most businesses in Memphis get themselves into trouble. They create social media profiles and try to go after everyone. But going after everyone won’t appease anyone. While it would be nice to attract everyone to your business, you need to first understand your target audience. This way, you can create content on your social media channels that will better connect with your target audience.
Segmentation Is Good
Segment marketing is a good thing to practice on your social media account. This is because while you need to know your target audience, there is a chance you might have several targets. For example, your key audience might be composed of college students and older professionals. As each target audience will connect with different marketing materials, you don’t want to create the same materials for everyone. By segmenting your social media content, you will better connect with the varying target audience.
Focus on Social Platforms Where Your Audience Is Located
Not all social media platforms are created equal. Knowing your target audience will help you decide which platform is right for you. You will need to have a Facebook profile regardless as this is the largest social media outlet used by the largest number of individuals. Many will turn to Facebook over websites when searching for store information.
Beyond Facebook, though, younger demographics are more likely to use Snapchat and Instagram, while you may want to maintain a blog on professional sites like LinkedIn (you should run a blog anyway as it will help boost your website SEO).
Live Video Is Your Friend
If you’re not taking advantage of live video now, you should be. Why? It instantly puts you in front of all your followers. On Instagram, when you go live, your video feed will be highlighted and put in front of all other storylines. This is true as well when running a video feed on Facebook. YouTube will send out notifications to your followers that you are going live as well.
Basically, live video works as a way to constantly promote your content and put it ahead of all other accounts your subscribers follow.
Remain Active
Part of having social media accounts is remaining active. You can’t just post once ever few weeks. You need to post at least once a day. You also need to reply to those who post on your content in order to properly market your buiness in Memphis.
Additional Reading
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]]>Cover Photo: saveur.com
The Idea of the Concept Shop
A concept shop is a destination where small artisans and business owners are able to showcase their goods. One of the main hang-ups for small business owners is the ability to get their products in front of customers. E-commerce is one way, but it is a crowded market. It’s often easier to push a locally crafted product to locals, but investing in the necessary real estate is also expensive.
With the help of City & State, small artisans in the area were able to highlight and showcase their products to people who came into their stores as well as to those who walked past.
Expanding to Women Business Owners
As Toro saw the growth of City & State and the entire Broad Avenue Arts District, she wanted to expand her outreach to local business owners. However, she noticed that despite the growing professional community, women and minorities were not highly represented. To help, she decided to assist these business owners in landing real estate.
She went back and talked with her own professional network and went on to create the Broad Angels Network. Toro and her partners wanted to assist female and minority Memphis entrepreneurs who were struggling to move into a brick-and-mortar location.
Oftentimes, finding the right real estate at an affordable price point is especially difficult. With her Memphis Entrepreneurship programs, Toro has helped local professionals connect with banks and receive the necessary funding required to open up a business in the first place.
Helping Through Education
While Toro is assisting up-and-coming professionals with opening their dream businesses and getting them off the ground, she’s also helping through education.
Toro found that one of the biggest issues individuals face when it comes to opening a business isn’t necessarily the lack of access to loans, but it is the lack of understanding of how to secure these loans and other forms of financial assistance. There are loans, offered through the city of Memphis and the state of Tennessee, as well as federal loans, all of which are specifically designed for female and minority entrepreneurs. However, many business owners are not aware that these loans are available.
To help, Toro has worked with business owners to educate them about the documentation and financial information that is required to open such a business. It is her goal to clear up confusion about the loan process and how entrepreneurs can access such loans from local lenders.
Additional Reading:
Original Saveur Magazine Article
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]]>According to Forbes, we’re spearheading the movement.
Gaining Forbes Attention
Whenever Forbes catches wind of business activity it either means something very good or very bad is happening within a specific sector of commerce. For Memphis, it is the former. Forbes’ contributing writer Elaine Pofeldt profiled the city’s push in hopes of growing minority-owned business.
As Mrs. Profeldt highlights, the African American business sector is growing by leaps and bounds. In fact, it is the fastest growing group within the United States. Now, one fifth of African Americans are starting and running new businesses, which is up 15.5 percent from 2016 (as reported by the Global Entrepreneurship Monitor, which is the largest study of entrepreneurship in the entire world).
However, Memphis isn’t just attempting to grow African American businesses. It has hopes of assisting other minorities, including Hispanic Americans and Asian Americans. The same Global Entrepreneurship Monitor study has indicated that 12 percent of Hispanic Americans are running new businesses and 17 percent of Asian Americans are running new businesses and startups.
Leading The Way In Minority Owned Businesses
64 percent of Memphis residents are black, according to the Forbes article. Of this 64 percent, there are 40,000 black-owned firms, with around 800 of these businesses employing more than just the owner. Additionally, there are another 1,000 Hispanic owned firms with 155 of these businesses employing more than just the owner.
In order to help promote these new businesses, Mayor Strickland is working on assisting 800 identified minority-owned businesses with employees. It is the goal of the mayor and the city government to help these 800 businesses grow revenue by at least $50 million in the next five years. This is being done through The 800 Initiative.
While we all will need to wait for the next five years to see the overall success of the program, it is reassuring the city is remaining proactive and doing what it can to lead the way in minority-owned businesses.
The business publication recently stated in an article the Memphis could lead the way in minority owned businesses. Under the leadership of Mayor Jim Strickland, The 800 Initiative, launched in May 2018, has set a goal of growing the revenue of 800 minority-owned businesses with paid employees that the city has identified by $50 million by 2023.
With Memphis already thriving with black entrepreneurs and female entrepreneurs, it’s no wonder why national publications like Forbes are taking notice!
To see the full article from Forbes, click here!
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]]>The post Spark Your Next Great Memphis Business Idea With These Tips appeared first on We Are Memphis.
]]>1. Go Where You’re Happiest
Where in town do you feel happiest? Is it taking in the beautiful outdoor art? Perhaps it’s pulling up a stool at one of the many new local breweries. Or maybe you simply enjoy the calm of walking your dog during the evening twilight.
Whatever makes you happiest and brings out your natural satisfaction is where you should begin. Sometimes, focusing on your job forces you to see only the trees and not the full forest of a possible business idea. Going where you’re satisfied and comfortable tears down the barriers you likely experience throughout the day, which makes it that much easier to spark your next business idea.
2. Go for a Run
Or, you can go lift some weights, head out to the gym, or bike your neighborhood, basically, just get your body moving. This is one of our favorite ways to spark creativity, because when you elevate your heart rate, you also pump more oxygen and nutrients to your brain. All of this is great for idea-generating.
It doesn’t matter if you’re someone who prefers to work out inside or if you like the sun on your neck while jogging through one of the many Memphis public parks, exercise can work as a personal idea generator.
3. Try Something New
What makes Memphis so great? There is more than one answer here, but for many of us, it’s that there’s always something new to try out. Whether it’s a locally owned restaurant opening up shop, a new art exhibit or just a new club to discover, there’s always something new to try.
New experiences force your brain to think differently. You may have never found yourself to be much of a dancer, but a local dance class can get you out of your comfort zone, see the world differently, and help spur on new kinds of thinking.
When you find yourself struggling with generating a new business idea, it’s likely because you’re thinking like you always do. Trying something new changes it, which means you may be able to find that new idea as well.
You’re Just an Idea Away
We love the city of Memphis. There’s always something fun and exciting going on. It’s also a great destination for business. With these three tips, you’ll discover brand-new ways for generating ideas for either your own business or a brand-new one.
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]]>Follow your passion
With companies like St. Jude Medical, FedEx and ServiceMaster leading the way, entrepreneurs are encouraged to try new things and explore the options that are open to them. In addition to the large number of major corporations that have made Memphis their home, female entrepreneurs can follow any number of career paths, including music, fashion, food and any number of other creative pursuits.
An abundance of resources
The Creative Works annual conference and Epicenter are just two of the resources that can be used to not only connect with investors, but with other entrepreneurs as well. Female entrepreneurs can also learn a number of business-oriented skills that will allow them to pursue their dreams of creating their own career.
It’s not just a man’s world anymore!
In Memphis, the focus on minority- and women-based businesses has helped to create an environment in which women are encouraged to move forward with their own business goals. Whether they are part of the artisan or creative community or wanting to make a name for themselves in the corporate world, women are beginning to take advantage of these new opportunities and are making names for themselves in bold letters.
Memphis has been a city of opportunity for many years. In the recent past, female entrepreneurship has grown by leaps and bounds. With the financial opportunities that are now available to women, they now have the resources to pursue their dreams and make them come true. Women who have the initiative and the drive can enter almost any career field they choose and become a success. All they have to do is make up their mind to succeed and follow their passion!
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]]>The benefits of using the Greater Memphis Chamber
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Nationally, small businesses are the largest group to make up nearly every local chamber The Greater Memphis Chamber includes a network of nearly 2,000 businesses and 7,500 professionals. The chamber leadership is comprised of 40 experienced business professionals who are looking to help businesses grow and succeed in Memphis. As a not-for-profit organization, the purpose of the chamber is to lift the local economy and support businesses like yours.
- Customers are more likely to do business with a company that is connected to their local chamber (Shapiro Group, Inc.).
- Increase your visibility within the community by being listed in the newsletter and online membership directory. You could potentially be highlighted in the publications. The chamber may even promote your big events or grand openings.
- More networking opportunities and chances for leadership development are available through chamber contacts, programs and events.
- Have a voice in government decisions, joining with the chamber to oppose regulations, taxes, fees, costs, assessments and other harmful things that impede small business.
- Stay on top of the latest information about local business and community events through the chamber newsletters.
- Potentially get increased referrals from individuals or businesses calling the chamber to find local vendors, services and more. Most chamber members will recommend other chamber members.
- Members-only discounts and services in Memphis exist to benefit you and your business for being a partner of the community.
- Participate in chamber events where you can meet other entrepreneurs and business people.
- Increase your business-to-business advertising and reach potential clients through membership.
- Find access to a one-stop shop where you can address the challenges your business faces and find mentors or programs that can help provide solutions.
Small businesses need all the support and encouragement they can get as they grow. Longtime members form bonds and create connections that keep them involved in the chamber. Even if your Memphis business isn’t small or new, joining the Greater Memphis Chamber helps you connect to the community, the local economy and other businesses in the area. Being a community partner can make a big difference in whether you are a Memphis business or just a business located in Memphis.
Build your Memphis business by participating in the local scene and joining our local chamber today. We can’t wait to see what you do!
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Premier business resource center
One of the key challenges with starting a business is having access to the tools that you need to be successful. The leadership team at Epicenter is dedicated to helping entrepreneurs gain access to support in terms of investors, mentors and customers. The top challenges facing entrepreneurs include:
- Hiring the right employees
- Finding affordable funding sources
- Marketing strategy
- Creating realistic budgets
- Casting (and communicating!) a vision
- Dealing with the unknown
- Lack of collaboration
Epicenter provides an open and creative space that encourages collaboration and communication — critical aspects of a successful startup business.
Summer of acceleration 2018
The summer of 2018 got a great deal hotter for Memphis businesses, as four intensive summer boot camps pushed entrepreneurs to their limits. The Logistics Accelerator boot camp helped organizations explore logistics and supply chains, while the Launch Delta Home Services Accelerator encouraged high-tech startups in the world of IoT to get their organizations off the ground. ZeroTo510 Medical Device Accelerator supported the needs of medical technology companies as they explored the possibilities in the Memphis area. The AgLaunch Accelerator provided more than $50,000 in startup capital and up to three months of intensive business development support.
These four summer accelerators are only a few of the exciting opportunities for organizations in the Memphis area — all available due to the hard work and dedication of the individuals at Epicenter. Learn more about how Epicenter Memphis can help entrepreneurs prepare to make a difference in the world.
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]]>1. “Good ideas are cheap. Success comes from hard work, not a stroke of genius.”—Nir Eyal
Nearly everyone knows someone with a business idea that they’re sure will solve everyone’s problems and make them millions of dollars. However, if asked, many of these people don’t have plans for turning their ideas into profitable companies, in which case even the best idea becomes completely worthless. If you have an idea for a small business, it’s essential to actualize it with a business strategy and concrete goals to make it into a reality.
2. “Don’t plan everything! Listen to your customers and make changes as needed.”—Vanessa Van Edwards
Being sure of yourself and laying concrete plans is essential for getting a business off the ground. However, once you’re up and running, it’s paramount to listen to your customers. Though the phrase “the customer is always right” has been watered down in recent years, it holds true in terms of small business development. Ultimately, customers will only pay for things they want, so if business owners grow out of touch with their customers’ wants, it will swiftly become impossible to make money. Always keep the desires of your consumers at the forefront, and make sure the product you’re offering solves a problem for your customers.
3. “If you want to succeed in business, count your costs and project revenue ahead of time.”—Jason Quey
Though this mostly applies to businesses with venture capital, all entrepreneurs should be wary of upscaling too quickly. Although scaling should be an eventual goal for any business, it’s important to remember that expanding costs money. If a startup grows too quickly without the revenue to support the expansion, it will eventually crumple under its own weight. With this in mind, entrepreneurs need to always ensure cost does not exceed revenue, or else they will find themselves swiftly going under.
Additional resources
- Advice from successful entrepreneurs
- What to know about the Lean Startup
- The danger of growing your business too quickly
- Grow your business in Memphis
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]]>Bottom line: If your life or work involves PR or marketing—or if you’d like to grow or make the move into either of these popular fields—you’re not going to want to miss this! Listen to it for yourself or share it with someone you know who could benefit from it.
What is The Boilerplate about?
Beth and Brandon will sit down with marketing and PR professionals, journalists, educators (and more!) to discuss challenges in the industry, along with the solutions that have worked for them. By providing this in-depth look at the work of a full-service advertising agency, inferno hopes that The Boilerplate will build professional relationships and community in the Greater Memphis area.
Follow along with this groundbreaking, relationship-building podcast from the very beginning!
Who is inferno?
inferno is a full-service advertising, public relations, design, and digital marketing firm based in Memphis. They create award-winning, results-driven solutions that solve complex go-to-market challenges for BRB, BRC, healthcare, cultural, financial services, recreation, non-profit and agricultural clients.
Introducing The Boilerplate podcast episode 1
In this first episode, 5 Tips to Boost your PR, Beth and Brandon discuss the importance of public relationships along with their best practices for owned and earned media. They provide five key considerations that every business and PR professional should take to heart when building a successful PR strategy.
You can listen to it here.
The second episode, Working with the Media, Beth and Brandon sit down with Greg Akers, Editor-in-Chief of the Memphis Business Journal, and Associate Editor, Meagan Nichols, to discuss what journalists are seeking from PR professionals. They provide an in-depth look at the importance of building strong, genuine relationships with the media.
You can listen to it here.
This podcast can be streamed from all major podcast distributors, including Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, Google Play and Spotify. New episodes will be available every other Wednesday and there will be videos accompanying each episode on The Boilerplate website.
Keep watching for new episodes and updated information!
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]]>Creating a new business in Memphis is a process, but when you have access to a list of resources to grow, market and fund your business, you can accomplish your goals. Partnered with the right know-how and diligence, you can create and run a successful business of your own.
How to start a business in Memphis
No conversation about startups in Memphis would be complete without mention of Start Co. The program is a unique opportunity to be paired with mentors, create a solid business structure and plan for your Memphis business, equip you with the tools and education you need in all areas, network with other startup founders and even potentially pitch your business for funding at investor events!
Start Co. focuses on a solid plan of start-to-finish business tools that a startup will need to achieve its goals and have a fair opportunity to compete in the tech business world. The company is always looking for women-owned and -run tech startups with at least one female on the executive team. So, just how does its curriculum work, exactly? Start Co. offers startups help in the following areas:
- Product development
- Market research, quality control and user testing
- Pitching resources and tips
- Personal and business development
- Access to financing suited toward gender diverse startup businesses
- Networking with business leaders and mentors
- Legal resources
- 24/7 workspace access to the Start Co. Lab, a modern office space
- Key partnerships with companies that can serve as mentors, offer customer market research and user testing and provide business resources
- Possible opportunities to pitch your business for funding at Memphis and Silicon Valley investor events
Common reasons that the owners of small businesses and startups fail in their first four years include feeling overwhelmed with their business, getting stumped on coming up with new and innovative ideas, not having access to capital and funding, and a lack of resources and education overall. Start Co. provides Memphis businesses the opportunity to access resources that otherwise may take years to accumulate.
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]]>On Friday, August 17th, you’re invited to attend a FREE workshop that coaches you on how to stay competitive online.
You’ll learn things like:
- Getting found on Google Search & Google Maps
- Reaching customers online using Google
- Getting started with Email, Spreadsheets, and Presentations
- Google Analytics
- Google AdWords
- Google My Business
- GSuite
- Gmail
- And much more!
To see the full details on this event, click here!
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]]>In addition to Memphis’s popular Beale Street and BBQ locations, this constant growth is also being felt in other areas, including technology, the arts, agriculture and food services. It helps that Memphis is uniquely placed to offer a low cost of living, a taste of Southern hospitality and a good quality of life.
Entrepreneurs in action
To learn about the history of local entrepreneurs from diverse backgrounds, look no further than the National Civil Rights Museum, which details the struggles and triumphs of African Americans in both the country and our city. Indeed, the entrepreneurial spirit of Memphis is closely intertwined with this history, with a strong sense of community and an understanding of the past, present and future of the city.
If you’re looking for both a tasty meal and a quick history lesson, start off at the Four Way Restaurant in South Memphis. This flourishing establishment has served iconic leaders and musicians, like Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., B.B. King, and many others.
Entrepreneurs in the arts
Memphis has long been known for its strong artistic culture, so it’s no surprise that entrepreneurs in the arts are thriving in these parts. Their success can be seen everywhere from theaters and ballet companies to museums and private exhibitions.
Ballet Memphis serves as just one example. Founded by fourth generation Memphian Dorothy Gunther Pugh, it’s embedded with richly symbolic art and has made ballet available to a larger portion of the population. The Hattiloo Theatre in Memphis is another popular art center that combines actors and the community through rich and meaningful performances.
Entrepreneurs in food and service delivery
The food scene in Memphis is poised for explosion. Beyond offering the classic BBQ selections that Memphis is known for, entrepreneurs have opened businesses that offer everything from traditional American cuisine to a taste of global flavors. Whether you’re seeking Italian wine and bites or fusion food trucks, you needn’t leave Memphis!
For a taste of Southern excellence, try out the New Orleans-infused Second Line Restaurant, and don’t sleep on Memphis Black Restaurant Week—an annual event that highlights the creative flavor of African American Memphis restauranteurs.
Entrepreneurs in Memphis
Our city’s unique location makes it both a commercial and financial hub, which is ideal for entrepreneurs looking to start or grow businesses of all kinds. If that sounds good to you, why not hop on the bandwagon and take advantage of our city’s booming economy to bring your business to life?
Looking to start a business in Memphis? Click here!
In addition to being a hub of entertainment for locals and tourists alike, the city of Memphis is home to a flourishing business community. There are numerous entrepreneurial opportunities to be found here, including but by no means limited to the areas of music and the arts, food and dining, and professional services.
Music and the arts
It’s hard not to associate Memphis with Elvis Presley, but our city’s music scene extends far beyond The King. For an up-close-and-personal glimpse at just how central live music is to the daily lives of many in Memphis, look no further than the bars and restaurants on Beale Street and elsewhere—not to mention the music festivals held in these parts throughout the year.
Not to be outdone, the Memphis art sector is also expanding, with galleries popping up across the city. In fact, Shelby County’s nonprofit arts industry accounts for nearly $200 million in annual spending and sustains the equivalent of more than 6,000 local jobs. The arts are more than just a hobby or attraction here in Memphis – it’s a creative economy.
Food and dining
Memphis is known far and wide for its BBQ, but make no mistake—our city’s culinary offerings aren’t at all limited to deliciously seasoned ribs. In fact, the restaurants and eateries around here offer a wide variety of cuisines, each more mouthwatering than the last. Whether you’re looking to drop by a food truck for a quick yet satisfying bite or enjoy a sit-down meal prepared by an award-winning chef at a high-end restaurant, Memphis has you covered.
Professional services
A growing city like Memphis doesn’t simply run on autopilot. Rather, it’s the hustle of the locals that keeps things chugging along smoothly across a wide variety of fields, including accounting, legal assistance, printing, construction, teaching, cleaning, landscaping… the list goes on.
Memphis is always growing, which makes it the ideal place to launch a startup company. Whatever your area of expertise may be, our city will welcome your entrepreneurial spirit.
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]]>The post Memphis named a thriving city for black entrepreneurs appeared first on We Are Memphis.
]]>Ranking the top cities
In a recent study by Blacktech Week, Memphis dethroned Atlanta and took the No. 1 spot on a ranking of the best metropolitan areas for black-owned companies after coming in at No. 3 last time around. Montgomery, Atlanta, Washington, D.C., and Savannah rounded out the rest of the top 5.
The study used data from the U.S. Census Bureau and the Kauffman Foundation’s 2017 Index of Startup Activity to identify the cities in which black-owned businesses are thriving. The results showed that compared to the Atlanta metro area, Memphis has a lower unemployment rate and a higher percentage of black-owned businesses, as well as a comparable average annual revenue.
Why Memphis?
As Memphians, we know we’ve been putting in work to make progress for minority entrepreneurs. But outsiders tend to ask, what is it that makes our city special for entrepreneurs? As it turns out, a lot of things.
- Low cost of living: Memphis enjoys a remarkably low cost of living, despite being a fairly large city. Memphis is the 23rd biggest city in the U.S., but its cost of living is roughly 12 percent below the national average. A 2015 survey also showed that folks in Memphis pay less for utilities—including gas, water and electricity—than anywhere else in the nation.
- Lots of support: As a city, our organizations want to see black-owned businesses thrive and work towards that every day. The Black Business Association of Memphis serves minority- and women-owned small businesses throughout the region, while organizations like Emerge Memphis and EpiCenter exist to encourage and support entrepreneurship in the city.
- An ideal workforce: With a strong work ethic and a median age of 35, the Memphis workforce is ready to get down to business. There are grants and programs in place to help area companies find and train workers, and the number of available employees in Memphis is expected to increase by several percentage points by 2021.
- Rock-bottom tax rates: Good news for employers and employees alike—Tennessee has the second-lowest state and local tax burden per capita in the country, with no income tax on wages. Plus, the City of Memphis and Shelby County don’t have a payroll (occupational) tax or a head tax.
- A thriving community: From Black Restaurant Week to Hattiloo Theatre, Memphis is gaining a reputation as a supportive environment for black-owned businesses, and as a city that attracts and encourages talent and ambition.
Statistics can tell us a lot, but we think Memphis has something else going for it. Call it soul, spirit, grit or determination—it’s that culture of hustle and hard work that the folks who call this city home know all too well.
Come see us sometime and experience Memphis culture for yourself! And if you’re thinking of starting a business here, be sure to check out these incentives for those seeking to locate or expand their business in Memphis.
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]]>The past two years have been quite an adventure for Memphis sisters Madison Star and Mallory Iyana, the mini moguls who struck a deal on ABC’s “Shark Tank,” an Emmy Award-winning reality show where aspiring entrepreneurs pitch their business ideas to “sharks” — some of the country’s best-known business magnates.
The sharks – among them moguls Mark Cuban, Lori Greiner, Bethenny Frankel and Richard Branson — search for the best business ideas from aspiring entrepreneurs and select those businesses they want to back, using their own money. Contestants must deliver a pitch to convince the sharks to invest in their business. In return, the sharks receive a return on their investment.
The tween sisters’ company, Angels and Tomboys, LLC, which makes fun-scented natural handmade body lotions and sprays for their peers, had already sold more than $50,000 in products, thanks to social media promotion, grassroots marketing, and word of mouth, prior to the girls’ television appearance.
But following their enthusiastic pitch on an episode of Shark Tank’s eighth season, which included some song and dance, they received a major boost when Dallas Maverick’s owner Mark Cuban and Daymond John, founder, and CEO of apparel company FUBU, decided to take a gamble on the girls. The sharks, impressed with Angels and Tomboys’ already strong sales record, offered them a $60,000 investment deal.
“Throughout the process and the pitch, we kept a positive attitude and were confident that we’d make a deal,” said Madison. “Our brand serves a great purpose and we knew that one of the sharks would see that, and in our case, two amazing sharks saw and agreed that our brand was relevant and needed. We were and are still very much excited about landing a deal with both Mark and Daymond.”
The girls’ business idea stemmed from their desire for body care products that didn’t smell like mom’s. They wanted to create something subtler and less flowery that would appeal to tweens.
With the full support of their mom, Viara Iyadunni, Madison and Mallory developed a line of handmade, vegan-friendly body lotions and sprays using natural ingredients like shea butter and aloe. Their products are also paraben free so parents can feel good about safe use on delicate young skin.
“My girls have always both been very ambitious and caring young ladies,” said Viara, who refers to herself as the girls’ “momager.” “They are sharp to know that if they had a desire for age-appropriate body care products, there must be other girls their ages who felt the same way. So, not only is the development of their products a problem solved for their own personal use, but they provided a solution to a problem for girls all over the world. They are agents of change and I’m very proud of them.”
Angels and Tomboys’ lotions and potions have fun names descriptive of their delicious scents, including Cherry Star Glam, Watermelon Funk, and Frozen Hot Chocolate. The girls believe that when you smell good, you feel good. Each bottle is wrapped in a label featuring its own cartoon character, designed by the girls.
The name “Angels and Tomboys” reflects the girls’ personalities. Madison, 12, is the “angel” and Mallory, 10, is the “tomboy.” The products are made to appeal to all types of girls, from bookworms to ballerinas to basketball players. Their motto: “All Girls Are Created Equally Different.”
Over the past couple of years, these Memphis-made girls have been featured in Newsday, HuffPost, Black Enterprise, Jet Magazine, and Amy Poehler’s Smart Girls, and have been guests on the daytime talk show “The Real.”
Madison and Mallory have managed to operate and grow their business while maintaining their status as honor roll students and making time to give back to the community. In lieu of birthday gifts, Madison and Mallory collect donations each year for their Memphis neighbors in need. To date, the girls have collected hundreds of coats and shoes for women’s shelters. They’ve also launched a nonprofit called Girlhood Academy, which aims to combat bullying and encourages self-esteem and self-respect. They also donate personal hygiene products to girls in impoverished areas.
Last year, these blossoming community leaders hosted the National Civil Rights Museum’s Student Forum Freedom Awards, honoring Rev. Bernice King, Hugh Masekela, and Morris Dee.
Angels and Tomboys have been selling products online, through the company’s website, Zulily, and Amazon, and at pop-up shops and tradeshows. But now the dynamic duo is preparing to open their own brick-and-mortar shop in Memphis’ Binghampton neighborhood. The building, located at 3078 Summer Avenue, has two retail spaces. The neighboring space will be occupied by their aunt, Omi Ogunwale El, a businesswoman and philanthropist who owns Green Goddess Vegan Foods. Clearly, entrepreneurship, philanthropy and girl power run in the family. Angels and Tomboys will have their grand opening during the first week of June, and Green Goddess Vegan foods will have theirs on may 19th.
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]]>A decade of Memphis growth
Memphis’s status as one of the elite metropolitan cities in the United States is quickly gaining momentum, and yet it is still one the most affordable places to live. Programs like the Greater Memphis Alliance for a Competitive Workforce (GMACW) have been working to get the next generation ready to join the workforce, and Memphis’ location and logistical advantages have led a number of the nation’s best companies to put down roots here. A nationally recognized municipal parks system featuring 165 green spaces hasn’t hurt either.
One of the main reasons that Memphis finds itself being mentioned among the elite cities in America over the last decade is an increased awareness of the need to create opportunities for women and minorities. As recently as 2015, Forbes magazine named Tennessee the top state for female entrepreneurs, and Memphis alone saw a 116 percent increase in female-owned businesses from 2007 to 2012. That trend has continued recently, with the American Express State of Women-Owned Business Report showing women in Memphis are starting their own businesses at five times the national rate.
The emphasis Memphis has placed on creating opportunities for female entrepreneurs has clearly proven beneficial, and the ninth annual RISE 2018 Women’s Success Summit is part of that push.
Charting a path to success
This year’s event will be facilitated by Melissa Kaye, managing director of the Memphis chapter of the eWomen Network. The summit will focus on helping female entrepreneurs discover the key to unleashing their abilities to found and grow successful businesses. Attendees will learn immediate and tangible breakthrough strategies that will change not only their approach to business, but their approach to life.
The Memphis chapter of the eWomen Network is one of 118 across America, empowering over 500,000 women nationally to reach their fullest potential. Every year, the eWomen Network conducts more than 2,000 events that are routinely recognized as some of the top conferences of their kind.
RISE 2018 Women’s Success Summit will welcome guest speaker Sandra Yancey, a best-selling author and award-winning international entrepreneur who has been inspiring women to reach their fullest potential for over 20 years. Her crusade to help 1 million women entrepreneurs each achieve $1 million in annual revenue will be on full display when she takes the stage this spring.
The event will be held at the Racquet Club of Memphis on Wednesday, May 16, and will begin with an informal networking session at 10:15 a.m. You can find complete registration information for exhibitors and attendees on the eWomen Network Memphis chapter website.
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]]>The post Helping students launch innovative ideas in the community! appeared first on We Are Memphis.
]]>What is LITE Memphis?
LITE Memphis equips African-American/Latinx youth with 21st-century skills to create wealth. LITE works with over 2,000 youth in 1-day workshops and then empowers 75 youth a year through a pipeline from the age of 17 to the age of 25. LITE believes that creating wealth starts with teaching students how to become entrepreneurs.
The LITE path
Students begin their LITE journey in high school, learning 21st-century skills via the execution of an entrepreneurial idea. The initial six-month program introduces business concepts through community challenges. Students develop their ideas with help from a business mentor, then bring these ideas to fruition by developing funding sources.
While in college, LITE students are matched with a paid summer internship in a high-growth industry. This allows the students to network with established industry professionals, learning the ropes while they build their business prototypes.
Following college graduation, students are matched with high-growth business markets and receive coaching through the startup phase. Finally, they are provided access to capital providers to make their dreams and the dreams of their communities become reality. Students remain in the program until the age of 25, at which point they should aim to have either launched their startup or acquired a high-wage job that is helping them build personal wealth.
Outstanding results
Since the program’s inception, more than 2,000 youth have been empowered by the lessons that LITE teaches. Of the students that went through the 8-year pipeline, 90 percent have shown extreme growth in career skills and 85 percent are on track to graduate college. In addition:
- $112,000 has been invested in small business growth in Memphis.
- $50,000 has been invested in internship stipends.
- Students have spent 4,000 hours building their businesses.
- 95 percent of LITE students described the program as “extremely rewarding.”
- Forbes named LITE “one of the 20 ideas that can change the world.”
- Atlantic Magazine has named LITE “one of the 25 ideas inspiring change in America.”
Partnering with the community
LITE has thrived in Memphis thanks to a number of community sponsors that assist in the identification and recruitment of talented students, including:
- Bridges
- Street Ministries
- Memphis Athletic Ministries
- CodeCrew
- Boys & Girls Club
- Reach Memphis
The results are undeniable. LITE Memphis represents another way our community has embraced innovation in pursuit of a brighter future for all of our citizens.
Check out the founder of LITE Memphis give an amazing talk at TEDx Memphis!
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AOL co-founder Steve Case is bringing his venture capital firm across the country and Memphis is on the list. Memphis startup companies will have a chance to pitch their startup for a $100,000 investment!
Memphis is the epicenter of change! Our entrepreneurs will have an exciting chance to breakthrough Silicon Valley and showcase how amazing our city is to the business world.
You can RSVP for the event here and don’t forget to #BringYourSoul!
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]]>The post 7 Meetups for professionals you didn’t know were in Memphis appeared first on We Are Memphis.
]]>The number of startups in Memphis at any given time may surprise you. In light of that number, there is a wide selection of local career and business meetups that are perfect for professionals in many different types of business.
Real Estate
If you’re trying to make your mark on the real estate market in Memphis, why not get your name out there by attending meetups? After all, the Memphis market has been trending up, thanks in no small part to the great vibe our city offers.
The thriving real estate market has brought together a number of people in the industry at meetups. For instance, the 901 Real Estate Investors meetup has over 600 members who get together to share local knowledge. Attendees have a millionaire mindset and the drive to get to the top—and best of all, it’s a free meetup group.
Startups
Businesspeople in other sectors who are trying to get their brands off the ground may find inspiration at groups like the Startup Grind Memphis meetup. Founders, influencers and other entrepreneurial veterans make connections here, inspiring the next wave of Memphis startups. The Memphis chapter is one of 300 associated Startup Grind groups worldwide and gets support from Google for Entrepreneurs.
Alternatively, Startup and Grow is a meetup group for those looking to grow their business. Networking at this group’s monthly meetings can give you strategies and tactics from those who have come up through the Memphis startup ranks, as well as the inspiration to keep pushing.
Women of Memphis
Female business owners in Memphis have their own thing, and they can find support through a couple of different networking groups.
For instance, Jobs Hatchery Women takes a three-pronged approach to helping female business owners of Memphis thrive. Building faith, clarifying vision and managing cash flow are the driving forces behind this group, which shares ideas and resources to strengthen members and their businesses.
The Founding Moms Exchange is another networking group dedicated to women in Memphis. The best part? You don’t need to be a business owner to take part. Developing your own network of Memphis moms is at the forefront, along with talking about families.
Other significant Startups
While many of the business networking groups and meetups in Memphis are geared toward those actively building a future for the community, some are simply dedicated to helping people get a foot in the door.
The Memphis Job Search Support group is one such collective, with a focus on helping its members change their employment status. Share job search strategies and get support from fellow Memphians in the same boat.
In addition, why not polish up those public speaking skills with the Memphis Toastmasters Meetup? Here, members learn to deliver powerful, persuasive speeches while networking with like-minded individuals throughout Memphis.
Find the complete meetup calendar on the Memphis meetup page.
Career and business meetups in Memphis
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]]>Recently, WeAreMemphis held our first #BringYourSoul: Memphis Mash-Up event, a special night that mixed a few things our city is known for: visionary music, innovative ideas and bold personalities.
For many at the event, the phrase #BringYourSoul means to “Bring what you believe” or “Bring who you are” into everything you do. Don’t take our word for it, check out highlights of the event below!
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Whether we’re talking about community-based startups or new businesses with high-growth potential, Memphis entrepreneurs have a friend in the form of Entrepreneurship-Powered Innovation Center, better known as EPICenter Memphis.
The non-profit organization, located in Co-Work Memphis in the heart of the city’s Cooper-Young neighborhood, helps entrepreneurs conceive, launch and scale their businesses.
EPICenter has become a hub of the Greater Memphis entrepreneurial movement by connecting existing entrepreneurs and those who want to launch a business with helpful partner organizations and resources across the region.
When you step into their welcoming, colorful space, you immediately feel the energy and excitement of connectivity and creativity happening in the Bluff City. You’re surrounded not only by the supportive, passionate EPICenter team, but by Memphis creatives from all backgrounds and walks of life, working together to enrich the city by infusing its economy with new business models for a sustainably robust future.
The organization and its partners provide programs, workshops, office hours, networking events, co-working spaces and more to ensure everyone from tech startups to makers and artisans to community based small businesses across a wealth of industries and stages of growth have what they need to prosper. EPICenter also connects Memphis-based entrepreneurs to companies and individuals interested in supporting them as customers, investors or mentors.
Memphis is a city of ideas – from our pioneering place in music history and status as a continuing creative force in that field to our innovation in the fields of healthcare, medical device development, agriculture and logistics.
As Memphians say, we hustle – we grit and we grind. That applies both to our beloved basketball teams and our entrepreneurial ecosystem.
“Memphis has a gritty and innovative culture, which enables an entrepreneurial movement that’s catalyzing transformational growth here,” said Leslie Smith, president and CEO of EPICenter. “While the history of entrepreneurship runs deep — from Elvis, Sun Studios, and Stax, to Holiday Inn, AutoZone, and FedEx — we’re seeing new technologies in agriculture, logistics, medical devices, home services, and social innovation succeed and grow roots here. Beyond technology, our artists, designers, makers, chefs, musicians, and shopkeepers around Memphis are the heart and soul of our creative small business community. Most importantly, however, Memphis intentionally supports and attracts entrepreneurs who reflect the diversity of our city, and we are a more vibrant and innovative community because of that.”
EPICenter and its partners – which include Start Co., The Memphis Chamber, Memphis BioWorks Foundation and the Black Business Association of Memphis — share a common goal of creating a robust and vibrant entrepreneurial ecosystem in Memphis to service the Mid-South region. The organization hopes to help create 500 companies and 1,000 entrepreneurs by 2024, through four core areas of support: idea creation, development, funding and growth.
To date, they’ve served more than 250 entrepreneurs, helped create or incubate at least 116 companies, which have created more than 150 jobs, and helped raise more than $25 million in capital.
EPICenter Memphis will offer a wealth of opportunities for budding local entrepreneurs in 2018. Their 2017 events included angel investment mixers, mixers for entrepreneurs to get to know, collaborate with and support one another, educational sessions called “So You Think You Want To Be An Entrepreneur,” and “Rock Star Office Hours,” which bring in experts in the fields of public relations, social media and accounting for free one-on-one sessions to guide founders.
If you’re considering starting a business and need a launchpad, EPICenter can be your co-pilot. Give them a shout, check out their wealth of workshops and networking opportunities, and get involved in building a brighter, innovative economic future for Memphis. Definitely follow them on Facebook.
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