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African American Owned Businesses

Programs and resources are available to help African American owned businesses startup and grow

By Stephanie Feaman
If you want to start and run an African American owned business, there are a variety of resources available to help you achieve this goal. Government agencies and financial institutions have established programs that encourage minorities to develop a successful company. In many cases, you can get free African American owned business advice and access resources that can help you plan, launch and maintain a business that generates a sizable profit.

Without question, starting and maintaining a business is a challenge. If you're up for the task, you'll need to take advantage of every resource available to you if you want to stay on track when you hit a bump in the road. As you begin the process of planning your business adventure, use the following steps to adequately prepare for your journey.

1. Find a program that helps African American owned businesses startup. Utilize the information and resources available through agencies to plan and launch your business.

2. Subscribe to magazines that target minority business owners to get current African American owned businesses information.

3. Register your company on an African American owned businesses directory.

 

Locate an agency that offers African American owned businesses advice and access to resources

The U.S. Department of Commerce and the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) offer programs to minorities who wish to start their own business. These programs are the first step to getting your business off the ground as they teach you everything you need to know to become a successful entrepreneur.
Try: Contact the US Small Business Administration (SBA) for business advice, free online training and access to other business resources that include financial assistance, contract opportunities and disaster relief. Visit the SBA to find a counselor in your area and to learn more about how you can successfully launch your own business. The Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA) also offers access to free online applications as well as information on grants, loans, contracting, procurement sources and other resources to help you develop a company. MBDA functions under the U.S. Department of Commerce and exists to encourage the development and growth of minority-owned businesses.

Read magazines written for minority business owners to benefit from the insight shared by successful

Read magazines written for minority business owners to benefit from the insight shared by successful entrepreneurs, get business tips that can help you manage your business and stay informed on recent program developments and legislation that targets minority business owners.
Try: BlackEnterprise.com presents readers information on franchising and entrepreneurship. The magazine also features business reports, a small business marketplace and green business information as well as advice on creating wealth. Minority Business Entrepreneur (MBE)is a bi-monthly magazine that covers critical issues related to legislation and programs that impact minority business owners. Profiles of successful minority entrepreneurs are also featured in each issue to encourage and inspire readers.

List your business on an African American owned businesses directory to advertise and network

An African American owned businesses directory is useful for advertising as well as networking within the African American business community. Add your company to a listing to attract local clients as well as tourists. You can also use this helpful resource tool to find African American owned businesses while you're traveling.
Try: iZania.com offers blogs, a forum, news and an iZania Market as well as an African American owned businesses directory to encourage online networking. Create a login and add your business to this directory. BlackBusinessList.com provides access to African American owned businesses across the country. In addition to a free listing, this company also offers opportunities for you to network and read current news information that can help improve your business.

 

  • Wells Fargo is ranked number one as a small business lender in the United States. This diversified financial services company offers business services to African American, Asian, Latino and Women entrepreneurs, including African American owned businesses advice.

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