(ThyBlackMan.com) The Center for the Prevention of Health Disparities Providing relevant information is what entrepreneurs are in need of to assist in establishing a viable and growing business. The New Town Success Zone provides business services that promote networking for business owners and real advice from experiences and active business ownership. Learning the importance of a business plan and even the understanding of the viability of a growth plan cannot be ignored. Moderated by Paul Stewart (professional photographer), introductions included established business owners and those with a dream to build wealth for themselves and the communities they live in.
Sharing their testimonies are Mrs. Lakita Spann and her husband, owners of Mr. Potatoe Spread (Food Truck & Catering) and Mr. Alvin Brooks and his wife, owners of My Season Chicken and Ribs. Each shared valuable information from networking to finding a CPA – Certified Public Accountant to customer service and even the importance of training employees. The third Thursday of each 
month business owners can come together at the Health Disparities building on the campus of Edward Waters College. HBCUs are the foundation of their communities and provide needed services and experts, they volunteer their time, wisdom, knowledge and time to help families act on their dreams of being business owners and entrepreneurs.
Contained here is information shared by Mrs. Spann and Shared from Mrs. Spann and Mr. Brooks Shared from Mrs. Spann.
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1. Networking and creating relationships is important. Attending networking events and exchanging business cards and Social Media connections.
2. Create a flexible business plan and actually do something with it.
3. Create a “Growth Plan,” which maybe more important than a business plan.
4. Create a “Capability Statement” to work with and assist in even applying for government contracts.
5. Execute your ideas because they will not work themselves.
6. Be strategic with your ideas and plan how they can be implemented.
7. Contemplate what benefit your business will have.
8. Don’t apologize for hours. This is a business, but you also have a life.
9. Monitor deadlines they will help drive you to success.
10. Plan to succeed, but if you don’t plan, plan to fail Mr. Alvin Brooks.
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1. Presentation is everything, it is important how your business is seen. Think of how it will be received by the public.
2. A Business Plan is good if you use it, so be sure to apply your plan.
3. Hire a proven CPA – Certified Public Accountant with a successful track record.
4. Know the difference between a LLC and a Corporation when registering your business.
5. Pay yourself, you work hard in your business so it is important to remember to pay yourself.
6. Customer service is #1, but the customer is not always right. Have policies to address customer issues.
7. Don’t let customers drive your business. When you open and close make sure you stick to it.
8. You should establish a policy to address customer challenges, questions and even damage control.
9. The face of your business is important, everyone associated with your business should understand their roles and values to the success of the business.
10. Don’t mimic anyone else, be authentic in your business.
11. Be consistent with your customers, when addressing issues other customers will be watching how you address problems.
12. Train your people so they are on the same page.
13. Be about business not just about money.
14. Take a vacation so you have time to rejuvenate and re-energize. Be consistent on the vacation time in date and length.
15. Have meetings with employees about their concerns, ideas and remind them their input has value. Wisdom when considering on starting your business as shared by Mrs. Spann “There are many people with great ideas for businesses, but don’t act on them.”
Staff Writer; William D. Jackson
Find out more about this talented writer over at; OCS For Education.