Business

Introduction Are you interested in entrepreneurship and looking for some inspiration? Well, you’ve come to the right place because, in this blog, we will introduce you to the top ten Black entrepreneurs you can learn from. Starting a business is challenging, but being a Black entrepreneur has unique challenges. But, despite the obstacles, these fantastic entrepreneurs have reached the top of their respective industries. From music and entertainment to finance and tech, they have built thriving businesses and made a significant impact. You might wonder, “what’s so special about these entrepreneurs?” Well, let me tell you, their stories are full of insights, lessons, and strategies that you can apply to your entrepreneurial journey. Their perseverance, determination, and innovative thinking are what set them apart. They’ve faced discrimination, setbacks, and failures but never gave up. So, whether you’re just starting or a seasoned business owner, you can learn a lot from these trailblazing entrepreneurs. We’ll take you through their stories, highlight their successes, and share their tips for building a successful business. So, grab a cup of coffee, sit back, and get ready to be inspired! List of The Greatest Black Entrepreneurs of All Time Here are ten Black entrepreneurs who have made significant contributions to their respective industries and who are worth learning from: Oprah Winfrey Oprah Winfrey is a household name and a trailblazer in the entertainment industry. Despite early setbacks in her career, such as being fired from a television news anchor job, Oprah persevered and achieved tremendous success. She is known for her talk show, The Oprah Winfrey Show, which aired for 25 seasons and tackled various topics, from self-improvement to politics. Oprah’s leadership extends beyond television and into her role as chairman and CEO of Harpo, Inc., which she founded in 1986. In addition to her entrepreneurial ventures, Oprah is a philanthropist and has donated millions of dollars to various causes, including education and healthcare. She has also been a leading voice in the fight against sexual harassment and abuse, particularly in the entertainment industry. Her dedication to making a difference in the world is admirable and serves as an inspiration to many. According to Forbes, Oprah’s net worth of $2.8 billion is a testament to her business acumen and ability to turn her brand into a lucrative enterprise. But her success is not just about making money. Oprah’s message of empowerment and self-improvement has touched the lives of millions, and her authenticity and relatability have made her a role model to many. One key lesson that aspiring entrepreneurs can learn from Oprah is the importance of perseverance. Despite facing obstacles and setbacks early in her career, Oprah never gave up on her dreams and continued to work hard and innovate. She also has a strong sense of purpose and a desire to make a difference in the world, which has helped her stay focused and driven. Dr. Dre Dr. Dre is an iconic music industry figure known for his contributions to hip-hop and his success as an entrepreneur. His partnership with Jimmy Iovine in 2008 to release Beats by Dre headphones was a game changer, and the brand quickly became synonymous with high-quality audio products. The headphone line soon expanded to include earbuds, speakers, and a music streaming service, with collaborations and endorsements from top artists, athletes, and designers. The success of Beats Electronics culminated in its acquisition by Apple for $3 billion in 2014, reportedly making Dr. Dre the richest person in hip-hop at the time. This achievement was a testament to his business acumen and ability to identify a gap in the market and capitalize on it. However, Dr. Dre’s entrepreneurial journey began long before his partnership with Iovine. He co-created Death Row Records, which put out classic albums like Snoop Dogg’s Doggystyle and 2Pac’s All Eyez on Me. After leaving Death Row, he founded Aftermath Entertainment and partnered with Iovine on Interscope Records, which went on to sign artists like Eminem. Dr. Dre’s success as an entrepreneur reflects his creativity, persistence, and willingness to take risks. His ability to identify and capitalize on trends has made him a role model for aspiring entrepreneurs. He is a true innovator, unafraid to challenge the status quo and push the boundaries of what is possible in his industry. Daymond John Daymond John is a successful marketing mogul, entrepreneur, and investor on ABC’s Shark Tank. One key lesson that aspiring entrepreneurs can learn from him is the importance of perseverance. John’s journey to success was challenging. He faced multiple setbacks, including having to close his clothing line, Fubu, three times as he learned the ropes of entrepreneurship. Despite these challenges, he persisted and eventually found success. Another critical lesson that John can teach up-and-coming entrepreneurs is the importance of creativity and innovation. He is known for his ability to spot trends and capitalize on them, and his clothing line, Fubu, was a pioneer in the urban streetwear market. In addition to Fubu, John is the founder and CEO of Blueprint + Co., a coworking space in Midtown Manhattan, and The Shark Group, a brand management consultancy. John’s success is a testament to his hard work, determination, and business acumen. According to various sources, he has a net worth of $250 million, and his success has made him a valuable figure for aspiring entrepreneurs to learn from. His perseverance and dedication to his goals have allowed him to succeed tremendously and become a leader in entrepreneurship. One of the key takeaways from John’s story is the importance of never giving up, even in the face of challenges and setbacks. Madam C.J. Walker She was a trailblazing entrepreneur who significantly impacted the beauty industry. Despite facing many obstacles as an African American woman in the early 1900s, she persevered and built a successful business that made her one of the wealthiest women of her time. Walker’s success was rooted in identifying a personal need and creating a solution. Her hair care product was a game-changer for many

Email marketing in B2B is a crucial tool for companies looking to build strong relationships and drive business growth. By using targeted email campaigns, B2B businesses can reach decision-makers with personalized content that speaks to their specific needs and pain points. With a focus on value, education, and solutions, email marketing helps nurture leads throughout the sales funnel, from awareness to conversion. What is Email Marketing? Email Marketing is sending bulk emails to professionals and small or startup businesses instead of individual customers for the promotion of products and services to other businesses. The objective behind this is to help your brand reach more people, and being an immediate tool; your messages can reach anywhere in the world instantly. Email is one of the most effective channels for B2B marketing. That’s because email allows you to target your messages specifically to the people who would be most interested in what you have to say, and you can segment your email lists by factors like job title, industry or specific interests and also gives you more control over what kinds of information you are sending out and when it will be sent. You can stay in touch with both current and potential clients. Email marketing strategy in B2B Email marketing is effective when it comes to B2B sales and B2B lead generation, so marketing strategies are all about the quality of the content you deliver to your client. So, let’s start with some of the most important things before we continue: 1. Who is your target audience? Your target audience is the group of people who are most likely to buy from you, and your email marketing should try to get their attention, get them interested, and then convert them into leads. 2. Build and grow your email list You must grow your email list by attracting, inspiring, and gaining their trust by creating relevant content with a question, inviting them to join your email list, and making a one-time offer like providing a freebie such as a tip sheet or template eBook in exchange for their email, and last but not least, putting an option on your company website so that when you visit, you must register yourself. 3. Subject line Your email should be short enough to be seen in the inbox. Place your emails by offering something at the front line. 4. Be friendly Your content should be easy to understand while hitting emails in the inbox; it should surprise and attract readers to your subject line and content. 5. Keep emails scannable Keep your emails to a minimum of text, and start using visuals and formatting. Best email marketing Tools HubSpot Email Marketing Sendinblue Mailchimp Benchmark Email Types of Email Marketing Email Newsletters: A newsletter is an email that is sent to your subscribers regularly to keep them informed about the latest news and updates about your product or brand on a weekly and monthly basis. Acquisition Emails: Acquisition emails are those emails where you make a base for a new client by giving an attractive offer and informative content by promoting and marketing products and services. Retention Emails: Retention emails are the ones where you send an offer to the existing clients to retain and continue using the product and services. Promotional Emails: Promotional emails are where you promote the brand and also new offers of your products and services to the clients. Latest email marketing trends in 2023 Email is your most direct line of communication, so here are the top email marketing trends you need to know on the latest email marketing trends: Personalization When you think of personalized messaging in emails, what is the first thing that comes to mind? Probably your name in the subject line or a product recommendation based on your past purchase history. In 2022, we saw brands take personalization to new heights—and we only expect this trend to continue in the coming year. Mobile friendly Your emails should be designed in a mobile-friendly manner, while designing focuses on elements like font size, call to action placement and image sizing. Dynamism An email subject line may catch your eye, but motion graphics hold your attention. Animation is a great way to add movement and liveliness to an email, ranging from subtle movements like hover effects to full-on animated GIFs. Strong Branding Strong and consistent branding is key to successful email marketing. With so much competition in the space, it’s essential to make sure your emails have a distinct look that recipients can recognize immediately in their inboxes. This means using a consistent colour palette, fonts, images, and logo throughout all of your email campaigns. Shorter Subject Lines You need to start using shorter subject lines to grab readers’ attention. Adding an emoji to your subject line is also a great way to grab your subscribers’ attention without using too many characters. Video What types of email marketing videos should you use? This could include product demonstrations, customer testimonials, explainer videos, or even a simple “hello” in a welcome email. No matter how you choose to use it, including videos in your emails can be a great way to grab your subscribers’ attention and make a lasting impression. Newsletters By sending email newsletters, you can keep your readers informed and up to date on the latest news and happenings related to your brand. This could include upcoming events or product launches, customer spotlights, company updates, new blog posts, and more. Conclusion There are countless reasons to use email marketing for B2B businesses. Unlike B2C customers, who make decisions based on emotions, you need to showcase how you can increase your B2B customers’ business. Being cost-effective, and still delivering exceptional results, email marketing can help you grow your business, position yourself as an expert, and much more.

Marketing plays a pivotal role in driving business growth by helping companies reach new customers, retain existing ones, and boost their overall revenue. By leveraging a mix of digital marketing strategies like SEO, content marketing, and social media advertising, businesses can increase their visibility, build brand awareness, and position themselves as industry leaders. Speaking of this, there are two major segments of marketing which are as follows: Business-to-business (B2B) marketing: B2B marketing is frequently used by firms that offer goods or services to other companies or organisations. products sold through B2B marketing, such as raw materials, business services, and processed materials. Also, I would like to describe to you four major categories of B2B product purchasers, which are as follows: Producers—Use B2B marketing products to create their own items. Resellers: Purchase B2B goods to resell in retail or wholesale settings. Governments should purchase B2B goods for use in government initiatives (e.g.: purchasing contractor services to repair infrastructure) Universities employ B2B goods to carry on with business (e.g.: schools buying printers for office use) Business-to-consumer (B2C) marketing: B2C marketing refers to the tactics and strategies by which a company promotes its products and services to individual people. Historically, term might broadly refer to someone shopping for personal items. B2C refers more recently to the online retail of consumer goods. Marketing strategies A marketing strategy is a thorough, organised plan of a business’s advertising initiatives across numerous platforms and channels, aimed at driving marketing business growth. It includes goals, profiles of the target audience, a process for creating content, key performance indicators, and other elements. Maintaining a sense of relevancy with your audience is essential for success in the fast-paced world of marketing. The following are the marketing strategies: Marketing Mix The marketing mix is the “4 Ps of marketing,” i.e., product, price, place, and promotion, which means what you will be marketing, where you’ll be marketing it, and how you’ll be marketing it. Marketing Objectives You should break down your marketing goals by distribution method or marketing strategy, and keep in mind that you can always go back and adjust your objectives when your priorities shift. Marketing Budget A budget for marketing is a crucial component of any plan. Your marketing strategy won’t be effective if money isn’t set aside to hire the right personnel, use the correct software, advertise on the proper channels, and produce the right content. You must first invest in order to receive a good return on investment. Competitive Analysis While developing a marketing strategy, understanding your competition is essential. You should be aware of who your rivals are, but it’s still crucial to sit down and identify them. Otherwise, you run the risk of “yelling into the abyss” without demonstrable outcomes. You can discover a surprise rival battling for the involvement and attention of your target customer. Segmentation, Targeting, and Positioning Segmentation, targeting, and positioning (STP) refer to the process of delivering “more relevant, personalized messages to target audiences.” rather than publishing and advertising. Metrics & Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) To gauge how well your marketing approach is performing, you must incorporate metrics and key performance indicators. Your business type will influence the KPIs you select. Latest marketing trends 1. Influencer marketing Influencer marketing has found a niche in their industry, too, which is why they have started to play a bigger role in converting leads, connecting with audiences, and boosting brand awareness. Their viewers are more likely to believe their thoughts and suggestions despite the fact that they are viewed as “ordinary” individuals. 2. Video marketers The marketing industry has been completely swept up by short-form video. Both B2C and B2B marketers have discovered that short-form videos can be far more effective at getting to the point. 3. Aligned marketing and sales teams will win The need for collaboration between the sales and marketing departments grows as 2023 draws nearer. Marketers may obtain a more full view of their clients, including their interests, hobbies, and demographics, when they are both in alignment. 4. Implementing inbound marketing for growing brands It is tremendously wise to embrace inbound marketing in this era of digital change. It can be an asset to create brand awareness and build trust digitally through a refocused strategy that drives customers to seek out your content. 5. More brands will test out native ads Why the growing interest in this strategy? Well, it works. About 50% of marketers who employ native advertisements say it’s their top strategy for creating ROI, and more than 36% believe it to be effective. For instance, the well-liked social media platform Instagram frequently works with businesses to promote native advertising. By taking advantage of the Instagram Story and Shop features, brands can share posts that look like the average user’s followers’ posting style while subtly advertising a product. 6. More companies will prioritize social responsibility Over twice as many marketers who produce social responsibility content—89%—plan to raise or maintain their spending in 2023. It is obvious that today’s consumers value social responsibility, ethics, and openness. In light of all of this, businesses have started to change their social media strategy to concentrate more on inclusive activities, promotions, and products while emphasising causes or missions they support. Being socially conscious is still respectful and beneficial, even if it doesn’t immediately increase sales. Conclusion Another type of marketing business growth , suppose any company want to hire people for their companies or if they want to publish the hiring alert or about the hiring, they use different types of websites OR tools which are useful and easy to recruit for them as well as people who are job less looking for a job/job change. Some companies will contact a third-party consultant, some will update on companies’ websites and others like LinkedIn, Naukri.com, indeed.com etc. It is also a part of marketing. For example: – ‘Apple’ As everyone knows apple is a luxury brand and sells electronic items like Mobile Phones, MacBooks and many more. And it is a worldwide

Most people associate checks with dinosaurs, dodo birds, and other extinct creatures. So while paper checks are on their way out, eChecks are still going strong. Nacha, the company that manages the eCheck network, claims that there were 29.1 billion eCheck payments completed in 2021. Continue reading to find out what eChecks are and how they function if you want your company to share in some of those billions. Defining eChecks EChecks can best be characterised as a “digital version” of paper checks. Direct debit, an internet check, and other phrases like an online check are also used to describe eChecks. Electronic checks (eChecks) employ the Automatic Clearing House (ACH) to perform a direct debit from the customer’s checking account and into the merchant’s commercial bank account. A payments processor helps with each step of the transaction. Electronic check transmission makes these transactions quicker, safer, and simpler. As long as the bank makes this option available for use online, nearly all checking accounts now have the capacity to submit an eCheck. What sets it apart from paper checks? Paper checks are simply paper by definition, and they might soon be a thing of the past. Customers are simply writing less checks for their daily costs, which is the cause of this. They much prefer to use electronic payment options like eChecks. Online retail sales in the US increased by 15% in 2018, totaling $517 billion. It is nevertheless anticipated to win an even bigger portion of global trade. This demonstrates that most transactions are conducted online, which led to the development of brand-new, entirely digital means of payment. These payments are typical for being undetectable, simple, and fast. The benefit of using eChecks is that they process far more quickly than paper checks do. Here are some of the causes: Paper checks require more time and effort to deposit at the bank. Paper checks take longer to process. Hold than electronic checks, and electronic checks speed up the procedure significantly. How eCheck works? Banks can move funds instantly from one account to another thanks to eChecks. They achieve this by utilising a digital network known as the Automated Clearing House, or ACH. According to Nacha, the ACH network connects all banks in the U.S. and moves about $72.6 trillion annually (formerly the National Automated Clearing House Association). The eCheck procedure includes the following steps to ensure that all of the money reaches to its intended recipients: Authorization of Payment : The client first enters the details of their bank account and authorises payment. Usually, an internet payment gateway is used for this. A one-time purchase or a recurring subscfription may be authorised. Payment Request : The company’s payment processor creates a payment request using the account information of the customer. The processor transmits batches of these requests to the Automated Clearing House at specific times each day. Payment Confirmation: The ACH sorts the batches and sends the customer’s bank the payment request. The bank confirms the information is accurate and that there are funds available. Payment : Following the confirmation of the transaction, the funds are transferred from the customer’s account to the company’s account. eChecks can also function in reverse, such as with online tax refunds or direct deposit payroll. Here, the recipient consents to a deposit rather than a withdrawal and provides information about their bank account. Even if these processes seem difficult, processing them is still quicker than processing a paper check. Also, the banking information is encrypted during the entire procedure, unlike a paper check, which is handled by many people. What advantages do eChecks offer? There are a number of advantages to using eChecks, which may be the reason why ACH processing has been increasing every year since 2012. 1. Cost-cutting In the first place, ACH does away with the necessity for pricey credit card networks. In place of high card network exchange charges based on a percentage of the dollar amount transacted are lower flat costs with no transaction amount restriction. If your company frequently accepts sizable payments, think about the economic advantages of ACH over credit cards. 2. Ease of access The monies are transmitted quicker and more conveniently than with paper checks because ACH is an electronic process. 3. Repeated payments eCheck payments are the ideal option for businesses that operate on subscriptions. This is why: Customers can sign up for autopay without you having to fear that their credit card information will change. While credit card numbers frequently change, bank account information doesn’t. Services for processing ACH payments assist avoid lost business and payment lapses. Monthly costs pile up over time, and a company can save a ton of money by signing up for a lengthy membership. Network exchange fees are eliminated with electronic payments. Online electronic check payments are simple to start. Make a straightforward, secure form page that your consumers may fill out. Setting up autopay simply takes a moment, and because they won’t need to write paper checks in the future, it will save them time. You can offer incentives for your consumers to join up because using an ACH direct payment can save your organisation money. Give them a tiny cash incentive, and you’ll probably end up sharply reducing your own expenses. How to integrate eChecks in small businesses? Accepting eCheck payments can greatly expand your consumer base and enhance your revenue. This is especially true for US-based companies that allow clients to make recurring transactions. What you would need to do in order to take eChecks as a form of payment is as follows: A merchant account should be opened using an ACH provider. Get consent from the client by a digital signature or a phone call that is recorded. Provide payment details, such as checking account numbers, routing numbers, the total amount owed, and the due date. You can now manage eCheck payment processing with the aid of your ACH provider. Selecting to work with ACH providers who have a track record of dependability

It’s not surprising that the word “startup” has entered the business community’s everyday lexicon so fast given the establishment and rapid expansion of companies like Airbnb, Uber, and Snapchat. In fact, you’re probably extremely familiar with the concept of startup companies and startup culture if you work in the tech industry or reside in a major tech hub like New York or Silicon Valley. Despite the fact that “new business” and “startup” are now frequently used interchangeably, many individuals are still unaware of the distinction between the two. So, what distinguishes these two organizations? What is a startup Vs a small business? Let’s deconstruct it. Which business format can be the ideal one for you? The entertainment industry, cults of personality, and crazy success tales have given startups an almost legendary position. They appear to be thrilling, but they come with risks and are more effective for some items and services than others. Do not believe that starting a business is the only way to become wealthy. Even if you aren’t there, a small firm can develop into a well-oiled machine that generates income for you. Every chain of restaurants, international law practice, and local auto dealerships began as a modest company. Making money isn’t as important when choosing between a startup and a small firm as your sector, leadership style, and personal traits. What is the prime distinction between a startup and a small business? Now that you have a general understanding of what a startup is, let’s explore the qualities that set it apart from a small firm in more detail. The Sources of Funding The difficulty of obtaining financing is one thing that small businesses and startups do have in common. Giving money to a startup vs small business is a risky venture. Additionally, it’s crucial to understand what you’re getting into when it comes to financing if you’re establishing your own business or startup. Startups frequently seek significant investments immediately away. Additionally, they deal with investors who are interested in making sizable investments but are selective about who they put their trust in.54 In what are known as “rounds,” venture capitalists and angel investors typically invest a minimum of $1 million. In addition, the founders diversify the ownership structure by giving investors stock in the business in exchange for the financing. On the other hand, small business owners frequently use small business loans for debt financing in order to achieve their funding objectives. Smaller capital amounts are offered by conventional banks and online lenders, who also charge interest on the loans. The integrity of small business owners’ ownership is unaltered despite the fact that they ultimately pay more for capital. Conventional banks and online lenders offer smaller capital amounts, who In the end, startups collaborate with their financiers, whereas small business owners view funding more transactionally. The Goal of Growth A startup’s founder wants to use an effective business model to disrupt the market. They desire to control the market. For entrepreneurs, though, it won’t happen right away. They demand upfront investments, and such investments don’t yield quick returns. So, a startup is generally not going to turn a profit in its first year, second year, or even third year (and some startups never even reach profitability). However, startup founders set out to quickly find the ideal business model that climbs to incredible heights in a vast industry. This distinction also pertains to the sector of business where you’ll find the majority of startups: technology. Startups are frequently internet- or technology-based firms with broad market appeal. On the other hand, you don’t need a sizable market to expand into in order to run a small firm. All you need is a market, and you must be able to effectively contact and service every member of that market. Anybody can name their neighborhood deli, coffee shop, plumber, or electrician when asked to name a small business. They are attempting, not to upset an industry, but to gain profit from the same. Amount of risk Every time you try to start a new business, there is some element of risk. However, there is undoubtedly an increased level of risk involved with a startup when compared to a small corporation. As we’ve covered extensively, the guiding premise of a startup is to develop a good or service that has the potential to change or significantly influence the market. Therefore, you’re taking a significant leap of faith that your startup will flourish and be able to make that effect by going through the process to study, raise money, test the product or service, etc. However, you are also taking a significant risk; if you fail, you stand to lose a lot. Small businesses have the advantage of starting in an established market, despite the fact that there are a number of dangers involved with doing so (20% fail within the first year). By doing this, the risks are significantly reduced and can thus be a lot easier to handle than they are for startup founders. Startup vs Small Business: Why differentiate? It’s crucial to consider whether you’re a startup entrepreneur or a small business entrepreneur when you’re first starting to carry out a business plan. Why? Making the distinction early on can help you establish the course for your future business, including your early expectations, your growth strategy, your partner choices, and your definition of success in the long run.