DeAnne Applewhite and Dominique McCraney/Staff Writers
The daughter of a Tuskegee airman and the first African American to hold the position as Regional Administrator for Region 4 of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency told entrepreneurs, soon-to-be entrepreneurs and small business owners at the Women of Color 2011 Entrepreneurs Conference to “be courageous and just do it” when it comes to having a successful business.
Gwendolyn Keys Fleming, one of the keynote speakers, outlined strategies to help female entrepreneurs be successful business owners by drawing on her own successful campaign experiences.
“Have a plan,” she said. “You need to be flexible and nimble enough to respond to market demands. Make sure you can deliver.”
Using a quote from Marianne Williamson to emphasize her advice to turn dreams and ideas into successful ventures and to avoid negativity, Fleming stated:
“Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. We ask ourselves, ‘Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous?’ Actually, who are you not to be?”
Using what she referred to as a “communal pyramid” and a quote from Dr. Benjamin E. Mays about the unique purpose that each person has in life, Fleming encouraged women to open their own business or start up a non-profit, and to consider providing goods and services that positively impact the environment. Consider green jobs that can be created in natural resource conservation, environmental training and public awareness, energy from renewable source, pollution reduction and removal and green energies, she added.
In her position at EPA, Fleming is responsible for eight southeastern states, as well as six federally recognized tribes. Over the last 12 months, she has focused on advancing the Obama Administration’s priorities of protecting public health and the environment, including: taking action on climate change, improving air quality, assuring safety of chemicals, protecting America’s waters and expanding the conversation on environmentalism.
Deirdre Floyd, associate manager of Minority and Small Business Development with the Mississippi Development Authority, praised Fleming’s advice.
“Gwendolyn was awesome, dynamite, straight to the point speaker. She gave great information to help entrepreneurs to be successful for themselves as well what to do for the environment. She is an asset to the human race, especially women,” stated Floyd.
The Nov. 1-2 conference was held at the Mississippi e-Center, and was sponsored by the Jackson State University College of Business, Department of Entrepreneurship and Professional Development. A number of sessions gave detailed insight on how to become small business owners and allowed successful female entrepreneurs to share their stories. Information also was shared on the importance of branding, the use of social media in business marketing, contracting and governmental sources for funding and creating economic opportunities.
Some panelists appealed especially to students and other soon-to-be business owners with their practical advice.
Panelist Shameka Reed, owner of Savvy Lifestyle Magazine and a JSU graduate, said the best way to build a business and a brand is through client relationships. She stressed how important it is for students as well as aspiring entrepreneurs to get involved and stay connected through social media sites and clients. “Look at every thing as an opportunity for success”
Dr. Donna Williams, conference attendee from Grambling State University, stated three important tools needed for a successful entrepreneurship: “work hard and be willing to plan, make decisions and work increasingly to keep the business growing; “know your market” by researching your business so that you will know what customers want and need; keep God in your life because ‘nothing in life is done on by man’.”
Many students, faculty, staff and others described the conference as “motivating”, “inspiring” and definitely “encouraging”.
“It was great! I wish that more students would have attended the conference. It was a great learning tool that students don’t always take advantage of,” said Nneka Ayozie, a junior mass communications major from Jackson, Miss.
Ayozie said she learned that the leaders in the world of entrepreneurship “take risk” and sacrifices to make things happen and the conference gave her useful insight that she can use in her future business ventures.
Shaunell Applewhite, a graduating senior entrepreneurship major from Long Beach, Miss., stated that as an entrepreneurship major and an aspiring entrepreneur “the conference was essential to my success in the future. I gained plenty of valuable information. My favorite part of the conference was listening to all of the important and influential speakers.” She added that all the speakers, special guest and visitors encouraged her to stay true to her business goals.
Sheena Daniels, a computer science graduate student, said: “I think it was a great opportunity for young women who are aspiring to have their own business. It was a networking opportunity to meet business owners who can help steer you in the right way to gain capital for your business.”
Other speakers included Retired Brigadier General Velma (Von) Richardson, vice president, IS&GS DoD It Programs and Special Projects with Lockheed Martin, Dr. Jeanette Brown, director of the Office of Small Business Programs, U.S. EPA, Washington, D.C., and Winston and alma Pittman, of Winston Pittman Enterprises, Lousiville, KY.
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