Entrepreneurial Institute: Recharge Panel with Dr. Randal Pinkett

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By Robin Farmer

If every African-American owned business employed one Black person, unemployment would dramatically plunge, said Dr. Randal Pinkett, scholar, author, entrepreneur and CEO of BCT Partners, who is widely known as the winner of the fourth season of "The Apprentice."

Of the 1.9 million black-owned businesses, only 100,000 have paid employees, he said Wednesday during the "Entrepreneurship Unplugged – Recharge Panel" discussion.

"If these big corporations can figure out how to work together then as African Americans we can come together as well," said Pinkett, who moderated a conversation with three successful entrepreneurs that touched on the topics of partnerships, persistence and vision when launching, sustaining and expanding businesses.

Panelists were Deanne L. Ayers-Howard, founder of Howard Hospitality of cascades, LLC; Justin Christian, founder of BCForward; and Nadine Thompson, founder of Soul Purpose Beauty and Lifestyle Company.

Panelists agreed that strong partnerships are key to the survival of their companies.

"My whole business is built on partnerships," said Thompson, "What saddens me is I have not been able to partner with another African American company. Maybe because I live in New Hampshire," she said as the audience chuckled. "Maybe being here will change that."

Ayers-Howard encouraged audience members who are not in business to "take the leap." If the business fails, learn from the experience. "Don’t be afraid," she said.

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