Why I Hate The Hookup
Want to support black entrepreneurs? Stop hitting them up for freebies
Alfred Edmond Jr.
Stop me if you've heard this one. Richard, a black comedian calls his white friend: "Hey, Chad. Just wanted to let you know: I'll be in town next week to do a show. Hope you can make it."
Chad: "Really? That's great! What night is it? I'll call all of my friends and we'll pack the house! It'll be a blast!"
"Thanks, Chad!," says Richard. "It's on Thursday night. I'll see you then!"
Richard hangs up, excited about the prospect of a big night at the comedy club, which means more gigs. He then he calls his boy, Lamont. (What? You know he's black. How many white, Asian or Latino guys named Lamont do you know? Try to keep up, okay? Anyway...)
Richard: "Monty-Mont! Whassup? It's ya boy, Richy-Rich! Just hollerin' atcha to let you know that I got a gig in town next Thursday. You coming, right?"
Lamont: "Hell, yes, I'm coming! You funny as a mug! Shoot, I'll bring my girl, and tell her to bring her girls, and I'll get Antonio and Big Rob and Lisa to come and get the word out to their peeps, too!"
"Cool!," says Richard. He holds his breath. He knows it's coming.
"You gonna hook us all up, right?," says Lamont.
One of the biggest drags on black entrepreneurial growth and profitability is the "hookup": black people expecting other black people to provide them with free goods and services just because they're black. We need to stop it. Today. NOW.
No, she can't hook you up with a few press releases and some public relations for your event.
No, he can't hook you up with a few signed copies of his book.
No, he can't hook you up with a quick shape-up so you can look fly at the club tonight.
No, she can't hook you and your momma and aunties up with free tickets to the fashion show.
No, she can't hook up a business plan for you real quick.
No, she can't deliver the dinner keynote without an honorarium, in return for two tickets at the head table for food she won't get to eat. Because she'll be speaking during the dinner.
No, they can't wash your car, pull your teeth, do your hair, fix your computer, edit your manuscript, paint your house, build your Website, etc. for free! Discount? Maybe. Complimentary services for referring new—paying—customers? Okay. An occasional freebie for long-time, loyal customers who always pay? Sure. Barter my goods or services for yours? We might be able to work something out. But, FREE? NO!
Hello? The point of being in business is to make money! How can entrepreneurs, and black business owners in particular, make money, if they're expected to give their products and services—which costs them money to create, develop, market and deliver—away for free? If you don't spend money with them, they can't spend their money with you. If you won't pay for your haircut, your barber can't pay to eat at your restaurant. If Leslie the auto dealer won't pay a competitive rate for wedding planning, Lisa the wedding planner can't afford to buy a car from Leslie. Money has to circulate in order for economic empowerment to happen and for black entrepreneurs to have a chance to compete and thrive. You don't support black entrepreneurs by showing up for the hook-up. You support black business by paying up.
When I find a black entrepreneur or professional who provides goods and services I like, I pay for those goods and services—period. I know that there are costs associated with providing a service and making a product, a cost they can only recoup by selling at a profit. I don't want them to hook me up with free stuff. I want to hook them up with my spending, because then they can really hook me up, by creating jobs, growing the local tax base, supporting community organizations, doing business with other black entrepreneurs and professionals—or just having enough money and a predisposition to reciprocate, to buy goods and services (like subscriptions to Black Enterprise) from me and mine. I want black enterpreneurs to make money. I want them to succeed. I want them to get more than rich. I want to see as many wealthy black entrepreneurs, families and communities as possible. So if I like what they're selling, I'm more than happy—I'm thrilled—to pay for it, and to tell all of my family, friends and associates how great they are.
Do you really want to support black entrepreneurs and black professionals? Stop hitting them up for freebies. If you believe in their products and services, pay for them, as you would for the products and services of any other business. If what they're selling doesn't merit that, why are you patronizing them in the first place? Do you really think you're doing them—or yourself—a favor?
Alfred A. Edmond Jr. is the editor-in-chief of BlackEnterprise.com
The Hook Up is a Hand-Out!!!Thank you so much for this valuable and timely article.
Thankfully, due to being raised in a large family, I know the power of NO.
I am a performing artist and designer. Sad to say, the people who value and buy my arts and services are non-Black. I don't play with The Hook Up, as my Mother used to say "a broke person can't tell a rich man how to save money", we should stand firm and demand the same respect that non-Black artists receive. Being from a large family they taught me that James Brown was right (regarding those asking for a hook-up): talking loud and saying nothing. I do not care if they say I'm acting white, not down, etc. The Hook Up DOES NOT PAY BILLS.
Last time a "friend" asked for a freebie I point to their shoes phone car and sometimes-- gold grill-- "did you get the hook up for that?!"
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This article touches on key points. Yes we need to stop taking advantage of Black owned businesse's just because we are Black. Normally people who want the "hook up" have no sense of what it takes to run and stay in business, therefore, they come across as being rude and instursive, but all-in-all this needs to STOP!
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I agree that looking for the "hook up" is in fact a hand out. Now, I lead a nonprofit organization and look for opportunities to come up with "barter" agreements. In this way, I can have something to offer the person I'm seeking help from in return in exchange for cash. I think it's something we've lost as people in general, the notion of, I may not be able to give you cash, but I can provide a service to you that is worth cash for an exchange. Giving doesn't always mean that a person should have to come out of their pockets.
For the event I help sponsor, I don't even ask my friends of 20 plus years to do something for free. It's just not right. I am thankful that they are willing to discount their services to me so that I may raise money for the ultimate goal in mind. I won't tear down people who always ask for handouts, I would just teach them better....show them better. I find that starting with my own family members is a good way to go. Then it becomes easier to share that principle of exchange and actually promoting one another through honest interactions.
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