Conference goers chose from informative and motivational sessions that covered topics such as raising capital, government contracting opportunities, properly using social media for business growth, and tapping into the green economy. A popular, two-day youth education program gave Teenpreneurs, ages 13–19, an opportunity to learn entrepreneurship fundamentals such as leadership skill development and formulating a business plan. It also exposed them to educators, entrepreneurs, and corporate professionals.

One of the most insightful moments occurred when Charles Ogletree, author and Harvard Law School professor, facilitated an intimate conversation with black enterprise Chairman and Publisher Earl G. Graves Sr. and his son Earl “Butch” Graves Jr., the magazine’s president and CEO. The senior Graves shared his experiences raising Black Enterprise from a magazine startup 41 years ago to the iconic multimedia enterprise it has become.

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Other popular events were the Small Business Awards luncheon hosted by Ariel Investments L.L.C. and the Black Enterprise Elevator Pitch Competition, which this year awarded an unprecedented $30,000 total in cash prizes to three winners who gave impressive pitches. At the conference, be honored the following small businesses and entrepreneurs:

PITCHING FOR $10K
Entrepreneurs compete in BE’s annual elevator pitch competition

The game show-styled Elevator Pitch Competition involved 10 entrepreneurs vying for a grand prize of $10,000 by pitching their ideas to a packed audience and panel of judges. PepsiCo, the competition sponsor, opted this year to award all three winners $10,000.

The judges were:
• Earl “Butch” Graves Jr., President and CEO of  Black Enterprise
• Star Jones, Author, attorney, TV personality
• J. Anthony Brown, Comedian and radio personality
• Magnus Greaves, Founder and CEO, TheCASHFLOW

GRAND PRIZE WINNER: $10,000
Brandon Butler • The Web Site Shop
What he does: Website designer
Location: Atlanta
Business model: Brick-and-mortar retail
Web design shop

THE PITCH
“Every business needs a great website. But many times the hardest part about getting that great website is finding a reliable Web designer. I’m Brandon Butler and I’m the founder of The Web Site Shop. We’re the first ever brick-and-mortar retail Web design store. We’re conveniently located right here in Atlanta, Georgia, inside Northlake Mall and we’re open seven days a week. Many of our clients don’t know where to start to find a great website, and many clients have had [situations] that cost them a lot of time and money with getting a great website done. Because we’re in a convenient retail location, our accessibility makes us accountable but our skills set us apart. It is our goal to make the Web design process as simple for our clients as ordering a hamburger at McDonald’s. If we were to win this competition it would help us streamline the Web development process. It would also help us finish our franchising program so that we can expand our business. You can follow us online at www.thewebsiteshop.net or on Twitter, @officialwebshop. Thank you. Please let us help you take your brand to the next level.”

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JUDGES’ COMMENTS
Brown: Being a comedian and watching my man pick up that mic and just take control of it is what it’s all about. I’m like OK, this dude knows what he’s talking about. You say where you are, how to get in contact with you and that’s very important when you’re trying to set up a website.

Graves: I thought it was an excellent presentation. Again, I think the brick-and-mortar part is important because a lot of times, even though the website is like, sort of, in the clouds, people still want to, especially novices, touch and feel who they’re talking to and meeting with. There’s a real need there and I think you’ve met that need. But does it cost more to go in to [the store to see] you? We don’t know that based on the presentation.

Jones: I agree with Butch that people do need to touch and feel and see who’s designing their website, especially for people who are not techies. And, don’t take this the wrong way, but you’ve got a little geek look to you and I like that if you’re designing my website.

Greaves: I think the fact that there is a personal part is really good and the accountability that you mentioned, which too often with designers online you never see them again. I think it’s an outstanding idea. I have a bunch of questions regarding sort of the pricing and the profitability of it. But you certainly delivered a great pitch.

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SECOND PLACE WINNER: $10,000
Jennifer Burrell • The Frock Shop
What she does: Rents women’s designer
and vintage dresses for special occasions
Location: Chicago
Business model: e-commerce, apparel
and accessory rental

THE PITCH
“Have you ever wondered why women spend hundreds on dresses that we only wear once? Enter The Frock Shop. The Frock Shop is an online service that allows you to rent designer dresses at prices starting as low as $50. We rent dresses for weddings, galas, and parties. So how does it work? Think Netflix for fashion. Just rent, wear, and return. We take care of the dry cleaning. Our mission is to fill the needs of women who love high fashion and want to look glamorous for all of their nights out without the anxiety of investing in dress after dress. We’ve been operating for 14 months, and our sales grew 70% for the first quarter of this year. Our company started becoming profitable in March. If granted $10,000 we would use it to expand our inventory and enhance our website. So, if you want to look like a million without having to spend it, visit www.frockshopchicago.com.”

JUDGES’ COMMENTS
Jones: I will rent from you, no question. You did an excellent job. I’m the woman on the panel, so I’d be the first to tell you that that works; that idea is fine. You’re going to get this money so you can expand this to an evening, a bridal, and an interview section on your website. So then I want you to ‘upcharge’ that bridal, because you know weddings cost a little more.

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Graves: I thought it was a brilliant presentation. You were not nervous. You obviously practiced this and rehearsed this. You ended right on time. You were articulate about exactly what this [money] would be used for. You had a reasonable price point for people to come in and obviously a need. Because I have 21-year-old twin daughters who tell me they need something new every time they go out to something, now I have the Frock Shop as an opportunity.

Greaves: You’ve obviously proved the concept out there. At first I was thinking, ‘Well, would people go for this,’ but then you said it’s been 14 months and it sounds like people are going for it. So I think you did a great job.

THIRD PLACE WINNER: $10,000
Douglas Wiggins • Body Quest Protein Ice Cream
What he does: Manufactures high-protein, low-fat ice cream
Location: Atlanta
Business model: e-commerce ice cream distributor, distributes ice cream to major retailers by request

THE PITCH
“Good evening, my name is Doug Wiggins. One of America’s favorite desserts is ice cream. But what about an ice cream that not only tastes good but is also good for you? That’s right: Body Quest Protein Ice Cream. Body Quest Protein Ice Cream is a low-fat, high-protein ice cream that has 16 grams of whey protein in a 4-ounce serving. The average adult needs 55 grams of protein in their diet on a daily basis. That’s equivalent to four baked potatoes. Why eat potatoes when you could eat ice cream? Body Quest comes in four delicious flavors: vanilla, chocolate, strawberry, and lemon. Body Quest is currently served in over 200 locations across the U.S. and one coming near you. So whether you’re an athlete looking for more protein, a person experiencing a medical condition, or just a healthy consumer looking for an ice cream alternative, Body Quest is a good fit for you. And remember, at Body Quest what we represent is better living through dessert. Body Quest. And remember to visit us on the web at Bodyquesticecream.com.”

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JUDGES’ COMMENTS
Jones: I liked that you pulled out some of the nutritional elements. I liked that you used the name of the product, Body Quest, multiple times so that the rest of us would hear it and remember it. The only thing I would give you as advice if you make it to the next round is I want to know what you plan to do with the money in order to expand where you are now.

Brown: I think the only problem in his pitch was that he kept backing away from the mic and your tone kept going down. Other than that, you had what the product was, how to find it, and what it was about in a very short time.

Graves: How much does it cost, meaning does it cost the same if I buy a pint of regular ice cream or a pint of Body Quest? I also think that the word ‘protein’ to some people is a positive thing and others it’s not necessarily so. If you can just call it Body Quest Ice Cream and let people understand it was about improving your body without using the word protein, because sometimes when people see that something is good for you they don’t want to spend the extra money to get it.

Greaves: I’m curious to know what the competition is. I’m curious to know what the production is and there are kind of a lot of questions around that, the cost. But eating ice cream instead of potatoes sounds like a pretty good idea. So I think you have a good angle and a good tagline.

SMALL BUSINESS AWARDS WINNERS

BE NEXT AWARD
The BE Next Award is presented to a fearless entrepreneur age 21 to 35 tapped to be a future business leader.

BE Next Award WINNER
Hassan Iddrisu and Hussein Iddrisu Roadstarr Motorsports Inc. • Los Angeles
www.roadstarr.com

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Fraternal twins Hassan and Hussein Iddrissu have done pretty well for themselves since starting luxury-auto customization shop Roadstarr Motorsports with John Spio, their cousin, in 2003. Roadstarr’s revenues reached $11 million in 2010 with projections of $16 million for 2011.

Since its inception, Roadstarr has counted many celebrities as repeat customers, including Shaquille O’Neal, Ben Affleck, and T.I.

The 34-year-old brothers’ journey began 20 years ago when Hassan, co-founder and co-president, then a student living in London, saw a Porsche 911 while on a field trip in Germany. He’s been in love with stylish rides since and, along with his brother and cousin, has built Roadstarr into one of the most respected customization shops in Los Angeles. Roadstarr also operates a location in London.

INNOVATOR OF THE YEAR
The Innovator of the Year Award is given to a business that is flourishing in an innovative industry or approaching business/entrepreneurship in a groundbreaking manner via its products and/or services.

Innovator of the Year WINNER
Andrè Woolery
MagnoGrip Inc. • San Francisco
www.magnogrip.com

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Ever found yourself dropping screws just as you were finishing a home project or work on your car? Well, this has happened to Andrè Woolery, 35, too many times to the point of frustration—and genius.

These handyman mishaps led Woolery, founder and CEO of MagnoGrip Inc., to create his first product, the Magnetic Wristband, in early 2005. From there he developed a line of magnetic work gear under the MagnoGrip brand, including the Magnetic Nail Pouch, Magnetic Work Suspenders, and Quick Snap Magnetic Tape Measure Holder.

MagnoGrip Inc. was officially launched in December 2005 with only $1,000. The company is on pace to generate $4.5 million in revenues this year compared to the $1 million it made in 2010. In June, MagnoGrip inked a deal with Walmart that will put the Quick Snap Magnetic Tape Measure Holder in 1,100 stores nationwide this fall, Woolery says. The company already has five products at more than 1,700 Lowe’s stores and 10 products at 135 stores in five regional Home Depot markets.

Woolery, who enjoys the process of taking an idea from concept to reality, says MagnoGrip plans to expand its business by continuing to develop and launch innovative products and by reaching into global markets.

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SMALL BUSINESS OF THE YEAR
The Small Business of the Year Award is presented to the small business owner whose efforts and/or entrepreneurial pursuits exemplify the passion and commitment needed to overcome adversity as well as attain success.

Small Business of the Year Winner
Ian Y. Blount and Angela N. Cauley • Coalescence L.L.C. • Columbus, OH • www.coalescencellc.com

Agriculturalists Ian Y. Blount, 41, and Angela N. Cauley, 39, created Coalescence L.L.C. in 2005 with a few goals in mind. Sure, they wanted Coalescence, a custom food blending company that counts Tyson Foods, Kellogg’s, and vegetarian food manufacturer Morningstar Farms as clients, to be successful and provide great service.

But the husband-and-wife team’s primary goal was to build generational wealth for their family and provide a vehicle of employment for underrepresented people of color where they could showcase their talents. “We are proud that 93% of our staff is made up of minorities,” Cauley, co-founder and CEO, says of the company’s 41 employees.

They’ve been successful with their plans, as evidenced by the company’s rapid growth to a $24.5 million enterprise. “We have also grown from our initial 7,500-square-foot facility in 2005, to our current state-of-the-art 35,000-square-foot facility,” says Blount, co-founder, senior vice president, and chief operating officer.

Cauley and Blount envision their company becoming the premier solutions provider in the food and beverage industry. “The strategic goal for our organization is to become a one-stop shop for our customers,” he says.

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TEENPRENEUR
The Teenpreneur Award recognizes an entrepreneur or group, age 13 to 19, committed to advancing the rich tradition of black business achievement.

Teenpreneur Award Winner
Adam N. Holland and Jonathan K. Holland
AJ’s Hawaiian Iceez L.L.C. • Brandywine, MD
www.ajsiceez.com

Brothers Adam Holland, 16, and Jonathan Holland, 14, started AJ’s Hawaiian Iceez L.L.C. three years ago in an attempt to help their parents pay for their and their younger sister’s private school tuition.

Although they researched ahead of time and had even seen a similar business do well, the teens didn’t realize the success they’d reach with their Hawaiian shaved ice company. Revenues for AJ’s Hawaiian Iceez have more than tripled since the company started in July 2008, growing from $10,800 to $36,618 in 2010.  The seasonal business runs from the second week in April until the first week of October. “Our work ethic, by far, is our most important contribution to our business. We were taught that success is intentional, and we intended to always be successful,” says Adam, adding that the company also purchased a custom shaved ice trailer in January 2010.

The brothers have expanded their business to selling office items during the off-season such as silicone USB flash drive wrist bands that are custom printed with school names, custom laptop sleeves, and a private-label water that they sell with their shave ice frozen desserts. In addition, Jonathan is working on a book for tweens called Likeability: The Characteristic That Every Kid Should Possess.

Age: 14

Hometown: Monmouth Junction, NJ

School: South Brunswick High School

Business: The Honeybunch Kids

Mission: To provide quality literature that entertains and educates children between the ages of 7 and 12. To launch a literacy campaign that will one day change the way children think about reading. To inspire children to set goals for themselves.

When you think of an author, the term entrepreneur doesn’t necessarily come to mind; but more book writers are beginning to realize that being an author takes a certain entrepreneurial spirit if you really want to move volumes. Just ask 14-year-old Chental-Song Bembry, who sold more than 500 books last year and is aiming to double that with the release of her second book this fall.

The teenpreneur has the hustle it takes and attends trade shows, events, conferences, writing camps, and holds book signings at her church to market her book. Bembry, a high school freshman, authored and illustrated The Honeybunch Kids, which follows three African American friends–Desire “Dizzy” Williams, Chauncey a.k.a “Cheeks” and Stewart–through their everyday adventures and the strict scrutiny of their teacher Ms. Hodgebottom. The story also shares funny life lessons that kids identify with. “If I can write a book that kids can relate to, they’ll be more inspired to read.”

Bembry provided these 8 tips on how to publish and promote your book:

Find your ‘Why’: For Bembry, she took queue when she noticed African American children were not performing to their potential in school. “Just because you come from a certain background doesn’t mean that you’re not smart,” says Bembry. “I wanted to encourage them to reach for the sky. If you put effort into your education, you can achieve anything in life.”

Choosing a Publisher: The first step is writing the book. You’ll need to show the publisher and/or literary agent excerpts from your book to be taken seriously. In Bembry’s case, Xlibris, a division of Random House, asked for a minimum of 20 pages. The self-publishing company doesn’t turn any author away, including teens. You can find an agent to work with by sending a query letter detailing what your book is about and why they should be interested in it. Tell them about the characters, their personalities, and submit pages of your work. Your query letter should be a few paragraphs—brief and straight to the point.

Have Web Presence: Creating your own website is a great because people will really take you seriously. If you have great product but no website to promote your product people will forget about you. I used Godaddy.com because it was most convenient to me at the time. It allows you to choose a template and can add tabs text, and photographs. BE recommends checking out WordPress.com, Intuit’s web building software, and Squarespace. (Tech, June 2011 issue: Building a Better Website)

Throwing down the pitch: When telling someone about your product its really important how you come off during your delivery; it’s the first impression they’ll have of your business so make sure it’s a good one (you’ll generally have a short window of time to explain your business—like 60 seconds). Be sure to include all the key words and phrases such to show how your product is different from everything else in the marketplace and how it will inspire your intended target audience. If allowed, also have props to people can visualize [your product]. Most importantly, speak loud and clear so people can understand what you’re saying. Bembry recently won $10,000 at the BLACK ENTERPRISE Teenpreneur Conference for her elevator pitch and plans to use the money to enhance her website.

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Expand your network (Image: Thinkstock)

Network: Attend events, conferences and workshops and tell people about your business. Find other people who are successful in your desired industry and as them how they got started. Most people are generally happy to help.

Educate Yourself: Bembry is a freshman at South Brunswick High School and is currently enrolled in an introduction to business course, where she is learning the tenets of business including finance, economics and what it takes to run a business as well as the different types of legal structures for your business (sole proprietorship, LLC, Partnership). Next year she is registered to take a business-marketing course where she’ll get an in depth look at how to reach your target market and promote your product. If a business track is not available at your school, BE also recommends courses such as Youth About Business at Columbia University in New York, The BLACK ENTERPRISE Annual Teenpreenuer Conference, and the Kidult Youth Leadership Conference just to name a few.

Tap Into Your Network: Bembry sold 500 books in 2010 and hopes to sell double that this year. As a member of First Baptist Church of Lincoln Gardens in Somerset, NJ Bembry’s pastor gave her three book signings and also put her book in the church book store. This proved vital to the overall sales of Bembry’s book, which sold out at all three of her signings. She also capitalized on other events such as college reunions and events that allow vendors to sell their products. “You need to push yourself to get out there. If you don’t no one will notice you. Approach as many people, schools, and events and sell your product.”

Advice to other Teen CEO’s: Think about a problem that you can solve. Think about something that is missing and try to improve it or fill the needs. People are waiting for the next big thing and they’re waiting for somebody to create something so don’t sit around and let someone else create it. Stick to your goal and don’t get sidetracked. Don’t let other people tell you that it can’t become anything because those are the people—they really admire your idea but may not want to say it.

From newly-minted and established business owners to White House policymakers, attendees of our Black Enterprise Entrepreneurs Conference + Expo are fired up.

During my segment on Warren Ballentine’s nationally-syndicated talk show yesterday I talked about the steady stream of emails, tweets and calls I received describing our event’s game-changing potential. In fact, our conference brought more than 1,200 African American entrepreneurs to Atlanta last week for three days of instruction from brilliant strategic minds, inspiration from top business leaders and induction of new contacts into business networks. It was the only place on the planet you could have found MC Hammer, Angela and Vanessa Simmons, Carol Daughter‘s CEO Lisa Price, Professor Charles Ogletree, former Deputy Commerce Secretary Dennis Hightower, master dealmaker Magnus Greaves, investment powerhouse Eddie Brown, Deputy SBA Administrator Marie Johns and Publisher Earl G. Graves, Sr., to name a few, offering business counsel and camaraderie to attendees ranging from teenpreneurs to BE 100s CEOs.

For me, this gathering represents one of the high spots of my year. As Editor-In-Chief, it’s a gratifying and validating opportunity to meet scores of entrepreneurs who share stories of their trials and triumphs, many of whom thank BLACK ENTERPRISE for serving as their coach and champion. I’m always equally humbled and awed by how so many have built thriving enterprises with creativity and sheer will as their major resources.

As I shared with Warren, our conference offers education and renewal to our staff as much as it does our audience. This year’s theme was aptly-framed “Rethink Business,” which introduced new trends and innovative approaches for the 21st Century economy. Those who attended discovered some valuable lessons. Those who were unable to come to Atlanta can discover what they missed through videos here on BlackEnterprise.com this week. In any event, the following seven tenets I uncovered can place your business on the path to growth and prosperity. 

• Look for sweet spots in emerging industries.

The panels I moderated on the green economy provides a perfect example. My panelists didn’t agree that the sector was “the next big thing,” they told conferees the time to pounce on opportunities is now. For instance, William S. Parrish, Jr., CEO of NobleStrategy, a thriving construction management firm, stressed that African Americans must learn about “green opportunities” and “legislation that is creating a new divide.” A professional with a LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) accreditation, he said Black firms must embrace sustainability as a means of enhancing their business model, distinguishing themselves from competitors and significantly reducing operating costs. Another panelist Warren Crawley, president and co-founder of Green Grease Inc., identified an exclusive niche. Based on advice from his 16-year-old son to collect cooking grease from residential homes and recycle the substance into biodiesel fuel, he launched a firm that now counts individuals, corporations and governments as clients. So your next big moneymaker may come from that can of bacon grease in your kitchen.

• Follow the new rules of business financing.

You can still find capital to expand your company—but it will cost. That message was delivered loud and clear during the jam-packed session on business financing moderated by Editorial Director Alan Hughes. Terry L. Jones of SyncomVenture Partners (No. 7 on the BE PRIVATE EQUITY FIRMS list with $410 million in capital under management), said investors are willing to invest in viable companies with potential to produce huge returns—that is, if business owners are willing to give up more control. And even in this post-recession economy, bank loans are available to entrepreneurs willing to “put some skin in the game,” according to Leonard Walker Jr., Atlanta business banking division manager at Wells Fargo. Such funding, Walker said, may require as much as a 30% down payment though.

• Go digital or die.

Our conference devoted a number of sessions and boot camp drills to web technology and social media. We placed such a strong emphasis on social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn because they represent the best tools to reach new markets and target customers. In fact, during Multimedia Editorial Director Sonia Alleyne‘s one-on-one with rapper/entrepreneur MC Hammer, he said he viewed Silicon Valley as “the seat of power” in the “relationship-based economy” and maintains the current environment presents the best opportunity for tech start-ups. Hammer said he was developing an business incubator with Internet entrepreneur Wayne Sutton, another conference speaker, for African American entrepreneurs. Bottom line: Companies that ignore the digital space do so at their own risk.

• Know the terrain when pursuing contracts.

Many Black entrepreneurs miss their destination: gaining lucrative government and corporate assignments. Why? They don’t have the right map to begin with. At our session on doing business with government, Lourdes Martin-Rosa, president of Government Business Solutions, directed entrepreneurs to visit American Express OPEN’s website to access Victory in Procurement (VIP), an educational program designed to help small business owners boost their business as they navigate through the government contracting maze. (American Express Open served as the sponsor for that session.) During another seminar on supplier diversity, conference sponsors Nationwide Insurance and mega-retailer Walmart provided session attendees with a step-by-step process for getting passed the door of corporate purchasing offices: Be specific the products and service you’re offering; know the company’s priorities and supplier standards; and clearly distinguish your company from the pack. Says panelist Leon Richardson, CEO of Southfield, Michigan-based ChemicoMays L.L.C. (No. 88 on the BE INDUSTRIAL/SERVICE COMPANIES list with $28.5 million in gross revenues), a chemical management services company that serves automotive and pharmaceutical manufacturers: “Don’t use your minority status as your value proposition.”

• You got to be in it to win it.

Entrepreneurship is about taking risks and pursuing every feasible opportunity. Sometimes failure provides the most valuable lessons. For those who dared to be involved with one our major attractions, the Elevator Pitch Competition, they came to grips with that philosophy on a public stage. In the contest, 10 companies battled for a cash prize using their best 60-second business spiel. Competitors included a women’s apparel rental company, a website repair shop, a healthy ice cream producer and a female valet service, among others. The entrepreneurs had to face a tough collection of judges: BLACK ENTERPRISE CEO Earl “Butch” Graves, Jr., attorney and TV personality Star Jones, comedian and radio personality J. Anthony Brown and Magnus Greaves of business start-up financing and consulting firms, The CASHFLOW and 100 Urban Entrepreneurs. Those eliminated by judges gained valuable advice on how to perfect their pitch, critical to engaging investors as well as the opportunity to gain a shot at a capital injection. And as evidenced by this year’s competition, it pays to take calculated risks: our judges selected three entrepreneurs to each receive the $10,000 cash prize and the 8-week mentorship program jointly operated by The CASHFLOW and100 Urban Entrepreneurs.

• Build your business network.

Dennis P. Kimbro, the Clark Atlanta University business school that conducted a seven-year study on millionaires, said the No. 1 stumbling block for Black entrepreneur is not money since two-thirds of the 1.3 million African American concerns borrow less that $10,000 dollars. The problem, he asserted, is “the team building stage, finding like-minded individuals who will give your dream wings.” Solving that equation comes, in part, through solid management. The other aspect is building a solid business network. Our opening keynote speaker framed a primary objective of conferee when he said: “The reason why you got up at 6:00 and showered to get here at 7:00 to make sure that you listened to the speaker at 8:00 is to meet the individual in front of you, the individual behind you, the individual to your left and right. Networking is a critical skill. It’s not who you know, it’s what you know about who you know. People don’t care about you until they realize how much you care about them. It’s not all one sided.”

• Learn to be a hustler.

In achieving entrepreneurial goals, Kimbro took a chapter from an old school text but the message was just as powerful in a new school era: “You got to hustle. Those who make things happen all share this quality. No matter how intelligent or able bodied you may be, if you don’t have a sense of urgency and the need to explore your potential, you will fall short of the mark. Hustle is doing something that everyone else is certain cannot be done. Hustle is getting the customer to say yes after he or she said no. Hustle is believing in yourself when no one else will. Hustle is winning and encouraging others to win. Hustle is heaven if you’re a hustler and hell if you’re not.”

Conference attendees get down on the dance floor (Image: File)

After three days of hopping from panel discussion to panel discussion (with networking opportunities in between), it was time for conference attendees to let loose a bit. The sixteenth annual Black Enterprise Entrepreneurs Conference + Expo hosted by Nationwide ended with a bang, closing with last night’s BE100s Anniversary Celebration & Awards Dinner—immediately followed by the BE Next party.

Don’t miss out. If you weren’t able to attend this year’s conference, don’t worry, you can catch exclusive video footage and photos from all the convention’s events by logging on to BlackEnterprise.com/EC.

Whether you were able to make the trip to Atlanta or not, you definitely don’t want to miss the opportunities awaiting you next year. That’s right we’re already gearing up for the 2012 Entrepreneurs Conference in Chicago. Midwest, are you ready?

Attendees at the 2011 Black Enterprise Entrepreneurs Conference strike a pose (Image: File)

The Black Enterprise Entrepreneurs Conference + Expo is underway, and Day 2 promises to be as packed with insightful panels and eye-opening discussions as yesterday’s lineup. If you weren’t able to venture to Atlanta, don’t fret, you can catch the Pepsi-sponsored live stream of today’s opening remarks and keynote address: “How Lisa Price Became One of the Most Envied Entrepreneurs in America,” hosted by Walmart, at 8:30 am.

Take a look at the EC schedule; join the virtual conversation, dynamic panels, workshops and interviews with some of the greatest minds in business by logging on to BlackEnterprise.com/EC.

Tune into the live stream this morning:

• 9:15-10:30 am

“Access Granted: Money Making Opportunities in Entertainment” with Chris Lighty, founder of Violator Management; Marvet Britto, founder of The Britto Agency, and Will Packer, co-founder of Rainforest Films. Moderated our very own Executive Editor of Digital Media at Black Enterprise, Elayne Fluker.

• 10:45 am-12:00 pm

“BE Next: Young Entrepreneurs: Tap into the Millionaire Mindset,” with Michael Seibel, CEO of Justin.tv; Vanessa and Angela Simmons, founders of Pastry Shoes, and Gilbert G. Campbell III, co-owner of Volt Energy. Moderated by Black Enterprise’s Multimedia Content Producer LaToya Smith.

Click here for today’s full schedule.

Launching a small business is a huge undertaking. While short on resources yet long on stresses, costs, and challenges, it takes a certain type of person to develop the right recipe to run an upstart successfully. But pour in a cup of passion; a hearty helping of dexterity; and a few tablespoons of planning, organization and vision and you have our 2011 Small Business Awards winners. (Meet the 12 Award Nominees)

Announced earlier today at the Small Business Awards Luncheon during the Black Enterprise Entrepreneurs Conference + Expo hosted by Nationwide in Atlanta, the awards recognize those companies exceeding expectations and seizing opportunity to maximize both bottomline and reach.

Along with these honors, The Community Champion Award is also presented during the luncheon. Given to activists and entrepreneurs dedicated to giving back and supporting the underserved, Black Enterprise presented this year’s award to Frank and Tanya Rodriguez, co-Founders of the Frank Ski Kids Foundation. The Atlanta-based organization uses activities and abroad trips to stretch young people beyond their options and surroundings. For more on the Rodriguezes’ efforts, read their story here.

From teens to tech and from next to now, here are Black Enterprise’s 2011 Small Business Award winners. Take a look, then offer your congratulations to these outstanding small businesses in the comments box below.

TEENPRENEUR AWARD
Teenprenuers discover their passion for entrepreneurship at an early age and forge ahead full steam. This award recognizes entrepreneurs, age 19 or younger, committed to the tradition of Black business achievement.

• AJ’s Hawaiian Iceez
• Type of business: Flavor shaved ice cream and frozen desertsvendor
• Co-Founder/CEO: Adam N. Holland
• Co-Founder/COO: Jonathan K. Holland
• Location: Brandywine, Maryland
• www.ajsiceez.com

AJ’s Hawaiian Iceez is not your average frozen treats business. In fact, it’s run by two teenage brothers with a taste for expansion.

The Holland brothers, Adam, 15, CEO, and Jonathan, 14, COO, sell their deserts at public and private events from April to October. The Maryland-based company brought in $36,000 in 2010, propelled largely by the addition of custom trailer, which operates as a mobile unit. Last spring they also secured a contract with the US Department of Agriculture to service their weekly Farmer’s Market. The brothers have no plans to settle just yet, the two look to replicate their profitable business model through franchising.

How important is taking risk in what you do?
Adam: One huge risk we took last year was servicing Artscape in Baltimore. While the event has a history of vendor success, and a plethora of eager consumers; the vending fee was $2,500, there would be many competitors in attendance. After weighing the pros and cons we decided to pay the hefty vending fee and service the event. This turned out to be the right decision in that the payoff, as a result of that risk, was over $8,000 gross revenue.

We’ve seen a shift in technology and in the economic sphere over the past few years, how has this made you re-think the way you do business?
Jonathan: It has influenced us in evolving specific aspects of our company, namely branding. We now have a Facebook fan page that lets customers know where we will be serving our products, in addition to our website (www.ajsiceez.com). We offer specials to any person who goes to our fan page and tells us the flavor of the day. We also generated a Quick Response Code (Q.R. Code) and strategically placed it on our mobile trailer, to allow customers to scan the code, and to go to our Facebook fan page.

BE NEXT AWARD
Exhibiting dogged determination, often unmatched by their peers, BE Nexters—a hand-selected group of entrepreneurs between the ages of 21 and 35—represent the future of business innovation. This award is presented to the fearless young entrepreneur tapped to be the future business leader.

• Roadstarr Motorsports Inc.
• Type of business: Automotive customizationcompany
• Co-Founder/Co-President: Hassan Iddrissu
• Co-Founder/Co-President: Hussein Iddrissu
• Location: Los Angeles
• www.roadstarr.com

As the financial meltdown shocked the business world, Hassan and Hussein Iddrissu were faced with a dilemma: layoff employees or risk losing their business. With auto customization ranking low even amongst Roadstarr Motorsport’s affluent customers, the Los Angeles-based company began to feel the pinch. But instead of getting rid of employees—“the greatest asset of the company,” insists Hassan, co-President—the Iddrissu brothers increased overhead and diversified their revenue model.

“[We’ve] been able to turn a local business into a multi-international business by utilizing the relationships we have built… To top it off, it has created a platform for us to be in partnership with an oil company UBI Petroleum in Ghana and hopefully Spain in 2013,” says the 33-year-old.

The business now operates in 15 locations within UBI Petroleum gas stations offering wheel and tire mechanical services as well as troubleshooting.
While the brothers make headway with UBI, they are also expanding their core business to Europe, Toronto and other parts of Africa.

What is Roadstarr’s competitive advantage?
Hassan: Our competitive advantage is layered in our multi-national background, customer service and our daring ways to want to be different in the services and products we provide in comparison to our competitors.

We’ve seen a shift in technology and in the economic sphere over the past few years, how has this made you re-think the way you do business?
Hassan: Within the multi-media part of our business, most manufacturers now offer from the factory services and accessories such as navigation, reverse camera, DVD player and entertainment package. That has created a downturn demand in the aftermarket accessories in multimedia—perhaps about a 70% drop demand. But technology has also made some of our business executive packages more appealing due to a demand for wifi and handheld portable computers.

What is the single most important part of your strategy that guarantees your success?
Hassan: Be honest with clients at all times. Not to mention, research and development, and being innovative tying in technology into your business.

INNOVATOR OF THE YEAR AWARD
Whether it’s a new service, product, or type of business model, these creative entrepreneurs will have an indelible impact on the way business is done. This award is given to a business approaching entrepreneurship in an innovative or groundbreaking manner.

• MagnoGrip Inc.
  
• Type of business: Manufactures magnetic tool storage gear and accessories
• Founder/CEO: Andre Woolery
• Locations: San Francisco, California and Shenzhen, China
• www.mdgtools.com

When Andre Woolery assembled his handy magnetic wristband, which kept tool bits close during ‘round the house handy projects, he soon realized he had a potential business on his hands. The then MBA student went into action tapping into his Stanford University classmates and their networks to get the MagnoGrip Magnetic Wristband patented. Woolery performed thorough market research, pinpointing several hardware stores within a 20-mile radius of his Menlo Park, California home, to pitch his product to on consignment. The Jamaican-born entrepreneur first brought his product to market in 2005. Since then, the wristband has made its way to more then 1,700 Lowe’s hardware stores, Home Depot, Walmart and Costco.

But the growth hasn’t been without risk.

“I ultimately decided that if they were willing to test market our products, then I should be able to sell out my first production run,” says Woolery about the local sales runs.

He has since extended the magnetic handiwear concept to include Quick Snap, a magnetic tape measure holder, a magnetic drill holder and a nine-pocket magnetic electrician pouch—all launched in 2011. The 35-year-old also launched a second office in Shenzhen, China.

What propelled you to start the business?
I started MagnoGrip because I felt that our first product, the magnetic wristband, solved a pain point that do-it yourselfers and pro-contractors experience. I also noticed that there was nothing like my invention on the market at the time.

What was a turning point for your business? Why?
Making the decision to focus exclusively on getting traction in the “big box” retail distribution channel. It forced us to take a hard look at our company and our business. As a result, we’ve improved our product offering, our supply chain and logistics operations and our sales and marketing initiatives.

Can you think back to a risk you took that paid off?
The key is to take educated risks so that you have a better chance of being successful. Educated risks will allow you to be prepared to handle success as well as the many setbacks you will encounter along the way.

SMALL BUSINESS OF THE YEAR
Thriving during downturn and expanding opportunity during an upswing is what separates an average small business owner from an outstanding small business owner. This award is presented to the small business owner whose pursuits exemplify the commitment needed to attain success.

• Coalescence L.L.C
  
• Co-founder/SVP and COO: Ian Y. Blount
• Co-founder/CEO: Angela N. Cauley
• Type of business: Custom food ingredient manufacturer
• Location: Columbus, Ohio
• www.coalescencellc.com

It was a chance meeting that transformed years of sacrifice and planning into a fresh start for Ian Blount and Angela Cauley. When the couple finally launched their food blending and repackaging business, Coalescence LLC, in 2005, they already sold their home and moved in with Blount’s mother—along with their two children. Raising the $520,000 in startup capital to cover a slew of expenses, including a mixer, and retrofitting their 7,500-square-foot facility to meet food industry regulations was not easy.

But after 18 months of trying to drum up leads, the copreneurs had a chance encounter with a corporate employee at Wendy’s fast food restaurant who connected them with T. Marzetti Co., a company that produces salad dressings, dipping sauces and other condiments.

“When we first drew up our business plan, our goal was to be a vitamin and mineral nutraceutical company,” says Blount, the company’s chief vice president and senior operating officer. “One of our prospective clients, the T. Marzetti Company, asked if we could blend a Ranch Salad Dressing seasoning… although we had not planned on being a seasoning manufacturer, we had to be flexible.”

Blount and Cauley’s agility led the Ohio-based company to unprecedented growth. Coalescence inked lucrative contracts with Kellogg’s, Tyson Foods, Pepsico and a host of other major food and beverage distributors. The company saw revenue grow 12.5% from 2009 to 2010. And with business ramping up, Blount and Cauley moved from their original facility to a state-of-the-art 35,000 square-foot building.

We’ve seen a shift in technology and in the economic sphere over the past few years, how has this made you re-think the way you do business?
Blount: We have teamed with an excellent IT company that keeps our services updated with instruments such as “cloud technology” which enhances informational sharing capabilities within our company.

How important is flexibility when running a business?
Blount: It is critical. You have to able to “change on the dime” to meet the needs of your customers. If their production schedule changes, guess what, so does yours.

What was a turning point for your business? Why?
Cauley: The turning point for Coalescence was when we landed our first major contract with the Kellogg Company. It challenged us to raise the bar with respect to our quality programs, inventory management protocols, operational excellence and cash flow.

What lessons in risk taking can you share with other entrepreneurs?
Cauley: Taking calculated risks are extremely critical for any person contemplating becoming an entrepreneur. We learned from this experience that you should always plan for the unexpected. Make sure that you have an additional 15% to 20% financial cushion. In addition, never count dollars until the contract has been signed, and the purchase order has been received.

Let’s celebrate our 2011 Small Business Award winners by offering your congratulations to these outstanding entrepreneurs in the comment section below. To watch live stream content (sponsored by Pepsi) from Black Enterprise’s Entrepreneurs Conference + Expo, taking place May 22-25, 2011 in Atlanta, Georgia visit www.blackenterprise.com/ec/. Be sure to check back after this year’s event for info on nominating a great business or entrepreneur you may know for the 2012 Black Enterprise Small Business Awards.

An Internet marketing rock star, who provides motivational and business-building advice to CEOs, start-ups and mom-and-pop-style businesses, Stephen Pierce went from being broke and homeless on the streets of Washington, D.C., to a multimillionaire living in a 12,000-foot mansion inside a gated community on 4.3 acres in Texas.

A former gang member and drug dealer who once got shot during a deal gone wrong, Pierce, who will host a business coaching session on “7 Steps to Creating Your Own Money Making Machine” at the Black Enterprise Entrepreneurs Conference in Atlanta this weekend, says it was his experience with some of life’s greatest lows: going bankrupt, being kicked out of high school–even struggling with thoughts of suicide and homicide–that helped him draw the connection between thoughts and actions.

“I was shackled by feelings of doubt and self-worth,” admits the 42-year-old entrepreneur and motivational speaker, who held various gigs as a business arbitrator, vinyl repairman, door-to-door ad salesman and telemarketer before hitting pay dirt. “But when I hit rock bottom, I started reading the Bible like crazy,” he says of his aha moment. “It reminded me of what I could achieve if I believed in myself and did what it took to succeed.”

Pierce says it was no coincidence that this realization hit him around the time the Internet was taking off in the early 90s. Discovering he had a talent for choosing futures and commodities after learning more about the Internet, the business and marketing whiz began giving away free trading tips via email. Once he realized his advice was worth more than $700,000 dollars in net profits, he started a membership site, gradually broadening his reach into all areas of Internet business. Having worked with several Fortune 500 companies like American Express and Ford Motor Company, Pierce now teaches small brick-and-mortar businesses how to reach their customers in cyberspace using social-media tools like Facebook and Twitter. His consulting, coupled with the sales of his educational videos, audio products, seminars, coaching and other cheerleading strategies, helps the self-described “success sculptor” rake in millions each year.

And he says you, too, can become rich by following his “M.O.S.T.T.T.” useful advice:

“M is for mission,” he explains. “To succeed we have to ask and answer one question: ‘Why must I win?’ It has to be about more than money because that won’t be fuel enough to sustain you during the rough times.”

“O is for ‘operations,’” he continues. “Where can you win? Where you can make money? You have to look at the digital or physical terrain to find what is most favorable.”

“S is for ‘strategy,’ he says. “How can you win? What does it take to win — specifically where can we win?”

“T is for ‘tactical,’ how will we win; the next T is for ‘tool,’ what we will use to win; and the last T is for ‘technique,’ what we will do to win.”

“Most people fail in business because they operate with three Ts on a day-to-day basis but don’t connect to the bigger picture,” Pierce advises. “If you’re not connected to the overall vision, you won’t succeed.”

You can get entrepreneurial advice from business leaders like Stephen Pierce and more at our annual Entrepreneurs Conference in Atlanta this weekend. Not able to join us, be sure to tune in for our LIVE STREAM from the event featuring panels, speakers and awards ceremonies. Visit blackenterprise.com/ec to see the full schedule.

Able to withstand the recession, and then thrive during the recovery, the entrepreneurial spirit goes unmatched. Honing a seemingly innate passion for advancement, innovation, and serving the global marketplace, small business owners still stand as the backbone of the U.S. economy.

The annual Black Enterprise Small Business Awards recognize those entrepreneurs who have not only emerged as solid enterprises, but also are agile enough to stay well ahead of the curve in their respective industries. The winners of the 2011 Small Business Awards will be announced at the Black Enterprise Entrepreneurs Conference + Expo hosted by Nationwide, May 22-25 in Atlanta.

From teens to tech and from next to now, check out this year’s 12 outstanding finalists:

TEENPRENEUR AWARD NOMINEES
This award recognizes entrepreneurs, age 19 or younger, committed to the tradition of Black business achievement.


Leanna’s Inc.
Type of business: Hair care products
Founder/CEO: Leanna Archer
Location: Central Islip, New York
www.leannashair.com

Launched in 2005, Leanna’s Inc. manufactures a line of natural hair products. With only word-of-mouth marketing and little advertising, the homegrown hair company experienced revenue growth for three consecutive years. The line of moisturizers, conditioners and hair treatments start at $10. The 15-year-old’s products, which generated $175,000 in sales, can be found in beauty supply stores in New York, New Jersey and Florida.


Creative Jewelry by Bridgeia’ LLC
Type of business: Custom designed, handcrafted jewelry manufacturer
Founder/CEO: Bridgeja’ Baker
Location: New Orleans
www.creativejewelrybybridgeja.com

After discovering a latent love of handcrafted jewelry during an emergency trip to the orthodontist, Bridgeja’ Baker, 13, developed a signature line of custom jewelry. Made from sterling silver, gold, gemstones, pearls or Swarovski crystals, Creative Jewelry by Bidgeia’ specializes in one-of-a-kind “center of attraction” pieces. For 2010, the company generated $10,000 in revenues. With nearly 30 beading classes under her belt, Baker, who started the business in December 2008, looks to create one-of-a-kind pieces specifically for fashonistas and middle to upper-class women.


AJ’s Hawaiian Iceez
Type of business: Flavor shaved ice cream and frozen deserts vendor
Co-Founder/CEO: Adam N. Holland
Co-Founder/COO: Jonathan K. Holland
Location: Brandywine, Maryland
www.ajsiceez.com

Originally founded during the summer of 2008 to help with their younger sister’s school tuition, 15-year-old Adam and 14-year-old Jonathan Holland’s frozen treats business is now a fledgling family-run enterprise. The Holland brothers sell authentic shaved ice treats at public and private events. With start-up capital from their parents – which was paid back with interest – the brothers generated revenues of $36,000 last year. They now own three ice machines and a trailer that serves as a mobile unit. The two are currently in talks to franchise their business to other teens.

BE NEXT NOMINEES
This award is presented to the fearless young entrepreneur age 21–35 tapped to be a future business leader.


Volt Energy LLC
Type of business: Green power installation firm
Co-Owner/Director of Business: Gilbert G. Campbell III
Co-Owner/Director of Operations: Simon Antonio Francis
Locations: Winston-Salem, North Carolina and Washington, DC
www.volt-energy.com

Volt Energy installs solar photovoltaics, solar thermal, and wind systems for governments, businesses, school systems, nonprofits, and utilities in North Carolina, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey. Owned and operated by Gilbert G. Campbell III and Simon Antonio Francis, both 31-years-old, the company secured lucrative contracts with big name companies, including Duke Energy, with whom it has a contract to sell energy for 8 cents per kilowatt-hour over a 15-year agreement. Volt Energy has seven full-time employees and generated $1 million in revenues last year. To keep the momentum, the company looks to expand into South Africa; a country the duo says has a high demand for renewable energy.


Roadstarr Motorsports Inc.
Type of business: Automotive customization company
Co-Founder/Co-President: Hassan Iddrissu
Co-Founder/Co-President: Hussein Iddrissu
Location: Los Angeles
www.roadstarr.com

Hassan and Hussein Iddrissu found away to capitalize off of America’s love of luxury and speed. In 2003, the brothers launched Los Angeles-based Roadstarr Motor and quickly caught the eye of Hollywood’s elite, including, John Travolta, Ralph Lauren, Kevin Spacey and Akon. The 15-person automotive customization company creates one-of-a-kind body works, tires and accessories as well as serves as a top shop for servicing European vehicles. The 33-year-old twins, identified as Black Enterprise’s 40 Next, generated $11 million in 2010 and after expanding their business to Europe and delving into the petroleum business in Ghana, the Iddrissu’s stand to make $16 million in 2011.


The Bulsard Group LLC
Type of business: Business process re-engineering firm
Founder/President: Latoya L. Wall
Location: Houston, TX
www.bulsardgroup.com

The Bulsard Group’s mission is to help businesses large and small do more with less. Founded by Latoya L. Wall, 30, the company uses data analytics and statistical analysis to streamline and make the business process more efficient. A Master Black Belt—the highest level for administering Six Sigma compliance—Wall’s clients include Chevron’s Gulf of Mexico Business Unit and Raytheon, a defense and homeland security company. The 40 Nexter’s firm generated $500,000 in sales last year.

INNOVATOR OF THE YEAR NOMINEES
This award is given to the business flourishing in an innovative industry or approaching entrepreneurship in a groundbreaking manner via their products or services.

Interventional Nephrology Specialists Access Center
Type of business: Interventional nephrology center
Co-Founder: Dr. Omar Davis
Co-Founder: Dr. Natarsha Grant
Location: Memphis, Tennessee
www.lifelinevascularaccess.com/locations/memphis.htm

Launched in 2007, Dr. Omar Davis and Natarsha Grant run an interventional nephrology center which provides patients suffering from kidney failure the necessary medical treatment and technology. Interventional nephrologists like Davis, 37, and Grant, 42, play a crucial role in helping patients who have undergone hemodialysis—drawing blood so it can be cleaned of toxins and then returned to the body. The Memphis-based facility services about 2,400 patients each year. The company estimates topping $6.5 million by year-end.

Street Smart LLC
Type of business: Footwear accessories
Founder/CEO: Eric Jackson
Location: Glen Burnie, MD
www.locklaces.com

Frustrated with uncooperative shoelaces, Eric Jackson invented Lock Laces, a patented elastic shoelace fastening system. Finding a core demographic, kids, seniors and the physically challenged, the company has seen steady revenue growth over the last three years and brought in $500,000 in 2010. Jackson established Street Smart LLC in 1999; the 42-year-old says customer service is a major factor in building the company’s brand awareness. With sales in excess of 250,000 units last year, the laces, which retail for $4.95, are gradually making their way into global markets including England.

MagnoGrip Inc.
Type of business: Manufactures magnetic tool storage gear and accessories
Founder/CEO: Andre Woolery
Locations: San Francisco, California and Shenzhen, China
www.mdgtools.com

With haphazard hands when it came to home repair, 35-year-old Andre Woolery eventually developed and patented the Magno Grip magnetic wristband in 2005. Designed to fit on the wrist comfortably, a magnetic strip within the band holds on all drill bits, nails and minor tools while do-it-yourselfers get the job done. The band along with a line of magnetic tool accessories is sold at several large retailers across the nation including Lowe’s, Home Depot and a test launch in 80 Wal-mart stores this summer. Last year, Woolery estimated he’s sold over 400,000 units since launching the product and earned revenues of more than $1 million in sales.

SMALL BUSINESS OF THE YEAR NOMINEES
This award is presented to the small business owner whose efforts or entrepreneurial pursuits exemplify the passion and commitment needed to overcome adversity as well as attain success.

ALL(n)1 Security Services
Type of business: full-service security firm
Founder/CEO/President: Mary Parker
Locations: Atlanta
www.alln1security.com

Founded in 2001, ALL(n)1 offers security personnel and technology, traffic control, and law enforcement services primarily in Georgia, Mississippi, and Alabama. The company employs full-time and part-time security officers as well as technicians with experience in low voltage cable/wiring and installation of burglar alarm systems. Among the firms clients include Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport and only a few months into 2011, Parker inked a five-year-deal with the city of Atlanta. ALL(n)1 was also selected by Coca-Cola to provide security for its 125th year celebration where the soft drink company welcomed 8,000 guests to Atlanta. The 250 staff firm closed out last year with $8.5 million in revenue.

Coalescence L.L.C
Co-founder/SVP and COO: Ian Y. Blount
Co-founder/CEO: Angela N. Cauley
Type of business: Custom food ingredient manufacturer
Location: Columbus, Ohio
www.coalescencellc.com

Coalescence custom blends spices, seasoning and nutritional premixes for national fast food chains such as Wendy’s, and companies offering prepackaged foods. Blount, 41, who serves as the company’s senior vice president and chief operating officer and his wife (company president), 39-year-old Cauley, founded Coalescence in 2005. Though high start up costs were the main entry to barrier into the industry, with the help of an angel investor and a lot of perseverance, Coalescence has inked deals with Kellogg’s, PepsiCo, Tyson and Wendy’s among others. Blount and Cauley expect revenue to reach $28 million in 2011 as the money hit its own record high in 2010 generating $24.5 million.

Monif C. Contemporary Plus Sizes
Type of business: Fashion line for plus-sized women
Founder/CEO: Monif Clarke
Location: New York City
www.monifc.com

Running a brick-and-mortar as well as operating an e-Commerce site, Monif Clarke, 32, tapped into an often ignored but highly visible demographic: full-figured women. Launched in 2005, the New York-based entrepreneur’s wide selection of apparel for plus-sized fashionitas generated $585,000 in 2010. The company opened a small boutique inside of its showroom in 2007. Clark also sells to independently owned shops in Atlanta, New Orleans, Milwaukee and even Australia, Bermuda and Jamaica. Optimizing its digital presence, Clark formed strategic partnerships with online retailers such as Overstock.com and Ideeli, both of which carry the line. These deals accounted for 42% in sales in 2010; the company anticipates year-end revenues of $1 million.

Join us in celebrating our 2011 Small Business Award nominees at Black Enterprise’s annual Entrepreneurs Conference, taking place May 22-25, 2011 in Atlanta, Georgia. Visit blackenterprise.com/ec for more details. As an incentive BE is offering you a discount on early registration: Just enter code BEDG295 and receive $200 off. Don’t miss this opportunity to receive valuable strategies and resources to help take your business to the next level.

Tanya and Frank (Frank Ski) Rodriguez provide great escapes to kids (Image: Ben Rose Photography)

When Tanya Rodriguez was in high school, a European trip with her mother and aunt impressed her so much she says she vowed to “give another child the same opportunity.” Now, she and her husband, Atlanta radio personality Frank Rodriguez, known by listeners as Frank Ski, are making good on that promise—and more. Italy, the Amazon rainforest, and the Galapagos Islands are just a few of the global destinations the Skis take kids through their altruistic labor of love, the Frank Ski Kids Foundation. On Monday, May 23rd, in Atlanta, Frank and his wife will receive the Black Enterprise Community Champion Award at our 2011 Entrepreneurs Conference.

Throughout his more than 25-year career in radio, the philanthropic-minded Ski would find himself rubbing elbows with key influencers in entertainment and media. The 47-year-old aggressively sought to put those connections to work. “I wondered if I could encourage more celebrities to give back if they knew I would put the money where it needed to go,” he recalls. The answer was a resounding ‘yes,’ so the couple took to raising hundreds of thousands of dollars to expose hundreds of thousands of juveniles to science, technology, athletics, and the arts.

Each trip is preceded by a contest that allows interested children to showcase their skills in their areas of interest. The contestants are narrowed down to a filed of 20 and judged by national and local experts and celebrities. Ten winners are then selected to travel with the foundation. And everyone wins. The remaining 10 contestants are able to engage with local professionals in their area of interest.

The biggest fundraiser is an annual Celebrity Wine Tasting and Auction hosted at the couple’s Atlanta-area home. The event brings together celebrities and notables from all walks of life. “One of my favorite memories was seeing Bernice King [daughter of the late Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King] have a conversation with hip-hop rapper Young Jeezy,” Frank recalls. “We’ve risen over $200,000 for the Foundation at this year’s event.” Local businesses and national companies such as State Farm and Ford Motor Co. have also sponsored activities, with some business leaders even coming onboard as mentors to the kids, adds the foundation’s founder and chairman. Tanya works at the foundation full time as president. Married for 16 years, the two have spearheaded the organization’s efforts since its launch in 2000.

Through the Foundation, the Rodriguezes—who have four children of their own—work to expose kids to new places and experiences. Science and technology-related activities have included a six-day Space Camp trip at the U.S. Space & Rocket Center in Huntsville, Alabama, as well as a trip to explore the ecological wonders of the Amazon. Students interested in art have learned about potential careers from Atlanta-area advertising firms and spent a week studying masterpieces like Michelangelo’s Renaissance sculpture David in Florence, Italy. The Foundation’s premier sporting event is the Annual Youth Bowl, in which student athletes compete in football while learning leadership and teambuilding skills. The Youth Bowl is comprised of two exhibition teams in addition to six competitive teams and cheerleading squads. Each team has approximately 20 members. The cheerleading squads have approximately 10 to 15 members.

Frank Ski's 'Kids' have a ball in Rome (Image: Ben Rose Photography)

Giving kids their first glimpse of a foreign country or showing them what it takes to be an astronaut is a short-term goal that can have long-term results. “If your parents were lawyers or even your parents’ friends were lawyers, chances are you could see yourself doing it because you’ve been exposed to that all your life,” says Frank, who notes most young people may not have professional examples like these. “When it comes to science and technology jobs, we want the kids to say ‘This is something I can do.’ And we’re now seeing a lot of our kids getting accepted into colleges and picking professions related to whatever they did on our trips.”

Program participants are also groomed to be comfortable interacting with sponsors and others who hold the key to future opportunities. For example, after a sojourn to the Charles Darwin Research Station in the Galapagos Islands in 2007, the Environmental Protection Agency invited participants to speak on environmental issues. The two students with the highest scores were chosen to represent the foundation and speak in front of the EPA about their experiences in the Galapagos Islands.

Many of the relationships the couple built with the kids transcend the foundation’s programs. When a participant in the Youth Bowl needed surgery for a heart ailment, “His mother waited outside the radio station for me because they’d found a hospital that would do the surgery across the country but they didn’t have the money,” says Frank, who immediately sprung into action to help fundraise. Other success stories include that of a student who has been commissioned to sell his own artwork after going on the art trip to Florence and selling pieces at the annual wine tasting program; and news that past program participants are being accepted to colleges, some on full academic and athletic scholarships, Frank adds.

Looking back, that initial promise the now 44-year-old Tanya made to herself after her first trip abroad has sprung into so much more. “It is very rewarding,” says Tanya about how the foundation has been a true benefit to her and Frank just as much as it has been for its young participants. “We feel like the proud parents of countless kids.”

Are you in Atlanta? Join us and Frank Ski at the Black Enterprise Entrepreneurs Conference May 22-25. You’ll network with power players, entrepreneurs and more. As a bonues, if you enter the code EC11ATL when on blackenterprise.com/ec, we’ll give you a SPECIAL DISCOUNT for just $245. See you there!