In Great Britain, ethnic minority businesses contribute in the region of £40 billion to the UK economy. However, government research shows while almost a third of black people in the UK want to start their own business, only 4% actually manage to do so, a level lower than any other ethnic group.
If you add gender into the mix, studies illustrate British women are less likely to venture into entrepreneurship when compared to men. A recent report by the Office of National Statistics revealed entrepreneurial activity is higher for men than it is for women in every single region of the United Kingdom.
For those who do take the leap, according to data published by the Ethnic Minority Business Conference, black women are most likely to feel that ethnicity has strong impact on business compared to women of other races.
So what does this mean for the black women in Britain who are pushing the boundaries to build their own enterprises? BlackEnterprise.com spoke to three entrepreneurs to uncover their insights on the impact of race and gender in business.
Yvonne Thompson, Managing Director, ASAP Communications
Chair, African Caribbean Business Network
President, European Federation of Black Women Business Leaders
How did your entrepreneurial journey begin?
I have 29 years experience as an entrepreneur. I run ASAP Communications, based in Brixton, south London, where we create and deliver marketing and PR campaigns and also provide workshops and business support for predominately minority and women business owners. In 2003, I was awarded a CBE (Commander of The British Empire) in The Queen’s Birthday Honour List for services to women, small business and minorities. However, when I started my business nearly 30 years ago I was a rarity.
Has your race and gender had an impact?
In 1984, PR Week cited me as the first black-owned PR agency in Great Britain. I had no role models to work with. I worked in silo until I started the European Federation of Black Women Business Leaders. I always describe my experience as the ‘treble whammy.’ First, 30 years ago, most companies did not recognize the value of public relations. Second, I was a woman. Women did not own businesses and if they did they were not taken seriously. Third, and most telling, I am black. So being in PR, being a woman and being black was really hard.
During the 1990s things changed very quickly with the acceptance of black music, black fashion, black models, emerging black actors, black teachers and now black business owners. With change came acceptance, prizing open the doors of change allowing a level playing field for all. My proudest achievement is being a founding member and director of Choice FM, London’s first black commercial 24-hour radio station.
What can be done to encourage greater numbers of black women in Britain to start and grow businesses?
We need better education and more mentors to help accelerate the numbers of Black female entrepreneurs. Despite this, I believe if you are armed with a good idea, tenacity, determination and agile thinking, most things you set out to do are achievable.
Jessica Huie, Founder, Colorblind Cards and JH Public Relations
How did your entrepreneurial journey begin?
I’ve always had an entrepreneurial mindset. I started my public relations career with Max Clifford Associates working at the pinnacle of British media. From there I went on to launch Colorblind Cards and JH Public Relations. Colorblind Cards is best known for being the first publisher to secure a presence on the UK high street for black greeting cards. My biggest achievement was seeing the range rolled out across 100 branches of the retailer Clinton Cards in the UK.
Being invited to No.10 Downing Street to consult on a roundtable discussion on enterprise with the former Prime Minister Gordon Brown was also a surreal and wonderful moment.
Has your race and gender had an impact?
My race and gender has had a positive impact because it served as the motivation for my business. I was looking for a greeting card featuring a black princess for my daughter and quickly realized the absence of any cards featuring people of color. On a social level, it was vital our children have access to simple products which reflect their identity and the business opportunity seemed glaringly obvious.
What can be done to encourage greater numbers of black women in Britain to start and grow businesses?
I’m witnessing scores of black women starting their own businesses at this time. If more women share their business story with the masses, the more women will feel empowered themselves and believe they can also do it. Visible examples of women making business work are crucial.
Jessica Elliott, Managing Director, J’s Dance Factory, Dancing After School and JDF Management
How did your entrepreneurial journey begin?
I started my first enterprise almost five years ago on my 20th birthday. Dancing After School hosts dance activities for schools and clubs alongside training to improve the standard of dance offered in schools.
J’s Dance Factory comprises three Saturday dance schools in London with classes for children ages 3-17 years old. Both dance companies provide sessions for around 1000 children a week. JDF Management is my newest venture, providing a platform for talented children and young people who want to break into the professional world of film, modeling and entertainment.
Has your race and gender had an impact?
I think my gender has been an advantage as people are often intrigued by me. I definitely stand out in
what is still very much is a man’s world. Race is not something I really consider as a hindrance to me. Age has been much worse. I’m 24, and when I was starting out I found it hard when people didn’t take me seriously.Opening a business bank account for example was really difficult, but, you just have to let your track record speak for itself and not let opinions defeat you. “Start small, dream big, act fast†is one of the best pieces of advice I ever received.
What can be done to encourage greater numbers of black women in Britain to start and grow businesses?
We need more positive mentors and role models in the media to help encourage greater numbers of black women in Britain to start and grow businesses. Pop stars are great but if you ask a teenage girl to name a black British female entrepreneur I know they would struggle.
Women need confidence to get started. I believe showcasing the talents of the fantastic black female led businesses we have in the UK is a great place to start.
Octavia Goredema is founder of relocation resource Crash Course City and the Twenty Ten Club, an award-winning networking organization and online resource designed to connect, inspire and support black female entrepreneurs. Goredema is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts, an international network of accomplished individuals in the arts, manufactures and commerce patroned by the Queen Elizabeth II.