Black economic power is on the rise with the trend of small businesses across the nation and Houston is one of those highlighted cities feeling the boom. We got a chance to have a business round table with 13 black small business owners to discuss their strategy on making a big noise in the city for Small Business Saturday. We asked them a few questions and each business owner summed up their responses based on their experience. Here are a list of new emerging entrepreneurs to look out for in 2019.

Day The PR Coach & Award-Winning Media Strategist

Simple, its all about how you position yourself, and or brand in the marketplace. For instance, there millions of Authors and life coaches, but what will set many authors apart will be how they position themselves. Would you rather be coached by a coach who wrote a book about changing your life, or a coach who wrote the book on how to change your life? Position yourself or brand as the top tier and or expert for game changing results. 

The strategy I would recommend would be to stay relevant. Research trends, gain media attention and never get lost in the crowd! -Day Edwards, Founder

www.daytheprcoach.com

Devine Creations/Etiquette Coach

My tips for business owners is to pray daily over your business. Continue to educate yourself. Remember why you started. Never give up. -Verna Caddie

www.devinecreation.org

Ever Noire/Photography Services

My company offers photography services that business and individuals utilize to capture quality images. Focusing on the African American community results in increased access to an affordable service for a less priorities demographic. Unlike similar companies, our photo shoots are free. Our clients only pay for the photos they love.

Try not to hold onto your idea so tightly that you smother it. In order to grow your business, you will need to meet new people, delegate tasks, and also help others. Network for motivation instead of competition. -Alyssa Sloan, Owner

www.evernoire.com

The 360 Way/Organizational Technology and Business Development

We start with the business owner NOT the business. We believe all of our clients are artists. It isn’t our job to tell you what to create. We simply help you develop the parameters to create your best work. We don’t offer your quick tips or easy wins. We teach you how to play the long game. How to stay around and relevant long after your competitors have left the industry.

Play the long game.

Begin with the end in mind.

Collaboration is KEY.

And lastly, if it’s such a good idea, how come no one has done it yet? And if they have done it, is it working?

-J. Albert Nicklos II, CEO

www.the360way.com

Spoiled Rotten Beauty Bar/Beauty

SpoiledRottenBeautyBar was founded in Oct 2014.. We specialize in hair, makeup services & eyelash extensions also selling virgin hair on hand.. We proud our self most on our excellent customer service & making each one of our clients (spoiled dolls) feel right at home while getting a luxury experience!!

Never give up on your dreams & keep God 1st in center in everything you do!! -Verneshia Allen, Owner

www.spoiledrottenbeautybar.com

Decadent Blends/Health & Wellness

Decadent blends offers legal alternatives to Marijuana without the use of chemicals, tobacco or illegal drugs. We use a holistic approach to inner wellness by employing herbal remedies to relieve stress, anxiety and emotional imbalances.

Value yourself! Value your product! You do not belong in the bargain bin, and if you do, improve yourself to reach your greatest potential. Once you know your worth, make sure you let others know and never allow anyone else to lower your worth. Do not be afraid to ask for what you deserve! -Myi Baker, Owner

www.decadentblends.com

Charmed By Rucker/Fashion

Fashion is always innovating therefore gives my business an unlimited amount of room for growth. In fashion there is always trends, but what makes it the best is that they revolve. What makes being fashion exciting is how every individual can have their own sense of fashion. Being able to pair certain colors with different clients according to personality or event keeps you growing in the industry.

The best tip I can give business owners is to make God a main source in your business with him guiding you there’s hardly no room for lack or failure. In addition, consistency yields great results. I’m rooting for all business owners it’s very rewarding. -Stephanie Rucker, Owner

www.charmedbyrucker.com

Tee's Hair Secret/Beauty & Haircare

At Tee's Hair Secret we strive to not only provide quality hair care products but also teach melanated women and teens how to take care of their body and hair from the inside out.

Don't try to do it all alone. Collaboration is key. Don't give up. We all fail, some more than others. Pay attention to the lessons in your failures and learn from them.

Perfection is an illusion. You will never know it all or be perfect so stop waiting for the perfect time or every detail to make moves. -Tanieka Vance Randall, Owner

www.teeshairsecret.com

Breakin' Bank Records/Music Entertainment

My company is innovative as we are not striving to create the same business model as any other normal labels. In a short form, Breakin’ Bank Records is focused on helping the start up artist get from ground zero to establishing a fruitful foundation. Understanding that it’s not about just being an artist, it’s about being a brand. Being a brand means telling your story, letting the world know there’s more to you than just music. We believe that quality is better than quantity and treat every artist we work with like family. Giving career guidance and developing them along the way.

Here is a list of tactics to follow: (1) Set weekly, monthly, and yearly goals (2) Understand what it takes to get the desired outcome you’re looking for and focus on it (3) Branding and marketing is very crucial (they are two totally different entities) (4) Know your business value, network WHEN you can and WHERE you can (5) Learn from your mistakes (6) Don’t be afraid to reinvent the wheel (7) Believe in your success and celebrate the wins and most importantly, (7) Don’t be afraid to invest in yourself. -Byron Jones, Founder

www.breakinbankrecords.com

Manifest Tea/Health and Wellness & Retail Products

I create decadent, holistic, intentionally blended herbal teas to be integrated into your manifestation routine. Each blend is formulated to support your efforts in the areas you wish to receive.

Here at Manifest Tea, I am dedicated to fostering successful manifestation through the great, intentionally blended teas and herbs. I specialize in premium loose-leaf tea blends that please the palate and satisfy the senses and well as free the mind and amplify your intentions. I work with only the finest ingredients, many of which are Fair Trade and/or Certified Organic, and we never use artificial flavors or preservatives. 

I have formulated custom blends to supply our customers to surprise and delight our customers with unique, flavorful blends, and are constantly expanding our collection to include more pure teas for the tea connoisseurs looking for something special.

Here are a few tips for success.

BE CLEAR WITH WHAT YOU WANT

If you are unclear, confusing or vague with your intention, you’ll get results that are unclear, confusing and vague. Make are goals special and measurable.

WRITE YOUR INTENTIONS DOWN

In concrete terms, externalizing your dreams by expressing them in writing begins the process of transforming them from ideas, to reality.

LET GO OF THE “WHENS” AND THE “HOWS”

 If you get too wrapped up in how things are going to happen, and what the timeline needs to look like, you will quickly start to place limits on what think you are capable of and your intentions will begin to look very small! -Jessica McBride, Owner

www.manifesttea.com

Chandy Law/Legal

C. Handy Law, while based in Houston, serves clients nationwide through strategic partnerships and technological means of communication. Our automated systems, resources and 24/7 accessibility to information, allows us to meet clients on their own turf and address issues from both an analytical and practical standpoint. As a virtual law firm, we help digital influencers, thought leaders, and creators expand their reach by negotiating pivotal deals. Our experience in entertainment and digital media law allows us to be deal makers and not deal breakers. We strive to achieve quick yet favorable results for clients, while making sure that clients know we've got  them covered, no matter what.

Build your business on purpose. Get clear on your "why" and build a business that you love, even if it means stepping out of bounds. Breaking the mold isn't easy and a lot of people will question you. But no matter how difficult things get, let your vision and your why be your guiding light. -Casey Handy-Smith, Founder & Attorney

www.chandylaw.com

Crowned By King Lo/Beauty

Me and my team have come up with this super convenient plan that includes the product and weave services at a low monthly rate. Starting at just $200 per month, for 6 months, your bundles, sew ins, and maintenance is all taken care of! With my super easy booking system on my website, all you have to do is log in and select your appointment time! this program has been a big hit  with my teachers all the way to my entrepreneurs!

You have to believe in yourself if you want to convince others to believe in you.

-Loren Herron, Owner

 www.krownedbykinglo.com

Fresh Tech Solutionz/Information Technology

We created Fresh Tech Solutionz as a way for small businesses to have access to mobile app development and other technology at an affordable price. Most small businesses don't think that they can afford a mobile app so we have created a system that allows us to create apps available on the Android and Apple app stores at an affordable price. We like to learn about the business, identify pain points such as scheduling, loyalty programs, customer engagement, and productivity and come up with a mobile solution to fix those issues and provide a better overall experience for their customers. We also provide web design, branding, and promotional videography services.

First of all, don't be afraid to take the leap into entrepreneurship! There are plenty of resources and organizations that can help you with the initial startup process, including us! We love to provide new entrepreneurs with our knowledge of how to become successful entrepreneurs, I also encourage every business owner to find a mentor that you can trust, This was huge for us as first time business owners and I cannot imagine where I would be without my mentor. Lastly, I encourage all business owners to utilize the technology that is available today. It is an entire new world regarding technology and social media and people are able to be reached on a whole new level. There will be ups, downs, downs, and ups as an entrepreneur. You have to be ready for this rollercoaster, be exited on your way up, enjoy the view, put your hands up during the big drops, and be sure to smile for the camera! -Derrell A Noris, CEO

www.freshtechsolutionz.com