Monday, December 17, 2007

Networking event targets black business owners across Alabama

It’s all about handling your business. At least that’s how Daniel Slocki, counselor at the Auburn University Small Business Development Center, sees things when it comes to positively stimulating the numbers of minority-owned businesses in Alabama.

September 28, 2007

It’s all about handling your business.

At least that’s how Daniel Slocki, counselor at the Auburn University Small Business Development Center, sees things when it comes to positively stimulating the numbers of minority-owned businesses in Alabama.

The Auburn SBDC-Black Business Awareness Fair will be held Saturday in cooperation with the Greater Peace Development Corporation. And if the figures are correct, the prospect of business ownership is one that’s looking up for minorities in the state.

According to a 2004 study by the Small Business Administration Office of Advocacy, of the 323,891 businesses in Alabama, 37,492 are minority owned with 28,684 of those businesses being black-owned.

Slocki is hoping this weekend’s business workshop will help add to those numbers.

“The BBAF is just a great way for black-owned business in Lee County and surrounding areas to network with one another,“ Slocki said. “It’s also an opportunity for aspiring minority business owners to speak with current minority business owners and ask the questions about what obstacles they’ve faced and what plans they have for expanding their proprieties.“

Dr. Jackie Dipofi, director of the Small Business Development Center, will also be on hand at the fair to answer any business-related questions.

In order for a small business to be considered as such, they must have less than 500 employees (manufacturing and mining industries), less than $6 million for retail industries and less than $12 million for all special-trade contractors according to Slocki.

But whether you attend the BBAF with intentions of simply learning the lexicon of business, or with your business plan in hand, there’s plenty of useful information Slocki says anyone can benefit from.

“Owning a small business can not only create employment options for yourself and others, but represents an opportunity to build financial wealth,“ Slocki said. “It’s not an easy task, but if you’re dedicated and willing to put in the work, you can be successful.“