WILLIAMSBURG-According to three young entrepreneurs from the Greater Williamsburg area, in order to succeed as a business owner, you need to do your homework, be willing to put forth the effort, and ask for help when necessary.
Those three individuals—Brandon E. Randall, executive director of Hospice House of Williamsburg, Akyra Thompson, owner of Wholeness Hair Clinic, and Benming “Benny” Zhang, an associate attorney with Kaufman & Canoles, P.C.—were part of a minority business forum panel that met on Wednesday, March 30 at the Williamsburg Regional Library downtown location. The event was hosted by ASPIRE Young Professionals of Greater Williamsburg in partnership with the Greater Williamsburg Chamber of Commerce and the NAACP York-James City-Williamsburg Branch.
Much of the discussion focused on what it takes to start a business, with each of the panelists offering insight and advice to aspiring entrepreneurs based on their personal experiences.
Thompson started out by doing research, mostly by using Google.
“It’s about vision,” she said. “Ask yourself what your ideal business looks like, who you want to serve, why you want to serve them, and how you want to serve them. Then your mission will become clearer. You also have to have faith and believe that you can do it. Do it even if you are scared. You will learn as you go.”
Randall did not have any experience working for a non-profit organization or working as an executive director before stepping into his current role more than a year ago. His advice?
“Be humble,” he said. “Be willing to say, ‘I don’t know everything.’” When you are willing to admit you don’t have all the answers, “People will be more willing to assist you,” he said. “People want to see you succeed.”
The panelists all agreed that networking and building relationships within the community are also beneficial to career success.
“You have to be willing to say hello and have a conversation with no strings attached,” Randall said. “You never know where it will lead.”
Zhang suggested reaching out to others through mentorships and collaborations as well as hiring people with varying personalities and strengths who will help complement you, your business, and your values.
“if you develop relationships, are reliable, and deliver high quality work, you will have people return to you,” he said. “You have to put in the hard work. The pain is real, but it is worth it. And, remember, you don’t have to do this all alone.”
Thompson agreed.
“I am learning that you can’t wear all the hats,” she said. “We are more powerful in numbers.”
Those who are looking to start their own business or switch careers also need to give it time in order to find their groove.
“You have to be patient,” Randall said. “Don’t worry about taking it to the next level. Just focus on where you are at now and be excellent in what you are doing. What you are doing now is preparation for that next level.”