Minority Business Panel shows challenges facing minority entrepreneurs

The journey of an entrepreneur is filled with challenges at every turn, and solutions are hard to come by when you lack a support network. Last week, the Chamber held our first ever Minority Business panel, where attendees learned about the entrepreneurial journeys of Quad Cities minority business owners who shared unique insights regarding business challenges they’ve faced as minorities.

The panel consisted of four Quad Cities’ minority business owners: 

• Nadiyah Coly of Royal Lotus Nailz 
• Marlon Ganaway of G&N Properties
• Alix Holliday of QC Dumpster Dudes 
• Latisha Howlett of Bayside Bistro

The panelists discussed some of the most significant barriers they've encountered, such as identifying business resources, networking and finding grants. 

Ganaway said that finding a good mentor was key for him when identifying resources during the early stages of his enterprise. ““A lot of people that want to go into business have a great idea. But they haven't spoken to anyone who is more knowledgeable in their field. One of the things that has helped me is finding people that  have the experience, the knowledge and the resources to give you the answers to your questions.” 

Howlett pointed to the Chamber as one of the resources she's relied on throughout her decades-long entrepreneurial career. "We have continually been apart of the Chamber for many years, and it's been a great resource for information, along with SCORE Quad Cities."

When asked why minority members should become entrepreneurs in the Quad Cities, Holliday pointed to the ease with which he's been able to network, "We're such a tight knit community that, you know, you can find the answers to things that you're looking for pretty quick. All of my success is due to me being integrated in the community."

Applying for and being awarded grants is another critical endeavor for minority businesses, and it's a process that can be frustrating when you're left empty-handed. Coly explained that grants are not easy to come by when competing with other minority business owners, but that's it's crucial to apply. "As far as grants are concerned, there are grants out there that are available, however, it's very competitive. It's not a very large pot, but it's a very large group of people. But you don't know until you try."

Our Minority Business Councils convene quarterly to discuss challenges they're experiencing, with events and workshops also available to council members throughout the year. During our January council, we learned about some of the most pressing issues impacting the Quad Cities' minority business community: access to funding, limited access to knowledge and mentoring and building support networks. We're committed to supporting minority business owners and aspiring entrepreneurs as they experience these challenges. 

For those interested in joining our Minority Business Councils, you can apply here. You can learn more about new grants being awarded to small businesses in Illinois and how to apply during our April Pre-Grant Prep Workshop.