Black Milwaukee Entrepreneurs Share their Experience during Black Lens Screening of "Legacy Lives On"
If you don’t want to work for other people than you don’t have to. In 2019, there are countless options and avenues to earn money off of one’s brains, talents and skills. Along with the increase in activity in Milwaukee there has also been an explode of entrepreneurs, specifically Black entrepreneurs. And to acknowledge them, Black Lens hosted the Black Entrepreneurship In Milwaukee Series.
The series included a screening of the film, “Legacy Lives On” which follows the lives of three Black millennial women entrepreneurs and their relationships with money. The film discusses what it means to be a Black woman in the world of business, from the hardships to the glory. And, it also displays the relationship Black people have with money, specifically our debt, which makes an individual question, what legacy will I leave when I die?
After the screening of Legacy Lives On, four Black Milwaukee entrepreneurs discussed their experiences with owning a business. The panel included Melissa Goins of Maures Development, Trueman McGee of Funky Fresh Spring Rolls, Tiffany Miller of Live in Bloom and Imani Ray of Natural “E” Beautiful. The film director Raafi Rivero also sat on the panel.
As the youngest on the panel, Ray said she’s learned how to make her money stretch, which has been a vital key to her success. But it does hinder her sometimes because she has so many ideas but doesn’t always have the resources to execute them. Ray said there’s a difference between a woman with a business and a business woman, and Ray considers herself a business woman.
“You have to put a price on it if you want to be successful,” Ray said about learning to charge for her time correctly. “I have to work my way to that point.”
According to Goins, coming from poverty taught her some amazing skills that helped her manage entrepreneurship. Goins said for one to be an entrepreneur, you have to learn how to be nimble and financially creative.
“In the beginning, I was trying to do too much,” said Goins. “I’m one person.”
As a full-time business owner and teacher, Miller wished someone would have warned her about how time consuming owning a business can be. According to Miller, her days are 15-16 hours long. Even with everything she has going on, Miller said that doesn’t exempt her from raising her 18-year-old son. Money isn’t usually a topic of conversation in Black households, but Miller said she’s very transparent with her son about how much stuff cost.
“He wants to know which I think is great,” said Miller.
McGee also teaches his son the importance of finances and how things aren’t just free. When McGee’s son wants a free spring roll, instead of giving it to him, McGee makes his son work for it. McGee also gave the crowd some advice for those wanting to start a business: “Pay yo taxes,” McGee said. “[And] take care of your credit.”
The panel ended with a Q&A from the audience members.
To watch Legacy Lives On, click here.