Inaugural Black Business Expo held in Gainesville on Saturday

Business owners received mentorship from panelists and networked with community members to promote their services and products over the weekend.

The networking event was part of Carolyn’s Heart Inc. and Gainesville Black Professionals inaugural Black Business Expo on Saturday at Santa Fe College’s gymnasium at 3000 NW 83rd St.

Romona Jackson, founder of Carolyn’s Heart Inc., said she appreciated local business owners and community leaders for offering advice and support to the businesses at the expo.

The first phase of the expo began in the morning where six panelists participated in the Entrepreneurship Panel Discussion.

The panelists were Joe Cirulli, owner of Gainesville Health and Fitness Centers; Theresa Glaeser, owner of LogoKick.com; Laurence Andrews, business coordinator of the Entrepreneurship Incubator at SF College’s Center for Innovation and Economic Development; John Sanchez, senior vice president of Capital City Bank and Zeriah Folston, director of the city of Gainesville’s Office of Equity and Inclusion.

Guardian Newsletter:Gainesville Guardian will transition to an email newsletter format

Jackson, whose non-profit helps increase people’s financial literacy and money management skills, said she hosted the event to help business owners succeed.

“This information is needed,” Jackson said. “A lot of people who have businesses don't know where to get the information from. Learning from the subject matter themselves was amazing. Even if they can get one nugget from this expo, that one nugget can change the trajectory of their business. That means a lot.”

Cirulli talked about how his resiliency helped him get to where he is today.

"Leaders can either tear people down or build them up,” Cirulli said. “Always make sure to lift people up when you are in a leadership role. Do things for others that are inconvenient for you - they will never forget it. When you help people get all they want out of life, you will get all you want out of life and that is important for business.”

He encouraged people to invest in themselves by reading books and apply what they have learned to become a great business owner.

“Be everything in your business,” Cirulli said. “You can be a victim or a winner in your circumstances. Once you find your passions, you can't make excuses for what you don't have. Find a way to make it happen.”

Businesses are important to the city, Folston said.

“The city has a desire to see your businesses grow,” Folston said. “Small businesses are the backbone of any healthy economy. Your why can't be ‘I just want to make money.’ It has to be more than that.”

The key to running a successful business and non-profit is to have passion for what you are doing, Folston said.

“Continue to work hard and have the passion for it,” Folston said. “People will still support you. As you're building your business and your brand, be careful to not compare your seed to someone else's tree. Comparison is a thief of joy.”

Charisma and confidence can go a long way for business owners, Folston also said.

“The energy is important,” Folston said. “People do business with people they can remember.”

There are three people every business owner must have - a lawyer, banker and accountant, said Sanchez, adding that he has been in the banking industry for 18 years.

“Make sure they have your best interest at heart,” Sanchez said. “They need to help you from a startup to where you need to be.”

Every business owner must have good credit to let bankers see how well they can repay debt because that makes it easier for them to get loans, Sanchez said.

“We lend money when it shows how much you can repay the debt,” Sanchez said. “The things you do prior to starting a business are helpful for when you are in business. Talk to three bankers before you find the best one for you and talk to your accountant before you go to the bank.”

Angela Howard, president and CEO of North Central Florida YMCA, gave advice on how nonprofits can stand out in grant applications.

“You have to have a mission and you have to have a story,” Howard said. “What are you doing in the community and how can you prove it? Build relations with people in your community. Represent yourself and your business every time you step out. They want to make sure their money will be planted in good ground.”

Sixty business owners and non-profits attended the expo, as well as many residents from the community.

Toya McCracken, owner of Balanced Boutique, said she enjoyed listening to the panelists’ stories and advice.

“I’ve never seen this type of wealth of knowledge on the stage,” McCracken said.

Her business is where inspiration and wellness meet and she is looking forward to helping more people through what she learned, McCracken said.

“Wellness is important for mental health,” McCracken said. “No matter what you've been through you need to find ways to overcome it. Some people need a boost. As long as you have health you have everything. We want to meet the need before it gets excessive.”

Tina Folston-Hayes, owner of Sweet Smile Custom Designs, said she loved learning about programs like SF College’s CIED program that helps local business owners.

“I'm glad to see what they are doing in the community,” Folston-Hayes said.

Keila Legall, a trainer and coordinator with Campus USA Credit Union, said her favorite part of the panel discussion was the part about investing in yourself.

"I love to see people developing themselves personally and professionally,” Legall said. “When you invest in your personal life, it reflects in your professional life.”