At age 50, I am part of a fast growing movement in America - black women who are launching their own businesses.Between 2002 and 2008, the number of firms owned by African American women increased by 19 percent - twice as fast as all other firms, according to the Center for Women's Business Research. And they generated $29 billion in sales nationwide. What's driving us into entrepreneurship? I know for me I was personally tired of being stuck. Stuck in a job where other people were being celebrated and promoted for the same talents I had. They just happened to be white. I also wanted to at age 42 when I started my company leave a dream for my children. Now both have been bitten by the entreprenuer bug and though they have full-time jobs are trying their hands at owning something of their own. But its not easy. Black women look supisciously at other black women who don't want to follow the norm and work in areas everybody else is working in. This is not just about 'buying black' although that's nice. Its about teaching our children and grandchildren lessons for the future. Look around the WHOLE World is changing and if we don't have our own and own our own we will become a distant third or fourth in terms of ecomomic power in this country. We came from civilizations where we were the builder, the baker and the candlestick maker. Why have we gotten so comfortable bringing home a paycheck that has somebody elses name on it - and come to think of it a paycheck that they can take away from you on any given Friday afternoon when they hand you your downsized pink slip. No, its not easy to do what we do as Black Women Business Owners - The average annual revenue for black women business-owners is $37,787, far behind their male counterparts, who earn $107,720 a year - and white women, at $155,000. But we do it because it has even greater rewards for us. Black women in business have a dual bottom line: gaining market share - and giving back. E'LON Couture for example has the E'LON Center where we are focused on helping improve the lives of women of color all over the world. E'LON is new and growing in different directions. But Yolanda says she wouldn't trade it and go back to that six figure income she was making ever. Why you might ask? Simple, I can look in the mirror every morning and smile and know when I say I'm going to do my absolute best today - I'm thinking generations ahead to my granddaughters daughter who may someday look in a mirror and say - look at what WE did. I looked at this sister and said "Thats what I'm talking about", and if she can do it, why can't all the other black women who have the same dreams. That's why I'm launching my jewelry company this year and letting nothing stop me. Its a new journey and something I have been wanting to do for years. I already own a hat business, and while its ok, its not my dream. You can't live for someone else's dream. So I claim in 2010, to be my new year for my own dream, and to be just one step towards my ultimate goal "My Day Spa/Salon/Bed&Breakfast". So I say to all women. Keep the faith! Matthew 17:20 (If you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, "Move from here to there"and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you. Please watch the commercial and tell me what you think! I'm so excited for black women and myself, I just want to shout to the world. Let's Get It Done. and watching things like this just lets me know I can do it! Please join us at: http://girl-friends.ning.com
