Browse Tag

California - Page 2

5 mins read

Black Owned $8 Lemonade Stand Embraces the Spotlight

Vicktor Stevenson can usually be found standing outside his high-end lemonade stand in the Mission District, working crowds like the mayor of Valencia Street — megawatt smile flashing with ease, answering questions with aplomb, posing for social media photos in front of the shop’s bright yellow facade.

Stevenson is in the throes of a spotlight unique to 2018. His shop, Gourmonade, went viral twice during July, its first month of business — once for its high prices and then for an incident with law enforcement at his shop that Stevenson views as racially charged.

For better or worse, Stevenson has been awash in attention. His stand is seeing increased patronage from the community, he says. The increase in sales comes as people are sharing photos and messages of support for the black-owned business on social media. He’s trying to use the spotlight to quickly expand his grassroots lemonade operation.

When Gourmonade opened in mid-July, the shop’s prices raised eyebrows: $8 for 16 ounces of lemonade, an amount Stevenson says is fair for a product made by hand each morning.

Stevenson, who previously worked in New York as a barber and hair stylist, came to imagine Gourmonade as Blue Bottle, but for a different beverage.

Located near the corner of Valencia and 20th, Gourmonade’s tiny storefront consists mostly of a large refrigerator, signage and menu boards. Stevenson charms curious passersby in his role as lemonade concierge. Glass containers shaped like a lemon are stored in a mini-fridge with clear sliding doors. Also on offer is an $8 “Jasmine Palmer” made with lemon juice, jasmine green tea and turbinado sugar.

On July 17, just three days after Gourmonade’s grand opening, the shop was thrust into the spotlight again. Stevenson, who is black, was checking the security system when he was approached by four police officers. One officer, Stevenson said, had his hand near his weapon. It was a little before 7 a.m., around the time Stevenson usually begins squeezing lemons.

The officers asked Stevenson to present his identification, he said, and told him that someone had called and reported a break-in. Stevenson posted about the incident on Instagram, spurring coverage from outlets including the Washington Post and Fox News.

As a black entrepreneur in a city with a rapidly diminishing African American population, Stevenson became the latest episode in a growing category of viral news: black people being policed while performing mundane tasks.

Even as Stevenson commiserated with supporters online, another set of internet commenters called his story “fake news,” claiming he lied or did something to warrant the officers’ attention.

“It’s sad because had I been shot at my place of business that day, people would have tried to find a way to say ‘But he did this,’ ‘But he did that,’” Stevenson said in a Facebook post at the time. “I’m black, I’m at my business, I’m literally minding my business, and somebody called the cops on me.”

Thanks to the boost in attention, Stevenson’s Instagram account for Gourmonade has grown to more than 9,000 followers.

It’s not all from his time in the viral news cycle: People took note in May when Stevenson sought funding for his business through San Francisco nonprofit Kiva, which lets people lend money in as little as $25 increments to impoverished entrepreneurs. It took only four days for Stevenson to secure a $10,000 loan, $2,300 of which went to signage and waterproofing his stand, while $3,000 went to refrigeration and another $1,700 toward lemonade production and transportation equipment.

In a similar vein, Stevenson recently started a Kickstarter campaign with a goal of raising $40,000. He said the funds will help expand his hours (the shop is currently open Friday through Sunday), and increase production capacity. So far he’s raised $3,574.

Last weekend, Stevenson was selling lemonade at the opening of San Francisco’s new transit center.

With a memorable first month of business under his belt, the road forward is clear for Stevenson: building a customer base in San Francisco. Those crowds that gather at his business are, more often than not, well-wishers.

“I got three hugs today from people already,” he said. “Everything is going well. Like I said, I’m just taking it one day at a time.”

Source: San Fransisco Chronicle

4 mins read

Kofi Nartey Discusses How He Sells Million Dollar Homes to High Net Worth and Celeb Clients

Kofi Nartey has over fourteen years of professional experience in luxury real estate and has sold millions of dollars worth of real estate.
The former athlete and actor is currently the Celebrity and Luxury Homes Specialist and the National Director of the Compass Sports & Entertainment Division.

We caught up with Kofi to find out more about how he has managed and trained hundreds of agents, and built a successful real estate business.

How did you decide to get into real estate?

I have always been an entrepreneur and real estate is an industry that has allowed me to build a business. I get to use my business school training, team skills from my sports days, negotiation skills, and interpersonal skills.

It is also rewarding to help people build wealth through investing.

You often work with celebrities and professional athletes. What does it take to attract and keep hi net worth clients?

You have to understand their lifestyles and know how to service them better. They have different wants, needs, and concerns.

Kofi and LA Laker, Lonzo Ball

The better positioned you are to proactively service those needs, the more likely you are to get their business. Once you get them, you keep them with amazing service and follow up.

Kofi and Philadelphia Sixer,  Joel Embiid

What are some new and innovative ways you market your services or listings and what “old school” methods are still effective?

I have a saying when it comes to innovation in industries: “Two-thirds tried and true, one-third sexy and new.”  Sometimes industries are so innovative, they don’t connect with the consumer. We use technology to improve the client experience and make it more efficient.

Compass, the brokerage I work for, is at the forefront of real estate technology and we use these tools to stay ahead of the market. For the tried and true, you still have to engage and connect with people on a personal level. You may use technology to reach them, but personal engagement will keep them.

People measure success in different ways. What does success in business and in life look like to you?

That’s a simple one. To me success is realizing all of your God given gifts and sharing them with the world. This means, working daily to realize your potential in whatever you are doing and share that potential with those around you.

What advice do you have for fairly new real estate professionals who want to take their business to the next level?

1. Be ready to work hard. Nothing replaces hard work…not even technology.

2. Find a mentor. Find someone in you can learn from or join a team that gives you more exposure and resources.
3. Set longer term goals. Set your goals a year to three years out, then work daily to accomplish them. Nothing amazing happens over night.

4. Lastly, Focus & Finish. This is a mantra I created and have lived by for a decade. Focus on the small steps that lead to your big goals.

 

– Tony Oluwatoyin Lawson (IG: @thebusyafrican)
1 min read

HU Grad Opens Online Organic Food “SÜPRMARKT”

Olympia Auset, a 26 year old Howard University alumna, has founded SÜPRMARKT, a low cost grocer that provides 100% organic food in low income communities in LA.

Olympia got the idea in 2009 while attending college. During that time she became vegan and soon became interested in creating solutions for food deserts.

According to the USDA, food deserts can be found in 371 California census tracts. 85 percent are in urban areas. More than 1.9 million people live in these census tracts, and about half of them have low access to retail food stores.

When Olympia realized that people won’t change their food habits unless the food is appealing and close to them, she decided to make good food and information about it, accessible. She does so through weekly pop up stores.

According to Olympia, since its inception in July 2016, SÜPRMARKT has provided nearly 200 cases of organic fruit, veggies, and seeds affordably in South LA, a community which has 1.3 million residents but only 60 grocery stores.

Her website has recipes and links to resources about nutrition and healthy eating. SÜPRMARKT also offers a subscription box with an assortment of fruits and vegetables. Through the subscription, you will receive a box full of organic produce each week.

 

by Tony Oluwatoyin Lawson

 

 

Learn more about another California business owner providing a solution for the food desert problem here.

 

2 mins read

First Black Owned Grocery Store Franchise Opens in Compton

The first Black owned grocery store franchise opened in Compton a few months ago. This “Grocery Outlet” franchise is owned and operated by 36 year old, Kia Patterson.

In March of 2013, the USDA officially labeled Compton as a food desert. Residents have not had adequate access to essential dietary foods such as fruits and vegetables.

Over a year ago, the Grocery Outlet building was home to another grocery store chain which closed and left Compton residents with one less place to find food for balanced meals.

Now residents can get organic products and other items for up to 60 percent off compared to brand-name items that can be found in traditional grocery stores.

The store is also creating jobs for locals, including members of Kia’s family.

So far, reviews from customers have been very positive:

Amber M: “Hands down the BEST deal you will find on great wines from all over the world….

I met the owner, Kia, while I was there and she was super friendly and make some great recommendations. The prices are seriously amazing. They have a great selection.

I don’t live anywhere near Compton, so I understand if you think it’s a crazy trip, but if you’re even remotely in the area it’s seriously worth stopping by. You’ll be in wine heaven. Cheers!”

Sunny G: “Lots of great things about this market: Many organic options at low prices.
Niche items, Friendly staff. Local beers and wines. Clean and bright. Delightful owner who seems to be hiring locally.”

 

Grocery Outlet is located at 2175 West Rosecrans Avenue in the city of Compton and is open daily from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Huge congrats to Kia! If you are anywhere near her store, please go and show your support! Tell your friends and family in the California area also.

 

Check out this Facebook video of a tour of the store and a brief interview with Kia.

 

by Tony Oluwatoyin Lawson

 

4 mins read

Meet the Youngest Beauty Supply Store Owners in California

According to the Beauty Supply Institute, the beauty supply industry generates about $15 billion per year. Although 96% of the customers are Black, less than  3% of ownership within the industry is Black.

Breaking into the beauty supply industry is no small accomplishment. That’s why we were thrilled to discover that Kayla Davis, 19, and Keonna Davis, 21 had opened their own beauty supply store, KD Haircare Supply.

We had a chat with them and this is what they had to say:

SB: How did KD Haircare Supply get started?

KD: We started planning in the summer of 2014 and launched our online website in March 2015.

SB: What made you decide on the beauty supply industry specifically?

KD: We did some research on the hair industry and since one of us is natural and the other wears weave, we figured why not begin a natural & weave beauty supply store. We knew it was a good idea since our area lacks the natural products that are popular in the south and on the east coast.

SB: Do you have to juggle school or any other obligations?

KD: When we began, Keonna was out of school and Kayla was a high school senior. The business was online so it pretty much ran itself.

To effectively manage our time, we have to schedule events on days when we are closed or request coverage from other individuals. Mainly, we just focus on our storefront and attend social or personal activities outside of business hours.

SB: How is it working with a sibling?

KD: Well, very funny question! As siblings, we know each other too well. We have different strengths and we seem to be able to fall into our roles to take care of business related tasks. We find that working with each other is probably easier than working with someone else.

944975_938865676229503_6265953094851414957_n

SB: How has your age either helped or been a challenge as business owners?

KD: In the beginning, a lot of people probably didn’t take us seriously. Getting a lease was interesting because we’ve never had a storefront and owners were reluctant to lease to us.

However, our mom stepped in to help with that. She assured the owner that we were serious and able to handle our obligations.

We believe our age is the main reason for the social buzz now. Our community and the community across the country have been very supportive and we love it!

SB: Who or what inspires you? 

KD: Our community inspires us to do our best and to continue on our business journey. Our mother also told us to be self employed and that there’s nothing more fulfilling than working for yourself. Being in the beauty supply industry has given us a sense of pride in ownership due to all the support.
 Screen Shot 2016-04-18 at 9.00.53 PM

SB: What are your plans for KD Haircare supply?

KD: We hope we’ve just scratched the surface. We have plans to expand into different locations. We’re not sure if we will franchise but we plan on having more than one location.
12992076_953324108116993_1485249102_n

SB: What advice do you have for other entrepreneurs or people who want to start a business?

KD: We would tell them to be persistent, to research their market before jumping into it, and to network with other individuals in their industry. We also would say not to be discouraged because people will say no. But, if they feel their vision is what they want to pursue, then pursue it. Never say “I can’t “. Remove those words from your vocabulary.
KD Haircare Supply LLC is located at 4453 Sunnymead Boulevard, Moreno Valley, CA 92553