WS Chronicle

Fifth annual event draws positive reviews

All roads led to Winston-Salem last weekend as thousands traveled from near and far for the Triad Minority and Women’s Business Expo.

The festivities began on Friday, August 24 on the campus of Winston-Salem State University with a day filled with seminars, workshops, food tastings, live performances and more, all for free of charge. The event held at the Anderson Center was headlined by groundbreaking keynote speakers who gave business owners and entrepreneurs tips on how to run a successful business. 

The first to lend their expertise was Dr. Robert J. Brown. The founder of B&C International, a global business management firm headquartered in High Point, Brown told inquiring minds that no matter what type of business they have it is important that they learn to utilize everybody and everything. 

He said, “turnover every rock don’t let no rock be unturned. If you want it it’s out there it’s waiting on you but you’re going to have to pay a price. Learn everything you can about what you need to do and go ahead and do it.”

Brown also encouraged those in attendance to work together. He said, “Whether you’re in Community work or whether you’re in business or whatever you’re doing we can get there together but we need to help each.” 

After Dr. Brown, Dr. George C. Fraser, the chairman and CEO of FraserNet, a company he found 30 years ago to lead a global networking movement for African-Americans took to the stage. 

 The self proclaimed “networking guru” and author of six best selling books, Fraser said there are three challenges African Americans must attack aggressively to maximize their potential on a global scale. Those three obstacles are consciousness, effective relationship building, and economics. He said although Africans-Americans have come a long way there is still work to be done and it is important that those looking to succeed in the business world use those obstacles as stepping stones to get where they want to be. 

“Where there is no obstacle there is no way, the obstacle is the way. Your job is to find a way over, around, through or under the obstacle,” continued Fraser. “…Like oxygen in a fire obstacles become the fuel to the blaze that is your ambition.”

Rounding out the lineup of guest speakers was city native Max Maxwell. Maxwell who is a real estate investor and U.S. Air Force veteran said when he first decided to pursue a career real estate his mindset changed. He says that’s when he stopped making excuses.

“That was two years ago since then I’ve built a $2.5 million company and the only thing around me that changed was my mindset. Nothing changed around me people were still doing the same things. The government was still the government a dollar was still a dollar the only thing that changed was in between my two ears,” said Maxwell. “…Think as if the glass is already half full. When you look at life you’ve already won the lottery you’re here. The question is what are you going to do to fill the rest of the glass?”

Later that evening the festivities were moved to the Donald Julian Reaves Center on the campus of WSSU for the opening awards reception. During the event several entrepreneurs and business owners received accolades for Business of the Year, Newcomer of the Year, and the Pioneer Award recipients were;

Greensboro

-Dr. Eunice M. Dudley Business of the Year- The S.E.L. Group, Keith and Nannette Funderburk

-Newcomer of the Year: AWOL Fitness, Lynch Hunt

-Pioneer Award: Jackie White

High Point

-Dr. Robert J. Brown Business of the Year: SidWill’s Restaurant, Sidney Young and William Wyatt

-Newcomer of the Year: Anointed Cutz Barbershop, Shauna Clemons

Pioneer Award: Robert Hayes

Winston-Salem

-Dr. Vivian H. Burke Business of the Year: Jewelry Unique, Kelvin and Taleona Mayfield

-Newcomer of the Year: Slash Tags Boutique and Art, Artanzia Crockett

-Pioneer Award: Tom Trollinger

Day two was all about showcasing minority owned businesses in the Triad and across the state. From fresh baked goods to insurance providers the expo had something for everyone.

According to Reginald McCaskill founder of Maximum Exposure, host of the Triad Minority & Women’s Expo, more than a dozen business owners traveled from Charlotte to participate in the event. Along with more than 100 vendors several performance had the opportunity to showcase their talents as well.

“This is my first time attending the expo but after seeing all this I definitely will be back next year,” said Teresa Jones while checking out the vendors on Saturday afternoon.

“There are so many businesses and services on display here today that I’ve never even heard of. A lot of Black owned business don’t survive because they don’t get the support they need I think it’s a great idea to bring them together so people can see what they’re all about. I applaud everyone who had a hand in putting this together.”

Several business owners spoke highly about the expo as well. Artina Dawkins, owner of Events by Artina said after hearing about the expo from a friend she knew it would be the perfect place to spread the word about her business.

Cheryl Martin and Janae Cotton, brokers with Headley Group Realty were also on hand during the expo for the first time. Martin said, “The support has been super awesome we’re really excited to be here.

“…We’ve run into a lot of different people. People looking to buy, sell, or like the gentlemen I just talked to who is looking to invest. We can help with any leg of that process.”

Cotton said, “I think this is one of the best things ever I’ve met so many people within the last hour. I think this is great for the community, and business owners and I look forward to participating anytime this is held.”