subject: Business: Flying Without A Net — Entrepreneurs Starting Businesses During the Recession [print this page] Business: Flying Without A Net Entrepreneurs Starting Businesses During the Recession
Zanade Mann
Zanade Mann (r) of Online & Offline Marketing with Oprah Winfrey
Laid off, Zanade Mann now runs her own brand awareness firm called Online and Off Marketing and PR, a boutique firm in New York City. She says her education is in accounting, but she has worked in customer service, health care and communications. Many of her clients are physicians. For the startup costs, she used her severance pay. She says she loves the freedom to be creative in her business. For staffing needs, she uses a rolling list of interns and has a marketing manager. Follow Mann on Twitter @ zanade or email zanademann@yahoo.com. Even though it's kind of rough because she has two daughters to support, when asked if she's having fun, her response was a resounding, "yes."
Denise Cooper
Denise Cooper, Coach HR
Cooper had to leave her job to take care of sickly and elderly parents after raising twin daughters. She was offered a job as Senior Vice President of Human Resources at a local mortgage company, but within six months the market crashed. Cooper said she did not want to do traditional HR work and needed flexibility for her family. Cooper found there was a need for leaders who could create workplaces that generate creative and innovative solutions and customer intimacy, so she started Coach HR LLC. Located in Charlotte, N.C., the firm is dedicated to guiding CEOs and executives to become successful in their jobs. Cooper says her start-up costs were between $70,000 and $80,000. Although she misses corporate life, she savors the thought of running her own business and the flexibility it affords her. Cooper says there is definitely a potential to make money, and yes, most days are fun. Cooper intends to use contract coaches instead of employees, and says African Americans have to believe we have the strength to do well because in that strength, we will find freedom.
Elizabeth Wilson
Elizabeth Wilson, Business Consultant
Wilson taught entrepreneurship since 1996, but then decided to practice what she was preaching and started Business Consultant, based in Atlanta, Ga. Wilson provides services specializing in training, and among other things, small business plan development. She is also the author of two books. To prepare for her role as business owner, she drew from her experience of training entrepreneurs, and she attended workshops, conferences and seminars. Wilson works with government staff and national community-based organizations. Wilson loves the fact that she is responsible for the results and can now control the quality of the work she delivers. So far, she says she's on track to recoup her previous salary by the end of the year, and her previous assistant is now working with her again. She hires consultants for various projects and part-time support staff. And yes, she's having fun. Her one regret is waiting until she left her former employment to start working on her business.
Lynette Suttlar
Lynette Suttlar, S & S Consulting Company
Suttlar obtained an MBA from Jackson State University and runs her business from home. Located in Benton, Miss., Suttlar started S & S Consulting Company LLC, during the recession to help people who needed answers to questions about their taxes and financial situations. Before starting her business, she worked for H&R Block. Suttlar completed 60 hours of continuing education and attended classes in real estate. She started her business with approximately $500. Suttlar loves the fact that by owning her own business, she now has the potential to be very successful, and she loves the independence and flexibility that she has. She expects to make a profit within two years and plans to hire at least five people. Suttlar cautions that although you will not be an overnight success, you should follow your heart, vision and dreams, and you will fulfill your destiny and make a difference in the world. S & S Consulting can be reached at (601)5036610. By the way, she's having a lot of fun.
Dawn Michelle Hardy
Dawn Michelle Hardy, Dream Relations
Hardy is the founder ofDream Relations, a PR and literary consulting agency located in Brooklyn, N.Y., which was started during the recession. She has a Bachelor of Science in Marketing International Trade. Hardy's business, Dream Relations, offers publicity, book tour and promotional services to mainstream and independent authors. Hardy says she was fired ten days before Christmas, and she was devastated. She worked for a small publishing company where she oversaw production and served as a personal assistant to the CEO. While working for the CEO, she learned all she could about the publishing industry, and had hands-on experience in drafting publishing contracts, proofing manuscripts and press coverage. That learning has served her well in her own business. Hardy says her start-up costs were approximately $150, which was used for a business license. Hardy says she now enjoys the freedom and peace of mind she never felt working for someone else, and that now, there is no limit to how much money she can make. But one of the drawbacks is that she has to wear many hats for the business to operate. So far, she has made two-and-a-half times her last salary, which was $42,000. She uses interns in her business and temporary assistants as the workload increases. She feels that being responsible and hardworking gave her a good foundation for her business. Yes, she's having fun!
