Careful planning - starting a business - Brief Article

Black Enterprise, Sept, 2001 by Paula McCoy-Pinderhughes

QA

I have a background in travel/meeting and event planning and am interested in starting a business from something that I not only enjoy but am also very competent at. How should I proceed?

--P. Robinson Milwaukee

You're already on the road to success in choosing a business venture that takes advantage of your skills and experience. "Joining the local African American chamber of commerce (414-462-9450) will enable you to network with potential clients and other professionals in the business," says Dester Martin, chairman of the executive committee at the Milwaukee chamber.

"We encourage all entrepreneurs to read our book, A to Z, a roadmap to starting a business," continues Martin. The Business Council (414-270-1874), "provides programs and services to help African Americans get started in business in the Milwaukee area," says Regina Taylor, program assistant. Also see the FYI section of Enterprise, this issue, for possible government grants or loans.

Mail your small business questions to: Savvy Solutions, BLACK ENTERPRISE, 130 Fifth Ave., 10th Floor, New York, NY 10011, or send an e-mail to pinderhughesp@blackenterprise.com.