The BOSS Network Blog

Velma Trayham , Experience in marketing and business development, Houston-based Velma Trayham offers expertise in brand building, strategic public relations and high-profile events. She currently serves as Founder & CEO of ThinkZILLA PR &Consulting Group, with locations in Houston, and Beverly Hills, California. Deemed as one of the leading go-to firms for small business, faith based and corporate branding, Velma’s award-winning firm utilizes her extensive academic credentials and countless successes to create customized and inspired campaigns and high-impact results. Her media placements have landed feature coverage in such print and online publications as Bloomberg Business, Wall Street Journal,Travel Weekly, Jet, CNN.com and WND.com; as well as client appearances on The Yolanda Adams Morning Show, Oprah’s Life You Want Tour and The WORD Network. TheBOSSNetwork: What were some obstacles that you faced in the beginning process of starting your business or career? Ve...

Part I: Intro When I started my first brick and mortar business in 2009, I had the perfect recipe for success: business plan, research, strategic partnerships, solid client source, financial plan, employees, and systems. Everything I was taught about effectively creating a business was in place. However the harsh reality hit me that I didn’t have nearly as much in place as needed and as a result the business failed days before it opened. How does that happen? Simple, I didn’t know my Entrepreneurial personality and therefore missed the gleaming warning signs that my business was doomed to fail. I write about the details of this story in my book Embrace Your Journey , in it I share that through that experience I discovered three important Entrepreneurial personality types needed for every startup or new business venture even if it’s a business of one. The Firestarter The Strategic Planner The Consistent Finisher Your business must have its own identity its...

Record and upload your best business pitch (under two minutes, please). The top 10 finalists will be invited to the 2012 Black Enterprise Entrepreneurs Conference + Expo where they will pitch the idea to judges and our audience for a chance to win $10,000! Deadline is Friday, March 30, 2012 Rethink your business at the 2012 Black Enterprise Entrepreneurs Conference + Expo. Hundreds of deal makers attend all looking to build networks and explore growth opportunities. Innovative sessions, high-powered speakers, early peeks at products, trends and services you’ll need to stay ahead. Don’t miss this one-of-a-kind power conference. 1. Join the Black Enterprise NING Community 2. Become a Member of this Elevator Pitch Group 3. Suggested Elevator Pitch Format What is your business focus? What products and services can you offer a company? How would you take advantage of this opportunity? How would you make money? 4. Create your video pitch 5. Click on the videos tabs in the top nav then select...

Note: You have to be registered for the Black Enterprise Entrepreneurs Conference to attend this private event.  Once you register using discount code BSSNTW (save $100) you will receive a invite from The BOSS Network. Register at  http://www.blackenterprise.com/ec

Posted by   Lowri D. Gray The BOSS Network Social Media Intern  Last week I had the prestige opportunity to attend the 2011  Black Enterprise  Entrepreneur Conference in Atlanta Georgia. I was joined by the amazing women of,  The BOSS Network ;  Forbes listed “Top 100 Websites for Women.” I currently serve as The Social Media Intern for  Cameka Smith , Owner and Founder of the BOSS Network. She graciously invited me to attend the conference as an opportunity to network and promote the BOSS brand. The mere thought of sitting in the same room with innovators such as  Earl G. Graves , Founder and Publisher of Black Enterprise Magazine,  Mc Hammer ,  Lisa Price ,  Vanessa and Angela Simmons , and  Marvet Britto  literally gave me goose bumps. As a 23 year old, recent graduate, I was afraid my adolescence would hinder me from connecting with those who have been in the game for so long.  All I wanted to do is sit there, li...

LAST DAY TO RSVP: 100 URBAN ENTREPRENEURS MIXER HOSTED BY   THE BOSS NETWORK  *COMPLIMENTARY COCKTAILS & HORS D'OEUVRES* RSVP NOW!! http://100ueboss-estw.eventbrite.com/   CLICK LINK BELOW TO VIEW OUR FEATURE ON CNN & LEARN MORE ABOUT US! http://www.100urbanentrepreneurs.org/about-us/newspress/may-10-2011-100ue-on-cnn-the-pursuit-of-the-perfect-business-pitch/ www.100urbanentrepreneurs.org www.thecashflow.com