Laurel, MD (January 17, 2012) — When 36-year old Brian White opened his barbershop in 2008, he wanted to try something different. He didn’t just want to offer haircuts like other barbershops in the area. First, he wanted to re-introduce the “bow-tie” effect to a generation that has never seen that. And, secondly, he wanted to add a new layer of customer service and convenience to treat his customers right.

White comments, “In the 1940′s and 1950′s, if you went into a barbershop, it was a formal experience. The barbers all dressed respectably, and the customer service you received was honorable. I wanted to bring both of those elements back to a generation who has never really seen that type of environment inside a barbershop.”

“In addition,” White says. “In my barbershop, no cussing or offensive music is allowed.”

Many agree that White’s idea was a great one, noting that most urban barbershops will allow curse words to be spoken and offensive music to be played – even in front of children. Even more, most urban barbershops lack a proper dress code that can offer a formal and professional experience to customers.

“We find,” White says, “that by implementing the ‘Old School’ approach, we end get up getting a more diverse base of customers who end up being more loyal. People are not afraid or intimidated to come inside our shop because the environment is very inviting. This, in turn, adds more revenue to our bottom line.” (read more…)

The one thing I emphasized to my wife over and over again was to provide the best customer service for he customers. Together we sat down and looked a her competition and saw how they were failing big time with providing good customer service. We found complaints of customers getting gypped out of their money, customers were being cussed out, and rarely customers were being thanked for being chosen by their customers.
Our formula was simple: treat customers the way we would want someone to treat us, use social media to stay transparent, connected and accessible to customers, reward customers for choosing our service, never talk trash about the competition while at the same time emphasizing why we are better, and educating customers on our products.
Right now, we can barely keep up with the orders. And the one consistent complement we get is on our customer service.
This brutha with his barbershop is right on track. Treating people the way you want to be treated is one of the most simplist concepts in the world. But unfortunately, many don’t provide it.

Got a favorite Black-owned business in your neck of the woods that provides excellent customer service? Talk about them in the comments below.

For the past week now I have been totally immersed in web-based television. With cable boxes finally gone, I am VERY pleased with the amount of good choices that we now have in our household. As soon as I can get a moment, I am going to write all about it. In the meantime, check out this sista’s show and let her know what you think.

If you have not heard of the first Black woman to trek both the North and South poles, you might want to spend a few minutes and check out BarbaraHillary.com. When everyone around you is saying “you can’t”, look for examples of people who have already said “you can”.

[Link]

“Maryland had 102,135 black-owned businesses in 2007, up 47 percent from 2002, according to the national Survey of Business Owners, part of the five-year Economic Census. In 2007, black-owned firms in the Baltimore area accounted for well over a third of all the black-owned companies in the state.”

This is certainly good news. I just wished the report showed current figures. Everybody was rollin’ back in ’07.

From EW:

“After The Sinbad Show and his movie roles (remember Jingle All the Way?) dried up, Sinbad re-married his college sweetheart, kicked his 30-person entourage off the payroll, and got back into his original passion of performing stand-up comedy.

Now living back in his original home where his career started, he’s working to rebuild his fanbase while his grown-up kids, Paige and Royce, are working on their own careers.

The pickup is part of WEtv’s family focused branding. “Sinbad’s story is one of second chances. It’s remarkable and heartwarming, but not without its drama, conflict and chaos,” said John Miller, senior vp of development, WE tv.”

“The Family Crews” is another Black reality show and it has been doing pretty well. “Real Housewives of Atlanta” has their crowd, “The Family Crews” has their crowd, and hopefully Sinbad’s show will find their’s.

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“With a multimillion-dollar investment, Lakers Hall of Famer Magic Johnson is set to become chairman of a New York-based magazine and television company that he says is poised to tap into a coveted urban audience.

Johnson, 51, will be chairman of Vibe Holdings, the parent company of Vibe magazine and owner of the music-and-dance TV show “Soul Train,” including its star-studded performance library. No financial details of the deal were disclosed, although a Johnson spokeswoman described it as “an eight-figure investment.” (read more…)

Mr. and Mrs. Craig Waide
The Wedding of Craig and Cheryl Waide
Miami, Florida – September 19, 2009

“Most people are rooting for you. Some are not. Since it’s hard to see snakes in the tall grass keep third parties out of your marital matters. If you simply must seek out advice about a marital issue use an ounce discretion and a pound of common sense. Your grandparents who have been happily married 60+ years and proud parents and grandparents to mostly well adjusted family members = the perfect confidante. Your bestie who hasn’t been in a serious, committed relationship in the last ten years or maybe even their entire life = someone who you tell nothing. Marriage is much more than a “piece of paper” or something to do because it seemed like a good idea at the time. Don’t be flippant about your commitment before God. If you wouldn’t let your bestie borrow your brand new car you shouldn’t let them get a glimpse into your sacred union. Chances are though, grandma and granddad have been there, and wrote the book on it so if you need a shoulder go to them or someone who is the prototype of the marriage you seek to have.”

When I recently spoke with Lauri Lyons (Publisher & Editor in Chief of the newly-minted NOMADS magazine), she was on her way to Brazil for a photography workshop. Click here to browse through some of her collection (I think you will recognize some of the people).

About the magazine~

“NOMADS Magazine is a quarterly online travel magazine, featuring stories and images by world renowned artists and journalists, who live life on the run.”

So let’s show this sistah some love. Check out the magazine and tell others about it. A great alternative to much of what we typically see in the grocery store shelf.

Click here to check out the magazine.
Click here to visit her website.

I get so tired of hearing about how Black folks in Hollywood have very little opportunities and are basically left out on the curb. I have written about this victim view in the past and how it does not match what Black are accomplishing in the industry.

Felicia Pride of The Atlanta Post has also taken the time to count just some of the bruthas and sistahs in the biz who are making it happen.

“Producers. They’re the ones behind the scenes of our favorite movies who work tirelessly to make stuff happen. They are the business behind the media, putting together all the necessary pieces—from casting to budget to distribution-that turn an idea into cinema. Sure, you’ve heard of Ice Cube, whose one of the most active Black film producers in Hollywood these days, and all the other A-list actors who’ve naturally spawned off their own production companies, but there are other less well-known producers out there, helping to fuel the entertainment machine called Hollywood. Here are ten (individual and teams) black film producers who toil behind the scenes so that we can sit back, relax, and be entertained.” (read more…)

This is why I make no excuses for our youth.
YOU GO BOY!!

Hat tip and shout out to The Self-Employed Black Youth

Politics it empty.

This is real.

Click image to go to podcast.

From Black Herald:

“The man set to become the new owner of Gatwick Airport, tells Sky News how he is going to shake-up Britain’s airport business. In an exclusive interview with Jeff Randall, Adebayo Ogunlesi, chairman of Global Infrastructure Partners, said he is going “to make Gatwick a truly first class experience”.

A little bit about Mr. Ogunlesi from Wikipedia:

“Adebayo Ogunlesi is currently Chairman and Managing Partner of Global Infrastructure Partners, a $5.64 billion joint venture formed by Credit Suisse and General Electric. Prior to his current role, he was Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Client Officer of Credit Suisse, based in New York. He previously served as a member of Credit Suisse’s Executive Board and Management Council and chaired the Chairman’s Board. Previously, he was the Global Head of Investment Banking at Credit Suisse. Since joining Credit Suisse in 1983, Mr. Ogunlesi has advised clients on strategic transactions and financings in a broad range of industries and has worked on transactions in North and South America, the Caribbean, Europe, the Middle East, Africa and Asia. He currently Acquired the London Gatwick Airport in a deal worth £1.455 billion.”

From greatkidsupclose.org

Great Kids Up Close recently sat down with Eon Duzant, a junior at W.E.B. DuBois High School who participated in the Intel International Engineering and Science Fair (Intel IESF) in San Jose, California—and took home a four-year, $50,000 scholarship to attend Florida Institute of Technology. A prestigious, international science fair drawing top student scientists from around the world, the Intel IESF took place in May and gave Eon a chance to meet aspiring and established scientists and to participate in the global science arena. He returns to Baltimore more wide-eyed and stronger than before—and with a better understanding of his role as a future scientist. Joining the conversation below are his mentor, Marvin Martin, his principal, Delores Berry-Binder and the director of the Center of Excellence in Mathematics and Science Education at Morgan State University, Anasuya Swamy.

Eon was also recently featured in the Baltimore Sun for his research that prevents cars from tipping over.

For the city of Atlanta, this is pretty major. Tyler Perry does deserve part of the credit for making this city a viable investment for the film entertainment industry.

Atlanta approves Screen Gems deal

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — On the same night what could be the final episode of “One Tree Hill” aired, the studio that made Wilmington Hollywood East got the land deal it wanted two states away. The Atlanta City Council unanimously approved a 50-year lease for EUE/Screen Gems to build a new studio in Georgia’s capital, the Atlanta-Journal Constitution reports.

Screen Gems will pay the city $250,000 a year for the first decade and $600,000 thereafter to transform 30 acres of the Lakewood Fairgrounds into the area’s first state-of-the-art studio complex, including converting Lakewood’s historic Spanish Mission Revival exhibition halls into studios, as well as build a sound stage upwards of 40,000 square feet that could accommodate television, commercial, digital and film productions, according to the proposal.

Screen Gems VP Bill Vassar told WWAY last week he does not believe the Atlanta facility will hurt business for Wilmington. Vassar said Atlanta would draw more urban-set productions, while Wilmington would continue to draw productions that need rural and coastal settings. (more…)

Got this e-mail from BE today.

Enter the 2010 Black Enterprise Elevator Pitch Competition Now for a Chance to Win $10,000

The Top 10 Finalists Will Compete Before a Panel of Judges and a Live Audience at the 2010 Black Enterprise Entrepreneurs Conference + Expo Hosted by ExxonMobil

NEW YORK, NY–(Marketwire – April 30, 2010) – BLACK ENTERPRISE, the nation’s leading authority on African American business, is accepting immediate entries for its “2010 Elevator Pitch Competition.” Held in conjunction with the Black Enterprise Entrepreneurs Conference + Expo, the contest is aimed toward uncovering America’s best business ideas and brightest moguls. This year’s winner will receive a grand prize of $10,000! Second prize is $3,500 and 3rd prize is $1,500.

The elevator pitch is a hypothetical scenario where a hopeful or current entrepreneur explains a business idea to their dream investor — during a chance meeting in an elevator. As the premise goes, a would-be mogul should always be ready with their top 60 second sell. No business plan, no PowerPoint presentation, just you and your idea. The ultimate goal of the elevator pitch is to hook the audience and judges by explaining how your product or business solves a problem or fills a void.

“This is one of the largest prizes we’ve ever given to an elevator pitch contestant,” says BLACK ENTERPRISE Small Business Editor Tennille Robinson. “In light of the current economic times, where capital can be hard to come by, this is a substantial amount of money to help someone who may be just starting out or looking to take their business to the next level. It will be interesting to see who comes out and fights for it.”

Enter now at www.blackenterprise.com/ec/elevator-pitch, where you will also find a complete list of contest rules. The deadline for submissions is Wednesday, May 5. All finalists will be notified by Monday, May 10.

The 2010 Black Enterprise Entrepreneurs Conference + Expo is hosted by ExxonMobil. Presenting sponsors include American Express OPEN, Ariel Investments, Buick, FedEx, Marriott Hotels & Resorts, Marriott Rewards, PepsiCo, and Wells Fargo. Platinum sponsors include EMC2, Southern Company, United Healthcare, and Wendy’s International. Corporate partners include Georgia-Pacific and CNN.

BLACK ENTERPRISE, your ultimate source for wealth creation, is the premier business, investing, and wealth-building resource for African Americans. Since 1970, BE has provided essential business information and advice to professionals, corporate executives, entrepreneurs, and decision makers. Every month, BLACK ENTERPRISE magazine provides 4.3 million readers with information on entrepreneurship, careers, and financial management. A multimedia company, BE also produces television programming, business and lifestyle events, Web content, and digital media. BLACK ENTERPRISE is the definitive source of information for and about African American business markets and leaders, and the authority on black business news and trends.

Katie Washington, a biological sciences major from Gary, Ind., has been named valedictorian of the 2010 University of Notre Dame graduating class and will present the valedictory address during Commencement exercises May 16 (Sunday) in Notre Dame stadium. (more…)

Another Blackinformant.com reader starts his own blog.
Check ‘em out!

Criminals
Sidekicks
Poor
…and any other negative portrayal you can imagine.

Heard that line at least a million times just in the last couple of years. My response has always been the same, “If you really want to know, LOOK! And stop looking at reruns of Sanford & Son, Beretta and Martin.

TV’s Rising Black Actors: Young, Gifted and African-American

Last night’s episode of Extreme Makeover Home Edition was just great. Here is just a small clip. Follow the person who posted this video on Youtube for the rest (if ABC hasn’t taken it down already).