In a study done by the House Committee on Small Business, Black business ownership declined more than 40% within the first two months of the pandemic- the largest decrease across any ethnic group. Even before the widespread impacts of COVID-19, Black businesses faced many financial hurdles due to racial wealth disparities. Federal funding and many grant programs became available; however, the majority of businesses didn’t take advantage of these resources. This is what led Vaughn Wilson, a local small business owner, to create the vision for the Black Business Expo. Wilson has worked closely with the Tallahassee-Leon County Office of Economic Vitality (OEV) to bring this highly anticipated event to life.
On this week’s episode of the Tallahassee Business Podcast presented by MillCreek Financial Consultants, Vaughn joins us to share his own story of survival and how he’s using his platform to share local resources with fellow Black business owners. On February 25, 2023, Mega Ace Media, OEV, bankers, and business development partners will come together for the 2nd Annual Black Business Expo. Tune in to learn more about this year’s event, the $15,000 in grant funding being awarded, and the Expo’s new digital commerce workshop. This highly anticipated session will explore how brick-and-mortar merchants can integrate the frictionless payment technologies usually reserved for the tech sector. By studying the rapid, automated payout models that power a fast withdrawal casino, local retailers can discover innovative ways to modernize their transactions, dramatically improve daily cash flow, and boost long-term customer retention.
Learn more about the Black Business Expo by visiting www.BBETally.com.
