As a small-business owner or entrepreneur, time is valuable, money is tight, and you do not want to waste resources. That is why a group of small-business owners and entrepreneurs gathered to learn about the latest business tools and applications that provide for enhanced connectivity and for the perfect wireless office.
Verizon Wireless, in partnership with Black Enterprise, rolled out the perfect forum for small-business owners and entrepreneurs to make new contacts, build relationships and grow businesses by showcasing proven entrepreneurs, coupled with live device-manufacturing demonstrations at the Midtown Loft & Terrace in Manhattan, N.Y., on June 21, 2011. Guests were able to engage in a panel discussion with leading entrepreneurs, including Russell Simmons, business mogul and acclaimed author of two New York Times bestsellers, Do You! 12 Laws to Access the Power in You to Achieve Happiness and Success and SUPER RICH: A Guide to Having it All; Daymond John, founder of FUBU and star of ABC’s “Shark Tank”; Ryan Mack, author and financial expert; and Lynda Ireland, president and CEO of the New York & New Jersey Minority Supplier Development Council, Inc (NMSCD). The panel discussion was led by Caroline Clarke, award-winning journalist and executive editor of Black Enterprise magazine. More than 200 small-business owners were in attendance.
Russell Simmons shared his journey to success and provided guests with advice on using technology when operating their own businesses and reminded small-business owners and entrepreneurs to “love what you do, have faith, and don’t quit, and you won’t fail.” Thereafter, the audience engaged in a comprehensive Q&A with all participating panelists, seeking advice on business expansion, effective networking and financial consultation. 
This event also provided free advertising opportunities for small-business owners with media publications such as Black Enterprise and NV Magazine. Video business cards were produced, allowing guests to prerecord video introductions of their small businesses and their specialized services. All video business cards were displayed on monitors throughout the evening in the video business card lounge.
Verizon Wireless presented 10 product giveaways at random to guests, including Motorola Xoom Tablets, HTC Thunderbolt cell phones, Samsung Droid Charge cell phones and a Blackberry Bold. Winners included Grace Pounder, Accessories For All Seasons; Marcia Cole, Ambermag; Kevin J. Forbes, FYI Communications; Neil Totton, Kaptinik Productions; Winnie Burch, Moetleh Cards and Messages; Aventer M. Gray, Noi Danzare; and Shamyra Bowers, Raquel M. Bradford and Dallas Bell.
Through submission of the video business card, Sophia Sylvester, owner of Brooklyn Flavors, won the grand prize of a Samsung Galaxy tablet, a HTC Thunderbolt cell phone and a package for two to the Black Enterprise-Pepsi Golf & Tennis Challenge taking place September 5, 2011, in Miami, FL. Congratulations, Sophia! –valerie samuel
