Minority business owners from around the nation looking to take their businesses to the next level gathered in Atlanta (Oct. 20-23) for the annual National Minority Supplier Development Council Week held at the Georgia World Congress Center.
The conference featured representatives from national and global companies like Amazon, Apple, Walmart, Salesforce, and Disney. The premier event for minority business owners offered valuable access to information, resources, advice, and networking opportunities for business growth and success. Speakers included leaders in business, civic and politics including Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens, Clark Atlanta University President Dr. George French, Morris Brown College President Dr. Kevin James and RICE CEO Jay Bailey.
The Russell Innovation Center for Entrepreneurs, Inc. (RICE) of Atlanta played a major part in the week hosting several initiatives with four days of panels and programs at the center.
“NMSDC Week represents the culmination of RICE’s mission to create pathways for minority entrepreneurs by offering them access to the most influential companies and thought leaders in the world,” said Shawn M. Graham, CPA, Executive Vice President & Chief Administrative Officer for RICE. “Our collaboration with these industry giants and others demonstrates our commitment to bridging the gap between corporate powerhouses and the emerging businesses they support.”
The first day of programming at RICE featured two sessions with the Walt Disney Co. and B3 Elevation, a small business development nonprofit that holds workshops and helps small businesses become certified to do business with corporations and governments. Amazon sponsored the B3 session
The second day featured Disney on the Yard, a program for high school seniors and current college students. This networking event is designed to introduce the Disney Co. to students who might be interested in an internship or a career with the company.
The third day the session moved from RICE to the Apple store in Lenox Mall for a workshop on “Apple for Entrepreneurs: Tech Tips for Success.”
The second day concluded with a workshop for entrepreneurs titled “Unlocking Resources: Your Roadmap to Small Business Success”. This workshop was designed to equip entrepreneurs with the tools and resources needed to propel their businesses to the next level. Attendees were able to meet the RICE’s Community Resource Partners.
Ralph E. Sagaille, Director of Strategic Sourcing and Enterprise Supplier Diversity for the Walt Disney Co., compressed a three-hour presentation on doing business with the corporate giant into 90 minutes.
Attendees received valuable insight into the process small businesses go through to do business with Disney. He described the culture of the global corporation, understanding its needs and not only how to engage with Disney and other large corporations. He urged the attendees to not only do their research on the company but also the individuals within the company they will be interacting with.
“You can be sure we will be doing our research on you,” Sagaille said.
He added that if you are a young company don’t try and snag “a whale”.
“Disney is a whale and the first thing we will look at is to see how long you have been in business,” he said.
In 2023, Disney contracted with 8500 small businesses across the country. The company is currently valued at $176.42 billion. In 2023, Disney donated $1 million to RICE.
The Amazon B3 Elevation presentation mc’d by its founder Diane Palmer was packed with information with insights from officials from Amazon, Fifth Third Bank, and Georgia state Sen. Sonya Halpern (D-39th). The session ended with a panel of lenders who provided the entrepreneurs with the best strategies to get loans from financial institutions.
In her remarks, Jada Grandy Mock, Chief Community Impact Banking Officer challenged the audience to “collaborate, innovate and persevere.” Mock made a suggestion that is normally not heard in these sessions aimed at entrepreneurs. She suggested that they consider collaborating with their competition as an avenue for success.
“A $100 million contract split between two companies is better than a $2 million contract for one company. Do the math,” she said.
And for those entrepreneurs who are thinking about throwing in the towel on their dream, she added.
“Success often comes just after those moments of doubt. Every story of triumph was built upon a foundation of perseverance,” Mock said.