Why some black owned business fail - Kipani Joi's MySpace Blog
I was contracted to coordinate a fashion show April 4th 2008. Yes!! Last year! I never posted anything about it because I never recieved my pictures from the event. The fashion show was a part of a week long event which included a panel discussion, concerts, parade, etc.
The event was a huge success. Everyone had fun, and for the most part it's an annual thing, but one thing I have noticed with working with a black owned business is that the term. "Networking" does not exist, it's more of "Hook-Up". Literally!
When I was approached for the job, I looked at it being a great opportunity for me for more hands on experience with event planning. So I didn't ask for pay. I just wanted my credit, photos of the event, and to make sure my fashion designers had gotten their recognition. Plus it was dealing with kids, it was being a part of the community.
I should of know something was up because the founder of the non- profit organization kept gloating on what he can do for me. He don't even know me or my work habits (In the fashion industry there is always someone that don't know the business, but quick to tell you they can help you.) So pretty much he was talking about helping me on a model stand point, with photographers etc. The fact that he thought I was an aspiring model tripped me out. So I brushed it to the side because there could be no possible way he knows anything about the modeling and fashion business. Obvisisly that's why he contacted me right? So how can you help me?
We would go to what he would call sold- called meetings, which we would probably talk about the project for about 5 minutes and next thing you know we are shooting pool, and going to movie premires. Next thing I was told, every meeting that I was attenting was actually a date to him. So now he's mixing business with pleasure. Well I had to get away from that asap!!!!
So anyways the event came and went, I'm asking for the pictures of the fashion show so I can have along my resume and props, you know since I didn't get paid. Days turned into weeks, weeks turned into months, and hell months turned into a year. I still haven't recieved anything from him, but he's constantly calling me asking me out. And then had the audacity to call me and asked me if I would like to coordinate the next event. Wtf??!?! I still haven't recieved anything from the last event, and that was a year ago.
So everytime we did talk if I wasn't ignoring him, he's at home doing nothing, inviting me over to play video games with him and his daughter. NEGATIVE!! So when I ask about my pictures he said he's going to get those to me this Sunday, that passed, then it was this past Weds, well that passed as well he made numerous promises to get those photos to me. So again days turned into weeks, weeks, turned into more months. Those pictures are my credit, I don't have those then what would I have showing that I've done the show other than those that were there such as friends, and staff.
I ultimately got sick of his bullshit and told him not to contact me anymore about anything. Of course he's perfectly fine with that since he used me for my services for free. So when I explained to him how he's a bad business person and how he's not being respectful of my demands, it's going to come back ten times fold. I'm the one that's being childish, and he said I will get my photos. The event took place April 4th 2008. Last time I checked its a new year and April is only 2 months away.
At the end, he hasn't helped me out with shit, and I'm left empty handed. But he got his creditiblity up, he got his fashion show. This is why black people can't never be successful, we use each other until that other person is exhausted, then when ask about something concerning about what belongs to you. They dismiss it like nothing ever happend and make sure they are at the top. That' nigga shit! It makes me think twice as hard to ever collab or work again with another black- owned business.
If you can't "network" with each other and all you can do is use others for "hook -ups" thinking that, that will get you to the top. You sure do have another thing coming U-N-C unbrella coorperation.
http://www.myspace.com/modelkipani
I haven't talk to this young ladies in awhile but I usually check up on her to see how she is coming along. I happen to notice she blogs on myspace this topic caught my interest. I will have to say yes she is so right. I hope whatever her life goals is that they do come true. So if anyone in the areas of DC,MD,VA,DE,NJ,NY,CA looking for a event planner or model please contact Kipani Joi. Please read it and if you choose to be her friend please let her know where you seen this article. Kisses
