Black Business Women Rock (BBWR) recently held its 5th Annual Conference & Expo at the Renaissance Hotel in Los Angeles, bringing hundreds of black businesswomen together for a day filled with a wealth of knowledge and opportunity. Founded by CEO Natalyn Randle, the event boasts a host of speakers, vendors, networking and information for Black women to flourish in their lives and careers. From branding, social media marketing, financial literacy, and special events segments, to wellness, TV and film, and beauty education, BBWR ran the gamut of information and advice for the Black “womenpreneur”.
Speakers this year included brand builder Tieko Nejon, TV & Film producer Damari Butler, model, blogger and activist Nikia Phoenix, and wellness coach and author, Sahsha Campbell. Attorney and author of Natural Hair & the Law, Tracy Sanders, beauty entrepreneur Brandi M. Brooks, and special events producer Mrs. Dunnie Oh also served as orators, amongst a slew of others.
Renowned actress and health advocate Kimberly Elise spoke on the family business panel and attended the expo with her daughter AjaBleu Oldham to promote her latest Curly Halo book and Alchemy 27 hair product. “Curly Halo is a workbook that I crafted for women with natural hair. It’s like the basic 101 on natural hair care,” she said. The hair oil, Alchemy 27, Elise says, is a blend of 27 plant, botanical and essential oils known to provide nutrition to natural hair.
Elise also shared some advice for the quintessential woman in business. “I just advise people to just be themselves, to sit and stand strong in their own authenticity. We’re glorious as human beings and as women and there’s nothing more powerful than just being yourself,” Elise stated.
Casting director and producer Leah Daniels-Butler also spoke on the family business panel, sharing her goal never to stunt her children’s or any young person’s dreams as a business owner. “Millennials now, or just in general, have more of an entrepreneurial spirit than when I was growing up,” she said. “I love that about young people today.”
Daniels-Butler says that key to turning one’s passion in to profit is dedication. “Don’t give up, don’t take no for an answer. You just have to keep going, when someone tells you no, just don’t take no for an answer,” she continued. Daniels-Butler is currently working on BET’s “The Quad” and “Being Mary Jane” series, along with several other projects.
Buffalo Wild Wings Franchise Owner Karim Webb also served as a keynote speaker, providing attendees with tips about the difference between growth, scaling and leveraging as women in business grow their base. “I’m a very blessed man, because my parents were McDonald’s franchisees, so I grew up knowing that that was a possibility for myself,” he said. “More importantly, I’m thankful. I’m thankful for all the people that support us, and we couldn’t do it without the support of black women,” Webb continued.
BBWR Founder Natalyn Randle has continued its mission to inspire growth and prosperity, helping Black businesswomen around the country to unlock their power and purpose. For more information, visit www.blackbusinesswomenrock.com.
