If you've never considered the importance of supporting your own community, listen to this episode. Did you know that 97% of Black Beauty Supply stores are owned by Non-Black Women? The most successful communities take pride in their own success. There are probably hundreds if not thousands of other businesses and industries that need conversion into black ownership. These are the conversations that we need to have to identify more opportunities like this and invest in each other to take these positions back and to rise as a community!

This week's guest, Essence Shabbazz was working a typical 9-5, when she started dreaming up the idea of being a travelling hair stylist and socially conscious journalist. She took her tax return dollars (as a single mom), to start E.Bazz Hair Loft Salon. She was proud of her move, but still felt that her socially conscious side was left unfullfilled. Inspired by movements like "Buy Back the Block" she began mixing and networking with community leaders and learned about the need for Black ownership of our own Beauty Supply shops. As a result she owns E.Bazz Beauty Supply "Where Beauty & Community Meet". She's running trucks as well as a brick and mortar shop. Essence is a bold and innovative entrepreneur who even has her own line of beauty supply vending machines. Please support her and businesses like hers in the community and let's inspire the next generation to do better!

Black & Rich with Rich Berkley Podcast is here to elevate and celebrate black entrepreneurs so that they can tell their story and show the next generation another path up the mountain. We aim to be a community space where we can educate the public and inspire entrepreneurs. Our goal is to help you get in business, stay in business, and thrive in your life!

The number one determination of whether you're going to be wealthy or poor is where you start from. If we're going to lift up our community, we need to know how to pass on our wealth to the next generation. As the black community has grown in economic power, we're learning that certain financial tools and tricks have not been known or passed on.

Check out my website RichBerkley.com for tools and information to help you in your life and business.

^We couldn't possibly give him a higher recommendation!

Are you thinking of starting a podcast or levelling up an existing one? Check out MBC Multicast Studio in Northeast Minneapolis (in the arts district. MBC is the first studio in the twin cities that was created to suit the needs of modern content creators. MBC works with podcasters of all levels and can handle any aspect of podcast production you need.

MBC Multicast has innovated the process of content creation. Their unique workflow allows their clients the ability to make top end web content for prices 50-70% lower than traditional production studios. If you're looking for any sort of web videos: tutorials, sales demos, video faqs, welcome videos and more, hit up MBC! -They even can help you with your own studio build in your home or office.

To learn more: MBC Multicast Studio: Podcast, Video, & Livestreaming