VERIZON “SMALL BUSINESS EMPOWERMENT SERIES”
PURPOSE
Verizon is an On Purpose company because it makes a concerted effort to invest in the success of multicultural (African-American, Hispanic and Asian-American) entrepreneurs.
CHALLENGE
Verizon called on EGAMI to help establish and support multicultural small businesses in target markets. Since these entrepreneurial communities thrive on gaining support for navigating their own business development-including increasing its networks, understanding financing and driving scale in operations EGAMI was challenged to effectively insert Verizon Wireless into this business dynamic and position the company as not only a service provider but also a true partner in the overall success of multicultural small businesses.
WHAT WE DID
EGAMI jump-started the professional relationship potential between the target audience and Verizon with a curated event series in target U.S. cities. Local entrepreneurs were invited to an evening of empowerment, knowledge, and networking, giving them an opportunity to hear best practices from today’s most successful and culturally relevant business people. Among the influential guests were iconic business owners including Russell Simmons, entrepreneur; Daymond John, co-founder of FUBU and Star of Shark Tank; Ryan Mack, CEO of Optimum Capital Management & Financial Expert; Dr. Randal Pinkett, founder of BCT Partners and Season 4 Winner of The Apprentice; Cathy Hughes, Founder and Chairperson of Radio One, Inc; Pin Yin, Feng Sui master for Donald Trump and Mayor Bloomberg; K.Y. Chow of GM Printing; Eddie Ng of Lee Kum Kee; Dong Tran of Business Center for New Americans; Jose Garces, Iron Chef of America; Tony Jimenez, CEO of Microtech; and Robert Bard, CEO & Publisher of Latina Style magazine;Natasha Eubanks, Founder & CEO of TheYBF.com; and Sheila Johnson, Co-Founder of BET and CEO of Salamander Hotels and Resorts, and the first African-American woman to attain a net worth of at least one billion dollars. Additionally, CNN correspondent Soledad O’Brien hosted on-site interview sessions.
RESULTS
Empowerment events were held in New York City, Boston, Washington, DC, and Philadelphia generated attendance of more than 200 small business owners at each event. Media partners included Black Enterprise Magazine and The Network Journal, and we produced well over 1,500 qualified sales leads for Verizon Wireless.
