Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Cerise Hall. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Cerise, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Let’s start with education – we’d love to hear your thoughts about how we can better prepare students for a more fulfilling life and career

What I would change about the current educational system is to incorporate Trade skills careers. Older tradesman are retiring and there are small channel of trade careers to replace the expertise that is needed. Vocational schools are needed across America and a lot of these careers are high paying skillsets. The way we prepare all students is teach them purpose driven lives. By this I mean what problems in the workforce and global marketplace can you solve? Most careers need to speak to the economic injustice in our underserved in all states. Educating our K12 students in economics in entrepreneurship can be a fulfilling life because you raise families out of generational poverty. Secondly we are educating in demand careers with great wages and being able to thrive vs just surviving is fulfillment in itself

Cerise, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

Business Speaks LLC(dba) Youth Entrepreneur Exchange started in Atlanta , Georgia as a volunteer project to mentor K12 students in the Atlanta/Fulton/Dekalb school districts. A team of my colleagues: Theresa Mullins, Dr. Jean Hudley, Will Barnes, and Tamekia Ward collaborated on our skillsets to introduce job readiness / entrepreneurship skills to Atlanta students and there families. We found out via teachers and students that our K12 students were not prepared for the workforce nor entrepreneurship however, needed support in gaining these transferable skills. My colleagues and I created a program in 2011 and my mission now in Kansas City was foundationally built on this concept,
Business Speaks LLC(dba) Youth Entrepreneur Exchange provides youth entrepreneurial training as a pathway to reduce youth violence among K12 students.. Entrepreneurship is a solution to reduce youth violence because it directly attacks youth poverty which is a root indicator to violence. What sets us apart we base our curriculum based on need of the student. Underserved is not cookie cutter solution. We customize our solutions based on the student demographic: LGBTQ, foster care youth, aged out foster care youth justice involved, homeless, covid-19 guardian, students,
We are proud to celebrate 5 years in business and served over 5k plus students . In 2023 we purchased a building and will be presenting more programming to our community .

Let’s move on to buying businesses – can you talk to us about your experience with business acquisitions?

Business Speaks LLC just acquired a physical business in Kansas City to broaden programming not only for students but for local small businesses as well. My goal was to move into the role of ownership of a brick and mortar building. During the pandemic as an investor I sought after a building and was recently able to execute on the dream. In my role as having an impact on the next generation of leaders, small business owners, and employers being able to show youth is impactful for them. There are a lot of gurus teaching on business without being a business owner. I now can be an example of an entrepreneur, investor and ownership which has always been my goal. When you decide to acquire a physical space try to partner with a real estate broker who is 1. an investor 2. who has over 50 closing in investment property 3. has knowledge of various funding deal sources. You need acquisition skill of a realtor who understands investment real estate. These few steps will brings skills to the negotiation.
The next step for Business Speaks LLC is to create enterprise jobs, internships, and apprenticeships,

Are there any books, videos or other content that you feel have meaningfully impacted your thinking?

Mentorship and books has been the greatest entrepreneurial thinking impact. Mentorship has been the shift that all entrepreneur needs. The role of mentors, paid and volunteer, gets you to your destination faster and assist in avoiding pitfalls in your business. Innovation has created the opportunity for thinking to be in the moment. We can research and study the business owners whom already are successful in the industry the small business is in. Reading is fundamental in building the philosophy and culture of your business idea creation.
Here are a few book suggestions in no particular order;

Confessions of an Economic Hit Man=John Perkins
The Spirit of Leadership-Myles Munroe
You2: High Velocity Formula for Multiplying Effectiveness-Price Pritchett
The 10x Rule= Grant Cardone
Alibaba- The House that Jack Ma Built-Duncan Clark
The Art of Getting: The Book of Golden Rules for Making Money- P.T. Barnum
Empire of Cotton-History of Global Capitalism-Sven Beckert
The Power of the Subconscious Mind-Joseph Murphy
The Game of Life and How to Play It-Francis Scovel Shinn
Thank You Power-Deborah Norville

We have everything we need in us to serve!

Contact Info:

• Website: www.businesspeaks.net
• Instagram: Business Speaks
• Linkedin: Business Speaks

Image Credits
All rights by Business Speaks LLC Photo credits Entreprenuers Church Melanin Money Matters copyright 2019