We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Jimmy Davies a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Jimmy, thanks for joining us today. We’d love to have you retell us the story behind how you came up with the idea for your business, I think our audience would really enjoy hearing the backstory.
I started an Apple Macintosh computer training service in 1988 but I had two problems. First, I couldn’t afford to buy a computer and second, I didn’t know how to use one. But I was fascinated with them and I read books to learn how to use the software. I would go to my clients and I learned on their computers as I taught them based on what I had read. That business quickly grew into a full-time business where I was eventually offering computer classes in over 35 cities in a dozen states. I discovered that I was very good at developing databases and became a FileMaker database developer developing software for a variety of companies including marketing software and medical software. In 2015, I realized that I was always helping others with their technology but I started to think about what I really wanted to do. One thing that I noticed was that I was not seeing people of color in my classes or utilizing the technology that was available. After a few years I came up with the concept of helping entrepreneurs with technology (Every.Black) to help level the playing field and close the income/wealth gap. African Americans have over come slavery and have obtained civil rights but the last piece is economic equality. I’m convinced that we must embrace technology and entrepreneurship to close the wealth gap. https://www.every.black/founder
Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.
I graduated from college with a BS in Applied Mathematics and a minor in Physics but had no idea of what I wanted to do. I just knew that I hated working for others so I tried a long list of small business ventures from Amway, selling real estate, several janitorial services, selling hot dogs at county fairs, etc. But when a friend introduced me to a Macintosh computer, I knew I had to get into the field somehow and I started MacMasters Computer Training Service. I also discovered that I had a knack for learning the software quickly and the patience to teach others. Since then I have taught well over 5,000 people how to use a wide variety of software applications. (https://www.every.black/packamac)
What really makes me proud is when I see my students take what I have taught them and go on to make a career or create a business.
I have now partnered with someone to teach people about ChatGPT/AI.
Black Experts Team Up to Offer Comprehensive ChatGPT and Artificial Intelligence Workshop
Black Experts Team Up to Offer Comprehensive ChatGPT and Artificial Intelligence Workshop
Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?
Being in the computer business demands having the ability to pivot and adapt quickly and continuously. In the begining there was a huge demand for computer training services. A lot of software was coming out in the 90’s and no one knew how to use any of it. But then I began to see a decline in the demand around the year 2000 so I began to specialize in database development helping companies manage huge amounts of data. After starting Every.Black in 2018, Covid happened so I immediately took my company virtual. That was a blessing in disguise because I now network with entrepreneurs from around the world promoting entrepreneurship and providing technology assistance and classes. (www.ComputerClasses.black), I now meet with entrepreneurs from around the US and Canada on Mondays, entrepreneurs from the Caribbean on Tuesdays and we will be restarting our Africa group of entrepreneurs soon.
Can you open up about how you funded your business?
When I began to offer computer training services in other states, I need about $6,000 to buy mailing labels from computer magazines, print the flyers and mail them to thousands of computer magazine subscribers. I didn’t have the money so I sold my car to finance the expansion. It worked and within a year I bought a new car and my first home.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.every.black
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/everydotblack/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/EveryDotBlack
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/everydotblack/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@JimmyDaviesEveryBlack
- Other: https://www.patreon.com/everydotblack
Image Credits
Esther Hicks The ChatGPT, Podcast and website images are free images from Unsplash.com