We were lucky to catch up with Nancy Korsah recently and have shared our conversation below.

Nancy, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Let’s start with the story of your mission. What should we know?

The mission of Black Business Enterprises (BBE) is deeply personal and stems directly from my own lived experiences. Moving to the United States with very little, I quickly learned that access and opportunity aren’t always evenly distributed. My initial success cleaning homes wasn’t just about hard work; it was also about the kindness of one person who saw my potential and offered support, including crucial financial literacy skills. This experience ignited a fire in me. I realized that entrepreneurship could be a powerful vehicle for change, but that many individuals, particularly those from marginalized communities, face systemic barriers in accessing the very resources needed to start and thrive.

My time working in the banking industry further solidified this understanding. Witnessing firsthand the pay disparities based on race within the call center, despite equal or greater responsibilities, was a pivotal moment. It wasn’t enough to help a few colleagues; I knew I needed to build something that could address this inequity on a larger scale. BBE was born from this conviction: to level the playing field by providing minority entrepreneurs with the capital, knowledge, and network they often lack. It’s about creating a community where everyone has a fair shot at building a successful business, improving their lives, and strengthening their communities. This isn’t just a mission for me; it’s a commitment to paying forward the opportunities I was given and empowering others to achieve their full potential

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

My journey to becoming the Founder, President & CEO of Black Business Enterprises has been anything but traditional. Born in Italy to Ghanian parents and moving to Los Angeles at 19 with very little, I essentially built my first business out of necessity, cleaning homes. This unexpected entry into entrepreneurship taught me invaluable lessons about hard work, resilience, and the power of word-of-mouth. More importantly, it showed me that with the right support, anyone can build something from the ground up. The woman who gave me my first cleaning job became an unexpected mentor, teaching me the fundamentals of financial literacy that have stayed with me.

My experiences then expanded as I traveled the world as a flight attendant, learning new languages and gaining a broader perspective on global cultures and economies. This period of growth ultimately led me to Charlotte, North Carolina, where my observations within the banking industry became the catalyst for BBE.

Today, through Black Business Enterprises, we provide a comprehensive ecosystem of support for minority entrepreneurs. This includes access to capital through grants and connections to investors, crucial financial literacy training, business planning resources, technology assistance, marketing guidance, and invaluable mentorship opportunities. We solve the problem of inequitable access to these resources, which often hinders the growth and sustainability of businesses within marginalized communities.

What sets BBE apart is our holistic approach and the strong sense of community we foster. We’re not just providing tools; we’re building a network of support, encouragement, and shared experience. My personal journey, from arriving in a new country with nothing to building multiple successful ventures, resonates with our members and informs the practical, real-world advice we offer.

I am most proud of the vibrant and growing community we’ve built at BBE, now encompassing over 72,000 members across 32 countries and every U.S. state. Seeing entrepreneurs gain the confidence and resources they need to launch and scale their businesses is incredibly rewarding.

The main things I want potential clients, followers, to know about me and BBE are: firstly, our deep commitment to uplifting marginalized communities and fostering economic empowerment. Secondly, that we are more than just an organization; we are a community built on shared aspirations and mutual support. And finally, that our work is driven by a genuine belief in the potential of every entrepreneur, regardless of their background. We are here to provide the tools, the knowledge, and the community to help them thrive and build a more equitable future.”

We’d love to hear the story of how you built up your social media audience?

Our social media audience growth story is quite serendipitous, in a way. It began with a simple desire to connect business owners across different geographies. I innocently started a Facebook group, envisioning a space where entrepreneurs from every state and a few international locations could come together to share insights and support each other. To my pleasant surprise, people started finding the group organically. I believe this was driven by a genuine need for connection and a desire to learn from peers.

To foster engagement and provide value, I consistently offered free classes and webinars within these groups. My focus was always on providing actionable insights and practical knowledge that members could immediately apply to their businesses. This consistent delivery of value, coupled with the inherent desire for community among entrepreneurs, fueled our growth.

What started as an online phenomenon has now beautifully transitioned into real-world connections. I proudly say that I now ‘download’ my online members through networking events. These offline gatherings provide invaluable opportunities for deeper connections, collaborations, and a stronger sense of community that transcends the digital space. I also created and host an event called the Black Business Ball for the past 5 years which helps bring together and celebrate Black Owned Businesses all over the country. Blackbusinessball.com.

For those just starting to build their social media presence, my advice would be:

Focus on genuine connection and community building.
Provide consistent value by sharing informative, engaging, and actionable content that genuinely helps your target audience.
Be authentic and transparent: Let your personality shine through. People connect with authenticity. Share your story, your values, and your passion.
Engage actively with your audience by replying to comments, answer questions, and participate in conversations. Show that you care about your community.
Be patient and persistent: Building a strong social media presence takes time and consistent effort. Don’t get discouraged by slow initial growth. Keep showing up and providing value.
Identify platforms where your target audience spends their time: Don’t try to be everywhere at once. Focus your energy on the platforms where you can best connect with your ideal audience.
Offer opportunities for interaction and community building: Like I did with the Facebook group, create spaces or initiatives that encourage your audience to connect with each other and with you.
Don’t be afraid to experiment: Try different types of content and strategies to see what resonates best with your audience. Analyze your results and adapt accordingly.
Think beyond just online engagement: Consider how you can translate your online community into real-world connections, as we’ve done with our networking events. This strengthens the bonds and creates a more impactful community.

Do you have multiple revenue streams – if so, can you talk to us about those streams and how your developed them?

Yes, Black Business Enterprises has a supplementary revenue stream through our physical office space in Minneapolis. Recognizing the needs of our diverse membership, we’ve intentionally designed our office to be multi-functional. It serves not only as our operational hub but also as a dynamic venue, offering:

The Black Business Ball, our largest event of the year which helps us bring in revenue
Event Space: Hosting workshops, seminars, and networking events for our members and the wider business community.
Virtual Office Services: Providing a professional business address and mail handling for entrepreneurs who may not need a full-time physical presence.
Co-working Space: Offering flexible workspace options for individuals and small teams.
Registered Office Services: Serving as a formal business address for legal and compliance purposes.
Meeting Space Rentals: Providing professional and accessible meeting rooms for members and external clients.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://blackbusinessenterprises.org/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/black_business_enterprises/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BLACKBUSINESSENTERPRISES
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/black-business-enterprises/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCkSzb2cJsYjaJOntLYLImoQ

Image Credits

Tp Photo Studios