Business and Finance
4 square tips to avoid leaving money on the table

As a newcomer to the Omega Psi Phi National Convention, Karla Spencer-George has learned lots from other vendors who’ve been in the industry for years. But when she pulled out her Square bank card reader, everyone was impressed by her ability to quickly process transactions using the device on her Android phone.
“I wish they would have used it instead of a traditional machining machine,” says Spencer-George, who worked as an electrical engineer at Lockheed Martin for 12 years before founding Liberation Clothing & Gifts, LLC in February 2010.
It sells merchandise promoting Black history and culture, including T-shirts, documentaries, books, calendars and paintings. Although the company’s business is primarily online, Spencer-George also sells its merchandise at Black Run events, comparable to national and regional Black sorority and sorority conventions, Black History Month fairs, science fairs, Juneteenth observances and natural hair symposia .
Spencer-George selected to use Square for events since it was faster and cheaper than a bank card processing machine. In any case, bank card payments can account for 35% to 65% of the products it sells. She learned that despite the fact that the Square device only cost $10, she could get it back once she arrange an account. It also helped that there have been no fixed monthly fees.
Additionally, Square allowed her to call regular customers without having to re-enter their email addresses or phone numbers to send them confirmations. She was also impressed by the plug-and-play features of Square’s software.
“Just connect the device to your phone or iPad and swipe,” says Spencer-George, who also studied computer science in college. “I also see the proven fact that transactions are paperless as a bonus for me and the environment.
Already an experienced seller, Spencer-George offers the following tips to make sure you don’t miss a sale:
Perform advanced on-site testing
“It’s necessary that my bank card payment processor runs easily. Whether your event is held at an out of doors trade show or in the underground, lower level of the exhibit hall, you will need to travel to the event venue and complete a test Square transaction prior to the event. If you might be unable to get to the event location upfront, please call your ISP to discuss coverage in that area. Additionally, if a spot offers secure Internet for industrial transactions, consider purchasing it.
Don’t stop at a single point of failure
To avoid falling victim to Murphy’s Law, use two mobile devices with Square software. This way, if one device dies, you’ll have one other one. I take advantage of each a Droid phone and an iPad. I take advantage of a wireless hotspot separate from my Droid phone for iPad. This will make your Droid phone take longer to charge. Finally, I’m bringing my laptop so I can use an old-fashioned merchant account if all else fails.
Charge all of your devices
Since you might not have access to electricity during the event, make certain to charge all of your devices the night before. Before each event, I charge my Droid phone, iPad, laptop, wireless hotspot, and portable wireless charger.
Use a stylus
Invest in a stylus for touchscreen devices. Let your customers sign transactions with a stylus as an alternative of their fingers. Using a stylus is more skilled and easier for purchasers to write.
Business and Finance
Tariffs can grow, but also a black strategy

With the rise in inflation and tariffs, black entrepreneurs don’t shrink with fear – they seem, strategies and support them forward. I saw it first hand on Tuesday evening in Russell Innovation Center for Entrepreneurs (Rice) in Atlanta, where dozens of black founders gathered on a powerful night of dialogue, combination and brightness based on solutions.
The event, a part of the continuing programming of Rice’s “retail readiness”, was greater than just a panel. It was a forum of survival – and a reminder that owners of black firms at all times had creativity and courage to adapt under pressure. At a time when economic winds are essentially the most difficult to hit products based on products, this community is predicated on strategy, not a shortage.
Tariffs have increased, but wisdom too
One of the essential challenges was the growing load of tariffs for imported goods that increase costs around the globe – from materials and packaging to international shipping. While the specter of economic uncertainty increased, the climate within the room was not panicked.
Asked in the event that they are afraid of growing tariffs, only a few participants raised their hands. But asked in the event that they feel influence, almost everyone did that. Instead of alarm bells, the conversation focused on solutions: improvement of logistics, taking control of the warehouse, limiting unnecessary expenses and re -assessing third party suppliers.
The prevailing message: be agile, not afraid. Panelists called us to regulate surgery before making drastic changes. The goal is just not to shrink in response to pressure – it moves smarter.
Thinking about a larger, no less
Another powerful? You have to redefine what “little business” really means. Many black entrepreneurs limit their scale from habit or perceived restrictions. But, because the panel noted, in response to federal definitions, a small company can employ as much as 500 people. This implies that we’ve got a place to dream – and constructing – constructing.
Terri-Nichelle Bradley, the founder, entered the home along with her own journey. Known for putting educational toys within the principal retailers, akin to Target, Bradley now opens her own brick store in Atlanta on May 14. It is a brave turning point that restores ownership in her hand-her story was a unique example of what it means to regain narrative and strategy.
“Black business owners do not need every answer right away,” she said within the room. “We just have to want to figure it out.”
Recovering the narrative of Dei
The conversation also concerned a hard truth: the rise in funds and guarantees of the corporate after 2020 is assumed. But the energy within the room was not bitter – it was focused. If external support dries, the reply is just not waiting – it’s best to focus again.

Panelists encouraged us to dual authenticity and a deeper reference to the communities that may already take us. This means consistently appearance, without floating and nurturing relationships with those that deliberately buy black, women and veterans.
It is just not nearly representation-it will devote property, self-determination and economic independence.
The evening ended with a high note with practical network activities. We were asked to avoid wasting two things: what we wanted and what we can offer. Then we exchanged this information with someone in the entire room. It was greater than a icebreaker – it was a plan.
The message was crystal clear: relationships are resources. And in such rooms, cooperation is a currency.
At a time when the headlines speak about recession and withdrawal, the entrepreneurs with whom I sat do the other. They should not waiting for saving or wonderful financing. They construct their future, one deliberate movement directly.
No panic. Just a goal. And a lot of power within the room.
(Tagstranslat) entrepreneurship
Business and Finance
Hope Operation celebrates the day of green socks

Operation John Hope Bryant Hope celebrated the end of the month of financial knowledge On April 30 with Green Socks Day Challenge as a visual option to emphasize the importance of financial knowledge.
As a nationwide movement, Hope Bryant and the stars of the corporate world, sport and entertainment supported the challenge of Green Socks Day, wearing live socks, stating: “Put your best foot forward.” In cooperation with Operation Hope, the initiative was supported by financial knowledge for everybody (FL4A) with a view to promote financial knowledge as national priority and gain adhesion in various state lines, strengthening people, organizations and communities to take crucial activities by supporting financial education for everybody.
Participants were encouraged to take a selfie or video in green socks and publish it in social media using the hashtag # Greensocksday. The quiz can also be available to people fascinated about assessing their financial skills. According to a press release, Operation Hope will probably be distinguished by green socks on the Times Square Nasdaq in New York.
While socks may be bought at Walmart locations, other firms supporting this initiative include the most important financial institutions, comparable to the American Bank, Trust and Huntington Bank. Other firms on board are iheartmedia, Delta Air Lines, MLB, MLS, NBA, NHL, Nascar, Nasdaq, Shopify, OpenAI and UPS.
Hope Bryant also received support from the US government at the starting of the annual celebration. Meeting with the Secretary of the Treasury Scott Bessent, two long -time colleagues emphasized the importance of financial education built into the structure of American life, discussing ways of deepening cooperation between private and non-private sectors with a view to extend access to financial tools and knowledge. “Too long, knowledge of finances was treated as a luxury,” said secretary Bessent.
“This is a necessity, just like reading and writing. John and I have been leveled in this for almost a decade and I am proud that I can stand with him in April and later.”
In addition to April, corporations, small firms and social organizations are encouraged to have interaction employees in the initiative by organizing events related to financial skills and pushing financial resources.
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Business and Finance
John Hope Bryant shares the rent into his own strategies

John Hope Bryant, founder and general director of Hope operations, recently shared his rent strategies, which in his opinion provide tenants with “dignity, possibility and grace.”
Bryant still conducts efforts to fill the gap in the field of racial wealth by promoting financial skills and increasing the ownership of a black house. Financial teacher he outlined compassionate and Surprising plan to assist tenants Not only construct your credit results, but in addition prepare for potential Financial difficulties. The entrepreneur was once “the largest owner of the minority of single -family houses in the country.”
- The tenants’ rent will likely be reduced by 10%in the event that they raise their creditworthiness from 600 to 700
- If the tenant maintains his place of residence for 18 months, he receives 1 month “Life Event Credit” for an 18-month term. This corresponds to 3 months of “free rent” in the event of monetary difficulties.
- Tenants are also in a position to borrow from the security deposit, paying off the money in small increases over time.
Hope operation has grow to be a number one organization non -profit Dedicated to financial reinforcement. Under Bryanta’s leadership, the organization facilitated over $ 2 billion in private capital to support home properties, small corporations and community development in underestimated areas.
Despite these efforts, black home properties remain much lower than in the case of white Americans. Black home owners from 2024 it accounted for 46.4% population. However, the total variety of houses is 65.7%, said Axios.
Bryant emphasized the importance of getting a house in Building generational wealth.
“The whole experience related to home properties is embedded in aspirative economic growth and creating wealth,” he said in the last post on Instagram.
Bryanta’s work with Hope operation still raises the black community. The organization equips individuals with knowledge and tools mandatory to realize financial stability and residential owner. He also divides financial strategies in its weekly podcast,
Due to the incontrovertible fact that efforts are in a position to bring a racial gap, Bryanta initiatives remain a central force in promoting financial skills and economic possibilities in black communities.
(Tagstranslate) John Hope Bryant
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