Danielle Douglas is the CEO of Inspire Enterprise, helping business owners adapt to new obstacles they may face.
Inspire Enterprise is a boutique business advisory firm that focuses on building the capacity of businesses owned by minority women to not just sustain, but also grow.
“I see myself as an advocate,” said Douglas. “About one to two percent of Black-owned businesses are actually awarded those contract opportunities that can be a leverage tool for business owners to grow and begin to create lasting, sustainable businesses.”
One success story that Douglas noted is Dawn Kelly of the Nourish Spot in Jamaica. Kelly participated in the StreetWise MBA Amplify Queens Program, a seven-month capacity-building program for small business owners in the Southeast Queens community.
“She took everything she could get out of that program and she applied it to her business,” said Douglas. “And now, Dawn just got a phenomenal contract.”
Douglas also founded the nonprofit organization Council for Black Business Enterprises, which works with major stakeholders to increase the number of black-owned businesses getting procurement contracts in the government and private sector.
Douglas also hosts the Black Business Owners Forum annually to help Black business owners learn the importance of adaptability.
“The principles are the same, which is to connect business owners to information that they can apply to their business immediately,” said Douglas. “To resources, as well, that they can use in a very practical way, and networking opportunities so attendees can establish strong relationships with business and government representatives.”
The Black Business Owners Forum is on October 14. To register, visit whova.com/web/bbof_202110.
