Black History Month Featured Entrepreneur — Beverly Mahone

by deannatroupe

This week’s featured entrepreneur for black history month is Beverly Mahone…
Take it away Beverly.

Beverly Mahone

1. Tell me about yourself and your business.

I actually have two businesses that kind of feed into each other. The first is BAM Media, which is a media consulting business. I help boomer women learn how to market themselves and their products/services to the mass media. The other component is Boomer Diva Nation. This is an organization that connects boomer women around the world. I use my media expertise to promote them in their various endeavors. But each one of us brings some unique experience and knowledge to the group.Through BDN, we have created Boomer Diva TV, which I am extremely proud of.

2. What made you decide to start this business?

After spending more than 25 years in radio and television news, I decided I could take all of that knowlege and work for myself. I have gained tremendous experience over the years and am happy to share it.

3. What advice would you give to someone who was starting a brand new business?

HAVE A PLAN. I wouldn’t recommend going into any business without doing some research. That means identifying your market, knowing your competitors and being able to sell yourself. I believe the key to having a successful business is knowing how to sell yourself.

4. What do you like the most about working for yourself?

I can call my own shots and work as long or as short as I want.

5. What do you like the least about working for yourself?

Sometimes I do put in a lot of hours—going above and beyond the call of duty. I also work weekends to make sure what needs to get done—gets done by the designated time.

6. What challenges have you faced because you are a minority entrepreneur?

I try not to focus on the “minority” aspect. I know there are some people who will be reluctant to work with me because I’m female or African-American, but my attitude is “I know my stuff and if you choose not to work with me, it’s your loss.”

Here are the other places you can find Beverly online…

You can connect with me on Twitter @BAMMedia or @babyboomerbev We also have a Fan Page on Face Book. Just look for: Boomer Diva Nation