Today we’d like to introduce you to Brandon Elliott.
Hi Brandon, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
I started over 4 years ago, showcasing and highlight black owned storefronts around the country. Coming from the DC area where black businesses are abundant and easy to find, I set out on brining more awareness to those spaces across the USA. Now I have visited over 300 black owned stores, restaurants, cultural spaces, museums and other businesses types.
Also living in ATL for a couple years, it also showed me the true diversity of black business types. And that was truly inspiring.
Now residing in Northern California, where there are a lot of black businesses however not the big community like DC or ATL. My goal is to bring as many entrepreneurs into one space and give them opportunities to take the next steps to success.
Currently hosting twice monthly a black marketplace for entrepreneurs, business owners and non profits alike to create a resource hub that any and everyone can take advantage of.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It has not been a smooth road mostly due to this being a new city and not knowing who to turn to or how to get the word out about what all I’m doing for the community.
Coming from DC and being in ATL, there was no need convincing black people to support black businesses. Here in Sacramento, I find myself having to coerce the community to support their own.
Also finding space to host this market that understood and respected the mission and the value of it.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
The work I’m doing is pivotal to the overall success and growth of the African American community and how we see it.
Gathering resources for the community, showing there are alternative options we can take to see success.
Now that I have done this market 8 times, I’m proud of coming to this new city not knowing anyone, and creating a community that I love and value because of my proximity to business ownership and the diaspora.
I pride myself on not charging the small businesses any vending fee and I think that is what sets me apart from other situations. I want these young entrepreneurs to get as much out of this market as possible.
How do you think about luck?
In regards to luck, I don’t think it has played a role at all in this journey. Certainly some unfortunate circumstances but we overcame and currently sit in a better space as a result.
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