Tell us about your business!
The New England Informer is a monthly newsmagazine which informs, uplifts and educates women and the Black community. We are in a quarterly print version and a website version. We have writers across the country and those in celebrity status who believe that our community is our focus.
What inspired you to start your business?
I saw in Massachusetts a lack of Black news being disseminated. I wanted to fill that void and build on it.
What did it entail to get started?
To get started it took a lot of work, determination and strong will because in Massachusetts a Black educational tool is neither wanted nor needed.
Describe your typical day at the office.
My typical day at the office entails waking at 5:00 am and getting all the news for the day prepared and uploaded on the website. Then I head out to a daily job so I can keep the business ahead. After that, I return to the business headquarters, head out for a day of sales and marketing the business around the state of New England which means 5 surrounding states. I return to the home office to upload any daily news or information of importance and I return at 1:00 am to start again.
How has your business grown or changed since its inception?
My business has grown from a Regional New England paper and small website to a global website and a quarterly print version. It went from 3 national writers to over 40 national writers. As well, my business has developed collaborations with organizations across the country from Alzheimer’s in Massachusetts to Voices For A Common Cause in California.
What has been your greatest challenge along the way?
My greatest challenge has been trying to fight from being destroyed mentally and being forced out of the media market in Boston. I say this because my experiences have caused me to write a biography. I have had my business stolen; my community not support me, have been blackmailed and lived as if I was in the movie of the week. I lived with fear and depression throughout the inception and development of my business, especially due to the hands of my own sisters.
What has been your greatest reward?
The greatest reward is every month when I wake up and upload another month of resources, I receive a thank you e-mail from anywhere across the country. Then I know I am doing what I am supposed to do no matter how challenging.
What’s your vision for the future of your business?
I am working on a spring Women’s Business Expo to bring 1000 businesswomen together. And then to bring N.E. Informer to Black Talk Radio or Television. I am not known enough to set my goals for a national opportunity but definitely I am working for a local resource.
What words of wisdom can you offer to other sisters who want to bring their passion to life as you have? Stay strong. We believe that our greatest challenge is financial resources. But it is not; our greatest challenge is each other. As sisters we must support one another and uplift each other for no one is going to do that except us. We become so confident that we think we can do it all at any expense and that expense in the end is much too costly. I know.
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