On the latest episode of Basic Black, host Chris Collins spoke with four entrepreneurs and business owners of color on how they have endured through the pandemic. The panel will also provide advice to other business owners on what they did to pivot during the COVID-19 crisis, when many businesses have struggled or closed.
Joining Collins for this episode are Kobie Evans, owner and founder of Pure Oasis, a cannabis shop in Dorchester; Cheryl Straughter, lead chef and co-owner of Soleil restaurant in Roxbury; TJ Douglas, co-owner of The Urban Grape in Boston; and Nia Grace, owner and operator of Darryl’s Corner Bar and Kitchen Restaurant in Roxbury.
Early in the show, Grace touches on having to make the necessary business model shifts to keep her restaurant open for business. "I've got 46 different households that depend on us, " she says. "An entire community that looks to us. So, we didn't have time to pause. We just had to take the next option and that was doing takout for us."
Later, Douglas provides some advice for other aspiring entrepreneurs of color. "No one is going to come up and give you an opportunity," he says. "You have to make your own path."
Watch the latest Basic Black episode here.
