"Don’t Quit." Advice for Rising Entrepreneurs From Elevate Memphis Business Leaders
A lot can happen in four years. Since Elevate by Grameen America opened its Memphis branch in 2021, it's grown by leaps and bounds. This past summer, thanks to a high number of referrals, its growth outpaced all of the other branches.
Since 2021, the Memphis Branch has supported 542 entrepreneurs, dispensing a total of $1.4 million across 852 microloans.
The business owners supported by Elevate have come a long way — but they're not done yet! Not only are they ready to continue growing, evolving, and expanding, but they want to support their fellow entrepreneurs to succeed. After all, Elevate means lifting each other up, not just ourselves.
To help inspire other up-and-comers in the Memphis area, we asked our members the following simple question: "What advice would you give to a new entrepreneur?" – and here’s what they said.
“Find something that they love, create the things that you like to do, and it will bring you peace. Don’t stop, and continue to grow as much as possible.”
Melody, Tillie's Teez
“1. Stay consistent 2. Show up for yourself 3. Invest in yourself.”
Bee Boujie Company
“Sometimes between your passion and purpose, you will have a hard time determining which one is best. Sometimes your passion will turn into your purpose, and I say you should just stick with it, and you’ll be successful in the end.”
Chavon, Y’Solutions Taxes
Make sure you’re doing something that you love. If you love to do it, it’s not work, it comes easily, and you won’t stop.
Doresa, Memphis Diamond MGMT
“Follow your passion; never give up. Someone is always there to answer your question. When you’re looking for new ideas and resources you can just reach out to entities around the city to ask for different things you might need. Never stop calling. Never stop asking questions.
Do something you love to do — that’s what will drive other people to see what you are doing in your purpose for serving the community.”
– Shaquinta, ALL (A Little Love) Home Care
“Find a club you can join. [At Elevate,] we’re a sisterhood, we band together, and we help each other. If you’re a male, find somewhere you can be with other people and help you strive. What you don’t know somebody else may know.”
– Cassandra, Divine Design and Decor
“Don’t quit. God gave all of us a talent, and he said to use it for his glory. So whether you can sew, you can grow, you’re a good speaker, you sell houses, you build bricks, you build buildings — whatever you have inside you, you can make it a business because your gift will make room for you.
Also, find some sisters. Having that means having people to help you build up your confidence level and give you strength.”
– Barbara, Enchanted Tea Lounge
“Find an accountability partner, someone you can trust that can help to hold you accountable. Sometimes, when you’re starting your own business you get intimidated, and it can be kind of scary stepping out there, so find someone who can push you.”
– Sharonda, DRS Custom Designs
“Just do it. Whatever drives you, whatever moves you. My passion that I’ve been doing for 21 years started at a very young age and I finally figured out how to get there — and I didn’t stop until I made it.
Keep going, definitely follow up. Don’t get discouraged if someone tells you no — it’s really a "not right now." Just keep coming back until they finally give you your ‘yes.’”
– Pamela, Independent Realtor Broker, Mortgage Broker, and Notary
“Research what you’re trying to do. Find out if there are classes you can take to learn more about your craft. A lot of times, you feel like you’ve been doing it so long, but there are always opportunities out here to improve your skills. A lot of them are free, especially with programs offered by the city and the county. Always try to get into classes and get into seminars, and always try to meet your councilmen. They have a lot of resources for you.”
Yevetta, Express Waterworks
Want to Find Success? First, Find Your Passions, Find Your Community, and Find Resources to Find Yourself
The words of wisdom revealed above show what it means to have the right community, the right support, and the right motivation on your side. Success is never guaranteed, but if you focus on doing what you love and leveraging your network, it becomes easier than ever to stick with it until you've found your stride.
For anyone who's ever felt that they're stepping into the business world all on their own, know that there are organizations like Elevate by Grameen America that can support you. Elevate members meet regularly in cities across the country to discuss their business plans, share knowledge and resources, and boost each other's ability to shine within their community. Your business may also be able to qualify for a microloan, so take the time to learn how you can step up and lean in to what the entrepreneurial world could offer you.
To learn more, visit https://www.elevate.grameenamerica.org/program. You can also sign up to receive regular updates, inspiration, and game-changing information directly to your inbox.
