Welcome to another solo episode of the Dear Black CEO podcast with your host, Karl Sona!

Today I open up with a question I want you to have on your mind as we dive in: why did you get into Business? Whatever your reasons may be, I believe that a strong “why,” the reason for your business’ very existence, is the driving force behind your impact in the market. In this episode, I’ll break down the importance of understanding your value in the marketplace and challenge us to deepen that value to figure out how to create opportunities for minorities. 

Tune in to the conversation, and let’s start deepening our value in the marketplace.

[00:01 – 05:55] Opening Segment

• Welcome to the show; I talk about our focus over the last couple of weeks
• I introduce the topic for today’s episode
• • Why did you get into Business?
  • Everyone may have a different answer, simple or complex
  • I go through potential reasons why someone may do Business 

[05:56 – 16:01] Deepening Your Value in the Marketplace

• At the end of the day, we are in pursuit of happiness and life 
• • That happiness can be connected to generating revenue 
  • Getting services and solutions into people’s hands
  • For many, it’s about freedom
  • Customer satisfaction is another driver 
• The importance of defining your value in the marketplace, questions to answer
• • What problem do you solve, and who are you solving it for?
  • What is the magnitude of that problem? 
  • Where does your market value derive from? 
• I give an example from Black Enterprise
• • 85% of black-owned businesses are single owned
  • We need to grow to the level of creating jobs for other minorities 
  • Framing it as an American Perspective/Problem
  • What if we created more opportunities? What would happen?

If you are a black business owner looking to grow your revenue, listen up. There is a major revenue-generating opportunity for you, and The Kas company is here to help you secure the bag. The Kas Company is a black-owned alliance agency specializing in finding and brokering partnerships between black-owned companies and big brands looking to diversify their supply chains.

• See the link below to book your free consultation today.

[16:02 – 30:21] Tapping into the Opportunity to Build Up Minority

• We have an opportunity to build strength in numbers 
• • Black businesses are rising exponentially
  • How we can help each other scale 
• We need to start challenging our mindsets
• • We need to shift our mindset - we are thinking too small
  • We are doing too many things and losing time to focus on building 
  • We focus too much on lack instead of what we can create 
• Find things in your control and maximize them
• Going back to your “why”
• • It’s not about having the answers but finding them 
  • You need to have the resilience to stay in the game
  • Where are you positioned to give strength to the market? 
• When the dust settles, what side of history are you going to be on? 
• • Will you be the Business that finds the gaps and fills them?
  • If not you? Then who?
• Final words

Tweetable Quotes:

“I feel that for too long we have thought far too small… Our mindset has been so focused lack versus opportunity; so focused on what we don’t have rather than what we can create.” - Karl Sona

“Business is not about having all of the answers; it’s about being willing to stay in the game long enough to go find the answers.” - Karl Sona

“Are you going to be the business that never was willing to shift your business model, or are you going to be the business that was daring enough to say, ‘You know what, there is a real hole and gap in the marketplace.’” - Karl Sona

Resources Mentioned: 

• How to Remain Optimistic About the Year Ahead - Episode
• Black Enterprise: Black Business Development

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Let’s connect! Find me on LinkedIn, Instagram or check out my website http://karlsona.com/. And The Kas Company to find out more about my coaching program. Feel free to reach out to me at [email protected] with any questions. 

You don’t have to be anyone other than who you are to be a world-class CEO!