Victoria Traylor has big hopes and big dreams for the future, and now hopes the Quad Cities Chamber of Commerce’s Minority Business Summit will help her accomplish those big dreams.
“I want to do some networking today and meet people. …. I’m also a vendor here today. I want to showcase my business,” said the owner of Cafe Noir Bookshop.
That bookshop is an online and pop-up business. Currently, Cafe Noir offers virtual workshops, sells bags of coffee beans online, operates as an online independent bookstore, and Ms. Traylor sets up a booth or table at festivals and fairs across the region.
But the Rock Island woman believes in growth. Someday, her online business might expand into a storefront. Ms. Traylor hopes some of the lessons learned at Wednesday’s summit will help her with that business growth.
She said Wednesday’s event was very helpful and useful.
“This year’s keynote speakers made a point to address the fear that entrepreneurs have when pursuing their business goals and this was something I could resonate with. I felt connected to the first keynote speaker, Abena Sankofa Imhotep, because of her work to provide access to diverse literature to children and being a Black woman navigating the literary space in the Midwest. The summit was a great networking opportunity because I was able to connect with Abena and make plans since our missions align,” Ms. Traylor added.
Gallery
The Rock Island woman was one of about 100 people from the local business community who attended the Minority Business Summit to make connections, learn lessons and find ways to be better businesses.
James Porter, vice president – small and minority business with the Quad Cities Chamber, told the audience at Wednesday’s summit that he hopes they find the subjects and lessons useful. He added that he wants to see them grow and prosper because “you are the heartbeat of the economy.”
Some of the subjects presented at the summit included: access to capital; accounting essentials; navigating government contracts; digital transformation and marketing; and AI for small business.
Also, two keynote addresses were presented by Abena Sankofa Imhotep, award-winning author and activist; and Vanessa McNeal, transformational coach and national speaker.
Making connections
Many of the business owners and leaders participating said they found the event valuable.
“I want to learn and develop new skills. …. I also want to meet people to help my business,” said Laniya Miranda, who owns the graphic design business Sweet MonYas.
The East Moline woman added that she hopes some of the lessons she learned will help her business grow.
Also attending was Sebastian Mireles, the programs and operation manager for the Greater Quad Cities Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (GQCHCC). The Hispanic Chamber was one of the 20 or so exhibitors at the summit. The GQCHCC was handing out information on its work in the community.
Mr. Mireles, who also attended some of the workshop panels and keynote addresses, said he hoped to make some business connections during the day. He hoped to connect with more business people and tell them about the GQCHCC’s work, goals and helping businesses grow.
“I would like to see the community come together. … We work better together,” he added.
The goal of helping businesses grow was one of the key points made by Ms. Imhotep during her morning keynote address “Radical Enterprise.” The Des Moines woman said that a major part of her presentation was to help people get past many obstacles and move from just having good ideas to building an empire.
She said the many lessons presented at the summit will help entrepreneurs build those business empires because it “dares us to think bigger.” One of the top lessons she presented to the audience was the goal of getting over fear of turning ideas into reality.
“Fear is just a thief who has studied you. … It whispers to us ‘don’t move,’” she said.
Ms. Imhotep also told the audience: “Radical Enterprise begins with a choice to start. … Bet on yourselves even when the data says not to.”
Ms. Traylor said the messages presented by Ms. Imhotep might inspire to grow her business.
“I do have hopes of expanding my business and opening a storefront. I would love to have a storefront in Rock Island were people can have access to diverse books. In this space, I would be able to serve the Cafe Noir Bookshop brand of single origin coffee, along with food, and host events as part of our offerings. I envision a space were book lovers, coffee enthusiasts, and creative people can come together and enjoy specialty coffee and support inclusive literature in a culturally rich environment,” she added.
