Three Black CEOs turn obstacles into opportunities

V’Esther Goode turned her passion for cooking into a full-time food truck business. When the pandemic hit, the food truck sector ground to a halt. Instead of closing shop, Goode expanded into private catering and enhanced her business skills by taking free courses at Verizon Small Business Digital Ready.

Q: What does it mean to you to be a Black woman entrepreneur in this space?

I learned that I don’t have to be intimidated even though I see mainly non-Black owned food trucks. I started with $200. You don’t have to spend thousands of dollars. The goal is to service the needs of my people.

Q: What advice do you have for other entrepreneurs?

It’s going to be a rough road. You’re going to cry and want to quit—this is really the process of being a boss. So I say, pray for patience. Everything is on God’s time, not on our time.

Q: How has Verizon Small Business Digital Ready helped your business?

I thought I had social media down pat, since I built my business online. After taking the classes, I realized how I should reach out to influencers, how to get contracts to get bigger businesses, what times I should post, what times I should not post, and words I should use. One class also referenced the fact that you can’t do it all. So I have an assistant now. I also hired an accountant so I don’t have to worry about figuring this all out myself.

Watch and see how Verizon Small Business Digital Ready helped Goode take her business to the next level.

Verizon Small Business Digital Ready is a part of the Citizen Verizon plan to move the world forward for all. The free learning portal provides on-demand courses, personalized coaching, networking, planning aids, and grant opportunities for eligible learners. To sign up for Verizon Small Business Digital Ready, visit verizon.com/smallbusinessdigitalready

Tamara Hood and V’Esther Goode are members of the Verizon Small Business Advisory Panel and were compensated by Verizon.