ARE YOU A BLACK BUSINESS OWNER THAT IS READY TO UPGRADE and GROW YOUR BUSINESS?
Are you are a Black business owner that is serious about laying or re-laying a strong foundation for growth for your business, based upon “tried and true” business success principles?
Would you like to be in a “For Us/By Us” Black business cohort with other Black business owners, where the cohort Program design, as well as the Facilitators and Guest Presenters are all seasoned Black business owners with track records of success?
If you answered YES to one or both of these questions, then you’re invited to take full advantage of a unique, NEW 8-week business cohort called the B. U. S. (Business Upgrade System) Black Business cohort, brought to you by Masterminds Unlimited. READ ON to get the full details and to claim your spot.
We invite you to Get on the B. U. S!
The Masterminds Unlimited B. U. S. cohort program intentionally targets and is designed for Black business owners.
The Masterminds Unlimited B. U. S. (Masterminds Unlimited Business Upgrade System™) uses the trademarked “3-M” approach – Mindset, Marketing and The Math (The Money) – crafted by award-winning business and community leader, Debrena Jackson Gandy. Gandy is Founder and President of Masterminds Unlimited, an award-winning, Black-owned, Seattle-based, 25-year old company; Founder of the ELEVATE Empowerment Movement, and the ELEVATE Direct Impact Dollars Black Business Initiative.
WHY WAS THIS APPROACH CREATED?
As an organizational development and personal development company, Masterminds Unlimited has worked with Fortune 200 companies, leading regional companies, top universities, non-profits, and has trained and coached over 500 small and micro-business owners (businesses with 10 or fewer employees).
Jackson Gandy draws on these business experiences, working with both large, medium and small businesses, in the design and the content of the B. U. S. cohort program.
As a 3rd-Generation Black business owner, Debrena has seen the power of business ownership and growth from the front seat and from the front lines. Before she started her own company, she interned in her family business, starting in the summers when she was still in middle school.
As the Chief Designer and Team Lead on two successful regional Black business grant initiatives, she and her team personally reviewed over 500 applications. These 500+ applications told a story, and also illuminated the “blindspots,” gaps, “under-developed areas,” and challenge areas unique to Black businesses.
If you’re a Black-owned business that has officially been in business for two years or more, then you’re invited to apply for and consider joining us for the powerful DEBUT of a unique 8-Week Black business cohort that is all about helping you upgrade and grow your business – the Masterminds Unlimited Business Upgrade System™ (B. U. S.)
WHAT SETS THE B. U. S. 8-Week Cohort for Black business owners apart?
01
Supports Black business Growth
The content of the Masterminds Unlimited B. U. S. is a trademarked “3-M” Model in that it is designed to address and support Black businesses in upgrading and growing, with direct expertise from a line-up seasoned Black business owners that understand the unique challenges Black-owned businesses can encounter.
02
For Us/By Us
The B. U. S. Approach is unique because it’s a “For us/By Us” Program - FOR Black business owners, DESIGNED by a Black business owner, and LED by successful, seasoned Black business owners
03
We Get It!
You can count on me, the other Facilitator and the Guest Presenters we’ve lined up, to meet you where you are, speak your language, and be able to relate to you the journey of being a Black business owner. WE GET IT!
04
straight-forward 3-M Approach
In this cohort, we bring you back to what matters most for micro-enterprise business growth. And we will keep it straight-forward and as uncomplicated as possible.
We’re here to help and guide you in fortifying the foundation of your business, in a collective of other Black business owners that share the same commitment.
This cohort is designed to help you anchor foundational, tried and true business success principles using our simple but impactful trademarked 3-M approach. This 3-M approach is based in the three Pillars of:
- Mindset (there are 4 aspects to this),
- Marketing (marketing is the fuel behind what creates new customers and grows your revenues)
- Money (knowing your numbers, how to plan for growth, creating and understanding your Profit and Loss financial statement).
05
Mindset
We start with Mindset, and we don’t assume a CEO or growth mindset is already in place. We teach 4 Mindset aspects that support business growth. Mindset is often the “invisible” culprit that is hindering business growth. We consider this an essential part of a successful “infrastructure” of a growing business.
06
Accountability
Inside the cohort, there will be the opportunity for break-out sessions on select cohort calls, so that you can engage with other business owners, and also hold each other accountable
07
Active "Work ON" Time
There will be relevant “homework” between sessions so that time between sessions is active “work ON” time for you and your business, and not dead time
THIS COHORT IS FOR YOU IF.....
- You look forward to being in a cohort with other motivated Black business owners, and being trained, supported, guided and coached by other seasoned successful Black business owners who look like you and can relate to you.
- You desire to be in a cohort with other like-minded small business owners who are ready to roll up their sleeves to work ON their business, not just IN their business
- You are ready to have help and guidance in fortifying your business for growth, from those who can relate to you and your business
- You want to better understand foundational business success principles, and in a way that you can apply and act on what you learn.
- You want a more solid business foundation or to further solidify the one you already have.
- Your business has been stagnant and you want to lay a foundation with better planning, actual strategy, and that stimulates growth.
- You are ready to invest in yourself and your business because you know it will convert into a Return on Investment.
- You want to increase your “Business IQ” and understanding of what leads to actual growth in your business
- You want to have a plan and approach for sparking growth in your business
We invite you to
Get on the B. U. S!
Who’s Eligible?
If you’re a business owner that yearns to learn from others who look like you and who are willing to share their wisdom, knowledge and expertise to support you and your business’s growth, then this is for you.
Whether you are in-State (State of Washington), or out of state somewhere else around the country, you can participate in this virtual cohort program.
If you are a Black business owner (full-time or part-time) officially in business for 2 or more years, you can register.
WHAT WILL WE COVER, AND WHAT WILL YOU GAIN FROM BEING IN THIS B. U. S. COHORT?
The basis of the B. U. S. is a focus on three main categories of topics. We call these the “3 M’s” – MINDSET, MARKETING & The MATH (the MONEY)
Here’s a VISUAL overview of this 8-Week B. U. S. cohort journey:
Guest Presenters are featured in Weeks 6, 7 and 8.
THE B. U. S. PROGRAM DESCRIPTION AND STRUCTURE
The program is organized around the 3 M’s: Mindset, Marketing and the Math (Money)
We will convene each week, on Wednesday, for 8 weeks.
Cohort Dates: Wednesdays, 3/19, 3/26, 4/2, 4/9, 4/16, 4/23, 4/30 and 5/7
All Cohort times: 6:00 – 7:30pm PST/9:00 -10:30pm EST
MEET YOUR CO-FACILITATORS and GUEST PRESENTERS
CO-FACILITATORS
I am delighted to join forces with four other seasoned Black business owners for this journey. Together, we represent nearly 105 years of collective business experience.
Debrena Jackson Gandy
Creator and Lead Facilitator of the B. U. S. Cohort
Jackson Gandy is Founder and President of Masterminds Unlimited, an award-winning 25-year organizational and personal development company. Jackson Gandy is a 3rd generation entrepreneur, getting her start in her family business in middle school, as a summer intern. Both her parents owned their own businesses (a legacy from grandparents) and then joined forces to build one of Washington State’s most successful Black-owned businesses, in the 1980’s and 1990’s.
She went on to become a Regional Vice-President in her family business, in the telecommunications division, with a focus on sales and regional growth, before opening her own company. Prior to working for her parent’s company, she garnered top sales awards at AT&T.
Since then, she has become a nationally published best-selling author, keynote speaker, world traveler. She’s worked with Fortune 200 companies such as State Farm and
AT&T, leading regionally-based companies such as Boeing, Nordstrom, Columbia Hospitality, University of Washington, and Puget Sound Energy, as well as federal, state, county and city government, community colleges, non-profit organizations such as the YMCA, the YWCA, the United Way, and also with hundreds of small and micro-enterprise businesses, as a trainer, consultant or business coach.
As a direct result of her experience training, consulting, speaking to and coaching hundreds of small business, being a business coach for the past ten years, working with hundreds of Black business owners, and leading two successful Black business initiative projects, she’s has first-hand experience with the distinct challenges that Black business owners can face.
Over these past four years alone, her company has generated over a million dollars in revenues. And with one employee (herself), and her small team of indie contractors.
Jackson Gandy believes in keeping things as simple and uncomplicated as possible, so that you don’t get overwhelmed. She will shedding more insight on her business philosophy and approach to running her business, in the cohort program.
Gandy is a graduate of Pepperdine University in Southern California, with a major in Business Administration, and a minor in Marketing.
Her business is based in Seattle, where she lives with her husband. They have three wonderful adult daughters.
Her website: www.MillionDollarMentor.net
Edward Newbins
Co-Facilitator and Operational Support
Newbins, CEO and Founder of Motivated Life, has teamed up once again with Masterminds Unlimited, now for this cohort project. With over 25 years of experience teaching, coaching, and consulting with Black organizations and small businesses, Newbins specialize in creating opportunities that empower entrepreneurs to build sustainable wealth. With expertise in finance, marketing, intellectual property, and auditing, he is passionate about helping Black-owned businesses access the resources, strategies, and capital needed to thrive.
Newbins has built tangible assets, crafted high-impact marketing campaigns, and provided consulting expertise that has resulted in bringing over $246 million in economic opportunities for Black and underserved communities across the Seattle area and throughout the United States.
With degrees in Information Systems from the University of Washington Foster School of Business and an MBA in Finance and Marketing from Seattle University Albers School of Business and Economics—he knows how to drive real impact. In addition, his experience with top companies, the federal government, and various high-level consulting positions with black led organizations and small businesses, he has the unique understanding on how to provide real value to small business owners.
GUEST PRESENTERS
Keisha Credit
Entrepreneur, “Kreative” Innovator and Exellence Seeker
Entrepreneur, “Kreative” Innovator and Exellence Seeker – known for her passionfor helping, uplifting and educating Black-owned businesses, Keisha is a successful serial Entrepreneur (Wigs by Lucke, Business Bestie). Keisha brings 13 years of business experience, and expertise using social media to build successful brands.
Abby Joseph
Owner of Serenity Financial Services
Abby Joseph, Owner of Serenity Financial Services, is more than just an accountant—she is a dedicated financial partner. Since founding the firm, Abby has been committed to helping business owners transition from entrepreneurs to confident CEOs by providing personalized bookkeeping, accounting, tax advising, and wealth management services. This includes evaluating your optimum form of business entity and helping you simplify financial processes.
Lewis Rudd
Owner of Ezell’s Famous Chicken Chain
What started over 25 years ago as a chicken restaurant with his friend, has grown into the brand, Ezell’s Famous Chicken under Rudd’s leadership – Ezell’s is the 2nd largest Black-founded and Black-owned restaurant chain in America. Fun Fact: It gained new traction and became famous when Oprah mentioned it on the Oprah TV Show “back in the day,” after experiencing Ezell’s during a visit to Seattle.
REGISTRATION DETAILS
Registration for the cohort is limited to a total of 24 cohort members. Your spot is considered claimed once your registration payment has been made.
Cohort Dates: Wednesdays, 3/19, 3/26, 4/2, 4/9, 4/16, 4/23, 4/30 and 5/7
If you have a Coupon Code to apply, you will enter it at registration check-out.
What does my REGISTRATION Include?
- 8 weeks of relevant business training, mentoring and consulting from seasoned, successful Black business owners
- Your 8-week journey provides 12 hours of active teaching, learning, engagement, training, consulting, and coaching
- We will convene each week, on Wednesday, for 8 weeks,
- The Cohort convene time is: 6:00 – 7:30pm PST/9:00 -10:30pm EST
- Access to the Masterminds Unlimited Strategic Alliance resource list
- You’ll receive a B. U. S. Workbook that will be your companion during the 8-Week journey (digital copy will be emailed)
- Break-Out sessions on select cohort Calls, with other participants. Break-Out sessions also support accountability, and the sharing of knowledge, resources and reflections
- BONUS: During the cohort, we’ll also introduce you to the Masterminds Strategic Alliance resource list of vetted Black-owned businesses that provide services and products that can support your growth.
REGISTRATION CLOSES Monday March 17, 6:00pm PST/9:00pm EST
The Investment
The VALUE for this journey is $5,995.
However, we are making it available for $595 for all 8 weeks. We are also applying a $300 scholarship to your registration investment for ALL cohort members. This reduces your investment by an additional $300.
This scholarshipped portion of the investment is being made possible by a business grant we received. We’ve decided to pass on a portion of it to you by reducing the investment by an additional $300 per registrant.
This reduces your $595 investment by $300 when you apply your scholarship, for a total investment of only $295.
If you have a coupon code to apply, that additionally reduces your investment. The coupon code is applied at check-out.
Questions? Please email us at [email protected], and put B.U.S. in the subject line. You may also call the Masterminds Unlimited office at 206.878.8163.
We invite you to
Get on the B. U. S!
Investment: $595 $295
If you have a COUPON CODE to apply, you will enter it at check-out.
BUSINESS UPGRADE SYSTEM™
