Craving home-style food one night, D’Andre Good found a gap in the market. This led to the birth of Urban Goodz, an E-commerce marketplace delivery app that supports Black-owned and minority-owned businesses. From clothing to food and hair products, Urban Goodz promises quick delivery within 50 miles within an hour.
Good’s journey involved hard work, community support, and a bootstrap beginning. His advice is to have confidence in your business to attract investments. His aim is not just to profit but to uplift the Black community.
The racial reckoning following the Black Lives Matter movement motivated Good to start Urban Goodz. He believes in building up communities, not exploiting them.
Here are insights from Good and other local business owners on lessons learned and advice to future entrepreneurs:
Just start, don’t wait for perfection
Good emphasizes starting a business without waiting for perfection as the hardest part.
Fund it right: accelerators and loans
Good’s participation in accelerator programs and receiving mentorship and investments allowed his business to expand.
Using social media to generate leads: marketing knows no place or time
Social media played a significant role in the success stories of Wattree and Phillips in marketing their businesses.
Research your business and industry
Conduct thorough research and propose solutions. Confidence and posture are vital while pitching to investors.
A business plan
Plan diligently, allow room for adjustments, and seek mentorship and advice from seasoned entrepreneurs.