When d-mars.com President MR. D-MARS created the Black Industry Experts Directory, he envisioned much more than just an online phonebook. The directory was created in hopes of creating a space where Black entrepreneurs and business owners can find each other and work together to create something special in the city of Houston.
“We want people who are Industry Experts in their field to understand that they are a leader in the community and have influence,” MR. D-MARS said. “We have an obligation of sharing like-minded values and coming together for the greater good of our community.”
Still in its infancy, the directory is becoming just that: a community. Or if you ask MR. D-MARS, it’s a fraternity or sorority; a place where Black business owners can look around the room and say, “They’re an Industry Expert just like me. You can definitely trust working with them.”
”We’re starting a movement: Black Economics Working,’” MR. D-MARS said. “When we understand the statistics and the history of us working together, our community have always grown. We had a chance to come together and share our thoughts and processes.”
The “chance to come together” was this past April when d-mars.com hosted its very own Private VIP Networking Reception held for members of the Industry Experts Directory. The event was completely free and accessible to only members of the directory — a perk that many organizations don’t offer.
“If you ain’t in the room, you ain’t going to be part of the deal, and this is a very powerful room,” Derrick “D-Reck” Dixon, CEO of Wreckshop records, said of the event. “I would tell anybody, if you do get a chance to network with similar like-minded Black Americans that are trying to push forward, make sure you’re present.”
Held at The Ballroom at Tanglewood, the networking event served as an opportunity for members to finally be in the same room together at the same time. Many shared business opportunities, made contacts, and others were just happy to be in a place where they could meet those who made it all possible for them from the beginning.
“I’m excited because we have to of the real industry experts, living legends, Attorney Ricky Anderson and Benjamin L. Hall, two amazing attorneys I look up to,” Rodney Jones, Managing Attorney & CEO of The Rodney Jones Law Group P.C. said. “To be able to be here and hear them speak is great. I have learned from them, but I’m always learning throughout this, throughout my time, and growing in this industry.”
Anderson, Owner of Attorney Ricky Anderson PLLC, and Dr. Benjamin L Hall III, two people that MR. D-MARS himself looked up to, held a panel that night with MR. D-MARS as moderator. Just like the essence of the directory, they discussed the importance of working together with other members of the Black community.
“We have to realize who we are and how powerful we are and what we can do,” Anderson said. “If we’re intentional, it’s endless what we’re able to accomplish. I was intentional wanting to have someone that looks like me to do business with me; not that anybody else can’t do it, but I want you to have that opportunity.”
This is why many, if not all, of the members of the directory have joined. Yes, it’s a great place to showcase your business and all its abilities, but first and foremost, you should be enthusiastic about the opportunity of forming real, genuine bonds with people like you.
“Since we’ve become an expert through the D-MARS program, we have met a lot of other highly motivated business owners who can utilize our services,” James Marshall, Jr., Owner & CEO of Marshall Wealth Management said. “So, for any businessperson who’s looking at an opportunity to network and reach out to other like-minded people, it would benefit them to make sure that they look into the experts program.”
While the mixers are a great opportunity to be in the room and get to know one another face to face, many there will still remind you that there is a lot of work to be done outside of these swanky, intimate settings.
It’s also important to recognize that, while it is powerful, the directory is still a tool that needs to be used. Just like you would love for others to be directed to the directory for the possibility of discovering your business, so, too, should you point them (and yourself) to the directory when a service is needed. Once you start thinking of it as your community, that’s when it truly flourishes.
“I have a home. I have a business. I need tax help. I need insurance. And now I know exactly where I can go to find top notch professionals who can get the job done,” Deshonda Charles, President and CEO of D. Charles Law Firm, said. “Being a part of this Black Industry Experts network is going to change the way I am able to service my clients when they’re asking me for professionals who can help them achieve whatever endeavors they have.”
If you’re not thinking like Attorney Charles, it’s not too late to start. And if you’re not a member of the d-mars.com Industry Experts directory, it’s not too late to join. To find a Black Industry Expert, or become one, visit IndustryExperts.d-mars.com.
