Small Business Owners Gained Insight At Business Summit

Former Chicago Bulls Player Carlos Boozer with Journalist Cassandra West. PHOTO BY JESUS J. MONTERO
Former Chicago Bulls Player Carlos Boozer with Journalist Cassandra West. PHOTO BY JESUS J. MONTERO

Small Business Owners Gained Insight At Business Summit

By Tia Carol Jones

Auriel Banister established Bani’s Beets in 2012. It was birthed out of health concerns. The mission of the health and wellness company is to provide quality juices, smoothies and food as a way to make a positive impact on the community.

Banister was one of many small business owners who attended the Chicago Bulls x BMO Inaugural Business Summit on Wednesday, Feb. 7th, at the BMO Tower, located at 320 S. Canal. Banister also is one of this year’s cohort of Black-owned businesses that were highlighted by The Bulls and BMO.

During the event, the small business owners heard from speakers who covered topics that included entrepreneurship, marketing, real estate and finance. Jason Mercer, Principal at Cleveland Avenue, Accelerator, Venture Capital and Consulting Firm, advised the attendees not to limit themselves and to think about personal and financial goals. Don C, Streetwear Designer, Co-Founder of RSVP Gallery and Just Don and Creative Strategy and Design Advisor for the Chicago Bulls, encouraged attendees to add value to a community and collaborate. Vachon Harper Young, Senior Regional Relationship Manager at BMO, talked to the business owners about the Zero Barriers to Business Program.

The Fireside Chat featured former Chicago Bulls Player Carlos Boozer and Journalist Cassandra West. Boozer is now a real estate executive who also owns small businesses and restaurant franchises. He talked about diversifying his portfolio and why he got involved in the businesses that he is a part of. He also talked about the importance of having a great team.

“When I decided to go into something different, like business, I wanted to hire people who knew the business better than I did,” Boozer said.

Banister went to the event with the goal of networking and exploring the possibility of collaborations with other small business owners who were in attendance.

“I really love the platform they’re giving small businesses, but I do think it is important that we as small businesses work together,” she said, adding that her hope is that after she attended the event, she would be able to work with some of the other small business owners.

Banister said the most valuable lesson she learned during the event was to truly embrace the idea of building relationships.

“I think when you’re an entrepreneur you sort of stay to yourself and not interrupt anyone or what they have going on.  I really got encouraged today to continue to build relationships,” she said.

Banister wants people to commit to healthy eating and living. She wants people who are looking for healthy food options to support her business. Bani’s Beets’ brick-and-mortar building is located at 10305 S. Hale and has been there for six years. For more information about Bani’s Beets, visit www.banisbeets.com.

Other businesses in this year’s cohort include Recycled Modern, DSC Vision Corner, Ette the Wedding Tailor and The Duplex.

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