If You Don't Have A Team, Then Recruit

So I watched that piece on NEWBOs last night on CNBC and I have to say, I was thoroughly impressed by the way it was put together.

Not to be confused with the organization, New England Women Business Owners, NEWBO's as coined by Lee Hawkins of the Wall Street Journal, refers to the New Black Overclass. It might take some getting used to, but I'm sure this term will make it into the national vernacular in no time. We are no longer relegated to just lower, middle, and upper-class.

This new Black Overclass, refers to a generation of self-made African Americans who have achieved a level of success that dwarfs that of most others in their respective industries.

Last night's show profiled Lebron James and his 3 three partners in LRMR Innovative Marketing & Branding, Kirk Franklin (gospel music), Terrell Owens (football), Torii Hunter (baseball), Robert Johnson (RLJ) and the Williams Brothers of Cash Money Records. There were a host of others who had cameos including, Russell Simmons, Sean Combs, Lil Wayne, and Melody Hobson.


Above and beyond each of their stories and how they came to reach the level of success they obtained, what sticks with me is the team of people they each must have around them to achieve their goals and maintain their wealth.

If one seeks to be a NEWBO, your team must also be in the same mental plane. Vision by itself is copper. Vision coupled with talent is silver. However talent, teamed with vision and management is gold. But if you want to go where others have only dreamed of, it takes an exceptional team of people to mine acres of platinum and diamonds.

The objective here is not to count millions or diamond rings, but to highlight the achievement of these individuals and show the possibilities of what creating generational wealth can do. The great grandchildren of Sam Walton (of Walmart) will never have to worry about funding their education, that worry has been eliminated from their consciousness. Although most of the wealth that is being created in Black America, is concentrated in the sports and entertainment world, it doesn't mean that there are not Blacks in medicine, publishing, law, journalism, real estate, hospitality, and every other field. If managed and organized properly, the combined wealth of today's NEWBOs - when combined with political access - could open plenty of doors for generations to come.

Jay-Z once said that: "All us blacks got is sports and entertainment, until we even Thievin, as long as I'm breathin / Can't knock the way a nigga eatin - fuck you even!"

However, that was in 1995. Jay-Z himself has attained certain levels of wealth that most Americans will never see, but despite is musical talent, his business acumen has been honed by choosing the right team members and partnerships. Roc-a-fella was/is not a one-man show.

So as you ponder your route to success, start putting your team together. You might not be able to approach it as the Steinbrenner's do the Yankees (by throwing money at the best), but you can still seek out those with talent that share your vision.

If you don't have a team, it's time to start recruiting.

-whatdabusinessis.com