BIRMINGHAM, Alabama — Birmingham native Jarvis Escott and Chaundra Davis of Mobile are targeting a lofty goal with their new venture, Blacksouth business.com.
They are trying to create the largest online directory of black businesses in the South. The partners, whose website went live in February, hope Blacksouthbusiness.com will become “the one stop source” for anyone desiring to reach out to the Southern black consumer.
“We’re building a new and fresher way for people to get connected,” Davis said. “No matter the race or background of any business, if they are looking to increase clientele as well as reach the urban market, this site is the way to go.”
THE ENTREPRENEURS
Chaundra Davis, 31, has more than 10 years of broadcasting and marketing experience. Prior to starting the business, she served as video news editor for WBRC Fox 6.
Davis also spent five years as claims processor and supervisor for Keahey Law Firm in Birmingham and video news editor for FOX 10 WALA in Mobile. She has a bachelor’s degree in journalism from Troy University and an associates degree in mass communications from Faulkner State Community College.
Jarvis Escott, 31, graduated from the University of Alabama at Birmingham in 2003 with a degree in marketing. At UAB, he worked with various student organiztions at UAB and interned at Saks Inc. and UAB Health System.
After college, Escott did marketing work at social networking companies First Friday’s Birmingham and Amani Raha. In April 2007, Escott founded First Impressions Marketing Group LLC, a company specializing in event planning, promotions, market research and consulting.
THE IDEA
Escott says he got the idea for the Web site from Birmingham entrepreneur Darrius Peace of Hayah Cosmetics, a former classmate at UAB. Though he recognized the need for a site catering to the urban community in Birmingham, Escott said he was hesitant to take on the project due to time constraints as he is busy running his marketing company.
After sharing the idea with his friend and current business partner, Davis, they decided to join forces and take on the project. The two spent most of last year coming up with ideas and plans for the new site, which launched in February.
Companies can list their address, phone number, Web site and email address for free.
So far, 400 businesses from Alabama , Mississippi, Tennessee and Florida are listed on the site, and Davis says they plan to reach out to companies in other Southern states.
Escott and Davis said they generate revenue from Blacksouthbusiness.com through selling advertising.
THE CHALLENGES
Their main challenge, like most new businesses, is lack of capital. Davis and Escott financed the business themselves.
Another hindrance is educating folks that though named Blacksouthbusiness.com, the site is not just for black-owned businesses, but open to any company targeting black consumers.
Finally, Escott said, they have struggled to educate some people about the need for a website catering to black business and consumer issues. The site allows users to contribute articles and is striving to become a forum for folks to share opinions about issues important to them, from business to entertainment and politics, Escott said.
“Our ultimate goal is to get Blacksouthbusiness.com’s name known in the community,” he said.
THE PLAN
Escott and Davis want to build Blacksouthbusiness.com into the largest directory of black-owned businesses and companies targeting urban consumers in the South.
To drum up interest in the Web site, Escott and Davis have been networking and promoting Blacksouthbusiness.com through face-to-face meetings, word of mouth and via social media sites like Facebook and Twitter. Since February, the site has had more than 200,000 visitors.
“We want Blacksouthbusiness.com to be the ultimate resource guide for businesses and consumers to connect within the urban community,” Davis said. “With its unique design, deals of the week, business directory, job postings, business ads and daily chat forums it will allow you to fill connected.”
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