This partnership will enhance both the BusinessZone and the Standard’s abilities to showcase local businesses and share business strategies.
By Blake Carter
The BusinessZone, which is a weekly podcast hosted by Crystal Mitchell and Gilbert Buchanan, and the Los Angeles Standard Newspaper’s Business section have very similar content, so it made sense for the online radio show and newspaper to join together to inform residents in South Los Angeles about business resources.
Mitchell and Buchanan recently featured Los Angeles Standard Newspaper Publisher Jason Lewis on their podcast, which is recorded at Morris Media in Leimert Park. The group spoke about business strategies for entrepreneurs and business trends in South Los Angeles.
“It was a great experience to appear on the BusinessZone,” Lewis said. “The Standard is the first business that I’ve started, and Crystal and Gilbert gave me some good advice to help this newspaper grow from the business side. They also gave me a lot of story ideas for the Standard’s Business section. They’re extremely knowledgable about local business and creating wealth.”
Recently the BusinessZone has featured George Fraser, author of “Race for Success: The Ten Best Business Opportunities for Blacks in America;” Anna "Queen" Tutt, a realtor at Berkshire Hathaway; D’Shaun Booker, CEO of Maximizing Your Magnificence; and Constance Anderson, Pacific Coast Regional’s Director of the Small Business Development Center.
“We bring in a number of professionals, residents, and corporations from our community, and they talk about what their needs are, and what you need in order to do business with them,” Mitchell said.
The BusinessZone covers topics such as business readiness, contract readiness, and bank loan readiness. A strong business plan can guide a small business to success, and The BusinessZone covers that in depth. Another reoccurring topic is how to obtain funding to operate the business.
“There are a lot of nuts and bolts, but it’s an easier animal if you have a direct plan,” Mitchell said. “You need to know the first step, then the second step, then the third step, to make sure that you are going to be successful.
“You have to be business and contract ready. What that means is, your business has to be running properly. You have to have a solid foundation, a structural foundation. Hopefully you have enough capital. If not, there are some opportunities that you can find funding.”
Both Mitchell and Buchanan have been in the business industry for over 20 years each, and they have taught many business classes over the years.
The BusinessZone and the Standard will not only share content, they will also host networking events and business workshops.
The show is broadcast live on Friday afternoon from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. PST, and it can be listened too online after the show is over. For more information about the BusinessZone, visit their website at www.thebusinesszonewithcrystalandgilbert.com, find them on Facebook, and watch their past shows on YouTube.