BBET Celebrates Its 4th Anniversary
It all began in the midst of a global pandemic. Mega Ace Media, LLC was positioned for a strong launch in 2020 after years of dedicated effort. Then, Covid-19 struck, bringing everything to a standstill. Contracts were canceled, events postponed indefinitely, and despite being in a promising position, our business came to a grinding halt.
That’s when the Tallahassee-Leon County Office of Economic Vitality (OEV) stepped in. Deputy Director Darryl Jones personally reached out, urging us to apply for a small business grant. Securing that funding allowed us to pivot from an in-person event model to a hybrid approach. With over 40% of Black-owned businesses shutting their doors within 90 days of the pandemic, we were among the fortunate few able to adapt and survive.
Support from our local chambers of commerce played a crucial role in this transition. The Big Bend Minority Chamber of Commerce (BBMC) provided an additional grant through its partnership with Walmart and later hired us to assist with their initiatives. Meanwhile, the Greater Tallahassee Chamber of Commerce kept us informed with invaluable resources, helping us navigate the uncertainties of the pandemic.
By November 2021, we were deeply moved by the number of Black-owned businesses forced to close. Determined to make a difference, we decided to share our blueprint for survival. That vision gave birth to the Black Business Expo Tallahassee. Partnering with
OEV was the catalyst that brought this idea to life. With access to The Moon—one of the city’s most advanced venues—the inaugural 2022 event was a resounding success. Hundreds of business owners, from construction firms to restaurants and cleaning services, gathered to learn how to strengthen their operations. Thanks to our dedicated sponsors, we raised $10,000 in grants for Black-owned businesses that year. In 2023, that amount increased to $15,000, a figure we’ve proudly maintained.
Though hosting the expo is a labor-intensive endeavor with no financial gain for us, the rewards are immeasurable. Seeing city and
county governments unite with local business leaders to empower Black entrepreneurs is a responsibility we gladly embrace. Growth starts with unity and knowledge, and the Black Business Expo Tallahassee is honored to be a driving force in that progress.
We are elated that at today’s event, we will eclipse $50,000 in grants since we began. It is a testament to the resilience of the Black business community as well as the positive general business environment in the Big Bend. This endevaor simply would not be possible without the support of local agencies and businesses who partner with the expo.
Thais and Vaughn Wilson, Mega Ace Media, LLC. and BBET Founders
YOLoNDA BOWMAN ja’baree allen
Business: Blackberry Mimosa
Area of Specialty: Private Chef | Catering & Events
Latest Project: January’s ELC’s Color Me Blue event was an incredible experience! I’m also excited about my ongoing partnership with Amicus Brewing Ventures, which will open up fantastic opportunities in 2025.
Advice for small businesses: Understanding your customers and prioritizing relationship-building is essential to setting your brand apart. Delivering quality and consistency should always be a top priority. Don’t be afraid to network and collaborate— it can open doors you never expected!
Business: Phusion AI
Area of specialty: Artificial Intelligence
Latest Project: Custom GPT’s and Voice Agents for Consulting firms and real estate agencies that help cut time to respond to government solicitations by 60%. Voice agents allow real estate firms to focus on showings, closings and other business critical task while the agent calls leads and schedules appointments.
Advice for small businesses: AI is your opportunity to affordably scale if done right. Take advantage of the opportunity to grow your business. Partner with a firm that can help you implement safe and effective AI tools.
giavona williams terrance L. Barber renee williamsWALTER
Business: Grova Creative Area of specialty: Brand Development, Creative Marketing, Digital Strategy & Business Growth
Latest Project: Most of our projects are ongoing because marketing and brand storytelling never stops!
Advice for small businesses: Effective marketing is about connection—understanding your audience’s needs, pain points, and desires. It’s not just about putting out a well-designed piece; it’s about crafting messaging that resonates, sparks engagement, and drives action. A beautiful design means nothing if it doesn’t communicate the right message to the right people.
Business: Working Class
Wednesday. Community Development Director at Loyalty Credit Union Area of specialty: Networking and Connections Financial Empowerment, Professional Development.
Latest Project: Extended Working Class Wednesday across the Panhandle.
Advice for small businesses: When resources are low you must learn to be resourceful. The people you meet are all potential resources. Your character is just as important as your product or service so always do good business. Building relationships and connections is essential for success. Remain teachable through all phases and remain a student in your endeavors.
Business: CareerSource
Capital Region
Latest Project: On March 20th I’m hosting the Growing Forward Employer Resource Luncheon designed to equip local businesses with practical strategies and key resources to prepare for natural disasters and unexpected disruptions. As we’ve seen over the past few months, being prepared isn’t just an option, it’s a necessity.
Advice for small businesses: 1.) Stay Ready, So You Don’t Have to Get Ready 2.) Leverage Community and Government Resources
3.) Collaborate & Ask for Help the Right Way
The Big Bend Minority Chamber of Commerce (BBMC) seeks to strengthen and infuse the local economic and entrepreneurial ecosystems by providing the support needed to empower, stimulate, grow and sustain business enterprises owned and operated by women and minorities. The BBMC works to fill the gaps in opportunities for these targeted groups by providing a comprehensive menu of programs and services.
Princess Ousley: From disaster to success
Princess Ousley has never shied away from a challenge. In fact, when she launched Elite Business Strategies in 2011, it was designed to run toward disasters, not away from them. Her company specialized in emergency management, community engagement, and advocacy consulting, focusing on disaster recovery efforts.
Over time, Ousley recognized the need to diversify her business to stabilize the unpredictable nature of disaster recovery. “In 2017, I expanded into maintenance and repair operation supplies,” she explained. “We focused on high-demand commodities following storms—generators, blue tarps, and other emergency essentials.”
Her expansion took shape after Hurricane Sandy in New York when she was tasked with sourcing generators. While working on procurement, she connected with manufacturers and distributors, which ultimately led her into the broader world of supply chain management. Interestingly, many of the same suppliers offering emergency equipment also provided office supplies—a connection that would shape the next phase of her business. During this process, Ousley partnered with
Grainger, which introduced her to a network of Black female suppliers in Arkansas. These women were supplying a wide range of products, from emergency equipment to office essentials. Seeing an opportunity, she traveled to Arkansas to shadow their operations.
“While I was there, they offered me the chance to start under them and build my own product division,” Ousley recalled. “That’s how My Elite Products was born.”
When asked about her decision to pivot and expand her business, Ousley emphasized the importance of adaptability. “It was about survival. If I had only relied on emergency services and consulting, I might have had to close my doors,” she admitted. “Government funding for disaster recovery can take anywhere from 18
months to three years to be approved and distributed. I needed something with a faster turnaround, and selling products provided that stability.”
Beyond business strategy, Ousley also shared a key lesson for Black entrepreneurs: the importance of strong banking relationships.
“I didn’t realize how crucial it was to have the right financial partner until later in my journey,” she said. “Looking back, I believe I could have scaled faster if I had aligned with the right bank earlier.”
From disaster recovery to supply chain entrepreneurship, Ousley’s journey reflects the power of adaptability, networking, and financial strategy in building a resilient business.
BUSINESS OWNERS:
• A tangible personal property “TPP” return must be filed annually listing all equipment used to operate a business.
• April 1 is the filing deadline.
• Each return is eligible for an exemption up to $25,000, if filed on time.
• Returns may be filed by mail or online.
I L L U M I N A T I N G C H A N G E
