Welcome to Breaking the Blueprint — a blog series that delves into the unique business challenges and opportunities faced by underrepresented business owners and entrepreneurs. Explore how these individuals have grown or scaled their businesses, pursued entrepreneurial ventures within their companies, or created successful side hustles. Let their stories inspire and inform your own path to success.
For many Native entrepreneurs, the biggest challenges in starting a business are not active discrimination, but rather generational disadvantages stemming from past discrimination and newer obstacles like limited access to credit and capital, as well as issues of discoverability and scalability.
Despite these challenges, many Native and Indigenous entrepreneurs are finding ways to overcome and succeed in their ventures. I have reached out to these entrepreneurs to gather insights into their experiences and advice on navigating these hurdles. Here’s what they had to share:
Top Challenges Faced by Native & Indigenous Entrepreneurs
In a recent survey, respondents were asked about their three biggest challenges:
56% pointed to financial issues such as raising capital or budgeting, 33% cited growing and scaling their businesses, and 24% highlighted the difficulty in marketing and building awareness.
1. Financial Challenges
According to Heather Fleming, executive director of Change Labs, accessing capital has long been a challenge due to land laws and lack of reliable internet for e-commerce growth in Indigenous communities.
Chad Johnson, founder of The Akana Group, emphasized the need for specialized financial programs for Native entrepreneurs to address the lack of credit access and scaling costs.
2. Getting the Word Out and Building Awareness
Justin Quis Quis of Sacred Bev emphasized the importance of strategic marketing and focusing on product uniqueness to build awareness and attract investors for growth.
3. Growing and Scaling
Scaling a business requires financial planning, strong connectivity, and a clear vision for investors, as emphasized by Quis Quis and Fleming.
Cherish the Little Victories
While the journey of Native entrepreneurship may be challenging, the rewards are significant. It takes patience, perseverance, and a long-term vision to succeed. Accessing resources, seeking mentorship, and collaborating with other Indigenous businesses can provide invaluable support along the way.
Remember, every step forward is a victory worth celebrating in the journey of entrepreneurship.
