BUSINESS

Black Women Founders: Build Slow, Learn Fast

Austin, TX, USAWed Mar 12 2025
Mark Cuban, a billionaire businessman, knows a thing or two about building successful businesses. He's made his fortune by investing in growth-oriented companies. His net worth is now estimated at 5. 7 billion dollars. He has some advice for Black women founders. He says, "Don't look for funding. " He believes that Black women founders should focus on building their businesses using sweat equity. This means using their own time, effort, and resources to grow their companies. Cuban understands the challenges Black women founders face. They are three times more likely to be rejected for funding than white business owners. Only 2% of venture capital funding in the United States goes to female-only founding teams. Cuban believes that founders can use this challenge as an opportunity. They can learn more about the financial side of their business. This way, when they are ready for a loan, they won't be taken advantage of. He says, "You can't rush it. " He warns about predatory lending. Some lenders take advantage of people who don't understand finances. They offer loans with bad terms. Cuban isn't the only one with advice for Black women founders. Tabitha Brown has some words of wisdom too. She encourages founders to pursue their dreams, even in tough times. She says, "If you're dreaming of it, if you think about something more than twice in a day, you're supposed to do something with it. " She believes that everyone has a purpose. She advises founders to take it one day at a time. Even small steps forward are progress. Cuban's advice might seem tough. But it's important to remember that he's talking from experience. He's seen what works and what doesn't. His advice isn't just about money. It's about learning, growing, and building a strong foundation. It's about not rushing into things and making sure you're ready. It's about being smart and protecting yourself from predators. It's about believing in yourself and your dreams. It's about taking action, even when things are tough.

questions

    What resources are available to help Black women founders improve their financial literacy and avoid predatory lending?
    How does the advice to avoid funding align with the reality of the funding gap faced by Black women founders?
    How can entrepreneurs better understand the language of lenders to improve their chances of securing funding?

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