Entrepreneurship does not have a straight path. It can show up in the most unusual and unlikeliest of places. Oftentimes, the problems are present and the solutions are brewing in someone’s mind, waiting to be heard. 

For many of the entrepreneurs speaking at the Purpose and Possibilities panel held on February 2nd at the Ajax Convention Centre, the world of business was not in the plan.

The Whitby Chamber of Commerce held a joint event with the Afro Caribbean Business Network, Ajax Pickering Board of Trade, Canadian Black Chamber of Commerce, Clarington Board of Trade, Durham Region Association of Black Professional Entrepreneurs and Greater Oshawa Chamber of Commerce to celebrate the contribution of Black businesses to the Region of Durham.

Ryan O'Neil Knight, executive director of the Afro Caribbean Business Network encouraged the audience to follow the business idea brewing in their minds.

“Your idea is not stupid,” Knight said. “There are tons of people out there who could work with you and make your idea a reality.”

For Deidra Clarke, a Durham College student, the decision to start a business was sudden. Clarke is in the midst of launching D.I.A. Tribe, a clothing line with an accessible pocket for type 1 diabetics to put their pump or supplies. 

“I was pushed into the entrepreneurial space when I had no intention of starting a business. When I thought about it, I wanted it to be impactful. So, I began D.I.A. Tribe to help those like me,” Clarke said.

Clarke hopes to make an impact for other Black girls who also have diabetes. 

“Ever since I was young, I would look around and see the lack of people like me. That always made me feel like I wanted to be me without the diabetes. I didn’t have someone to look up to, so I want to be that person for other little girls now.”

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Starting a business can, however, be daunting for those who are new in the game. But Boyd Reid, Co-founder & CCO of Hop In Technologies, said connecting with mentors has helped him through his entrepreneurial journey. 

“Mentorship has been pivotal for me,” Reid said. “It was through that ecosystem that I learned to navigate through different situations.”

He hopes he can continue the chain of success by helping others new to the business world.

“My objective is to regurgitate what I’ve learned from my mentors and be the access for people who don’t have access to the greater good of mentorship.”

Another panelist, Kim West, owns Kids Swag, a brand that partners with other Black-owned businesses to source accessories and toys for children. Drawing inspiration from her two daughters, West encouraged the audience to pursue a business in anything they love. 

“Entrepreneurship to me is asking what I want to change,” West said. “What can I do to change, improve or enhance anything that you love or enjoy.”

However, once she entered the world of business, she quickly realized she didn’t have all the answers she needed. 

“It’s okay not to know. But it’s not okay to stay there,” West said. “Go out, and find the answers to your questions. And once you find the right people, it’ll make everything easier.”

Keynote speaker, Dr. Andrew Thomas, also emphasized relationship building. Dr. Thomas began his show, titled “The Dr. Vibe Show,” where he brings guests and discusses the Black male experience. 

“When you focus on making relationships, the best opportunities you will get is when you’re not even in the room. People will drop your name to others, and you will benefit,” he said.

In order to build trust and to network, Dr. Thomas advises all entrepreneurs to “teach more and sell less.”

Dwayne Morgan is a poet, spoken word artist and social entrepreneur. Through his parting wisdom, he shared with the audience how instilling Black pride in children is the first step to creating a safe and successful space for Black entrepreneurs. 

“My daughter forgets every cartoon but remembers every detail from [the 2016 film] Hidden Figures. Representation matters. It matters to see yourself reflected in the society you live.”

Between the panel discussion and speakers, the audience were given the opportunity to participate in round-table discussions to delve into the experiences others have had with entrepreneurship, purpose and possibilities in the business realm.

Judith Tait, a panelist and owner of Move Your Doggie began her pet-sitting business after 25 years of experience in policing. 

She gave every entrepreneur and aspiring entrepreneur a word of advice.

“Believe your intuition. Our intuition is there to protect and guide us. Everything you need is already within you.”