This week on The Urban Business Roundtable, UBR Contributor Dywaine Betts Jr. talks with Frank Kendrick and Tim Jackson, partners and co-founders of Lakeland, Fla.-based NuJak Construction, one of Florida’s fastest growing construction and property management companies and the 2010 Black Enterprise Small Business of the Year.
Kappa Alpha Psi fraternity brothers Kendrick and Jackson are an excellent example of two people pooling their skills, knowledge, talents and resources to from a fruitful partnership. Headquartered at the epicenter of Florida’s high-tech corridor, NuJak serves Tampa Bay, Central Florida, North Florida and South Florida, specializing in the design and construction of commercial facilities for religious, educational and financial institutions. The company also provides construction management, general contracting and real estate services thought-out the State of Florida. Kendrick and Jackson join the Roundtable for a tag-team discussion about business partnerships and the amazing growth of their company.
Also on the Roundtable, UBR Contributor Samantha Pass speaks to life coach Casandra Roache, founder and president of InspireMany.com, about how to get through the holiday shopping season without taking on more debt–or more stress. Also known as Coach Cass, Roache specializes in working with women entrepreneurs, and is focused on equipping people with the tools of accountability, planning and support to make progress toward their goals.
In my Alfred’s Notepad segment, I announce a major change for The Urban Business Roundtable: a new host! That’s right: This is my last show as the host for the Roundtable, after three years of bringing you the stories, news and views that impact your business growth and success. But don’t worry–I’ve left the show in excellent hands. It’s my pleasure to introduce the new host of the Roundtable, author and consumer researcher Pepper Miller. Miller is  CEO of The Hunter Miller Group and the author of Black Still Matters in Marketing: Why Your Cultural I.Q. About Black America is Critical to Your Company and Your Brand. A proven entrepreneur and a true business expert, I can’t think of a better person to succeed me as host of UBR. In the meantime, rest assured; I will always be a member of the WVON Family and I’ll be cheering for Miller and UBR with every new show in 2013 and beyond.
And finally, every week on UBR, you’ll get motivation and inspiration from author and entrepreneurial icon Farrah Gray, a weekly wrap-up of business news from USA Today business correspondent Charisse Jones, our Patient Investor Report from Khoa X. Ho
of Ariel Investments and key economic intelligence for small business owners from our UBR economists Derrick Collins and Rasheed Carter.If you have a question you want answered or a topic you want addressed on The Urban Business Roundtable, connect with me at BE Insider, the social media network for people who are serious about Black Enterprise. You can also find me on Twitter and Facebook.
Alfred Edmond Jr. is the senior VP/editor-at-large of Black Enterprise and the host of The Urban Business Roundtable, a weekly radio show, sponsored by Ariel Investments, airing CST Wednesdays at 8:30 a.m., Thursdays at 6:30 p.m. and Saturdays at 9:30 a.m. on WVON-AM 1690, the Talk of Chicago. You can also listen live online at WVON.com. Check back each week for UBR Spotlight, which features additional resources, advice and information from and about the topics, entrepreneurs and experts featured on the show.
SAVE THE DATE for the 2013 Black Enterprise Entrepreneurs Conference + Expo hosted by Nationwide, May 15-18, at Columbus Convention Center in Columbus, Ohio. Expect innovative sessions, high-powered speakers, and an early peek at the products, trends, and services you’ll need to stay ahead of the curve. Nominate your company or an outstanding entrepreneur in your network for our Small Business Awards! Also don’t miss the chance to enter our Elevator Pitch Competition to compete for $10,000 for your business. To find out more, visit www.blackenterprise.com/ec/