Empowering Black entrepreneurs
Becoming a trailblazing entrepreneur isn’t just about building a business — it’s about shaping industries, creating opportunities, and making a lasting impact. In this edition, Nancy Korsah shares key insights to pioneering a successful business.
Coming from Italy with Ghanaian roots, Nancy Korsah shares that her entrepreneurial journey was deeply influenced by her father, a businessman whose resilience and resourcefulness left a lasting impression on her. Watching him build something from nothing instilled in her a belief that business could be a tool for empowerment and financial freedom.
However, it wasn’t just familial influence that shaped her path. It was also a defining moment of exclusion that would inform her entrepreneurial mission. “When I moved to Minneapolis, I worked with the same employer. When I went to the building, the security guard would not let me in. He said I did not look like I belonged there,” Korsah recalls.
She says that moment of rejection was a turning point. “It’s not that feel-good story that ‘Oh, I’m learning all this financial literacy and I’m going to share it.’ No. The story was people like me were looked at as less than, and [to them] I didn’t look like I belonged in an expensive building.”
She says that experience fueled the creation of Black Business Enterprises (BBE), a community-driven initiative dedicated to supporting and uplifting Black entrepreneurs. But launching BBE was no easy feat. Nancy balanced a full-time job, often working up to 12-hour shifts, and then devoted her evenings and weekends to building the organization.
“On weekends, I would dedicate every spare moment,” she says. “I worked nearly 20 hours a day between my full-time job and building this [BBE] just so that it could become something. And it did,” Korsah shared in a podcast episode of “Always This Good.”
The entrepreneurial mindset
Korsah’s story is a testament to the power of visionary thinking. She says she saw an urgent need within her community for resources and guidance for Black entrepreneurs, and took action.
“My inspiration for entrepreneurship began when I moved to America from Italy. I quickly realized the abundance of opportunities available here and how business could be a powerful vehicle for financial freedom. Witnessing firsthand how entrepreneurship could lift people out of poverty deeply resonated with me.”
Korsah self-describes her approach to DEI and business as “unconventional.” Rather than following existing models, she designed BBE to specifically address the barriers Black entrepreneurs face. “I was determined to figure out what I could do to help people of color do better and just figure out what it was we needed to do to not be seen as if we didn’t belong.”
She says she recognized that many struggled with securing funding due to a lack of proper documentation and compliance knowledge. To bridge that gap, she created workshops and consulting services that walk business owners through the process, increasing their chances of success.
Over the years, BBE has expanded to its own brick and mortar location in downtown Minneapolis. Now, business owners can use this space for co-working, hosting events, conducting meetings, and consulting with subject experts as it pertains to growing their enterprise.
Membership offerings include, but are not limited to, web and brand development, content creation, virtual assistance, exclusive access to the BBE social media platform, as well as free initial and annual business filing.
Taking risks, creating change
Korsah says trailblazers understand that risk is an inherent part of growth. She says she took a significant leap of faith by launching BBE without external funding. “I invested my own resources into building something that focused on supporting minority-owned businesses, knowing that if I could prove its value, success would follow.
“At the time, there were many uncertainties. Would business owners trust my guidance? Would I be able to create sustainable revenue streams? But I believed in my vision and knew the need was there.
“By taking a strategic approach — focusing on relationship-building, offering exceptional value, and gradually expanding my services — I was able to turn that risk into a thriving enterprise. Today, I’ve helped countless business owners gain funding, navigate regulations, and scale their companies, proving that taking the leap was the right decision.”
Korsah acknowledges that no entrepreneur succeeds alone. While trailblazers are known for their independence, they also recognize the power of collaboration. She has built strong relationships within her community, fostering a network where entrepreneurs can support one another. She also prioritizes mentorship — both receiving guidance from industry leaders and offering her own insights to up-and-coming business owners.
“I believe in paying it forward by sharing my knowledge and experiences,” she says. “Feedback is crucial, whether from clients, peers, or my team. Growth comes from continuous improvement.”
Defining a legacy
Nancy Korsah’s journey from an exclusionary encounter at a corporate job to leading a movement of empowered Black entrepreneurs is nothing short of inspiring. Her resilience, innovation, and dedication to community-building have made BBE more than just an organization — it’s a force for change.
When Black business owners come together and recognize each other’s accomplishments at the Black Business Ball (hosted by BBE), this sentiment is further solidified. “This was such an amazing night. I loved networking and getting to know the business community!” said Tetee, owner of Africa’s Fine Designs, as she recalled the Black Business Ball of 2024.
With the right mindset, collaboration, and willingness to take risks, Korsah believes that anyone can become a leader in their industry and redefine what’s possible for future generations.
For more information on Black Business Enterprises, visit their website at blackbusinessenterprises.org or stop in at their downtown location: 1128 Harmon Pl., Suite 200, Minneapolis.
