This article is reprinted from the National Urban League March newsletter--In the Black
AABDP is a highly selective six-month program designed for African Americans business owners who want to build sustainable companies that help to create employment opportuniies for the community. The representative from the Alumni Group this year was Osford Ogis, President & CEO of OCG Telecom. His comments to a audience of 625 individuals and companies are as follows:
OCG Telecom sells IT and Telecom Equipment and Software like Cisco, HP, Dell, and Microsoft to Federal, State and Local government customers. In November 2009, OCG Telecom entered the Urban League’s African American Business Development Program (AABDP) as a start-‐up with less than one (1) year in business and annual revenues of less than $5,000. Since participation in the Program, annual sales have increased to $ 141,000 in 2010, $ 441,000 in 2011 and $ 920,000 in 2012.
The Urban League has been critical to our success. I started the business with 12 years management experience at a Fortune 100 company but no experience managing a startup. The AABDP program provided me with very practical training on every aspect of running a small business from, marketing and operations to accounting and finance.
After graduating from the AABDP, we worked with our SBDC business coach Sheila Mixon to develop a Strategic Plan, a Business Plan, and to refine the marketing materials for our business. Moreover, we meet with Ms. Mixon monthly to ensure that we are on track to meet our goals. Ms. Mixon has also given me the opportunity to present my company to the Minority Business Accelerator (MBA) with hopes of becoming part of the MBA Portfolio.
As we grew and identified the need for an additional employee, Ms. Mixon suggested we interview a graduate of the Urban League’s ACE program. We hired the Urban League ACE program graduate and she has been a great addition to our staff, generating significant new business for the company within months of being hired. When we hire again, the Urban League will be the first place we look.
Ms. Mixon has helped promote our company by nominating us for posting on the Ohio Secretary of State Business profile web site and nomination for the African American Chamber Small Business Award. This promotion has helped with our rapid growth. Finally, we attend a monthly AABDP alumni meeting where we continue to learn from experienced
successful businessmen like Steve Hightower and Greg Battle to name a few. In additionwe share ideas, give advice and provide moral support to our fellow AABDP Alumni.
successful businessmen like Steve Hightower and Greg Battle to name a few. In additionwe share ideas, give advice and provide moral support to our fellow AABDP Alumni.
