By Freda Freeman
CORRESPONDENT
DURHAM – In light of an overall struggling economy, Give It To The People is continuing its efforts to help entrepreneurs start and grow their businesses.
“We’re a business service organization. Our job is to work with entrepreneurs and other business service providers. We look at what resources people need, where the trends are going and provide what people need to help them refocus on marketing, get more recognition and brand awareness or get more funding,” said Chisa Pennix-Brown, who runs the business with her husband, Montro Brown.
The Browns lived in Greensboro for 18 years before moving to Durham over two years ago. Pennix-Brown started her previous company, Lady Bizness, in 2008, and has been teaching other entrepreneurs how to grow their businesses for more than 15 years. When the Browns started Give It To The People in 2022, their first event was a small business conference.
“We were very intentional about our name; we wanted to give it to the people. When we decided to create Give It To The People, we realized there was a missing piece between entrepreneurs and business service providers who are trying to provide education and services to them, so we bridged that gap,” Pennix-Brown said.
“We started the Give It Get It Business Membership in January to say we’re the hub where business owners and business service providers can share their information and content, and meet each other online and also know what’s happening throughout the state. The membership is statewide, so you don’t have to be in one geographical location to find out what’s going on. Now that you know what’s happening in other places, you may want to go to those places if it affords you the opportunity to expand your business and reach that you have.”
LaTasha Best-Gaddy, of Infinity Bridges and a member of Give It To The People, has been associated with the organization for the past five years. She said it has helped her land valuable speaking opportunities, increased visibility through social media, and expanded her professional network throughout the Triad region.
“Give It To The People creates dynamic, well-curated experiences for business owners and service providers. Each event combines actionable business processes, meaningful networking and an energizing atmosphere, with great food and even better conversation. Their approach helps entrepreneurs gain marketing exposure, strengthen business sustainability and achieve measurable growth,” she said.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, entrepreneurs turned to Zoom to network and interact with other business owners. Although the pandemic is over, the Browns are still seeing a lack of in-person events.
“Real people still need real world interaction, so that’s what we provide with Give It To The People,” Pennix-Brown said.
Pennix-Brown said she finds it personally rewarding to help entrepreneurs make business connections. Give It To The People has planned several upcoming events before the year ends.
A free quarterly networking event is Oct. 22 at the Durham Hotel during the city of Durham’s Minority Enterprise Development Week, Oct. 20-24. The Browns are panelists during MED Week, which highlights the achievements of minority entrepreneurs throughout the state.
A Small Biz Showcase, spotlighting Triangle businesses, is Nov. 6 in conjunction with Candour House Apartments, 1050 Slater Road, to support entrepreneurs who live there as well as those in the Triangle. Business resources will be available in addition to opportunities to shop and support local business owners.
On Dec. 5, a Workforce in Action Business Luncheon will be held at E. Harvey Estes Conference Center, 1121 Slater Road, Durham. Held in partnership with Durham Workforce Development and co-sponsored by Give It Get It Business Membership and Infinity Bridges, Inc, entrepreneurs will learn how to use Workforce Development programs to boost their businesses.
For more information, visit giveittothepeople.com.
