Southeast Queens Based Networking Group Looks To
Expand The Net Worth Of Area Entrepreneurs
Expand The Net Worth Of Area Entrepreneurs
By Kamau Austin
Marsha Duke, once a 20 year resident of the Rosedale, section of Southeast Queens, New York, does a deep reflection on her mom a pioneering women entrepreneur. She feels her mom's industrious actions coming from Trinidad & Tobago, and establishing a number of beauty salons imbued her with the entrepreneurial desire she has in her soul.
Her mom started off as a nanny, she worked hard putting herself through cosmetology school and became a talented hair stylist, later on owning her own salon - which grew to a few. Ms. Duke shares “I know that seeing her work hard, manage her own time and building a business subconsciously penetrated my brain as a child, it left an impression on me that I was not aware of until my own desire to do the same manifested itself in me.”
Marsha goes on to embellish her inner reflection “That burning desire to work hard for myself, manage my own time and be my own boss has been within me for years now.” Very similar to her mom, Duke worked herself upward in life. She moved forward as a paralegal who worked on the legal matters for real estate deals, to handling her own home buying process, and to now making a living as a real estate salesperson. Marsha Duke states “she just loves the process” when it comes to acquiring real estate.
The ambitious real
estate professional chimes in “I’m an independent Real Estate
Agent at Century 21 Homes. I conduct real estate business from
word of mouth referrals and you can search for homes on my website
duke4homes.com
or on my Facebook page.” However, the proactive Duke isn't just
about her own sales and business success she wants to work with other business
people to help them reach more prospects and close business deals.
This
was a process
for her though. She realized her network was small in Queens, business
wise, and she wanted to expand her base of business contacts. Duke reveals her
conceptual development for her networking group simply called B.E.S.T
Networking Group. B.E.S.T.
stands for Building Business
Entrepreneurs Strong Together. She
adds “It was a bit challenging as my circle was small and all the
resources I found where not in Queens. So I decided since there was
not much of what I was looking for in terms of networking, I would
create it.
And so I created the B.E.S.T Networking Group, in February, 2017, to meet and network with other entrepreneurs. However, in doing so I developed a passion for supporting, encouraging and promoting entrepreneurs like myself. The group started growing and benefiting not just myself but other like-minded individuals that have the same passion as I do.”
The passion for
working with like-minded entrepreneurs obviously motivated Ms. Duke to
really want to develop a networking group that is a win-win for the
members involved in the organization. She states “My
desire for support turned into my fuel to have all entrepreneurs and
non-entrepreneurs support each other in business and to encourage our
community to support each other as African Americans.”
"I became the change I wanted to see in the world adds Marsha."
"I became the change I wanted to see in the world adds Marsha."
But what makes the
B.E.S.T. Networking Group, so unique - deserving of the name B.E.S.T.
we asked Ms. Duke? She respond “what makes B.E.S.T different is
the bond that we developed with each other at our monthly meetings. The group created a
team of cheerleaders for each of us. And each person refers and
supports each other’s business.
We want each other
to win, it’s not about any one person but about helping everyone to
grow, educate one another, share information and support each other
in business. True friendships arrive from that as well.
We are a family of
entrepreneurs. B.E.S.T provides networking as its true value, its not
just about exchanging business cards, its about building business
entrepreneurs strong together.” However the group
did have some challenges growing to its present success.
Marsha
introspectively reveals “some challenges I faced with the group is
being that it's new and people have an apprehension of new things,
they may not want to go on the journey while you are in the building
stage but are more inclined to take part once you are on the rise.”
She worked around
the initial apprehension she expresses “I think I’m able to ease
that by being constant and transparent with the group. As a group we
have made good progress and I know the group has helped entrepreneurs
by motivating and inspiring them.
Also and most importantly, we are
successful by providing a platform for business referrals, the
ultimate goal, as well as financial growth for our collective
businesses.” We asked Marsha Duke
what was the future plans for growth and development of the B.E.S.T.
Networking Group?
She replied “The future of B.E.S.T Networking
group is bright. Right now I’m working on expansion of chapters
in different boroughs.
The B.E.S.T Bronx Networking Group is in the works right now. A website to showcase entrepreneurs and to bring more awareness to their business is a goal.
Furthermore, I see
a mobile application in our future - and who knows even an office
space to host our workshops!” For more info or to
reach Marsha Duke or the B.E.S.T. Networking Group email, text or
call at 347-229-5604 or Visit Best Networking Group
Sponsor's Message Below
B.E.S.T Networking Group is a entrepreneurial and small business networking group for women and men. We network with entrepreneurs from start up to maintaining a successful business.
If you are interested in starting a business, in the beginning stages of your business or a small business owner, we are here to help you. Our networking group provides support, encouragement, business building workshops, business referrals and we host our own events to help promote our members. We have an online network and we meet monthly in Queens, NY to share knowledge, collaborate, and educate each other in business. For More Info Visit or Call: 347-229-5604
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