Minority Startup Challenges & Solutions | Kristy Jackson

Описание: In this episode of Stuck? Time to Improv!, Mary Scott from BusinessRiff sits down with Kristy Jackson, Executive Director of the Center of Innovation and Entrepreneurship (CIE) at Harris-Stowe State University, to discuss the real challenges minority founders face—and how to overcome them.
Kristy shares insights from her personal journey as an entrepreneur and her work supporting Black and Brown business owners in St. Louis. The conversation explores common barriers such as access to capital, knowledge gaps, market validation, and the critical role of mentorship and sponsorship in building sustainable businesses.
They also dive into how CIE’s programs, including the 24-week Next Level Business Incubator, are designed to support early-stage entrepreneurs through:
Business and performance coaching
One-on-one mentorship
Community building for solopreneurs
Practical, reality-based entrepreneurship education
Kristy explains why culturally aligned mentorship matters, how resources like SCORE and SBDCs fit depending on business stage, and why supporting entrepreneurs holistically—skills, mindset, and community—is key to long-term success.
🎯 If you’re a minority founder, early-stage entrepreneur, or ecosystem builder, this episode is for you.
👉 Learn more about CIE programs and events:
Culture & Commerce Fair:
https://hssu-cie.startuptree.co/event...
📞 Want to grow your startup faster?
Book a call with Mary Scott at 👉 https://businessriff.com
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