Universal Hosts 7th "Regional Power Breakfast"-December 2011

Universal Commercial hosted its 7th consecutive monthly "Regional Power Breakfast", honoring Memphis entrepreneurs V. Lynn Evans, Frank Banks, Melvin Jones, Juan Self, & Jimmie Tucker. These individuals serve as exemplary models of business leadership, service, and corporate citizenship. They were awarded the inaugural Dr. J.E. Walker/A. Maceo Walker "Entrepreneurial Medal of Honor", in dedication to this business pioneering family that founded both Universal Life Insurance Company and Tri-State Bank of Memphis. Both entities serve and continue to serve generations of Memphians for numerous decades, providing jobs and services that for so long were not afforded or available.

Started in June 2011, the Regional Power Breakfast has become a monthly staple for business owners, government decision makers, and economic development professionals, boasting insightful information and broad relationship-building opportunities for attendees.

2012 promises to be even more exciting.

Photos from the event can be found here: http://isaacsingleton.smugmug.com/Events/MBE-Power-Breakfast-December/20669172_2sSrhX#1639090908_SssxVD3

Universal Hosts 2nd Regional Power Breakfast (July 2011)

From the Commercial Appeal:


About a dozen years ago, concerns about his approaching retirement led Circuit Court Judge George Brown Jr. to pursue a new career.
Wanting to provide a lasting financial legacy for his family, Brown decided becoming a small business owner would serve him -- and them -- well.
"It wasn't that I had a business degree or any experience, but I wanted to leave something behind and the truth is, you can't leave your family a judgeship in your will," Brown said. "So I put together a good team, we bought an existing business and today we're doing OK."
In fact, Brown is doing better than OK. After purchasing Memphis Chemical & Janitorial Supply Company in 2000, Brown worked part time with the business until he retired from the bench in 2005. Since then, he's taken the company from yearly sales of around $500,000 when he bought it to more than $7 million in annual sales today.

He shared some of the lessons he's learned during "Keys To The C-Suite: Competitive Strategies for Winning Corporate Contracts" at the University Club on Friday. The event was sponsored by the Universal Commercial real estate company as part of its regional power breakfast series.
Joining Brown at the event, which attracted more than 100 business and community leaders, was retired FedEx vice president Mary McDaniel. In addition to putting together a solid business team, Brown advised entrepreneurs to develop strategic alliances with other small business owners and maintain strong relationships with bankers and financial advisers. And be sure to fully understand corporate culture before trying to secure big business contracts, Brown added. "The bottom line is that corporations are in the business of making money, they're not charitable organizations," Brown said. "That means you don't need to go in there saying that you're black and proud or owned by a woman or that you've been discriminated against. Go in with a value-added proposition that'll help a company save money and that will get you the account."

McDaniel, who spent three decades at FedEx, agreed. "Never in my many years at FedEx did I ever see anyone get a contract who came in simply presenting themselves as minority or female-owned," McDaniel said. "If that's all you've got going for you, it's not enough. You've got to be the best at what you do and offer a better service or product than your competition."
There are no shortcuts to business success, the two agreed, but the outlook will be brighter and the possibilities greater for those who are willing to work hard and be involved in their communities.
And that's a message that City Council member and Memphis City Schools math teacher Edmund Ford Jr. said he tries to impress upon young people.


"At the end of the day, you have to make sure you're the best at what you do in order to compete successfully, whether it's in Memphis or nationally or even internationally," Ford said. "I tell my students at Central High School that their world is not finite and confined to a single neighborhood. There are a lot of opportunities out there, but you've got to be prepared to capitalize on them when they arise."

-- James Dowd: (901) 529-2737

Regional MBE Power Breakfast
What: Forum focusing on banking and access to capital for minority and women-owned businesses
When: 7:30 a.m. on Aug. 5
Where: University Club, 1346 Central
Cost: $15
Details: Call (901) 414-3315, ext. 2

Donnell Cobbins, Jr. Profiled in Memphis Business Journal Opinion Survey

Universal Commercial VP, Donnell Cobbins, Jr., was profiled recently among four local business professionals, seeking insight on the challenges MBEs face when starting their businesses.

Universal Commercial | Regional MBE Power Breakfast Launches June 3rd, 2011

Universal Commercial Real Estate, LLC, a certified MBE, is launching a monthly regional Power Breakfast for Minority Businesses Enterprises (MBEs) and their advocates. The monthly gathering, labeled the Universal Commercial Regional MBE Power Breakfast. The first of which will be Friday, June 3rd from 7:30am to 9:00am at the University Club of Memphis.

The topic of this discussion will be the establishment and work of the newly-...formed Minority Business Development Oversight Committee (MBDOC), which is bringing increased accountability across the 15 divisions of Memphis City Government with regard to spending with minority and women-owned businesses.

The presenters will be Alandas Dobbins (President, NSight Communications; Chair of the City of Memphis’ Minority Business Development Oversight Committee) and Carlee McCullough (Director of the City of Memphis’ Office of Contract Compliance).

Admission to this event is $15.
We are asking attendees to RSVP by June 1st to rsvp@universalcommercial.com
or call 901.414.3315 x3.

If you would like to reserve your seat in advance please visit: http://regionalmbepowerbreakfast.eventbrite.com/

MISSION:
The mission of the Universal CommercialRegional MBE Power Breakfast is to foster the growth of minority-owned businesses by building regional relationships, sharing information, and encouraging business-to-business commerce between minority business owners and their advocates.

Universal Commercial Joins Concordis Advisors Alliance

Universal Commercial Real Estate has joined the Concordis Advisors Alliance.
Concordis Real Estate Advisors, LLC (Concordis Advisors) is the largest national commercial real estate services company wholly owned and operated by minority professionals. Concordis Advisors offers an array of comprehensive real estate solutions including advisory, transaction, investment and development, valuation, corporate services and project management and facility planning.

In markets throughout the country, Concordis clients range from companies who are leaders in their respective industries to smaller organizations who are making an impact in their own distinctive way. Concordis Advisors combines a national service platform with a level of expertise that can adapt to any client need in delivering dynamic real estate solutions for business.

"We are proud to add this additional arrow to our quiver" said Darrell Cobbins, President/CEO of Universal Commercial Real Estate. "Joining a group of committed professionals, with such vast experience and depth as Concordis has comprised from across the U.S., allows Universal Commercial to compete at a higher level and serve our clients' real estate interests wherever they may be throughout the globe. This is a very valuable partnership."

To learn more visit:
www.universalcommercial.com
www.concordisadvisors.com