Why these women-led businesses recommend Nextdoor for small business marketing

This article was contributed by Justin Young, a consultant at Full Circle Strategy

There are nearly 13 million women-owned businesses in the United States today. Of that number, 50% are minority-owned. As this number grows year after year, businesses like Walker’s Legacy and Sistahs in Business Expo have formed to help women of color business owners thrive in their communities. 

We caught up with successful business woman, Ayris T. Scales, Managing Director and CEO of Walker’s Legacy, and female entrepreneur, Aisha Taylor Issah, Founder and CEO of Sistahs in Business Expo, to learn more about the ways they support women of color in their own communities and why they recommend Nextdoor for small businesses.

Walker’s Legacy: Establishing strong communities for women of color in business

Ayris T.  Scales is the Managing Director and CEO of Walker's Legacy — a business created to inspire, equip, and engage professional and entrepreneurial women of color through thought-provoking content, culturally responsive programming, and a socially connected global community. They are committed to the goal of ensuring that 10,000 Black women are capital ready by 2025 — meaning they’ll be equipped with resources to pursue funding that grows their business.

Ayris T.  Scales, Managing Director and CEO of Walker’s Legacy

Walker’s Legacy holds empowerment events in various cities across the nation. This is an opportunity for small business owners to network and learn from other successful entrepreneurs. 

Through Walker’s Legacy, women business owners of color can also hone their business skills by participating in Women Who Enterprise (WWE) — an 11-week business accelerator program that utilizes a structured, culturally competent curriculum and offers participants a virtual cohort. These resources include, but are not limited to 1-on-1 coaching sessions with program instructors, business plan templates, and a resource guide. 

Why do you think Nextdoor is a great resource for small businesses?

Ayris: Nextdoor is a great resource for small businesses because it is reliable, accurate, and has significant reach in the areas nearby your business. It gives you a platform to be in front of potential new customers, clients, and partners at a hyperlocal level.

What strategy or tips do you have for small businesses to better utilize Nextdoor’s business tools?

Ayris: Businesses can claim a free Business Page, which helps grow your digital presence and makes it easier for potential customers to find your business when they are searching for and recommending businesses like yours. 

But stay active. The most important part of social media and digital platforms is socializing and being present. Make time to be present, engaging, and responsive on Nextdoor. We do business with people we like, so be the kind of business that neighbors would love to do business with. 

Sistahs in Business: Celebrating and empowering entrepreneurial women of color

Aisha Taylor Issah founded Sistahs in Business Expo to provide business owners the opportunity to participate in the country’s only multi-city small business expo and community created specifically to celebrate and educate entrepreneurial women of color.

Aisha Taylor, Founder of Sistahs in Business

Sistahs in Business Expo brings women of color business owners together to engage with other like-minded business owners. The expo provides valuable business knowledge and showcases their products and services. Business owners are able to walk away from their Sistahs in Business Expo experience with important insights that can further propel their business’s growth in their own communities.  

Why do you think Nextdoor is a great resource for small businesses?

Aisha: Nextdoor is a great resource because it connects you directly with customers in your target market. It’s easy to use and provides many ways to engage with potential and current customers. So often, small businesses have great products or services but don't know how to get in front of the right audiences. Nextdoor helps to facilitate this process by getting you in front of customers who live nearby. I highly encourage small businesses to check out all that Nextdoor has to offer. 

What strategy or tips do you have for small businesses to better utilize Nextdoor’s business tools?

Aisha: The simplest strategy for small businesses is to just get started. Don't be intimidated just because it's something new. Begin by creating your Business Page and engaging with others in your community. This will give you the ability to connect with potential customers and receive recommendations right on the app. This builds trust and awareness for your brand. If you do need resources, the great thing about Nextdoor is the stellar customer service team. If you have a question about any of the features, or how to best utilize the app, they respond quickly and are very helpful.  

Building community and growing their businesses, together

Walker’s Legacy and Sistahs in Business Expo know the importance of a strong community. These businesses provide women of color business owners access to a support network and resources while helping them grow as entrepreneurs and businesses.

Most importantly, both businesses empower women of color to carve out a special place in their neighborhoods — setting them up to become successful businesses that last. 

If you’re looking to get better connected to your neighborhood and grow your business at a hyper-local level, claim your free Nextdoor Business Page and start engaging with nearby customers. 

Additional Resources:

Women Who Enterprise: Whether you're in the beginning stages of business or have been in business for years, Women Who Enterprise is uniquely poised to support entrepreneurs in their pursuit to increase their Coins, Confidence, and Connections. Women Who Enterprise is currently being offered in the Mid-Atlantic/East, Midwest, South, and West regions of the United States. Apply to the Spring 2022 business accelerator here.

Sistahs in Business Expo: When the Sistahs in Business Expo rolls into a city near you, take the opportunity to show support and be introduced to businesses from other communities that you just might want to visit after the expo. A road trip makes for a great way to discover the richness of other communities. For details on the Sistahs in Business Expo 2022 tour, including locations and dates, click here.