Contributed by Black Small Business Association of California
On November 2, 2020, when a “memory” popped up on Bridgett Smalls’ social media feed, it reminded her of a post she’d made in this same month in 2012: “250,000, 500,000, 1,000,000 its not impossible”. The post referenced the amount of money – six figures or more – that she wanted to have in the bank. Eight years later, the post seems to be more of a self-fulfilling prophecy, as the revenue projections for her small business – Golden State Educational Services – inch toward those aspirational numbers, despite COVID-19.
As with most entrepreneurs, Bridgett’s success did not happen overnight. After a series of personal challenges including unemployment, the end of her marriage, and brief bouts of dependence on the state’s safety net system, she took one of her biggest economic hits in 2014. After being on family leave for six weeks to take care of her mother, Bridgett was set to return to work when her employer unceremoniously severed ties with her. To make ends meet, Bridgett began working full-time for Golden State Educational Services, where she’d been teaching classes part-time for years. In 2015, when the business owner decided to sell the company, Bridgett took a leap of faith and seized the opportunity. With no money to buy the company, she asked for help. “I got a small loan from a friend, used money from my tax refund, and cobbled together the rest,” Bridgett said of her purchase.
“I didn’t start out wanting to be a business owner” Bridgett explained. Fortunately, the chance to be her own boss was a powerful motivator. Now, she is one of the about 40 providers who are designated by the Department of Motor Vehicles to offer vehicle dealer education classes. Bridgett is one of the only Black business owners in the niche vehicle dealer education industry, and one of the few women who own this type of business. Having taught the classes for years, Bridgett is very knowledgeable about her trade; however, COVID-19 illuminated her need to learn how to adapt with the changing times.
Her desire to learn how to expand her network of clients and likeminded business owners sparked her interest in the Technical Assistance Program (TAP) offered by the Black Small Business Association of California (BSBA). So far, Bridgett has enjoyed TAPs marketing classes and lessons about using social media to promote small businesses. Since one of her ultimate goals is to use the knowledge that she gains from TAP to help more minorities, and more women enter her male dominated industry, she is looking forward to continuing to be a part of BSBA when TAP ends and honing the skills she’s learned in the program.
The woman who did not start out wanting to be a business owner is now empire building, and planning to lift as she climbs. Bridgett also wants to turn Golden State Educational Services into a family run venture by teaching her kids the business. After COVID-19 slowed things down during the first few months of the state-wide stay at home order, Bridgett started thinking about how to make sure her kids could keep the business afloat if she was unable to do so. That prompted her to develop a manual with step by step instructions that will allow someone to come behind her and do what she does. In addition, she has hired her daughter, who was one of her first trainees and interns, to teach classes. Mom and daughter have also partnered on a new business venture – their own dealership – which will add another business and stream of revenue to their growing brand.
Clearly, Bridgett Smalls’ 2012 social media post was the beginning of her master business plan. Her quest to get six figures or more in her bank account morphed into an entrepreneurial journey that set her on a path from working for the state to owning a small business. With a bright future ahead, Bridgett’s success and determination to help others build their own small businesses, proves that dreams are certainly not impossible to achieve.
For more information about TAP, please contact BSBA at or (916) 573-0677 or info@bsba-ca.org.
