THE HBCU NETWORK:
Tell me how Nubonyx began.
Nubonyx:
I met my current business partner, James E. Hall, in 1984 at Goelst
Corporation in Atlanta, GA. As the only two people of color in
administration, there was an immediate bond and we eventually grew to
become good friends and business partners.
The concept for Nubonyx.com was developed while James and I were searching
for a minority-owned Internet Service Provider (ISP). When we discovered
that there was no major advertising or marketing for a minority-owned ISP,
the business was born. (The term nubonyx does not have a specific
meaning; it is merely a combination of the words nubian and onyx.)
THE HBCU NETWORK:
Did you work for other corporations in addition to Goelst before starting
Nubonyx?
Nubonyx:
Yes, I worked for Cyco Software, an International Document Management
Software company as Finance Manager. I also worked for Colgate-Palmolive
as an accounting analyst.
THE HBCU NETWORK:
Where did you get your entrepreneurial spirit? Is anyone in your family an
entrepreneur?
Nubonyx:
Currently I'm the only entrepreneur in the family. I guess I got the
spirit because I wanted the personal independence that being an
entrepreneur offers.
THE HBCU NETWORK:
I definitely understand that! Is this the 1st business youve started?
Nubonyx:
This is my first full-time venture into entrepreneur, but I have
contracted out my accounting and tax services from time to time.
THE HBCU NETWORK:
What role, if any, did your alma mater play in feeding your
entrepreneurial spirit?
Nubonyx:
Dillard University instilled in me the importance of putting out a
quality product. Sometimes to get ahead you have to be twice as good
as the competition.
THE HBCU NETWORK:
What was your most memorable college experience?
Nubonyx:
Actually I have two. The first was pledging Kappa. The second was
graduation!!!
THE HBCU NETWORK:
Tell us a little about your childhood.
Nubonyx:
I was born in Illinois but family moved to Texas and California by the
time I was 4. I was raised in Northern California (Berkeley, Oakland, and
Sacramento). Then I attended Dillard University in New Orleans. I've lived
in Atlanta since 1992.
THE HBCU NETWORK:
Where do you see the company/yourself 5 years from now?
Nubonyx:
We would like to grow into the first nationally known, minority owned ISP.
We will have helped a lot of organizations raise funds for the groups
while increasing technology awareness. We would like to have local area
offices that bring Internet access and education to our community. We will
also have created jobs in the technology industries
THE HBCU NETWORK:
Do you have any plans for additional companies?
Nubonyx:
Running this one is enough for now. :-)
THE HBCU NETWORK:
Whats the hardest part of starting a business?
Nubonyx:
The hardest part is maintaining your everyday living expenses when the
business is unable to generate revenue.
THE HBCU NETWORK:
What advice do you have for aspiring entrepreneurs?
Nubonyx:
Find something that you enjoy doing and let that be your guide in deciding
what business to start. Do your best to establish a brand that makes your
venture different and unique.
THE HBCU NETWORK:
Any parting words for the HBCU Network family?
Nubonyx:
Thanks for making your community aware of our products and services. We
hope that you all will visit our visual chat area. Check it out at
http://www.nubonyx.com/chat. Let me know what you think.
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