Newspapers / Winston-Salem Chronicle (Winston-Salem, N.C.) / April 30, 1992, edition 1 / Page 20
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Business Briefs BUSINESS PROFILE \ # Businesswoman discouraged by lack of support A Vikki Bright says move from New York may have been a mistake By YVETTE N FREEMAN Community News Editor Seven months ago, Vikki Bright closed her business in New York, packed up her belongings and moved to Winston-Salem. , She reopened her business, a retail t consignment and ceramic shop, at s 606 North Trade StreeL Two weeks ago, Bright decid ed to drop the consignment part of the business to focus more on the r ? . <? - ceramics. She^tfioiight her busi ness, Ceramic Vm, would be just as successful here in the South as it was in the North. So far, it hasn't turned out that way. Support from the community, especially the Africa^-Aflterican community, has been minimal to say the least Bright is now questioning her choice of location and even her decision to move. 1 feel that blacks do not sup port blacks here," she said. "I mmmammmm (am) very /upset 1h$t blacks do not patroofcee their own." Bright went on to say that although some African-American customers do stop in the store and browse, often commenting on how low the prices aro*'tfiey usually end up spending more money for^ the same quality merchandise^ from another white-owned ceram ic shop instead. "It's very discouraging/' she said "And it's getting to the point m wiy > ''"V ? .yst-y Vikki Bright has ? variety o! caramlc Kam^ all ptjjjgph jmfi8sU83ia!?sa2teei By THEODORE R. I Take Steps Now to Rei Many taxpayers iresti this year to cover the ta?M of these individuals there reduce your 1992 ttbC btilfl pames or you are |i foratrai ' where rm bvfenttfa&y gOiAg 'to lt>s?A the store." Ceramics by Vikki carries a wide range of ceramic merchan dise that can be given as gifts or used to decorate your own home. The merchandise includes such items as masks, statues, lamps, children's banks, canisters and much more, all handmade by Bright herself. The items, which can make excellent birthday, wed ding, and baby shower gifts, are priced at S3 and up. In addition to the shop, Bright also holds ceramics classes for adults and children. The adult classes for individuals ages 17 and older .are held Monday through Friday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and 6:30 pjm. to 9:30 p m. The chil dren's classes, for kids ages 7-16, are held on Saturdays, from 11 ajn. to 2 p.m. Currently, however, students for the classes are as scarce as the shop'nuistomers. Bright says the Trade Str^ex location may be a factor. "I saw it in the paper, and I feel like maybe ^ thati was a mistake too,H she said. * "The rent was reasonable that I We can help. We're paid only if you collect. Practice limited 1 to serious injury and wrongful death. ^Michael LEWIS ATTORNEYS AT LAW. PC. Michael Lewis David D. Daggett Celeste Harris 765-7777 Phooet answered 24 hours ? 286 Executive Park Blvd. Winston-Salem, NC 27103 JsHii Vtkkl Bright, ownar of Commies by Vlkkl, uyi unlaaa bualnaaa picks up soon aha could loso hor shop Howovar, rathar than doolng down shs ssys shs would try s now location first could afford. But I have not made my rent since I've been here. "I've had advertising, and it did no good. And I just don't understand. So I said, 'Well, I've been doing ceramics 15 years, so 111 change it I just can't see giv ing up the store. To me it is a good location if .ibfepe4>le would come down." If necessary, Bright said that she would try the business in I another location in order to keep ? the store open, although she would diatticu "I just basically want the busi ness to strive, and to actually work out for me," said Bright, 48, and the mother of two. She admitted, though, that the experience "has discouraged me greatly about the South." She also said that it is not encouraging her two daughters, 27-year-old Colleen and 14-year old Monique ("Nitiri"), who occa sionally help out in the store, to consider owning their own busi nesses in the future. "Nikki sees the people come iaJbecau.se mmt times she -works ? ^ ch. sees how they look and don't buy. And she is very discouraged because she sits there and sees no money coming in, and she says 'Mom, how can you do this five days a week?' It's hard to explain to her that this is how business is." Brigfrt hopes that things will soon pick up at the store and that students will enroll in the ceramics classes. She says anyone with an interest is welcome, especially senior citizens. For more informa i l*on up for the classes, FREE LISTING for all Minority Businesses H|K There Is no cost to list your business in this directory: NAME ; MAILING ADDRESS ren!B BUSINESS NAME BUSINESS ADDRESS , ? T*S=5 (53=55 i557T5SS) (5IPS57 CONTACT PERSON TITLE ? Home Telephone " Business Telephone I Date Business Established ? Type of Business Number of Employees Describe Products or Services Offered I Please bring or mall your completed form to: I Winston-Salem Chronicle, 617 N. Liberty St., p Winston-Salem ? NC 27101 (919) 722<?624 Check here If you are Interested in advertising 4 I I your services In the directory. i i
Winston-Salem Chronicle (Winston-Salem, N.C.)
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April 30, 1992, edition 1
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