“When I stand before God at the end of my life, I would hope that I would not have a single bit of talent left, and could say, ‘I used everything you gave me” -Erma Bombeck
First, I want to take this opportunity to thank you immensely for visiting my site, Shop. Spend. Black. Our mission is to provide a platform for black business owners to list their products and services in a directory that showcase their companies. This will allow black consumers looking for specific products or services to search on our site.
A Little About Me:
I am Sylvia Browder, wife – mother – grandmother and serial entrepreneur. I am CEO of Browder Consulting Group, a virtual small business consulting firm. In this role, I help women who have a solid business model but in need of assistance in bridging the gap to where they are now to where they want to be. I also help women who want to fulfill their dream of business ownership… start a business.
I am publisher of the popular ‘Sylvia Browder’s Blog for Women Entrepreneurs; and journalist for several digital magazines and blogs.
In 2000, I launched a start-up building maintenance company and grew it into a thriving and respected business. In 2004, after leaving San Diego County and moving to Mobile, AL., I decided to dabble into entrepreneurship again… so I launched a home based virtual small business support and consulting company providing administrative and marketing services to small businesses throughout the United States.
I have over 30 years of corporate and business experience, which includes working in various customer service roles in the telecommunication and retail industries; working for start up and small established companies; and as a successful entrepreneur.
I earned a B.S. in Fashion Merchandising with a Minor in Marketing in December 1990 from Southeastern Louisiana University. In addition, I joined the United States Army Reserves in 1986 while completing my studies.
I’ve co-authored three anthologies, “Victorious Living for Moms,” a collaborative effort of over 30 authors from around the country who shared their personal story as a tribute to their children; “Think Like an Entrepreneur: What You Should Consider Before You Write a Business Plan,” a practical, “real world” guide to making the transition from employee to entrepreneur; and “Cheers to Your Success: Women On The Rise and Owning Their Destiny,” a book all about moving your vision forward. The women in this powerful anthology give a vivid introspective look into how they defied the odds to achieve success.
I spent seven years as a Project Director and business consultant for a women’s non-profit economic development organization that focused its mission on empowering women to start and grow successful businesses. I continue to serve (since 2004) as a volunteer local and online business counselor for SCORE, “Counselors to America’s Small Business.” This is a SBA funded nonprofit organization dedicated to educating entrepreneurs and the formation, growth and success of small business nationwide.
In 2015, I launched Specialty Home Services LLC, a local company and leading provider of efficient and cost effective Home Repair, Home Maintenance and Cleaning Services to realtors, property managers and Home Inspectors. I closed it in early 2020 due to the Coronavirus pandemic.
These days, I work from home doing freelance web design, consulting, virtual customer support work for large corporations and brainstorming business ideas.