MBN USA

October 30, 2021

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Powered By Zerret powers entrepreneurial dreams

By Melissa Lowery

When Terrez Thompson retired from The Coca-Cola Co. in late 2020, she looked forward to leisure activities, travel and spending time with her husband and daughter. She was also excited to take her passion for championing diverse suppliers directly to marginalized entrepreneurs with a focus on women of color. So, in early 2021, Thompson launched Powered By Zerret Inc., or PBZ.

PBZ is a nonprofit focused on empowering women of color entrepreneurs through mentoring, networking and other resources, including small grants.

“I call them PBZ grants,” Thompson said. “The maximum grant is $5,000, so they aren’t really micro grants, but they aren’t huge, either. They’re enough to make a real, sustainable difference to those marginalized, small-business entrepreneurs who are toiling away without access or knowledge of resources that can make a significant difference to their businesses and communities.”

With more than 35 years of experience in corporate America — including nearly a decade leading supplier diversity initiatives for Coca-Cola — her network is vast, and her expertise is invaluable. For years, she helped diverse suppliers navigate working with the global beverage company, advocating for them and the competitive edge they bring to the table. Now, she is leveraging her resources to aid the side hustlers, the gig workers and the people with lofty ideas but limited access.

“The ideal entrepreneur applying to PBZ has an informal business or side hustle and is ready to take the business to the next level,” Thompson said. “He or she is right at the edge of becoming a formal ‘legitimate’ business, but needs seed funding, mentoring and a slight push to get there.”

A firm believer in capitalism, she also believes it is incumbent on those to whom much is given to ensure equity by knocking down the barriers, providing access and proactively being an ally, so everyone has access to opportunities and resources. Currently, PBZ is fully powered by Thompson herself, her network and a few nonprofit partners, but she has been approached by corporations, entrepreneurs, other nonprofits and friends to discuss how they can be part of PBZ and its work.

“As I think about it more, and the climate we’re in, it is a struggle between those who have and those who have not,” Thompson mused. “You need a safety net, but you also need economic power. I believe you need competition to have a healthy, productive economy, but current capitalism isn’t working as it should and can for the average person. We don’t have a sustained safety net or guard rails in place to ensure success for all those willing to put in the work and effort. Access and capital are not available equally. If we don’t do something to bridge the gap, then we don’t have the country we think we have.”

She has a reputation as a straight shooter, someone unafraid to attack challenges directly. She brings that same forthright energy to PBZ and her mission to empower marginalized entrepreneurs.

“Traditionally, those who have advocated for those that have not do so without equal footing, not from a position of strength. I’m in a position with my network and experience where I can help with that,” Thompson said.

She recently announced the first round of grant recipients, a group of entrepreneurs she believes will not only succeed in their endeavors but pay it forward to enrich and empower their communities.

The inaugural PBZ grant recipients are:

• Ankh Queens Crafts and Gems LLC: handmade items for Reiki, guided meditation and sound healing in Baltimore, Maryland.

• Beach City Plumbing & Rooter: plumbing company that caters to low-income customers in Long Beach, California.

• Black Certification Agency: business certification company that tracks and assesses corporate racial equity performance in Johnson City, Tennessee.

• Brown Girls Beauty Co. LLC: beauty company in Salinas, California.

• Dalia Kinsey: registered dietician in Griffin, Georgia.

• Nebula Photo Booth LLC: mobile

photo booth company in Long Beach, California.

• Nourish Botanica: eatery and greenhouse that support civic engagement around food equity and economic justice in Atlanta, Georgia.

• Polish’d Nail Spa: manicure salon and spa in Long Beach, California.

• Pristine Janitorial Service LLC: residential and commercial cleaning services in Marietta, Georgia.

• Project Koa Yoga LLC: teaching decolonization, trauma-informed movement and meditation in Honolulu, Hawaii.

• The Release Project: emotional intelligence workshops for schools and organizations in Brooklyn, New York.

• TK WoodWorx: custom woodwork company in Katy, Texas.

• Zuhuri Beauty: beauty company that sells natural products for hair and skin in Sherman Oaks, California.

“I’m so proud of my first group. They’re impressive; they’re invested in their communities. They’re going to make a difference,” Thompson said. “This is probably the most rewarding thing I’ve done after having my daughter and being married.”

To learn more about Powered by Zerret, visit poweredbyzerret.org.