She might be shy about telling her age, saying that she is a "baby boomer" and leaving it at that, but one thing she is not shy about is her community involvement. For Jackson-native Deborah Hardy, that involvement spurred her to start an organization with a friend, Amos Archie, called the Minority Business Network on March 31, 2011.
"We started running into each other at workshops and seminars and just started talking, and we recognized the need for small and larger business owners to come together and to help each other," Hardy said.
The non-profit organization was created to empower local small and minority businesses through knowledge, positive reinforcement, training and exposure.
Hardy graduated from Jackson State University with a bachelor's degree in business administration, and from Belhaven University with a master's degree in management. Her involvement with the community started in the church, where she taught Sunday school, directed children's church and led a Girl Scout troop for more than 20 years.
"I just have a natural inclination to help, train, teach and build people," Hardy said.
Through the years, Hardy developed a strong foundation with organizations such as Just for Kids and Jodi Models, where she acted as a coordinator and administrator.
"One thing I gathered from working with children is that you begin to look at the potential in people, their talents and abilities," Hardy said. "Then you try to help them succeed in whatever they are good at."
Hardy used the knowledge she acquired from helping children to further her efforts of working in the community to help adults with the Minority Business Network.
The co-founders reach out to the community about their organization through outlets such as word-of-mouth, flyers and media attention or advertisement," Hardy said.
Hardy is not a business owner, though she has considered it. "I looked into it and then I found myself just becoming a small business advocate and helping others with their business," Hardy said.
Through all of her community and organizational involvement, Hardy makes sure to teach the importance of forming a community.
"When it comes to community involvement, it is not about you. It is about the whole community," she said.
Meeting of he Minority Business Network are every second or third Thursdays of each month at Divine Ministries (1417 W. Capitol St.) Call Deborah Hardy at 601-750-2367 for more info.
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