Image provided by: University of Oregon Libraries; Eugene, OR
About The skanner. (Portland, Or.) 1975-2014 | View Entire Issue (Sept. 26, 2012)
MBE2012 Hair Multnomah County MWESB, Procurement: Fostering a Diverse Vendor Pool continued from page 10 definition, should require very few products to take care of it,” said Dana Gary Pathare. “What I would like to see is for Black owned beauty supply stores or beauty supply stores in gener- al, to focus on healthy hair care products and practices. Instead of pushing weave and wigs on every customer.” She added that she would like to see more demonstrations for nat- ural hair and that she would always prefer to support a Black business. When it comes to having experts in their store, Johnson said she has one and White said one of his goals is to hire a natu- ral hair expert for his store, someone who can give tips and recommendations on products. But while getting products can be difficult, so can support. White said Koreans succeed in the industry because they support each other, but the Black com- munity does not. “They (Koreans) have the relationships and work within, we laugh at them when they are living together, then they break through and have four stores in our commu- nity. But we won’t help each other out. It is a culture thing.” He said that none of the other Black owned beauty supply stores work together to pull their resources. Johnson agreed that there is a lack of togetherness and said sometimes, “We are our own obstacles. If Black people stuck together we could make an impact. The competition shouldn’t be among ourselves.” They both agreed that there is a loyalty amongst the Black community when it comes to shopping at Asian owned stores and working for them. “They do not treat them right, but they continue to go back,” White said. White said the solution to bringing the Black hair industry profits back to the community is by working together. “We (suppliers) need to form an alliance amongst ourselves and find a way to bring our customers to our stores. We can help each other out. We can sit down together and compose our tools. There’s enough business around here for everyone,” White said. By Bruce Poinsette Of The Skanner News S ophia Cavalli has been with Multnomah County for four and a half years. Currently the county’s Procurement and MWESB supervisor, she has over 13 years experience in designing and implementing small business programs. In addition, she now works on sustainable purchasing efforts. Cavalli began working in the private sector in sales and com- modities. Following that, she was at the City of Portland, where she over- saw its small business pro- gram for close to seven years. Cavalli currently serves on the National Associations of Counties Green Purchasing Task Force. She says her vision is to include as many businesses as possible to foster a diverse vendor pool and work- force. “We believe that (having a diverse vendor pool and work- force) is part of not only eco- nomic development, but com- ‘…here in Multnomah County, 95 percent of all businesses are small businesses, and generally small businesses hire the most workers’ munity development,” says Cavalli. “Specifically here in Multnomah County, 95 percent of all businesses are small businesses, and generally small business- es hire the most workers. It’s a good responsible business practice.” The percentage of contracts the county has awarded to minority, women and emerg- ing small businesses has exceeded 30 percent for the third straight year. In addition to awarding contracts, the county also sponsors training programs and holds quarterly meetings between a host of over 20 regional agencies to ensure the long-term success of minority, women, and emerging small businesses in the region. When awarding con- tracts, Cavalli says the county is looking for firms with responsible business practices. “How we buy the goods and services needed by the County and who we buy them from matters,” she says. “Social equity is an important aspect of how we make our buying decisions, this includes the participa- tion of local minority, women, and emerging small business- es. Chair (Jeff) Cogen and our Board of Commissioners have been very supportive of our efforts.” September 26, 2012 • The Portland Skanner • Minority Business Enterprise • Page 11
