Southern Startups with Dignity: This Woman Owned Marketing and Networking Agency Based In Montgomery, AL Can Help Grow Your Business Faster
Did you hear? August is black business month. With the Census Bureau reporting approximately 2.5 million black-owned businesses in the U.S., the opportunity for on-point marketing and quality networking is increasingly becoming a primary need among the black business community.
The good news is, the Montgomery based agency, Shaxor, LLC can help. Shaxor is an independent marketing and networking agency brought to you by Pensacola, Florida native, La’Queta Savage.
I had the pleasure of speaking with La’Queta about her business and how it all started. Check out our recent chat below.
K+D: Why the name Shaxor?
Photo courtesy of Shaxor, LLC
First things, first. Let’s be clear about how to pronounce Shaxor.
Phonetic Spelling: (shaw-khore')
“Shaxor is Hebrew for black,” La’Queta says.
“We want to be able to bring professional marketing and branding to companies that look like us because we don’t get the representation we deserve.”
K+D: When did you decide to launch your own business and how does your background play a role in it?
“We officially launched Shaxor in March 2019." With La'Queta's extensive background in the corporate world, her clients are able to bridge the gap between their business and their audience.
"My background is complex. I have property management, logistics, financial planning, and government experience. I always had a heart for giving back and knew I wanted to do marketing for businesses, but didn’t have time to do it. I learned that I had to make time.”
K+D: Tell us about Shaxor, LLC’s services and its modern approach to marketing and networking.
Shaxor’s services include, but are not limited to, the following:
Consulting
SEO
Logo and website design
Copyright filings
Social media management
Memberships and groups
Although Shaxor has a national and international client base, this agency is perfectly centered to meet the needs of black-owned businesses in the southern cities that attract black entrepreneurs the most like Memphis, Montgomery, and Atlanta.
"We are filling a void between doing something, making do, and doing it right and taking a stand," La'Queta states.
If you're wondering what makes Shaxor unique, it's the fact that they build close relationships with their clients.
“We treat everybody’s company as though it’s our own," says La'Queta.
“Shaxor is more than just a marketing and network agency, it is a collective. We’re creating a network of people and have clients from Canada to Miami to Ghana. There’s enough room for all to sit at the table.”
La’Queta continues, "Grow faster is not just a slogan for us. Once you’re on board with Shaxor, you are a part of a family.”
K+D: Based on your experience, what are some of the pitfalls people run into when starting their business?
"The thing I noticed during my work with different businesses is that people were struggling to get their companies started. The businesses were not set up correctly and as a result, these businesses were failing.
Another issue is that these businesses were not technologically advanced or catchy enough to make it to the mainstream. Marketing is about visibility and many of us brand ourselves to market to our friends.
Yes, it’s tedious and repetitious, but it allows you to gain trust with your clients and potential customers.
When it comes to things like search engine optimization (SEO), our companies are overlooked because they are not on the first page of Google."
K+D: What do you love most about marketing and networking and why is it so important today?
Seeing companies win is a win for La’Queta. “I love watching companies grow. I love to see people successful and awe at their success.”
K+D: You are a black woman navigating a male-dominated industry. What’s that like and how are you overcoming the challenges you may be facing?
La’Queta the owner of Shaxor, LLC
“Actually, it’s white male-dominated. Since I’m going against the norm of marketing, they side-eye it. But I’m growing stronger and faster by the day. At Shaxor, we move different, because we are different.”
La’Queta indicates that her services are affordable to cater to black-owned small businesses. And, payment plans are available, especially for startups.
“I will not let you spend money with me and it does not do you any good.”
K+D: Any final word of advice for black business owners?
La’Queta says, “Life is not always a struggle. Being great is possible. You don’t have to have a billion-dollar business setup.”
With Shaxor's help, you can bring your vision to life.
“If I can see the vision, I can market it.”
To learn more about Shaxor, LLC, get marketing services, or join it’s amazing network for black professionals, visit www.shaxor.com.
Also, be sure to follow Shaxor on Facebook and Instagram for the latest happenings.
