SUPPORTING LOCAL: Learning about community resources during National Black Owned Business Month | Homepage

Running a business takes a lot of hard work, and Meridian business owners like Kimberly Houston of Houston Insurance Agency says the work is not only for the business, but also the people.

“It important to have African American representation in our communities, because when you look around Meridian and the surrounding area, its good for people to be able to do business with folks that look like them,” said Houston.

The Insurance Agency has been around since 1998, and Houston reflects on the growing support it has had.

“It was a scratch agency, I had zero customers, and now, we are running roughly a million-dollar agency.”

Another local black owned business that’s focused on support is VLounge Grill & Bar, and owner Quentin Thigpen is proud of the way he gets to help impact the community.

“I help a lot of people in the community, as well as inspire other black kids around the community to become a black owner, or whatever you may do,” said Thigpen.

Speaking of inspiring the kids, Thigpen feels the start of school will help affect business as well.

“It’s always support needed in business, you know, I think now that kids back in school business should pick up, so you all come eat at VLounge man.”

Local resident Douglas Bennamon is always thrilled to support any black owned business.

“I try to support any black owned company I can, you know, big or small,” said Bennamon

Business owners and customers all agree that starting a business and continuing takes hard work, dedication, but most importantly, it takes support from those around.