Black Owned Business- Why can't we get it together?

Why can't we successfully own & operate our own visions???

So..., I got a part time gig every Tuesday working the door at a venue here in the city. It don't pay much, but I want to invest into my boy's dream, so that's how I help out.

I would like to get on the mic, but I'm in work mode when I get there, and then the vibes I get ...*sigh*

Call me an elephant, because they pay me peanuts. The band feels like I'm cutting into their money ($40!!!). I feel they're cutting into mine because if 15 people come in, you can bet 5 of those people "are with the band!" So they got in free. The guy I work for is drunk most of the time (or at least he seems to be) so he's constantly watching me to see how many people I let in, who's getting in free, if I'm stealing.... you know. But I can't blame him too much for that. He's a businessman (as unprofessional as he may be) a businessman nonetheless!

So, at the end of the night; which started on CP Time, you know, about 45 minutes late; when it's time to divide the pie, he's come up with some under handed way to keep more of the money for his entertainment venture, thus pissing off the band, who feels that they aren't making a profit. They're not.

I'm like, "Hell, we're all artists. It's going to be hard. You're going to lose more money before you see an ROI" but they don't understand that.

To top it all off, it's a collaborative effort b/w the band and the entertainment company, but there is NO PAPERWORK!!! How come b/c you're friends, you don't need it in writing? Black people. Haven't they heard of CYA?

I just don't understand why we lack the skills necessary to suceed in business. Maybe it's b/c I went to school for business, but Black people always have a way of giving themselves the short end of the stick. I can't take it.

So I walked away last night, a little perturbed, and thinking to myself that I want to help, but I can only do so much. And I didn't get paid. Last week they paid me short, and this week I didn't get paid at all. The position that my boy is in, he really can't afford to pay anyone. His brother should be taking the money at the door until they CAN afford to pay someone.

Until then, I guess I'll be getting on the mic!

PEACE