Rachel Rodgers, the Founder and CEO of Hello Seven, delivered a powerful message during the 2024 AfroTech Conference, inspiring Black women entrepreneurs to push beyond societal limitations and build wealth through their businesses.
Speaking to a crowd of innovators, Rodgers highlighted the disparity between the increasing number of women of color starting businesses and the revenue generated by those ventures.
A Call to Close the Wealth Gap
“There are so many Black women and women of color starting businesses faster than any other group. And yet we make no money,” Rodgers stated. “$50,000 is usually, on average, what women of color are making when they start businesses. So we’re starting businesses, but they’re not making enough money. That is the mission I’m trying to solve.”
Rodgers stressed the importance of aiming for what she calls “seven-figure businesses,” where annual revenues exceed $1 million.
“That’s the floor. That’s the minimum because then you have options. You can build a team, you’ve got money to play with, where you can really take this business to the next level,” she explained.
Beyond Survival: A Vision for Thriving Businesses
Rejecting the notion of settling for minimal success, Rodgers encouraged attendees to aim for greatness.
“I don’t want to hear none about six feet or so,” she said. “Let’s actually build seven, eight, nine-figure businesses. Because we can. We have the ability to do it.”
Her words resonated strongly during AfroTech, a two-day event that celebrated Black excellence in tech, business, and entrepreneurship.
Empowerment Through Hello Seven
Through her company, Hello Seven, Rodgers has been a vocal advocate for financial empowerment among women, particularly Black women.
The organization offers coaching and resources aimed at helping women entrepreneurs scale their businesses and close the wealth gap.
