Today we’d like to introduce you to Sharif Colon.
Hi Sharif, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
My name is Sharif Colon, I moved to Atlanta from the planet Brooklyn to attend the HBCU, Clark Atlanta University. My Entrepreneurial journey began at 15 in my freshman year of High School when I started a guerilla marketing company that would help promote small businesses and Broadway productions. My first business provided jobs for friends and associates looking to work, which as teenagers having a couple hundred in your pocket and no bills was everything, but what I didn’t notice was that this was instilling the mindset of what it was like to work for yourself and being able to self manage.
Years later, while finishing college through the recession, I realized my dream of working in marketing for a company like Coca-Cola was not possible at the time, but my alma mater taught me to find a way or make one. I had to understand how to pivot, so I went to work in the Hospitality industry. To make ends meet I worked my way up the ladder in restaurants, from working at three different restaurants to General Manager at 23. In my journey, I became a sponge, absorbing every piece of knowledge that came from a coworker, a superior, an associate, or a customer. Years later, I started my next venture Gold Member Group, operating a gallery and lounge, enjoying the nightlife but that became riddled with missteps and the beginning of gentrification. Once again time to pivot, I realized though my passion was in hospitality, my gift was my knowledge of the industry and building concepts. I built a new direction of my business and began consulting for new or expanding concepts in the industry. Now we are working on concepts that will elevate the experiences for the city of Atlanta.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Never, at every step, there is a challenge, but knowing how to overcome them builds character and makes you a better entrepreneur. I’ve dealt with condescending landlords, untrustworthy contractors, city politics.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about Gold Member Group?
Gold Member Group is a Management and Restaurant Consulting company. We help businesses create operational structures, brands build customer awareness, and restaurants develop and grow concepts. We are most proud to help other black businesses be able to grow their business and reach their goals/dreams.
We will soon begin two new projects this summer. One being the first chef incubator in midtown, ‘The Black Chef Incubator.’ The project will showcase some of the best Chef’s in the city of Atlanta. An exclusive dinner party for the city, reservation only, each night a different chef and menu. The second project being the launch of a new burger concept Flight Burger, some of the best burgers you may ever have.
What matters most to you? Why?
The progression of black business and entrepreneurs. I believe we have plenty to offer as a community and working together with no ego or pride is the only way forward. Sharing knowledge and opportunity to help the next person builds platforms and creates stability for the community. We are underserved and consistently trying to get a seat at the table, but it’s time for us to shift the paradigm and build our own table(s).
Contact Info:
- Website: Goldmembergroup.com
- Instagram: @goldmember_group
