“The Help” Movie and Five Tips To Rise Above Racism and Succeed in Business

NEW YORK, August 10, 2011 — “The Help,” which opens in major theaters across the U.S. this weekend, reignites the issue about racism, and business owner Nadege Desravines says the five tips she uses to overcome racism can also apply to helping entrepreneurs succeed in business.   

Desravines, who runs SFL Cleaning Services Corp. in Delray Beach, Fla., says that racism remains prevalent, and depending on which market research data people look at, it may actually be increasing.

CNN and Opinion Research Corp. indicated in that 2006, less than 50 percent of respondents say racism is a serious issue among blacks. Two years later, USA Today and Gallup say 56 percent of adults who responded to their poll reveal racism against blacks has become widespread.

Desravines is a Haitian immigrant who started her own residential cleaning service after being constantly belittled, harassed and tormented along with other minority workers at a metropolitan city hotel chain. What she didn’t realize is that racism was prevalent in the private sector as well. When she started her cleaning service, it was common for homeowners to cancel their meetings or not open their doors because they didn’t want a black woman to clean their homes.

Yet despite the discrimination she endured, Desravines has built a successful company with more than 250 clients and employing over 25 people. She also has recently established Cleaning for Cancer (cleaningforcancer.org) a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization that offers cancer patients who are undergoing treatment, residential cleaning services for free.

Desravines believes that while minority business owners may encounter different challenges than other businesses, the same tips that apply for overcoming racism also apply for building a successful business. The five tips are:

1. Have a positive attitude. Highly successful people look at the glass as half full vs. half empty.  A positive attitude is contagious and can also “spill over” the personal life.
2. Be patient. Nobody goes into business with failure as a goal. Patience leads business owners to be meticulous, attentive to details and think logically.
3. Be persistent. Be vigilant and stay the course even in the face of obstacles.
4. Learn from the experience. Dealing with unfriendly or unhappy customers can teach business owners how to keep individuals happy.
5. Be helpful to others. This is customer service at its best. Being genuinely helpful can lead to loyal customers.

For more information about Nadege Desravines or for information about supporting or sponsoring a Cleaning for Cancer event, go to cleaningforcancer.org.

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Marita Gomez
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