“Many of us look down on the grocery stores, cleaners, and “marginal operations” because we lack a vision of how Ford, GM, Chrysler, IBM, Wal-Mart, and others started as “marginal operations.” We were not there when they met in the basements of their homes developing strategies. We were not there to observe the 12, 16, and 20 hour work days seven days a week. We were not there when payrolls were missed and financial sacrifices were made. We were not there when they borrowed money from relatives because they had a vision that years later they would have million dollar operations. I will never forget the day my mother loaned me $1,000 to start African American Images and how gratifying it is to see that seed money blossom. It has been said that a people without a vision will perish and unfortunately, that is happening in the business sector of our community.”