Executive edge: voice for black business.

• Author: Bronikowski, Lynn
• Position: Nicole Singleton - Interview

WHAT'S THE BEST PART OF YOUR JOB?

"The support of the community. Its required that I get more ... and really get to know my community, and that in itself has been so enjoyable. I'm excited over just how many successful black businesses there are in the state. To sit down and hear their stories and what moves them forward is motivation for me."

WHY DOES OUR STATE NEED A BLACK CHAMBER?

"There still tend to be challenges with making sure minority companies are able to get their feet in the door and compete at the same level as those of other ethnic backgrounds. When you look at disparity studies, it's very clear that minority-owned companies are still under-represented."

WORD IS YOU WERE MISS TEEN COLORADO IN 1990?

"One of my school administrators at Lakewood High School signed me up. It was a great experience to meet other driven, self-motivated young women. It provided great life training because we needed to know what we stood for and then be able to articulate it"

WHO INFLUENCED YOU MOST IN LIFE?

"My mother. Even though both parents were involved in my life, I was raised in a single-parent household. She held my hand and provided support. If I said I wanted to walk through this door, she was there to hold that door open for me My mother never said, 'You can't do that."

I UNDERSTAND YOUR CHILDREN ARE ENTREPRENEURS.

"My daughter (Morgan, 11), started a cosmetics company for girls, Morganelyse.com, that sells very soft and appropriate...