Columbia Magazine featured Harlem Lanes‘ Sharon Joseph in their summer issue. Joseph is a Harlem native and Columbia Business alum; the article delves into the challenges and opportunities she faced in creating what has become one of Harlem’s hot spots.
“Observing the commerce on Harlem’s shopping strip, Joseph saw an opportunity not only to capitalize on the multibillion-dollar buying power of the over 200,000-strong Harlem community, but to establish a local bulwark against the tide of national chains that was driving out small businesses and street peddlers. As a consultant, Joseph would ask clients, “What’s the problem that you’re going to need us to solve?” For Harlem, as Joseph saw it, the problem was a lack of services, especially for families. A sports enthusiast, Joseph wanted to come up with a family-friendly activity that was neither gender nor age specific, was affordable, and encouraged social interaction. The family that plays together stays together.”
Harlem on a Roll – Columbia Magazine
And speaking of Columbia and minority/women-owned businesses, check out this info from Harlem Fur:
Columbia’s Minority, Women, and Local Business Enterprise – Harlem Fur
Posted on August 21, 2008 by Justin