Tasha Lard builds networking community for Black entrepreneurs

This story first appeared in Celebrating Entrepreneurship, a new special section that highlights the entrepreneurial ecosystem in the Corridor.

Tasha Lard is one busy businesswoman.

She owns and operates JD Beauty Supply in Pepperwood Plaza in Iowa City. Now in her fourth year of business, Lard is proud to have created a space where people can access the products they need to care for their own hair.

Being a small business owner and entrepreneur is enough to keep one busy — but Lard doesn’t stop there.

She’s so passionate about helping others build their own entrepreneurial dreams, Lard started her own consulting business, too. MOGUL (an acronym for Motivate, Obtain, Gain, Utilize and Learn) Consulting is a way for Lard to encourage and support other entrepreneurs.

“I am assisting entrepreneurs with getting the insights they need to follow their passion. I connect them with resources, tools and a network of people to get their business started,” she said. That looks like helping with whatever steps are necessary to get up and running, such as getting their EIN or a business bank account.

“I had really been doing this behind-the-scenes for a while as people would stop in my store and talk, so it made sense to start the consulting business. I am always here to help in any way that I can,” Lard said.

But again, she didn’t just stop there.

Lard is also founder and executive director of Black Professionals of Iowa. The organization, focused on Johnson and Linn counties (so far), is dedicated to supporting and uplifting its members in their respective industries. The organization offers networking events, professional development workshops, mentorship opportunities and resources to assist its members in achieving their career goals.

And the ripples of her connections have made a big impact in the community thus far.

“Tasha is a huge asset to Black and brown businesses located in the Corridor,” said Faith Robinson, owner of 4K Photography in Marion, who has had the opportunity to work with Lard on several occasions through the Black Professionals of Iowa network. “She works tirelessly to not only provide a safe space for these businesses but also to promote and include these businesses in her events and other events in the Corridor.”

One such event is the Black and Brown Business Summit Lard organized a few months ago. She’s also put together an Empowerment Symposium and a Diversity Market. For every event, she involves as many business owners from her connected network of diverse entrepreneurs as possible.

“Tasha has provided my business and many others with multiple opportunities to bring in money and speak at events, extending my audience reach beyond what I could do myself,” Robinson added. “The Corridor is lucky to have Tasha.”

Lard said she wants to create a network that can rely on each other. “I want people to be able to call on each other. That’s big with the Black Professionals group.”

As for where that entrepreneurial inspiration comes from, Lard said it has a lot to do with her upbringing.

“Growing up, the woman who raised me owned the neighborhood candy store. I worked there every day after school, counting the candy. She ran that store for the community, and I definitely got my entrepreneurial spirit from her,” she said.

“That community is so important,” Lard added. “I grew up in a village, and you just always carry that with you. It’s engrained wherever you go, and you carry those individuals with you even though they are gone.”

It’s what’s made her so passionate about connecting with other Black and brown entrepreneurs. If you aren’t yet connected, Lard encourages you to reach out.

“I am always networking, and people can always reach out to me personally to get connected,” she said.

“Being able to meet people is an amazing thing to do,” she added. “Everyone has a story of how they got to where they are, and I just love to hear those stories.”

Lard said she will continue to work to ensure Black and brown entrepreneurs have access to as many resources and funding as possible, as she still sees a lack of grant funding, for example.

“Business for the Black community is growing rapidly, and I appreciate that,” she said. “I believe it is evidence that we are helping each other in the process.”

And so, it seems, Lard won’t stop on her mission to help and connect others anytime soon.