Today we’d like to introduce you to Jennifer Emelogu. She and her team share their story with us below:
Jennifer is a native of Austin, TX and has lived in San Antonio, TX for 18 years, since 2004.
In 2020, Jennifer Emelogu founded Circulate App San Antonio, a database app that helps consumers discover, support, and patronize great businesses that happen to be Black owned. Circulate was birthed out of a necessity to bridge the gap between the supportive consumer and established service providers.
Jennifer believes technology is a vehicle for community development that we must take full advantage of. Her current platform helps spread the message of tech advancement awareness and mentorship through business.
Aside from being a tech founder, Jennifer is a former Division 1 athlete, a published author, an advocate for business mentorship, and is currently serving in her fourteenth year of education. She enjoys motherhood while pursuing entrepreneurial ventures related to flourishing business and enrichment.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
I am thankful for every challenge and obstacle that has come my way on this entrepreneurship journey. Each challenge has become a lesson learned and has made me a better entrepreneur and ultimately a better person. As a Black woman, it is challenging and daunting to jump into an industry dominated by white males. At first, there were some internal conflicts about continuing to move forward in a space that can feel rather lonely. Being able to trust other tech founders and business owners that you may not have an instant culture connection with is uncomfortable at first, but gets better over time. The reality is we won’t be successful if we only were open to people who look like us and share the same cultural background. I decided to challenge myself to become comfortable with being uncomfortable because comfort is the place where ideas and creativity go to die.
Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Circulate App San Antonio?
Circulate is slated to be next Yelp for Black owned and other minority owned businesses.
We allow consumers to quickly research, rate and review local Black owned service providers from their phone. Service providers get access to packages designed to promote their business. All users get access to “free game,” or business tips given by local business owners.
Although uplifting the Black owned business community was the initial goal, San Antonio has the opportunity to work with all minority businesses to assist in growing ecosystems for underserved groups.
The upcoming version, Circulate App SA 2.0, will offer a space for both Black and other minority owned service providers to live.
CSA 2.0 is a completely custom platform using Progressive Web App technology.
In creating brand awareness, Circulate App SA has become a reliable source in the community for mentorship events showcasing local successful minority business owners. Each owner speaks and gives a testimonial account on how they “did it,” or how they have achieved their level of success.
The audience ranges from high school students and college students majoring in business to current, more seasoned entrepreneurs.
After the launch of Circulate App SA 2.0, the mission to provide accurate information about Black owned and other minority owned businesses, mentor and educate the upcoming generation of entrepreneurs lives on.
We’d be interested to hear your thoughts on luck and what role, if any, you feel it’s played for you?
I don’t believe in luck. I am super blessed and all glory goes to God for any success that I have seen and for any success I will see in the future.
Contact Info:
- Website: circulateapp.io
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/circulateappsa/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/circulateappsa/
Image Credits
@dreamingwithdawson
