We had the good fortune of connecting with Syreeta Duncan and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Syreeta, how did you come up with the idea for your business?
In 2016 I had a good friend that had just started her own team and she shared the opportunity with me. Even though I wasn’t a huge basketball fan I saw the value in the opportunity for my community. I was a teacher at the time and apart of the athletic program and I saw the need of this level of basketball for inspiring players that wouldn’t get the opportunity to play after highschool. So I bought into the vision of the American Basketball Association (ABA) purchased my market and in 2017, I became the second African American female to solely own a semi pro basketball team in the state of Alabama and my team played in their first semi professional basketball game.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
River Region Generals Inc is actually a public charity nonprofit, we help youth and young adults with life skills and development, and mental health through basketball. We provide educational training with our programs. The community of local artists and other nonprofits and small businesses have an opportunity to partner with us and provide their services and or resources.

Was any of the work along the way easy??? By no means, there were many tiring sleepless nights, long days, and mental breakdowns along the way. But, overcoming so many obstacles was bearable only because I knew the vision and I trusted the process regardless of what anyone thought, I kept praying and kept pushing myself.

There were so many lessons learned along the way, like trust yourself, don’t be afraid to take a chance, and always bet on yourself.

I want all the readers and those thinking about becoming a entrepreneur to know that everyday is not a good day, everyone is not built to be a entrepreneur and that’s ok, never look at defeat as it’s over but try again, and that your yes is right around the corner of no.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I think the first place I would take someone visiting my area, would be downtown, we have so much rich historical history here that’s always a treat. There are some great eating spots downtown as well like plantbae, it’s a popular vegan spot, I love first watch that’s a good breakfast spot and Gregg’s has a great soul food spot as well and our hookah house is a nice spot for nightlife fun.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
First I would like to thank God for allowing me to see the calling he had on my life to inspire others. Secondly I would like to thank Kimberly Meadows Clark, she’s the amazing woman that introduced me to the world of team ownership and pushed me to my full potential of being an owner. Joe Newman is the co founder of the relaunched ABA, and he gave me the opportunity when I didn’t even know I wanted it. He believed in me, so my potential and helped me every step of the way within my seven years of being an owner. Lastly I want to thank my parents and family for rocking with me, supporting me, and loving me behind the scenes.

Website: https://riverregion18.wixsite.com/riverregiongeneral18

Instagram: Only1syreetab

Linkedin: Syreeta Duncan

Twitter: Only1syreetab

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theonlysyreetaduncanbailey?mibextid=hu50Ix

Image Credits
Destiny Turner Jalyssa Moore

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