{"id":58478,"date":"2021-08-25T13:33:34","date_gmt":"2021-08-25T18:33:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/resource-center.hrblock.com\/?post_type=newsroom&#038;p=58478"},"modified":"2024-09-12T09:56:15","modified_gmt":"2024-09-12T14:56:15","slug":"black-business-owner-opening-during-covid","status":"publish","type":"newsroom","link":"https:\/\/hrbcomlnp.hrblock.com\/tax-center\/newsroom\/people-culture\/black-business-owner-opening-during-covid\/","title":{"rendered":"H&#038;R Block Profiles in Black Entrepreneurship: Building a Family Business"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n<div id=\"gutenslider-rr4dlfwtq\" class=\"wp-block-eedee-block-gutenslider gs-frontend content-fixed alignnone arrow-style-1 arrow-position-sides arrow-mb-none arrows-lg arrows-md arrows-sm dot-style-1 dots-lg dots-md dots-sm dot-position-bottom is-position-center-center mb-none wrap-auto-height\" style=\"--gutenslider-min-height: 100vh;--gutenslider-arrow-size: 30px;--gutenslider-dot-size: 25px;--gutenslider-arrow-color: #ffffff;--gutenslider-dot-color: #ffffff;--gutenslider-padding-y-mobile: 40px;--gutenslider-padding-x-mobile: 40px;--gutenslider-padding-y-tablet: 40px;--gutenslider-padding-x-tablet: 40px;--gutenslider-padding-y-desktop: 40px;--gutenslider-padding-x-desktop: 40px;--gutenslider-bg-image: url();--gutenslider-min-height-md: 50vh;--gutenslider-min-height-sm: 50vh;--gutenslider-padding-x: 40px;--gutenslider-padding-x-md: 40px;--gutenslider-padding-x-sm: 20px;--gutenslider-padding-y: 40px;--gutenslider-padding-y-md: 40px;--gutenslider-padding-y-sm: 20px;--gutenslider-arrow-size-md: 30px;--gutenslider-arrow-size-sm: 30px;--gutenslider-dot-size-md: 25px;--gutenslider-dot-size-sm: 25px;--gutenslider-arrow-bg-color: transparent;--gutenslider-arrow-hover-color: #eeeeee;--gutenslider-arrow-bg-hover-color: transparent;--gutenslider-arrow-x-offset: 10px;--gutenslider-arrow-x-offset-md: 10px;--gutenslider-arrow-x-offset-sm: 10px;--gutenslider-arrow-y-offset: 0px;--gutenslider-arrow-y-offset-md: 0px;--gutenslider-arrow-y-offset-sm: 0px;--gutenslider-arrow-x-spacing: 0px;--gutenslider-dot-y-offset: 10px;--gutenslider-dot-y-offset-md: 10px;--gutenslider-dot-y-offset-sm: 10px;--gutenslider-margin-x: 0px;--gutenslider-margin-x-md: 0px;--gutenslider-margin-x-sm: 0px;--gutenslider-margin-y: 0px;--gutenslider-margin-y-md: 0px;--gutenslider-margin-y-sm: 0px;--gutenslider-divider-top: 60px;--gutenslider-divider-bottom: 60px;--gutenslider-lightgallery-bg: #ffffff;--gutenslider-lightgallery-font: #000000;--gs-first-pos: 50% 50%;--gs-gap-vertical: var( --wp--style--gallery-gap-default, var( --gallery-block--gutter-size, var( --wp--style--block-gap, 0.5em ) ) );--gs-gap-horizontal: var( --wp--style--gallery-gap-default, var( --gallery-block--gutter-size, var( --wp--style--block-gap, 0.5em ) ) );\" data-parallax-direction=\"down\" data-parallax-amount=\"1.3\" data-lg-transition=\"lg-slide\" data-hash=\"\"><div class=\"eedee-swiper-outer\"><div class=\"gutenslider-divider-top\" style=\"color:#fff;\"><\/div><div class=\"swiper\" data-settings='{\"autoplay\":{\"delay\":3000,\"pauseOnMouseEnter\":true,\"disableOnInteraction\":false},\"speed\":700,\"direction\":\"horizontal\",\"autoHeight\":\"\",\"loop\":true,\"centeredSlides\":true,\"spaceBetween\":0,\"slidesPerView\":1,\"slidesPerGroup\":1,\"effect\":\"slide\",\"coverflowEffect\":{\"rotate\":30,\"slideShadows\":false,\"depth\":100,\"stretch\":50,\"modifier\":1},\"fadeEffect\":{\"crossFade\":true},\"zoom\":\"\",\"navigation\":{\"nextEl\":\"#gutenslider-rr4dlfwtq .eedee-gutenslider-next\",\"prevEl\":\"#gutenslider-rr4dlfwtq .eedee-gutenslider-prev\"},\"pagination\":{\"type\":\"bullets\",\"clickable\":true,\"dynamicBullets\":false,\"el\":\"#gutenslider-rr4dlfwtq .eedee-gutenslider-pagination\"},\"pauseOnHover\":\"1\",\"watchSlidesProgress\":true,\"watchSlidesVisibility\":true,\"settingsMd\":{\"autoHeight\":\"\",\"slidesPerView\":1,\"slidesPerGroup\":1,\"spaceBetween\":0,\"loop\":true},\"settingsLg\":{\"autoHeight\":\"\",\"slidesPerView\":1,\"slidesPerGroup\":1,\"spaceBetween\":0,\"loop\":true},\"hasLg\":false,\"hasLgCounter\":true,\"isFullScreen\":false,\"arrowsFollowMouse\":false,\"lgTitle\":\"none\",\"lgCaption\":\"none\",\"lgThumbnails\":true,\"lgZoomEnabled\":false,\"keyboard\":{\"keyboard\":{\"enabled\":true,\"onlyInViewport\":true}},\"hashNavigation\":false,\"dividers\":false}'><div class=\"swiper-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"swiper-slide wp-block-eedee-block-gutenslide is-position-center-center ed-bg-image\" style=\"--ed-vw:300;--ed-vh:200;\" data-hash=\"\"><div class=\"eedee-background-div bg-image\"><img loading=\"lazy\" width=\"1024\" height=\"682\" class=\"wp-image-58473\" src=\"https:\/\/hrbcomlnp.hrblock.com\/tax-center\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/GiGis-1-1024x682.jpg\" alt=\"Ronald Smith stands outside GiGi&#039;s storefront\" decoding=\"async\" style=\"object-fit: cover; object-position: 50% 50%;\"  data-caption=\"Ron Smith outside his storefront in Olathe, KS\" data-title=\"GiGis-1\" srcset=\"https:\/\/hrbcomlnp.hrblock.com\/tax-center\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/GiGis-1-1024x682.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/hrbcomlnp.hrblock.com\/tax-center\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/GiGis-1-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/hrbcomlnp.hrblock.com\/tax-center\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/GiGis-1-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/hrbcomlnp.hrblock.com\/tax-center\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/GiGis-1.jpg 1280w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><div class=\"eedee-background-div__overlay\" style=\"opacity:1;\"><\/div><\/div><div class=\"slide-content\">\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center gutenslider-content-initial has-larger-font-size\"><\/p>\n\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n<div class=\"swiper-slide wp-block-eedee-block-gutenslide is-position-center-center ed-bg-image\" style=\"--ed-vw:300;--ed-vh:200;\" data-hash=\"\"><div class=\"eedee-background-div bg-image\"><img loading=\"lazy\" width=\"1024\" height=\"682\" class=\"wp-image-58475\" src=\"https:\/\/hrbcomlnp.hrblock.com\/tax-center\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/GiGis-3-1024x682.jpg\" alt=\"\" decoding=\"async\" style=\"object-fit: cover; object-position: 50% 50%;\"  data-title=\"GiGis-3\" srcset=\"https:\/\/hrbcomlnp.hrblock.com\/tax-center\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/GiGis-3-1024x682.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/hrbcomlnp.hrblock.com\/tax-center\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/GiGis-3-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/hrbcomlnp.hrblock.com\/tax-center\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/GiGis-3-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/hrbcomlnp.hrblock.com\/tax-center\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/GiGis-3.jpg 1280w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><div class=\"eedee-background-div__overlay\" style=\"opacity:1;\"><\/div><\/div><div class=\"slide-content\">\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center gutenslider-content-initial has-larger-font-size\"><\/p>\n\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n<div class=\"swiper-slide wp-block-eedee-block-gutenslide is-position-center-center ed-bg-image\" style=\"--ed-vw:300;--ed-vh:200;\" data-hash=\"\"><div class=\"eedee-background-div bg-image\"><img loading=\"lazy\" width=\"1024\" height=\"682\" class=\"wp-image-58476\" src=\"https:\/\/hrbcomlnp.hrblock.com\/tax-center\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/GiGis-4-1024x682.jpg\" alt=\"\" decoding=\"async\" style=\"object-fit: cover; object-position: 50% 50%;\"  data-title=\"GiGis-4\" srcset=\"https:\/\/hrbcomlnp.hrblock.com\/tax-center\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/GiGis-4-1024x682.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/hrbcomlnp.hrblock.com\/tax-center\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/GiGis-4-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/hrbcomlnp.hrblock.com\/tax-center\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/GiGis-4-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/hrbcomlnp.hrblock.com\/tax-center\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/GiGis-4.jpg 1280w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><div class=\"eedee-background-div__overlay\" style=\"opacity:1;\"><\/div><\/div><div class=\"slide-content\">\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center gutenslider-content-initial has-larger-font-size\"><\/p>\n\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n<div class=\"swiper-slide wp-block-eedee-block-gutenslide is-position-center-center ed-bg-image\" style=\"--ed-vw:300;--ed-vh:200;\" data-hash=\"\"><div class=\"eedee-background-div bg-image\"><img loading=\"lazy\" width=\"1024\" height=\"682\" class=\"wp-image-58474\" src=\"https:\/\/hrbcomlnp.hrblock.com\/tax-center\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/GiGis-2-1024x682.jpg\" alt=\"\" decoding=\"async\" style=\"object-fit: cover; object-position: 50% 50%;\"  data-caption=\"Ron Smith with his sister Cece Lawson, general manager\" data-title=\"GiGis-2\" srcset=\"https:\/\/hrbcomlnp.hrblock.com\/tax-center\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/GiGis-2-1024x682.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/hrbcomlnp.hrblock.com\/tax-center\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/GiGis-2-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/hrbcomlnp.hrblock.com\/tax-center\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/GiGis-2-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/hrbcomlnp.hrblock.com\/tax-center\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/GiGis-2.jpg 1280w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><div class=\"eedee-background-div__overlay\" style=\"opacity:1;\"><\/div><\/div><div class=\"slide-content\">\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center gutenslider-content-initial has-larger-font-size\"><\/p>\n\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n<div class=\"swiper-slide wp-block-eedee-block-gutenslide is-position-center-center ed-bg-image\" style=\"--ed-vw:300;--ed-vh:224;\" data-hash=\"\"><div class=\"eedee-background-div bg-image\"><img loading=\"lazy\" width=\"1024\" height=\"763\" class=\"wp-image-58477\" src=\"https:\/\/hrbcomlnp.hrblock.com\/tax-center\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/GiGis-5-1024x763.jpg\" alt=\"\" decoding=\"async\" style=\"object-fit: cover; object-position: 50% 50%;\"  data-title=\"GiGis-5\" srcset=\"https:\/\/hrbcomlnp.hrblock.com\/tax-center\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/GiGis-5-1024x763.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/hrbcomlnp.hrblock.com\/tax-center\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/GiGis-5-300x224.jpg 300w, https:\/\/hrbcomlnp.hrblock.com\/tax-center\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/GiGis-5-768x572.jpg 768w, https:\/\/hrbcomlnp.hrblock.com\/tax-center\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/GiGis-5.jpg 1280w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><div class=\"eedee-background-div__overlay\" style=\"opacity:1;\"><\/div><\/div><div class=\"slide-content\">\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center gutenslider-content-initial has-larger-font-size\"><\/p>\n\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><div class=\"wp-block-eedee-gutenslider__content co-1\">\n<div class=\"swiper-slide wp-block-eedee-block-gutenslide is-position-center-center ed-bg-image\" style=\"--ed-vw:300;--ed-vh:200;\" data-hash=\"\"><div class=\"eedee-background-div bg-image\"><img loading=\"lazy\" width=\"1024\" height=\"682\" class=\"wp-image-58473\" src=\"https:\/\/hrbcomlnp.hrblock.com\/tax-center\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/GiGis-1-1024x682.jpg\" alt=\"Ronald Smith stands outside GiGi&#039;s storefront\" decoding=\"async\" style=\"object-fit: cover; object-position: 50% 50%;\"  data-caption=\"Ron Smith outside his storefront in Olathe, KS\" data-title=\"GiGis-1\" srcset=\"https:\/\/hrbcomlnp.hrblock.com\/tax-center\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/GiGis-1-1024x682.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/hrbcomlnp.hrblock.com\/tax-center\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/GiGis-1-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/hrbcomlnp.hrblock.com\/tax-center\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/GiGis-1-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/hrbcomlnp.hrblock.com\/tax-center\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/GiGis-1.jpg 1280w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><div class=\"eedee-background-div__overlay\" style=\"opacity:1;\"><\/div><\/div><div class=\"slide-content\">\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center gutenslider-content-initial has-larger-font-size\"><\/p>\n\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n<div class=\"swiper-slide wp-block-eedee-block-gutenslide is-position-center-center ed-bg-image\" style=\"--ed-vw:300;--ed-vh:200;\" data-hash=\"\"><div class=\"eedee-background-div bg-image\"><img loading=\"lazy\" width=\"1024\" height=\"682\" class=\"wp-image-58475\" src=\"https:\/\/hrbcomlnp.hrblock.com\/tax-center\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/GiGis-3-1024x682.jpg\" alt=\"\" decoding=\"async\" style=\"object-fit: cover; object-position: 50% 50%;\"  data-title=\"GiGis-3\" srcset=\"https:\/\/hrbcomlnp.hrblock.com\/tax-center\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/GiGis-3-1024x682.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/hrbcomlnp.hrblock.com\/tax-center\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/GiGis-3-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/hrbcomlnp.hrblock.com\/tax-center\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/GiGis-3-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/hrbcomlnp.hrblock.com\/tax-center\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/GiGis-3.jpg 1280w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><div class=\"eedee-background-div__overlay\" style=\"opacity:1;\"><\/div><\/div><div class=\"slide-content\">\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center gutenslider-content-initial has-larger-font-size\"><\/p>\n\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n<div class=\"swiper-slide wp-block-eedee-block-gutenslide is-position-center-center ed-bg-image\" style=\"--ed-vw:300;--ed-vh:200;\" data-hash=\"\"><div class=\"eedee-background-div bg-image\"><img loading=\"lazy\" width=\"1024\" height=\"682\" class=\"wp-image-58476\" src=\"https:\/\/hrbcomlnp.hrblock.com\/tax-center\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/GiGis-4-1024x682.jpg\" alt=\"\" decoding=\"async\" style=\"object-fit: cover; object-position: 50% 50%;\"  data-title=\"GiGis-4\" srcset=\"https:\/\/hrbcomlnp.hrblock.com\/tax-center\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/GiGis-4-1024x682.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/hrbcomlnp.hrblock.com\/tax-center\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/GiGis-4-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/hrbcomlnp.hrblock.com\/tax-center\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/GiGis-4-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/hrbcomlnp.hrblock.com\/tax-center\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/GiGis-4.jpg 1280w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><div class=\"eedee-background-div__overlay\" style=\"opacity:1;\"><\/div><\/div><div class=\"slide-content\">\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center gutenslider-content-initial has-larger-font-size\"><\/p>\n\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n<div class=\"swiper-slide wp-block-eedee-block-gutenslide is-position-center-center ed-bg-image\" style=\"--ed-vw:300;--ed-vh:200;\" data-hash=\"\"><div class=\"eedee-background-div bg-image\"><img loading=\"lazy\" width=\"1024\" height=\"682\" class=\"wp-image-58474\" src=\"https:\/\/hrbcomlnp.hrblock.com\/tax-center\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/GiGis-2-1024x682.jpg\" alt=\"\" decoding=\"async\" style=\"object-fit: cover; object-position: 50% 50%;\"  data-caption=\"Ron Smith with his sister Cece Lawson, general manager\" data-title=\"GiGis-2\" srcset=\"https:\/\/hrbcomlnp.hrblock.com\/tax-center\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/GiGis-2-1024x682.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/hrbcomlnp.hrblock.com\/tax-center\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/GiGis-2-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/hrbcomlnp.hrblock.com\/tax-center\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/GiGis-2-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/hrbcomlnp.hrblock.com\/tax-center\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/GiGis-2.jpg 1280w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><div class=\"eedee-background-div__overlay\" style=\"opacity:1;\"><\/div><\/div><div class=\"slide-content\">\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center gutenslider-content-initial has-larger-font-size\"><\/p>\n\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n<div class=\"swiper-slide wp-block-eedee-block-gutenslide is-position-center-center ed-bg-image\" style=\"--ed-vw:300;--ed-vh:224;\" data-hash=\"\"><div class=\"eedee-background-div bg-image\"><img loading=\"lazy\" width=\"1024\" height=\"763\" class=\"wp-image-58477\" src=\"https:\/\/hrbcomlnp.hrblock.com\/tax-center\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/GiGis-5-1024x763.jpg\" alt=\"\" decoding=\"async\" style=\"object-fit: cover; object-position: 50% 50%;\"  data-title=\"GiGis-5\" srcset=\"https:\/\/hrbcomlnp.hrblock.com\/tax-center\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/GiGis-5-1024x763.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/hrbcomlnp.hrblock.com\/tax-center\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/GiGis-5-300x224.jpg 300w, https:\/\/hrbcomlnp.hrblock.com\/tax-center\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/GiGis-5-768x572.jpg 768w, https:\/\/hrbcomlnp.hrblock.com\/tax-center\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/GiGis-5.jpg 1280w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><div class=\"eedee-background-div__overlay\" style=\"opacity:1;\"><\/div><\/div><div class=\"slide-content\">\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center gutenslider-content-initial has-larger-font-size\"><\/p>\n\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><button class=\"eedee-gutenslider-nav eedee-gutenslider-prev\"><svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" width=\"24\" height=\"24\"><circle class=\"bg\" cx=\"13\" cy=\"12\" r=\"11\" \/><path fill=\"none\" d=\"M0 0h24v24H0z\"\/><path class=\"arrow\" d=\"M10.828 12l4.95 4.95-1.414 1.414L8 12l6.364-6.364 1.414 1.414z\"\/><\/svg><\/button><button class=\"eedee-gutenslider-nav eedee-gutenslider-next\"><svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" width=\"24\" height=\"24\"><circle class=\"bg\" cx=\"11\" cy=\"12\" r=\"11\" \/><path fill=\"none\" d=\"M0 0h24v24H0z\"\/><path class=\"arrow\" d=\"M13.172 12l-4.95-4.95 1.414-1.414L16 12l-6.364 6.364-1.414-1.414z\"\/><\/svg><\/button><div class=\"eedee-gutenslider-pagination\"><\/div><\/div><div class=\"gutenslider-divider-bottom \" style=\"color:#fff;\"><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p style=\"font-size:10px\"><em>Photos by <a style=\"font-size:10px;\" href=\"https:\/\/3shotsphotography.com\/work\">Kenney Ellison<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Ron Smith\u2019s idea for <a href=\"https:\/\/gigisbaitandtackle.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">GiGi\u2019s Bait and Tackle<\/a> came from equal parts passion and problem solving. A fisherman himself, he knew the nearest bait shops for local clientele were a 30-minute drive from his home in Olathe. Since he didn\u2019t enjoy adding the drive to his recreation time, he could imagine that others didn\u2019t either. Thus, GiGi\u2019s was born.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cGod put it on me,\u201d said Smith. \u201cI just woke up one morning and we had been stuck in the house for [coronavirus] and\u2026the bait shop came to my head.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>A Black- and veteran-owned business, GiGi\u2019s is a family business to its core. It\u2019s named after Smith\u2019s daughter, and Smith\u2019s mother, father, and fianc\u00e9e are all partial owners. His sister Cece Lawson serves as its general manager. They\u2019re all first-time business owners who are learning as they go.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The capital to start the business even came from family. It started as an idea launched by his aunt during the big family Christmas dinner one year\u2014anyone in the family who wanted to start a business would invest $50 a month, and at the end of the year, they\u2019d select someone\u2019s name out of a hat. Since Smith\u2019s mother is one of nine siblings, he figured his chances were slim. But out of everyone, his name was chosen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>By March, Smith solidified his idea for the bait and tackle shop and got his business license. But the pandemic certainly impacted the opening, and it took months to find a building that was suitable for the bait shop\u2019s water tanks in Olathe.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>And it had to be Olathe. Even before he lived there, Smith visited family there since he was a child, spending his summers in high school working. He always knew he was going to live there\u2014so it made sense to start his business there as well. When he did find the right spot for it, it ended up being only a few minutes from his home in Olathe.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cI love it here, there\u2019s so much opportunity. I always knew this was going to be my home,\u201d said Smith.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Before Olathe became home, Smith spent four years in the U.S. Navy stationed in Everett, Wash. A week before September 11, Smith was assigned to the USS Abraham Lincoln, an aircraft carrier, and deployed soon after. Before he launched GiGi\u2019s, he worked in restaurant restoration for another small business, JK Sales, where he worked under the owner and learned lessons about being a business owner. &nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cHe always told me that\u2019s the hardest part about it, especially a small business, you have to make a lot of sacrifices. You gotta be willing to [make sacrifices] if you want to be successful,\u201d said Smith.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Smith has learned this firsthand with GiGi\u2019s. While he founded the business as a bait and tackle shop, a few months after opening things were slow. He decided to pivot and add <a href=\"https:\/\/www.gigis-seafood.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">a restaurant<\/a>, cooking up wings, like their special caramel wing recipe, and Cajun cuisine using his mother Jackie\u2019s gumbo recipe. Now, the restaurant is drawing in about 75 percent of the business and in addition to bait shop regulars.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Although GiGi\u2019s opened too late to be eligible for PPP loans, the business was referred by a friend to the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hrblock.com\/tax-center\/newsroom\/around-block\/ulkc-partnership-support-black-businesses\/\">Urban League of Kansas City program in partnership with H&amp;R Block<\/a> for additional resources and opportunities for help, including grants. One thing the program is helping with is taxes. As new business owners, Smith and his family have not yet filed their small business taxes. Through the Black business owner program, they\u2019re receiving advice from a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.blockadvisors.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Block Advisors<\/a> small business certified tax pro and help in understanding what documents they\u2019ll need to file by the extension.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Smith just celebrated GiGi\u2019s first year in business in June 2021.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cThe year went by so fast, I didn\u2019t even realize until I saw the memory on Facebook saying it\u2019s your anniversary,\u201d said Smith.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>For now, he\u2019s leaning into the counsel his former boss shared\u2014that it\u2019ll take sacrifice and a few years to really get rolling. Smith already has eyes toward growth and hopes to be able to move to a new location with a larger kitchen to support the restaurant. When asked about the growing pains, he said, \u201cIt gets overwhelming sometimes but it\u2019s a good problem to have.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center\">###<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Photos by Kenney Ellison Ron Smith\u2019s idea for GiGi\u2019s Bait and Tackle came from equal parts passion and problem solving. A fisherman himself, he knew the nearest bait shops for local clientele were a 30-minute drive from his home in Olathe. Since he didn\u2019t enjoy adding the drive to his recreation time, he could imagine [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":406,"featured_media":58473,"menu_order":0,"template":"","tags":[19308],"news-categories":[23336,23340],"class_list":["post-58478","newsroom","type-newsroom","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","tag-make-every-block-better","news-categories-people-culture","news-categories-small-business"],"acf":{"post_rest_thumbnail_alt_id":""},"yoast_head":"<title>Building a Family Business | H&amp;R Block Newsroom<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Small business owner Ron Smith started GiGi\u2019s Bait and Tackle with capital raised from his family. After one year in business, he\u2019s looking toward growth. 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