Tosha Link & Theodore Bitho
"Sometimes you can exist from day to day paying what immediately needs attention and lose sight of the big picture or the future expansion. Going through CAAB’s program has helped me to see I can put aside a little every month to invest and expand the business and not just think about immediate expenses."
Armed with an MBA, a tour in the Peace Corps, and experience running a community based nonprofit organization, Tosha Link is redefining community service by providing creative and convenient services to students, professors, and entrepreneurs in one Georgia Avenue neighborhood.
Tosha and her husband, Theodore Bitho, have owned Bara Business Solutions, located at the corner of Georgia Avenue and Harvard Street in Northwest DC, for more than two years now. The small business had been serving the community for seven years when its previous owner decided to retire, and sold the business to Tosha, a frequent customer, and Theodore. Bara means “to create” in Aramaic.
Tosha and Theodore enrolled in CAAB’s Marriage Development Account (MDA) program to expand Bara Business Solutions. “We need more equipment,” Tosha explains. With a location three blocks from Howard University, Tosha keeps a careful eye on what local customers need to stay successful. Motivated by a strong desire to serve the community, Bara Business Solutions supports local nonprofits by providing services at a discount or at no charge.
“I graduated from Howard and I live in the area,” Tosha says. “I have an understanding of the needs of the community. There are quite a few small businesses and entrepreneurs working from home who need support for the work that they do. We get a lot of great compliments from our customers that we’re here because otherwise they’d have to go downtown or to Maryland. Our main motivation is providing great services to the community that they need and want. And as a former Howard student I have a particular affection for this area.”
The Operation HOPE Center in Southeast Washington, which provides financial education services to small businesses and individuals, referred Tosha and Theodore to CAAB. Tosha and Theodore opened their MDA in October 2006. “It still takes effort to save,” Tosha acknowledges. “I wouldn’t say it’s easy to save. We’ve been able to make deposits monthly and be committed to a routine of saving. Mainly it just takes planning ahead and putting it in the budget and always keeping in mind we needed to save this amount to reach our goal by a certain period of time. The planning and awareness are very key and making sure that the funds are there.”
“We’re about one-third of the way there,” Tosha says. “We’ve saved $1,000 and we need to save $3,000, which will be matched three to one. We will wait till the end to buy the new equipment. I would like to finish saving by May or June to prepare for the new school year.”
Being an entrepreneur holds great rewards and significant challenges for Tosha and Theodore. “The creativity that comes with being an entrepreneur and challenges that you have to face every day can be energizing,” Tosha explains. “The main challenge is cash flow, as well as making sure we can pay all the bills, pay all our vendors, meet deadlines for customers, and keep supplies in stock.”
After a couple years in business, Tosha has learned what it takes to be successful, and offers this advice to prospective entrepreneurs.
“Have a solid plan. Use the resources in the community to get support from other people who’ve been in business. Folks can help you to plan. Be conscious and educate yourself about financial management. Make sure you have the capital or a plan for keeping the business going for at least two years while you obtain capital and get the business on its feet. And have a lot of energy and ideas.”
Workshops and classes have also helped Tosha along the way. Besides the counseling she received through the Hope Center, Tosha also took a class at the Board of Trade. “Classes have helped me to think through the idea of setting aside funds for investments or emergencies. Sometimes you can exist from day to day paying what immediately needs attention and lose sight of the big picture or the future expansion. Going through CAAB’s program has helped me to see I can put aside a little every month to invest and expand the business and not just think about immediate expenses.”
“We really appreciate CAAB and have shared it with others,” Tosha says. “I have two friends who are in the savings program. I think CAAB is definitely providing people with additional hope and education about the benefits of savings and how it can enhance their lives through education, or a house, or a business. It’s a springboard to keeping that kind of habit going or creating a habit so it becomes a part of your lifestyle.”
