For nearly five decades, Allen Battle has built a reputation grounded in relationships, credibility, and service to community. A longtime entrepreneur, business leader, and mentor, Battle’s work spans business ownership, civic leadership, and economic empowerment initiatives designed to help aspiring entrepreneurs, particularly men of color, access opportunity and build sustainable success. Born in Columbus, Ohio, and rooted in Spokane since the mid-1970s, Battle’s journey reflects the power of faith, consistency, and genuine connection.
In this third installment of Men of Color in Motion, Black Lens Contributor James Smith sits down with Battle to discuss entrepreneurship, mentorship, and the principles that have guided his leadership and community impact for nearly half a century.
Q: Tell us a little about yourself to get things started.
Battle: I was born and raised in Columbus, Ohio. I moved here in 1975 to go to college for one year, but life had other plans. I’ve been here ever since, and I love this community. I worked for the Postal Service for a long time, but I always had an entrepreneurial spirit. I always felt that I could do things better. I come from a family of entrepreneurs. They were entrepreneurs out of necessity because life was different growing up in the 40s, 50s, 60s, and 70s.
Everything starts with a good, solid foundation. My mother was a woman of God, and that spiritual foundation shaped my whole life. I’m not perfect, and I haven’t done everything correctly, but you always know in the back of your mind when you shouldn’t have done something.
Q: Can you share an experience that shaped your values?
Battle: I remember sitting on a porch with my brothers and sisters when police officers pulled a Black man out of a vehicle, handcuffed him to a pole, and beat him. We were shocked and asked my mom if we should call the police, and she said, “Maybe that is the police.” But she also told us to be careful not to judge every officer the same. You have to be aware of your surroundings, but there are good people and bad people in every walk of life.
She always taught us to treat people the way you want to be treated. Those are basic biblical principles, and they work.
Another lesson came later in life. My mom used to honk and wave at people sitting outside nursing homes. I asked how she knew so many people, and she said, “Baby, I didn’t know those people. You may be the only positive interaction that person will have all day.” That stayed with me.
Q: You talk often about relationships. What is the difference between networking and real relationships?
Battle: I don’t particularly like the word networking because it sounds like you’re just meeting people to get business. It’s a long-term game. People buy from people they know, like, and trust.
You build relationships by being genuine. You’re not trying to sell every time. You sell before you sell. It’s like marriage. You don’t try to close the deal on the first night. You build trust over time.
Q: What habits helped you remain respected in business for decades?
Battle: Credibility. Credibility takes a long time to build. Especially in Spokane, you have to understand you are building relationships and credibility 24 hours a day, seven days a week. You can spend years building credibility and lose it in 30 seconds. It’s a lifestyle.
Q: What do aspiring entrepreneurs often misunderstand about business?
Battle: They look at someone successful and say, “I can do that,” but they don’t see the struggle, the sleepless nights, or wondering how they’re going to make payroll. Mentorship is huge. You have to talk to people who have been there and done it.
You also need a plan. If three times as many people want your product, how will you scale? Most people don’t think about that.
Q: How does someone earn credibility and leadership opportunities?
Battle: You earn credibility by doing what you say you’re going to do. People don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care. Get involved in your community. Leadership opportunities come when people see your commitment.
Q: How has faith influenced your journey?
Battle: My faith is everything. Romans 8:28 says all things work together for good. When you look back at your life, things that seemed like failures helped put you where you are today. Everyone has a gift, and that gift is meant to help somebody else.
Q: What advice would you give young men of color who want to start a business?
Battle: First, find a mentor. You don’t know what you don’t know. Second, research everything. There’s so much information available now.
Personally, I recommend starting your day with something positive. Read something uplifting before you walk out the door because the world will beat you up. Consistency matters.
Q: Final thoughts for readers?
Battle: You have to become one person. Be the same person before work, at work, and after work. Be consistent. Keep learning. Wanting more is okay, but consistency will take you a long way.
Allen Battle welcomes those interested in mentorship or entrepreneurship to reach out and continue the conversation, reflecting his lifelong commitment to helping others build opportunity through relationships, knowledge, and service.