(Editor’s note: This is the eighth installment in a monthly series speaking with minority business owners and leaders. Each will be asked their views on minority-business conditions in the state and for ways to improve those businesses’ chances for success. You can read the previous installments here.)
Robert B. Foster says feeling inferior was never an option for him because his family never allowed it to become one.
The youngest of seven children, Foster and his family briefly lived in public housing in Queens, N.Y., but seeing the bleak surroundings, his parents decided to move to Rhode Island in 1977 when Foster was an infant. It took more than just a change in scenery to obtain that better life, he said.
Foster, a personal trainer and now the owner of RBF Fitness and Nutrition LLC in Warwick, said his parents instilled values that he believes made obstacles few and far between. “They taught us about being responsible and respecting authority,” Foster said. “My parents drilled it into us that you can have whatever you want in life. So, I never grew up with that mentality [of being inferior]. The way I was raised, it was, ‘Be good enough to where they overlook your skin color.’ ”
While Foster, who is Black, said that hate takes many forms in society and everyone has obstacles in some form or another, he learned through his upbringing how to block out the negativity that may arise in some situations. If he applied for a job and was treated differently, that was the company’s problem and not Foster’s, he said. He believed he could find a better opportunity elsewhere.
He instills those values – doing whatever it takes to reach your goals, no matter what obstacles you deal with along the way – when working with clients at his gym, as well as with women-empowerment groups.
Foster also spreads that message through his podcast, titled “Shut Up and Grind: How To Get To The Next Level Through Tough Times,” which is posted four times per week. In his first few podcasts, Foster offered advice on how businesses could adjust and reinvent themselves to remain sustainable, especially during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
“Everyone on this planet wants to be happy,” Foster said. “The message of hope, determination and perseverance is a global message.”
Foster regularly speaks to students at inner-city schools, as well, to get the middle school and high school students in the mindset that they can achieve anything no matter what hands life can deal them. One of his speeches to students is called “Break the Cycle,” because, Foster said, at some point, somebody has to make the decision where they say, “We don’t want this for our family anymore.”
Foster also believes that racism is more generational than systemic. While he says there are systemic flaws in society, Foster, who previously coached youth basketball in Providence for six years, could immediately tell how a child’s household is by just talking with them.
“Just the amount of things I would hear the kids saying, you can tell that comes from upbringing,” he said. “That’s what’s ultimately going to decide their fate. If they have no respect for authority at 10 years old, and there’s no dad in the house, that kid is going to be in and out of jail.”
1. Do you believe racism is keeping minorities from starting businesses in the Ocean State or succeeding when they do? Absolutely not. I feel anyone can forge their own path. Are there going to be obstacles along the way? Absolutely. But, I’ve been Black for 46 years and nothing has ever stopped me from achieving what I want to achieve.
2. How dependent is your business on the support of other minority groups? Is that a sustainable business model? Mine is not supported at all [by other minority groups]. I’d say about 98% of my clientele is white. In the gym aspect, my clientele is mostly moms, helping them trying to lose baby weight and helping them try to reclaim themselves.
3. What one thing could Rhode Island do to boost the odds for minority-owned business success? Honestly, to stop telling people that they don’t have the same opportunities [as others]. For example, before the election, President [Joe] Biden held a town hall and a young Black male asked him why the Black community should trust him with their vote. Part of his response [while addressing the question] was, “Even though you have to play eight steps behind.” If we stop indoctrinating our [youths], they will grow up with more confidence as they enter the workforce. The Social Enterprise Greenhouse, where I’m a volunteer business coach, has many free programs to help aspiring/struggling entrepreneurs.
4. Have you had to turn somewhere other than a bank for a loan? Do you believe the state’s lending institutions treat minorities fairly? With my gym, I had two private investors, so I never actually had to go through a bank. I did get some smaller loans, but I didn’t have any trouble getting them. To me, the privilege is economic. If you come from an economically sound family, you’re going to be treated better by the bank. If you have a history of low credit and bouncing checks, then you’re going to have a hard time getting a loan. But if you don’t have those issues, you wouldn’t have a problem getting a loan.
5. If another minority entrepreneur asked you where they could turn for support for their business, where would you direct them? I just started volunteering with Social Enterprise Greenhouse in Providence. We actually helped entrepreneurs who are just getting started or looking to scale. Then, you have the local chamber of commerce, which has a ton of free opportunities out there to get business guidance.
James Bessette is special projects editor at PBN. Contact him at Bessette@PBN.com.
Updated on April 5 to clarify the response to question No. 3.
What a great, upbeat article. I enjoyed reading about Mr. Foster’s positive approach to life and business. Well done, RBF.