This paper notes that most Americans believe that Black African firms operate their businesses along European lines. Within America's business community, the study of Black Africa now enters its third decade of benign neglect. Reasons for Americans remaining blind to Black African business principles include ignorance of Africa's complex past, Africans' use of management styles outside the normal range of western commercial thought, and dislike of commercial ambiguity which is sometimes encouraged by Black African cultures. African tradition impacting the small entrepreneur in starting a firm is discussed, focusing on both identifying overt behavior and analyzing underlying principles. The discussion addresses: financing a firm, organizing a firm, in-house decision making, staffing, and client relations. Recommendations include: consider the "kinship" factor, recognize the importance of "playing to" the elders, consider the impact of "African time" on launching a venture, personalize the manager's authority, reward employee seniority and age, adjust to office "chat," adjust the commercial pace, seek allies, do favors, ask favors, and affiliate with local firms. (Contains 24 references.) (JDD)