Breaking Down Barriers

In this episode, show host David Ponraj and special guest Evan Adams examine the Dallas College Venture Club and Dallas College with Cristin Thomas, Senior Director of Small Business and Entrepreneur Innovation at Dallas College. Listeners will learn more about the roots of DCVC and the Bill J. Priest Institute for workforce and economic development. They will also learn about the wide variety of programs and services available in Dallas County with the help of Dallas College. Cristin outlines their organization’s growth, and Evan shares his own experience at DCVC, from the creative artwork to the stories hidden within the furniture.

Click to learn more about the Goldman Sachs 10,000 small businesses program.

Check out the Bill J. Priest Institute here, and learn about LiftFund, SCORE, and much more.

Visit the Dallas College Venture Club website here.

Be sure to connect with Cristin Thomas on Linkedin, and email [email protected] with any questions or inquiries, the whole team is connected to this email.

In this episode, host David Ponraj is joined by Melissa Roberts Chapman. Melissa leads Federation of American Scientists regional entrepreneurship and innovation ecosystem-building work across the country. Both David and Melissa dive into EDA funding, tech hubs, the CHIPS Act, and much more.

Also featured in this episode, Melissa and David discuss innovation, innovation ecosystems, and ecosystem building. Melissa details necessity-driven entrepreneurship vs opportunity-driven entrepreneurship.

David and Melissa also ponder on a pressing question, “Who is the gatekeeper, who are these ecosystem builders who can equitably distribute the wealth coming from EDA funding towards tech hubs?”

In connection with current events and current federal priorities, the Biden administration emphasizes competition with China for efficiency. The CHIPS Act and more are helping to allow for equitable wealth creation and a beautiful, efficient system will be created. In the CHIPS Act, there are ten critical technologies, such as quantum computing, advanced comms technology, biotech, energy storage, and more. This is where a line is drawn in the sand, as it is where we want to compete with China to be successful within the next ten years. 

Visit fas.org for more information and connect with Melissa Roberts through LinkedIn. She is building a team of ecosystem builders with an interest in public policy. She wants to hear your ideas about novel entrepreneurship or cluster-building policies, and she wants to get you involved in her work. Reach out for more.

Check out this article written by Melissa to learn more about systems thinking in entrepreneurship.

For more on the Cynefin framework, visit this link.

To keep in touch with the Federation of American Scientists, check out their blog and newsletter.

In this captivating episode, host David Ponraj is joined by Sharon Nichols, State Director at the Mississippi Small Business Development Center. 

The Mississippi SBDC is the gateway to, and premier provider of, small business assistance and resources that lead to success and entrepreneurial growth throughout the state. Their mission is to foster Mississippi’s entrepreneurial ecosystem; providing businesses with expertise and resources that drive success. Sharon discusses that SBDCs, generally, are tasked to do a huge array of work but the breadth isn’t deep. This is why she notes that Mississippi SBDC is serving as the gateway to entrepreneurship at the right time.

Sharon also mentions the importance of SSBCI, the State Small Business Credit Initiative. Some entrepreneurs do not know how to do financial applications, and with SSBCI, these needs are identified and addressed. The Mississippi SBDC is looking forward to helping those who are getting seed funding to receive mechanisms that provide Technical Assistance (TA) so that the funding can effectively add jobs, retain jobs, and increase business success.

The conversation ends with Sharon describing that she has learned many lessons in her professional career, and remarks that if you focus on what you can’t do, it’ll be difficult to improve. But if you focus on what you can do, you’ll make a true difference.

Connect with Sharon Nichols on her LinkedIn, and check out ConnectMS, one of Sharon’s many initiatives to connect small businesses to the right resources at the right time, with resources powered by Startup Space. 

In this deep-dive episode, show host David Ponraj speaks with Melody Echols and Jeff Morris, pioneers in entrepreneurship-led economic development. They discuss the implementation and tracking of Technical Assistance in Greater Atlanta through several programs: ATLInBusiness, the Open for Business Program, the Tyler Perry tax payment program, and more.

Melody and Jeff work for Invest Atlanta, the City of Atlanta's economic development authority. Their goal is to create economic prosperity and vibrant communities in and around Atlanta. Both Melody and Jeff specialize in programs to help with access to, and knowledge of, resources in underprivileged communities. In this episode, they speak on TA programming, in partnership with local business consultants. These localized partners specialize in HR, tax, marketing, social media, accounting, and finance. Educating small businesses on these programs through local partners helps to alleviate skepticism in utilizing free business resources. A portal is available using Startup Space to track the business owners’ interactions with the technical assistance provider, while recording progress and measuring impact

This engaging episode emphasizes the importance of how entrepreneurship can truly drive economic development. At the time of this podcast, more than a dozen consultants have partnered  with Invest Atlanta, assisting 200 businesses, and totaling 3,000+ hours of consulting. These initiatives also track new jobs being created, as well as new businesses being started.

Connect with Melody Echols and Jeff Morris on LinkedIn, and visit InvestAtlanta.com for the most up-to-date information on entrepreneurship assistance in Atlanta.

In this special and intriguing episode, guest host Jodi McLean, Director of Sales and Marketing at EIC, is joined by Chris Heivly, Managing Director of Build the Fort, an umbrella entity that helps Chris serve entrepreneurs, startup companies and startup community champions through books, speaking, in-person workshops, and consulting. Chris is one of the nation’s leading experts on launching startups and has been dubbed the “Startup Whisperer.”  He co-founded MapQuest, is an angel investor, ran a corporate venture fund and 2 micro venture funds (directed over $75M) and was recently SVP Innovation with Techstars. 

Heivly discusses the complexity of ecosystem building and the 4 levels of community maturity: nascent, developing, emerging, and leading. He breaks down the 7 drivers that are needed to activate these different stages of community ecosystems.. Different drivers are used for different business stages. Jodi and Chris speak on mentorship, which is critical, and helps to build great community leaders. Developing good community relationships is key. You need to inspire and support new startups, while also developing new investors, corporations, universities, and government. Heivly remarks that you cannot have an ecosystem without community.

Heivly also emphasizes the importance of connectivity; he mentions that he likes to see who is hyper-connected and how those connections are being created and nurtured. He speaks on a frequently asked question; If we believe that some startups may fail, how do we invest in the right ones?.

To connect with Chris, visit his LinkedIn. To purchase his recently published book, “Build the Fort: The Startup Community Builder’s Field Guide”, check it out on Amazon, Kindle, paperback, hardcover, and audiobook (in the next coming months).

In this Special Edition episode of Breaking Down Barriers, in honor of Mental Health Awareness Month, host David Ponraj has an in-depth and raw conversation with guest Johnny Crowder, entrepreneur and founder of Cope Notes, and advocate for mental health.

David and Johnny have shared a friendship and served as peers and advocates for each other through their entrepreneurial journey. Cope Notes and EIC both celebrate five years in business this month (May 2023.) They have both managed to reach this benchmark, despite the known, difficult barriers to entrepreneurship in the critical first five years of growth. This Special Edition podcast celebrates their combined achievement, while also acknowledging Mental Health Awareness. Entrepreneurs face many stresses that can affect their mental health - failure, stress, anxiety, and burnout, to name a few. 

Johnny speaks candidly about his personal experience with mental health, and what piqued his interest in the psychology of the human mind, stemming from his own story, being a suicide survivor and front man for a death metal band.

Johnny speaks on the origins of his entrepreneurial journey, from startup to the 5-year mark.

Cope Notes’ main mission is to be the “tooth and floss” of the mental health world. Supportive messaging, instinctive journaling, and more can become a healthy daily habit that is integrated into all systems of care.

Visit copenotes.com, where you can register your company to use the tool for daily text messages that combine peer support, positive psychology, and digital journaling to improve mental and emotional health. You can also view Johnny’s TEDTalks, and sign up for a range of subscription choices, including group and enterprise.

Johnny would also love to speak at your organization, visit johnnycrowder.com to book a keynote or training. 

Check out @johnnycrowderlovesyou on Instagram to connect, as well as Johnny Crowder on LinkedIn.

In this episode, host David Ponraj talks with Danny McDonald, SBA Expert for Listo SBA, who specializes in 7(a) loans to finance Working Capital, Debt Refinance, Business Acquisitions, Building Acquisitions, Partner Buyouts and more.

McDonald talks about the roots of his professional journey until now. He describes how important it is to him to see small businesses growing.  He started his career path with a non-profit small business support organization. He then developed an affinity toward small business, and emphasized how a business idea can go from a dream to getting first dollar revenue, to growing the company, raising money, and exiting and bringing many dollars to the local community. McDonald also speaks about resources that can help underrepresented entrepreneurs and the best ways to hit goals as a company. Also, McDonald explains that his job is to let entrepreneurs think critically about what they are preparing, and to show numbers that are believable. Traction needs to be shown in the market in order to be investible, and this messaging does not get talked about a lot, which is why he has such an interest in it.

McDonald’s niche is Latino entrepreneurs. The hustle mentality is strong within this culture, and there is a desire to sell, sell, sell in that community. At times, there can be  a disconnect in terms of content and resources for entrepreneurs not being available in Spanish language and messaging, which could allow for more opportunity and understanding. That is exactly why Danny believes in the importance of material being available to those from diverse backgrounds.

At EIC, we  are finding out through the Entrepreneur of Color Fund, a program in Dallas in which we are partnering with JPMorgan Chase and the DEC Network, that POC and Latino founders are proven to be marginalized due to barriers in language, cultural differences and lack of trusted connections. McDonald himself is half Peruvian, and has seen this impact shown with BIPOC individuals. He stated that if you have a good story, good branding, and good traction, firms will be open to you. Showing that you’re human and are experiencing growth makes a difference. McDonald details that there is no excuse for loan officers to not be involved, which is why he helps to get entrepreneurs connected to local passionate advisors, SCORE, and SBDC. It’s a two-fold endeavor; the entrepreneur needs to show their effort, and the bankers need to help with guidance throughout the process. He believes in asking real questions and seeing how these entrepreneurs react in order to better assist them.

SCORE includes local business consultants who are industry veterans that are available to meet for free.  They are willing to come to one’s office and spend time with business owners and founders, while helping them accomplish their dreams. Americassbdc.org and score.org include groups that allow for business advancement..

To find a counterpart like Danny McDonald in your community, ask your local bank or local credit union if they have an SBA Loan Officer.

For any questions or just to get in touch, Danny McDonald’s email is [email protected]. Danny’s LinkedIn is https://www.linkedin.com/in/dannymcd/, he is open to connecting and expanding his network. He would love to talk and give straight, honest feedback through virtual or in person meetings. Danny is eager to help Latino and other entrepreneurs throughout the nation. He leaves the conversation with one last note: there is a path to sell your company if interested, and liquidate the enterprise value, because your family and employees truly deserve it.

In this episode, David Ponraj talks with Dr. Sabrina Robins, COO of AbaCor (an Abaxent Co.) and Member Board of Directors of African Heritage Inc. 

Dr. Robins speaks on the connection of underrepresented business owners and workers  to more opportunities. Dr. Robins focuses on a population of society that is marginalized and overlooked in different ways, and she works with companies that have a need for a talented workforce. This helps to increase an employee’s sense of belonging and inclusion and addresses negative turnover.

Dr. Robins is on the board of African Heritage Inc., with a mission to advance the wellbeing of African Americans in NE Wisconsin. Through African Heritage Inc., Dr. Robins has been part of the digital literacy program funded by local workforce development boards. The lack of significant digital literacy skills results in an increased employee turnover rate. Dr. Robins desires to replicate this program, to address the employee turnover concern, based on its successes. From several studies, it has been found that Black and Hispanic individuals were hit the hardest as far as job opportunities, while being faced with a lower earning potential. Dr. Robins is determined to empower these minority workers, to allow them to gain more skillsets and enhance their employability.

Throughout the discussion, Dr. Robins emphasizes her need to keep a strong sense of character and grit. This includes having compassion and being the voice of reason and speaking up for those who are underrepresented and underserved.

Community development and economic development are strongly intertwined, Dr. Robins highlights this in her everyday life while developing her relationships with her local community. She actively serves on committees and boards, and loves being involved in conversations on corporate responsibility and sustainability. She believes in the power to navigate in multiple networks in order to support, share and build the region. In her role, there is a responsibility to contribute to the community, and she carries this into everything she does.

Dr. Sabrina Robins loves to partner with those who share the same mission and values as she, especially those who share the readiness to help others. To connect with Dr. Robins, visit her LinkedIn here, and don’t hesitate to give her a follow!

In this episode, host David Ponraj speaks with Wendy Lea, CEO of Energize Colorado and Advisory Council Member of National Advisory Council on Innovation and Entrepreneurship (NACIE). Lea discusses the roots of Energize Colorado & ecosystem building, and how the main mission is to close the gaps that are significant for underserved entrepreneurs. Lea also mentions NACIE, and the development of the Regional Innovation Hubs, which allow for technological advancement and growth of tech businesses. Included, Lea speaks to the importance of global service providers, specifically McKinsey in Ohio, who teed up and researched the opportunity to launch Cintrifuse, a public private partnership.

The National Advisory Council on Innovation and Entrepreneurship (NACIE) is in the Department of Commerce, and it helps with supporting entrepreneurs who are advocating for innovative technologies. Regional Innovation Hubs include an economic development initiative to increase technology and innovation related change. Added, Regional Innovation Hubs include a ten billion dollar program in which ten regional hubs will be launched over time. This is one program in CHIPS & Science. The goal for a region is a billion dollars for five years. This would be catalytic capital to allow for technological advancement and talent patterns, which can center around diversity and inclusivity.

Although the deadline has passed, the EDA has issued an RFI (Tech Hubs Request for Information) requesting feedback from the public about the program design, structure, and evaluation of the Tech Hubs program, and the EDA welcomes ideas that will help encourage growth of the Tech Hubs. For further information, and to check for similar opportunities in the future, visit www.eda.gov.

For more information on Energize Colorado, visit https://energizecolorado.com/.

To learn more about NACIE and the Regional Innovation Hub, check out https://www.eda.gov/strategic-initiatives/national-advisory-council-on-innovation-and-entrepreneurship and https://www.eda.gov/funding/programs/regional-technology-and-innovation-hubs.

For more context on McKinsey, take a look at this article https://www.mckinsey.com/industries/public-and-social-sector/our-insights/building-innovation-ecosystems-accelerating-tech-hub-growth.

In this discussion, host David Ponraj talks with Dr. Robert Blaine, Sr. Executive and Director of the Institute for Youth, Education and Families at National League of Cities (NLC) and the CAO for the City of Jackson, MS. Dr. Blaine reveals how the NLC is working tirelessly to bring economic inclusion to marginalized residents at a city level, to provide human infrastructure along with physical infrastructure. While necessary efforts are going toward safe roads, clean water and energy efficiency, they also focus on economic dignity for all residents including access to good schools, resources for health and wellness, and financial empowerment tools.

The National League of Cities, in partnership with the federal government and several notable nonprofits, are offering FREE programs to any city that needs financial help and guidance to improve their human and physical infrastructure. They provide various grants, along with 4-month programs that will ensure the grant money is used strategically and will create a positive impact. There are new opportunities to apply for programs that address challenges like clean water, safe roads, energy efficiency, broadband access, and factory revitalization. Every four months, a new group of programs launches, so check back often.

To find out more about the various programs, grants, and to apply, visit localinfrastructure.org. 

Learn more about NLC at https://www.nlc.org/