What if entrepreneurship wasn’t an elective—but the foundation of education?

In this episode of Small Biz Catalyst, host Ayisat Abilogun sits down with Jeff Meade, Executive Director of the Every Quinnite Is an Entrepreneur program at Paul Quinn College, to explore how entrepreneurship education is being reimagined—and why it matters for business owners, parents, and community builders alike.

Paul Quinn College, an HBCU in Dallas, Texas, has made a bold commitment: every student is expected to think and act like an entrepreneur. Jeff shares how this mission-driven approach is reshaping higher education through venture-based learning, real-world problem solving, and early exposure to building, funding, and scaling businesses.

In this conversation, you’ll learn:

• What “Every Quinnite Is an Entrepreneur” really means—and why mindset matters more than majors
• How Paul Quinn College introduces entrepreneurship from day one through an intensive freshman bootcamp
• Why under-resourced students often struggle to dream big—and how educators can help rebuild that muscle
• How a $100,000 student seed fund is helping turn student ideas into real, investable businesses
• Why entrepreneurship education isn’t just about startups, but about creating entrepreneurial thinkers for the workforce
• What venture-based learning looks like in practice—and how it closes the gap between education and real-world business

Jeff also shares his long-term vision for the program, including alumni-owned businesses, acquisition entrepreneurship, and building sustainable wealth within local communities.

Whether you’re a small business owner, a parent, an educator, or someone passionate about economic mobility, this episode will challenge how you think about education, entrepreneurship, and the role both play in shaping the future of work.

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Learn more at Resources | Small Biz Catalyst

Whether you’re a seasoned entrepreneur or just thinking about launching your show, this episode will show you how to make podcasting work for your business growth, not against your schedule.

Listen now to learn how to:

✅ Turn your podcast into a networking tool

✅ Build trust through authentic conversations

✅ Repurpose your episodes into social gold

✅ Create a media engine around your business

RESOURCES
🌐 RSS.com Podcast hosting & analytics

📘 Book: Talk Like TED by Carmine Gallo master storytelling in podcasting

🤖 VA Support: FLCA Virtual Assistant Agency professional editing & production help

Support the show

Learn more at Resources | Small Biz Catalyst

Want to start a small business in Irving, TX? Here's what you need to know.

In this episode of Small Biz Catalyst, host Ayisat Abilogun sits down with the Mayor of Irving, TX; the City Manager, Asst. City Manager, Economic Development Corp Manager, and the President of Irving/Las Colina Chamber to discuss the city's small business initiatives. 

🔗 Resources & Links

Connect with the city's EDC at Economic Development | Irving, TX Official Website

Connect with Irving Las Colinas Chamber at Irving Chamber of Commerce

Access more resources at https://smallbizcatalystorg/resources

Support the show

Learn more at Resources | Small Biz Catalyst

Happy New Year! We are keeping our promise to you and we invite you to join us this year as we serve you more. In this episode, Ayisat shares some upcoming changes to the podcast and why those changes have been adopted. We look forward to serving you more this year!

🔗 Resources & Links

Access more resources at https://smallbizcatalystorg/resources

Grant Information:
1. Tee It Up for the Troops Grant
Deadline: No deadline
Maximum Grant Amount: Not specified
Website: teetupforthetroops.org/apply-for-grants
Contact: Ashley ([email protected]) or Becca
([email protected])
Supports: Family & caregiver support, PTSD & TBI treatment, suicide prevention, golf & sports rehabilitation, employment, housing & homelessness.

Support the show

Learn more at Resources | Small Biz Catalyst

Is your business truly future-ready? 

In this episode of Small Biz Catalyst, host Ayisat Abilogun sits down with Allister Frost, former Microsoft leader, author of Ready Already, and expert in digital transformation to unpack how small business owners can build a Future Ready Mindset in an era defined by rapid change and emerging technologies like AI.

Drawing from his years at Microsoft and his groundbreaking work helping entrepreneurs embrace change, Allister shares:

1. Why “future-proofing” is a myth and what to do instead
2.  The FROST Model for sustainable growth (Follow, React, Open, Surprise, Tell)
3.  How to adopt small, consistent improvements that compound into big results
4. The 3 human superpowers you can’t delegate to AI curiosity, creativity, and collaboration
5. Why continuous learning and curiosity are your greatest assets in business

Whether you’re feeling overwhelmed by constant change or eager to stay ahead of the curve, this episode will help you think differently, act intentionally, and be ready already for whatever’s next.

🔗 Resources & Links

📘 Ready Already by Allister Frost → https://readyalready.me

Access more resources at https://smallbizcatalystorg/resources

Grants:

Grant Information:
1. Tee It Up for the Troops Grant
Deadline: No deadline
Maximum Grant Amount: Not specified
Website: teetupforthetroops.org/apply-for-grants
Contact: Ashley ([email protected]) or Becca
([email protected])
Supports: Family & caregiver support, PTSD & TBI treatment, suicide prevention, golf & sports rehabilitation, employment, housing & homelessness.

2. Bernard Family Foundation Grant
Deadline: December 31, 2025
Maximum Grant Amount: $50,000
Contact: Cathy S. Bernard, 5532 Gretstone Manor, Chevy Chase, MD 20815
Focus Areas: Community-focused projects (reach out directly for guidelines).

Support the show

Learn more at Resources | Small Biz Catalyst

Fear can shape our beliefs and actions. Through personal anecdotes, particularly about teaching her daughter to drive, Ayisat illustrates how fear can hold us back from achieving our goals. The conversation emphasizes the importance of taking small steps, staying in one's lane, and overcoming self-imposed limitations. Ayisat also engages the audience by encouraging them to reflect on their own fears and share their experiences. 

Resources:

Grant Information:
1. Tee It Up for the Troops Grant
Deadline: No deadline
Maximum Grant Amount: Not specified
Website: teetupforthetroops.org/apply-for-grants
Contact: Ashley ([email protected]) or Becca
([email protected])
Supports: Family & caregiver support, PTSD & TBI treatment, suicide prevention, golf & sports rehabilitation, employment, housing & homelessness.

2. Bernard Family Foundation Grant
Deadline: December 31, 2025
Maximum Grant Amount: $50,000
Contact: Cathy S. Bernard, 5532 Gretstone Manor, Chevy Chase, MD 20815
Focus Areas: Community-focused projects (reach out directly for guidelines).

Support the show

Learn more at Resources | Small Biz Catalyst

Getting a grant for your small business could be daunting. Do you know that you can easily qualify and apply for the StartHer grant?

Tracy Irby discusses grant opportunities for women entrepreneurs, focusing on the Start Her grant. Tracy shares insights on common pitfalls in grant applications, the importance of understanding guidelines, and how to effectively utilize grant funds. The conversation also highlights the significance of verifying grant credibility to avoid scams, and concludes with encouragement for women entrepreneurs to take advantage of available resources.

Resources & Grants:

StartHer Grant by TWU CWE

Maximum Grant: $5,000
Deadline: 5:00:00 p.m. on Friday, September 26, 2025
Guidelines and Application: StartHER Grant | Texas Woman's University

Grant application review email: [email protected]
45 Small-Business Grants for Women: Free Funding in 2024 - NerdWallet
SmallBizCatalyst.org/resources
Nerd Wallet

Support the show

Learn more at Resources | Small Biz Catalyst

These 5 strategic moves will help you learn how to create a positive internship and virtual assistant experience to drive revenue. Ayisat emphasizes the importance of clarifying roles, developing onboarding systems, tracking work, and providing feedback. The conversation also highlights how interns can drive revenue through operational efficiency and market expansion. Additionally, the episode concludes with announcements about available grants for organizations.

Resouces & Grants:

America In Bloom

Maximum Grant: $25,000
Deadline: November 1, 2025
Guidelines and Application: https://americainbloom.org/programs/cn-grant/

Saxena Family Foundation

Maximum Grant: $50,000
Deadline: December 1, 2025
Guidelines and Application: http://saxenafoundation.com/guidelines/

Support the show

Learn more at Resources | Small Biz Catalyst

Dr. Froswa' Booker-Drew shares her insights on the unique challenges faced by women of color in leadership roles. She discusses her new book, 'Front Porch Wisdom,' which draws on personal stories and faith to provide guidance and resilience strategies. The discussion covers common mistakes institutions make in supporting BIPOC leaders, the importance of community and mentorship, and valuable lessons learned from her experiences. Dr. Booker-Drew emphasizes the need for reflection and the significance of recognizing one's worth in the workplace.

Resources:

Grants:

King Ranch Family Trust

Maximum Grant: $45,000
Deadline: 4/1/2026
Guidelines and Application: https://www.krft.org/

Roger I. & Ruth B. MacFarlane Foundation

Maximum Grant: $250,000
Deadline: None
Guidelines and Application: https://www.macfarlanefoundation.org/grantmaking

Support the show

Learn more at Resources | Small Biz Catalyst

Ayisat Abilogun discusses the entrepreneurial landscape in Austin, Texas, highlighting its vibrant ecosystem, resources for startups, and the challenges posed by the cost of living. The episode also features grant opportunities available for entrepreneurs in the city.

Resources:

The Texas Entrepreneur Ecosystem Summit:

The Texas Entrepreneur Ecosystem Summit is a convening of diverse Texas Ecosystem leaders, including entrepreneurs serving organizations, economic development professionals, and entrepreneurs, to identify and address the current gaps in entrepreneurial growth in our state. Connect with resource partners. Attend impactful workshops, hear from an amazing panel of experts, share your views, and visit exhibition rooms to connect with resource partners. Registration is free.

https://texasecosystem.org/events

Grants:

Austin Community Foundation

$1.1M in Grant Funding Available for Nonprofits in Central Texas | Austin Community Foundation

Professional Dairy Producers of Wisconsin
Maximum Grant: $10,000
Deadline: December 1, 2025
Guidelines and Application: https://dairyfoundation.org/grant-seekers/

SHARE Institute

Maximum Grant: $500
Deadline: December 1, 2025
Guidelines and Application: http://theshareinstitute.org/mini-grant-information

MasterClass
Maximum Grant: not specified
Deadline: NONE
Guidelines and Application: https://learn.masterclass.com/grants

Support the show

Learn more at Resources | Small Biz Catalyst