Small Biz Catalyst

What happens when a small Texas city suddenly loses its largest employer and 2,200 jobs?

Mayor Charles Starnes of Plainview, Texas shares how the city turned a major economic setback into an opportunity to rebuild, attract new businesses, improve infrastructure, and create better jobs.

From a new business park and workforce training programs to an upgraded downtown and expanding opportunities in manufacturing, distribution, aviation, and logistics, Plainview is taking a different approach to economic growth.

And the mayor has a message for entrepreneurs with an idea.

“Everybody has an idea.”

The question is whether you will explore that opportunity and turn it into reality.

Watch this short to discover why Plainview may be a place worth watching for entrepreneurs and businesses looking for their next opportunity.

WATCH FULL EPISODE:  https://youtu.be/v8DJIFspVv8

#SmallBizCatalyst #PlainviewTexas #Entrepreneurship #SmallBusiness #EconomicDevelopment #BusinessGrowth #TexasBusiness #CharlesStarnes

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Adelle Archer lost her mentor and couldn't find a meaningful way to honor her, so we built one. In this episode of The Small Biz Catalyst, she shares how Eterneva grew from a personal act of grief into an Austin company that turns ashes into diamonds and landed a top 5% Shark Tank valuation from Mark Cuban.

What You'll Learn in This Episode

• How a deeply personal loss became the foundation of a company (and why founders shouldn't be afraid to let their story lead)
• The mid-pivot moment that took Eterneva from a standard lab-grown diamond startup to something nobody else was doing
• What happened in the Tank when four sharks made offers — and then walked them back
• Why Adelle and Garrett refused to budge on their valuation, and how that decision paid off
• Five lessons from Adelle that apply to any small business owner building in a category that doesn't exist yet

Resources Mentioned

• Eterneva — learn about the process: eterneva.com

Grant Program Links & Portals

• Amber Grant for Women: Access application details and monthly submission deadlines via the WomensNet Amber Grant Application Page.
• FedEx Small Business Support: Program historical insights and current partner grant resources are listed on the FedEx Small Business Center.

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What makes a community a great place to start, build, and grow a business?

In this episode of Small Biz Catalyst, we head to Rockwall, Texas, with Mayor Tim McCallum to explore what is happening behind the city's rapid growth and why entrepreneurs and established businesses are choosing to build there.

Rockwall offers more than proximity to the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex. We talk about the city's growing business community, workforce, quality of life, commercial development, infrastructure, access to local banking relationships, and the partnerships helping businesses put down roots and expand.

Mayor McCallum also shares his perspective as both an entrepreneur and city leader, including lessons from serving on the Rockwall City Council more than 20 years ago and returning to leadership today. He explains how decisions made years ago are shaping today's business environment and why planning for the next 10 to 20 years matters.

We also explore what entrepreneurs can gain from being connected to their local community, why relationships with mentors, bankers, business leaders, and other entrepreneurs matter, and how cities can work with businesses when traditional incentives aren't the answer.

Resources:

1. Texas PACE Program
2.  Rockwall Economic Development Corporation (REDC) 
3.  Rockwall Technology Park 
4.  Rockwall Area Chamber of Commerce 

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SMART tips to generate revenue and grow your business is what this episode is all about. Ayisat shares how each letter of the "SMART" acronym affects your business and how you can use them in your favor. 

Ayisat shares five essential tips for small business owners to achieve steady growth and increase revenue. The discussion covers the importance of separating personal and business finances, monitoring cash flow, building valuable affiliations, strategies for revenue growth, and establishing strong banking relationships. 

Resources:

Referenced video:

https://youtu.be/NYXFfFfZwxY?si=pgZqkjah59X3vmWH

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Bryan DeLuca co-founded Foot Cardigan as a late-night side hustle with just $3,000. In this episode of The Small Biz Catalyst, Ayisat shares how he scaled a quirky sock subscription from a Dallas garage to a memorable Shark Tank pitch, over 30,000 subscribers worldwide, and millions in recurring revenue.

What You'll Learn in This Episode

• The Subscription Blueprint: How to leverage the power of predictable, recurring revenue.
• Bootstrapping on a Budget: Launching an e-commerce brand with minimal upfront capital.
• The Reality of Shark Tank: How a televised pitch affects operations, inventory, and traffic overnight.
• Mastering Brand Identity: Why a strong, humorous voice is your best weapon against larger competitors.
• When to Leap: The signs that tell you it’s safely time to take your side hustle full-time.

Resources Mentioned

• Foot Cardigan — Check out the brand that changed the sock game: footcardigan.com
• Shopify E-Commerce Resources — Tools for building your own subscription brand: shopify.com
• SCORE Dallas — Free mentoring for local small business owners: dallas.score.org
• Texas Entrepreneur Ecosystem: Texas Entrepreneur Ecosystem: The choice forSmall Business development & Growth | Texas Entrepreneur Ecosystem
• https://smallbizcatalyst.org/resources

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Learn more at Resources | Small Biz Catalyst

Going from idea to business is a challenge many entrepreneurs face daily. In this episode of small biz catalyst podcast, Tolu Akindunni shares her journey as a serial entrepreneur and global transformation expert. She discusses the importance of grit and resilience in entrepreneurship, the need for mentorship, and the unique challenges faced by black entrepreneurs. Tolu emphasizes the significance of redefining leadership and success, balancing multiple roles, and leveraging global opportunities for innovation. Her insights inspire listeners to recognize their value and embrace the entrepreneurial journey with confidence.

This episode is a SheInspires series.

Resouces:

• Black Business Live Podcast: The Black Business Live Podcast | All Things Black and Beautiful
• All Things Black and Beautiful: Amplifying Black Businesses | All Things Black & Beautiful
• Texas Entrepreneur Ecosystem: Texas Entrepreneur Ecosystem: The choice forSmall Business development & Growth | Texas Entrepreneur Ecosystem
• https://smallbizcatalyst.org/resources

Support the show

Learn more at Resources | Small Biz Catalyst

Ayisat Abilogun and Remi Roy discuss the significance of community in podcasting, the journey of building Podground, and the mindset shifts necessary for personal growth. They explore how women creators are reshaping conversations through digital platforms and the importance of innovation in community building beyond technology. In this conversation, Remi shares her insights on connecting women through travel, overcoming fears in entrepreneurship, the importance of starting before you're ready, building sustainable business practices, and offers valuable advice for today's entrepreneurs. She emphasizes the need for community support, the significance of taking small steps, and the importance of maintaining a work-life harmony.

Tools, concepts and resources mentioned throughout the conversation:

• PodGround.io – Community for independent podcasters
• The Driven Introvert Podcast
• https://smallbizcatalyst.org/resources
• Riverside – Podcast recording platform: https://riverside.com/?via=ayisat

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Ayisat Abilagan sits down with serial entrepreneur Tracy Irby, Director of the TWU Center for Women Entrepreneurs on this episode of Small Biz Catalyst. Tracy dropped a massive truth bomb: analysis paralysis is the silent killer of big dreams. You don't learn how to run a business by planning it out in your head; you learn by jumping in feet first and doing it. Enjoy the actionable hacks and key resources every current and aspiring entrepreneur needs to hear.

Free Resources Mentioned

You don't have to build your empire alone. Tap into these free networks:

• TWU Center for Women Entrepreneurs: Grants, training, and small business advising (Visit: twu.edu/cwe).
• Texas Rural Grant: $10,000 grants specifically for rural, women-owned businesses in Texas that have been established for at least 3 years.
• Local Support Systems: Leverage your local SBDC (Small Business Development Center), SCORE mentors, and regional Chambers of Commerce.

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In this episode of the SheInspires Symposium Series, Ayisat Abilogun interviews Bora Laci, a consultant and community leader, discussing her journey as a daughter of immigrants, her diverse career across various industries, and the lessons learned about leadership and innovation. Bora emphasizes the importance of emotional intelligence in driving transformation, the challenges leaders face in aligning their teams, and how women can lead innovation within established organizations. She concludes with valuable advice for entrepreneurs to focus on being useful rather than just appearing successful.

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Learn more at Resources | Small Biz Catalyst

Tracy Irby shares her extensive experience as a serial entrepreneur and director of the Texas Women's University Center for Women Entrepreneurs. She discusses the evolving landscape for women entrepreneurs, the importance of taking action, and the resources available to support women in business. Tracy emphasizes the significance of identifying ideal clients, building confidence, and learning resilience through experience. She also highlights the specific challenges faced by rural entrepreneurs and the importance of community support.

This episode is a SheInspires series.

WHAT YOU'LL LEARN IN THIS EPISODE

• Women entrepreneurs are increasingly starting businesses for flexibility and income stability.
• Rural grants are available to support women entrepreneurs in underserved areas.
• Taking action is crucial; there is no perfect moment to start a business.
• Identifying your ideal client is essential for business success.
• Access to resources and mentorship can significantly aid women entrepreneurs.
• Resilience is built through experience, both good and bad.
• Networking and community involvement are vital for building confidence.
• Entrepreneurship can be isolating, but support is available.

RESOURCES MENTIONED

Texas Rural Grant | Texas Woman's University

Support the show

Learn more at Resources | Small Biz Catalyst