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: Why “future-proofin...

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...

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 wi...

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: Amer...

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 sig...

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, ...

Could faith and business go hand in hard? In this episode, Ayisat Abilogun explores the profound impact of faith on business practices and personal identity. She shares her journey of faith, from her upbringing in a Muslim household to her relationship with God, and how these experiences shape her approach to business. The conversation highlights the importance of integrating personal beliefs into professional life and encourages listeners to authentically express themselves in the workplace ...

Send us a text In this episode of Small Biz Catalyst, host Ayisat Abilagun reflects on the first fifty episodes, celebrating the insights shared by guests and emphasizing the importance of cash flow, marketing, and community support for small businesses. The conversation covers essential strategies for business growth, including effective invoicing, negotiation tactics, understanding customer needs, and the significance of a strong online presence. Ayisat also shares valuable tips on grant ...

Send us a text In this episode of Small Biz Catalyst, Ayisat Abilogun discusses the crucial role of economic development corporations (EDCs) in supporting small businesses and entrepreneurship. She emphasizes that economic development is fundamentally about people and highlights the various ways EDCs can assist entrepreneurs, including providing grants, real estate support, workforce training, and business navigation. The episode also covers the importance of connecting with local EDCs and ...

Send us a text In this episode of Small Biz Catalyst, Ayisat introduces the Startup to Success series, highlighting the journeys of entrepreneurs who have turned challenges into successful businesses. The episode features Veronica Garza of Siete Family Foods, who transformed her family's struggles with health into a thriving wellness brand. Ayisat emphasizes the importance of perseverance and encourages listeners to pursue their entrepreneurial dreams. The episode also includes information ...

Send us a text In this episode of Small Biz Catalyst, Ayisat Abilogun introduces Grapevine, Texas, highlighting its charm, economic opportunities, and support for small businesses. The discussion covers the city's leadership, economic development initiatives, and available resources for entrepreneurs, including co-working spaces and funding opportunities. Ayisat also shares valuable grant information for small businesses, emphasizing the importance of community support and resources for gro...

Send us a text In this episode, Ayisat Abilogun and Angela Seaman discuss the significance of Women Business Enterprise (WBE) certification for women entrepreneurs. They explore the certification process, debunk common myths, and emphasize the importance of building a supportive tribe. Angela shares her personal experiences and insights on how WBE certification has positively impacted her business revenue and the value of networking among women entrepreneurs. Grants & Resources: Jacob...

Send us a text Hey Dear, If you're just joining us, this is Small Bis Catalyst. We want to invite you to our Tag a business team. Here's what you need to do. Nominate a small business of your choice, tag them on our website at smallbizcatalyst.org. That's small B-I-Z-C-A-T-A-L-Y-S-T dot O-R-G. Tell us your name, give us your email address, because that's how we'll be able to tell you if you're a winner or not. And then give us a website to a business of your choice. It coul...

Send us a text Summary In this episode of Small Biz Catalyst, host Ayisat Abilogun and guest Ted Santos delve into the concept of disruptive leadership. They discuss how leaders can intentionally create problems for their teams to foster innovation and growth. The conversation emphasizes the importance of navigating uncertainty, empowering teams, and transforming mindsets to achieve breakthroughs. Santos shares personal anecdotes and practical strategies for leaders to develop their teams a...

Send us a text This episode of Small Biz Catalyst delves into the funding landscape for Texas entrepreneurs, highlighting the state's position in venture capital, showcasing success stories of local startups, and providing insights into what investors seek. The conversation also explores alternative funding avenues such as grants and crowdfunding, while offering practical tips for engaging with Texas investors. The episode concludes with key takeaways and resources for entrepreneurs looking...

Send us a text In this episode of Small Biz Catalyst, Ayisat Abilogun explores the concept of entrepreneurial ecosystems, emphasizing their importance for business growth and success. She discusses how these ecosystems provide essential support through networks of people, resources, and institutions. The episode also covers practical steps for entrepreneurs to engage with their local ecosystems and highlights a grant opportunity for youth development programs. Resources: Grants: Contact: gr...

Send us a text In this episode of Small Biz Catalyst, host Ayisat Abilogun explores how small business owners can automate up to 80% of their operations to increase efficiency and productivity. The conversation covers the importance of systemization, debunking myths about automation, leveraging tools like Zapier and CRM systems, streamlining scheduling, automating bookkeeping, and the role of virtual assistants. Ayisat also shares grant opportunities for small businesses, encouraging listen...

Send us a text In this episode of Small Biz Catalyst, host Ayisat Abilogun explores the creator economy and its significance for entrepreneurs. She discusses how small business owners can leverage their knowledge and skills to create content that drives visibility and authority, ultimately leading to monetization. Ayisat shares practical strategies for content creation and highlights various grant opportunities available for entrepreneurs. Grants & Resources: MENTOR Network Charitable ...

Send us a text In this episode of Small Biz Catalyst, host Ayisat Abilogun discusses the challenges small business owners face in retaining good employees. She emphasizes the importance of creating a positive work environment, offering growth opportunities, and providing competitive compensation. Ayisat also highlights the value of employee referrals and shares information about grant opportunities for small businesses, particularly in rural areas. Grants & Resources: Thomas M., Hel...

Send us a text In this episode of Small Biz Catalyst, host Ayisat Abilogun discusses the importance of establishing and maintaining business credit for small business owners. She emphasizes the need for businesses to have their own credit reputation, separate from personal credit, and outlines key steps to build business credit, including establishing a legal entity, opening a business bank account, and maintaining good relationships with financial institutions. The episode also highlights ...