According to The DEC Network Board Member Tracey Altman,
“My wish is for donations to The Catalyst Fund, an investment in the entrepreneurial community that gives directly to entrepreneurs.
“Close your eyes. Think about taking all the money in your savings out and placing it on a bet. Now imagine the bet is on you. Imagine your idea is exactly what consumers or businesses need to make their business or life better. You work 24/7 to get the idea right. To get the business plan in place. You talk to lots of people who wish you well but can’t help support you. You are so passionate about this idea and even when others don’t believe in you, you believe in yourself. You know you need support and you find it at The DEC Network.
“As an entrepreneur myself, I know what it takes and also know how much you need others. I have been involved with The DEC Network for over three years. I started as a volunteer then was on the Advisory Board for their biggest event, Dallas Startup Week and am now on their Board of Directors. The people that started the DEC to the people that lead it now have a passion for entrepreneurs. I get to see firsthand the difference we make in the lives of entrepreneurs. Every day we are helping people with their passion through mentorships, grants, education and community. Did you know that Dallas was named one of the top 10 hottest startup cities in America by Inc in 2019? We also have been named top 10 cities for minority entrepreneurs by Expert Market in 2020. The DEC Network serves this growing community every day.
“We are a non-profit who believes that entrepreneurs and small businesses are the key to economic development. Everyone wins when entrepreneurs bring their product/services to market. I am so thankful I live in a city that has a strong ecosystem that is very active and always developing ways to support entrepreneurs. I get to talk to them often and without The DEC Network’s help, they might not have brought their product to market. I love a community that reaches a hand out to help pull you up when you need it. I was part of developing our Women Of Innovation Summit in 2019. Women came from all over the Metroplex to be with other women to network and learn how to get their businesses to the next level. I decided that day I wanted to be an active supporter of women in North Texas and I found it through The DEC Network.
“The DEC Network wants to continue to give back and provide entrepreneurs with support and resources. They recently launched The Catalyst Fund to raise funds.
The best part of giving to the Catalyst Fund is you can designate it to something you’re passionate about. Education, which supports individual entrepreneurs and their early-stage small businesses through the Your Startup Business Bootcamp; Mentorship, which supports the Fast Start Mentoring Program, free for both mentors and mentees; Community, which helps support Dallas Startup Week, the largest entrepreneurial event/conference in the region; and Advocacy, which allocates funding where the need is greatest for small business owners and entrepreneurs in North Texas.
“Gifts made by Thursday, December 31, 2020, can be designated to one of the four priorities above at www.thedec.co/give. If you have any questions, you can email Grants And Fundraising Manager Katie Ellis.
“Please join me by giving the gift of entrepreneurial spirit and small business survival this holiday season. Not only will your gift provide resources and support, but it will also give life to entrepreneurs and offer them a fighting chance when they need it the most. Every gift made to The Catalyst Fund is an investment in the small business owners and entrepreneurs we serve. Together, we can make North Texas the place for entrepreneurs to live and work!”
* Graphic/photo provided by The DEC Network