10 minute read
By Lori J. Connors
from HBJ Oct 2021
The Catalyst: Leading Ladies Boosting the Entrepreneurial Trajectory of North Alabama
By Lori J. Connors Photo by Lori J. Connors
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It takes a village when it comes to traveling the entrepreneurial journey. Leave it to the Catalyst’s team of Leading Ladies to have all the bases covered.
Hosted at the Huntsville Botanical Garden, the 7th Annual Women’s Conference was merged with the highly successful “Mompreneur” event. The event’s theme was inspired by the “leading ladies” of the motion picture industry.
This was the first Catalyst inperson event since the pandemic hit last March. Due to the uptick in the delta variant, the event was adjusted to be presented as a hybrid. Participants either attended in person or via online.
The conference featured a wide assortment of guest speakers and relevant workshops, geared towards the ins and outs of government contracting, reframing one’s brand, effective networking, balancing the work-life balance, empowerment, and finding one’s tribe.
The Botanical Garden served as an ideal location for an all-day conference that emphasized growth and successfully blooming into one’s best self.
“This is a day to build everyone up,” said Lisa Davis Mays, the Catalyst’s CEO. “This is what it looks like to be a dreamer, to see all the beauty that has grown and taken root.”
As the successor to Joanne Randolph, the Catalyst’s former CEO, Mays had her “baptism by fire” in the spring of 2020 and it’s been quite a busy fifteen months, filled with pivoting, shifting gears, and zooming. Throughout it all, Mays has been a champion; maintaining her enthusiasm, as well as her sense of humor.
Harvalee Harbarger, featured guest speaker, talked about her early beginnings, being a “mompreneur,” long before there was a term for it. Most importantly, Harbarger spoke of the Botanical Garden’s beginnings and the importance of being persistent.
Harbarger, along with a dozen other Huntsvillians had a vision and steadfastly continued in their efforts to bring the dream of the Botanical Garden to life. The Garden began as a seed in the determined minds of those who emphatically refused to “Dream no small dream.”
The midday Roundtable featured four winners of the Catalyst’s 2021 Entrepreneur Awards. Marvinia Adams, owner of Martinizing Dry Cleaning; Alice Lessman, CEO of Signalink, Inc; Megan Nivens-Tannett, Founder and CEO of Flourish; and Amy Roark, CEO of Give256. The women talked about their entrepreneurial paths, as well as successfully navigating the
Lisa Davis Mays, CEO of the Catalyst
mom-as-boss life.
In the presentation, “9-5? The Future of Work” discussed increased connectivity, emerging technologies, and the how gig economy reinvented the typical “9-5” job. It also addressed ways to adapt, to be flexible, and to unleash human potential.
“Change is happening faster than anticipated,” said Stephanie Miller, human capital manager in the Government and Public Services Organization Transformation Practice of Deloitte Consulting. “Work done at the office got flipped on its head. Remote work is driving down infrastructure costs, people have been more productive.”
UMC pastor Kelly Clem spoke about being a woman in a maledominated arena in her presentation, “Outside the Box.” Clem talked of the importance of getting out complacent ruts, getting into the arena, and putting oneself out in the world. “Boxes can be cozy and safe,” said Clem. “The moment of joy is when we breakthrough the box, overcoming and breaking through those fears.”
The event concluded with speaker Mallory Hagan, an Alabama native and Miss America 2013. Hagan is the communications manager for Business Outreach Center Network, and CEO of her business, Hagan Strategies. In her keynote closing, Hagan emphasized the importance of body image, along with the negative messages young ladies endlessly receive. She shared her own personal experiences, as well as discussing the importance of changing the “ideal body” narrative.
The Catalyst Center for Business & Entrepreneurship serves entrepreneurs and small business owners in every stage of business. Through providing the best coaching, in-demand services, and relevant programs, the Catalyst endeavors to foster the success of small businesses.
On its metamorphic rise from serving primarily women clientele to expanding its services to encompass a broad spectrum of entrepreneurs, The Catalyst Center for Business & Entrepreneurship has distinguished itself as one of Huntsville’s leading entrepreneurial hubs.
During the pandemic, The Catalyst adeptly shifted gears to the digital platform, a successful strategy that expanded its reach, far beyond North Alabama. Since its inception, The Catalyst has served nearly 30,000 clients. Through the success of their business endeavors, these entrepreneurs in turn, have created hundreds of new jobs in North Alabama.
For more information, go to: https://catalystcenter.org/. u
HudsonAlpha’s Navigate: A Boost for Startups
By Lori J. Connors
Thanks to a welcoming environment, new ventures are blooming everywhere. Business development initiatives are ushering in the golden age of the entrepreneur.
The state of Alabama has a long-established business-friendly reputation through its enthusiastic support of innovative and emerging companies. Many entrepreneurial ventures have enjoyed long and successful histories, especially here in the Rocket City.
HudsonAlpha is an undisputed leader as a business incubator for all things Biotech. Therefore, it was a logical choice for the Economic Development Partnership of Alabama (EDPA) to invite HudsonAlpha to to develop and implement Navigate, a business mentoring program.
Over the years, EDPA has invested heavily in new business startups, over $4 million, in fact. Through its efforts, the state endeavors to seek, attract, and retain world-class talent across a diverse variety of interests and industries. What’s more, EDPA supports minority, women-owned, and rural businesses, thus ensuring that every type of entrepreneur has an opportunity to succeed in Alabama. Support also includes enhancing digital resources to mitigate the “digital divide” and to promote entrepreneurship throughout the state.
Navigate is a fitting name for a program specifically designed to help startup businesses successfully find their way through the entrepreneurial process.
The first seeds of Navigate were
planted in 2019, when the Economic Development Partnership of Alabama (EDPA) received a grant from the Appalachian Regional Commission (APC). This grant was for implementing a business mentoring program in north Alabama.
EDPA approached HudsonAlpha to develop a suitable business mentoring program, one specifically geared towards startups and entrepreneurs. In its quest for a top-notch program, the HudsonAlpha business development team looked to the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and its Venture Mentoring Service (MITVMS) and obtained licensing for use of its methodology, materials, and curriculum.
Navigate is a volunteer-based business mentorship program for entrepreneurs at HudsonAlpha, as well serving all of North Alabama. Mentors come from a variety of business backgrounds, such as CEOs; C-Suite executives; subject matter experts in a particular field, such as law or finance; and a wide assortment of serial entrepreneurs.
Startups seeking to refine their business plan and hone crucial management skills can receive objective business advice on their strategy, all in confidence. Aspiring entrepreneurs are eager to participate because they can get candid feedback from a variety of mentors, experts who are passionate about transferring their valuable knowledge to entrepreneurs in north Alabama.
Navigate serves to benefit the entrepreneur, the mentor, and the community, as well. Entrepreneurs receive in-person bias free input. Participating mentors have the opportunity to share their passion, insights, and valuable knowledge.
Navigate provides a solid foundation to help new business venture grow into strong, successful revenue generating organizations, ones that require a dedicated labor force. A win for the entrepreneur is a win for the community.
For more info: https://www. hudsonalpha.org/biotech-mentors/. u
RECOGNITION
Huntsville-Madison County Convention and Visitors Bureau Welcomes new Visitor Center Manager
The city of Huntsville, Alabama and Madison County brought in Terry Winland as the new CVB Visitor Center Manager.
Since its conception and development in 1970 as a non-profit 501(c)(6) organization, the Huntsville-Madison County Convention and Visitors Bureau continues to generate economic development and growth for Huntsville and Madison County by promoting the city as a chic, modern, tech-savvy city with plenty to offer in terms of tourism and as a key stop for tourists coming to North Alabama.
In terms of customer service, Winland’s background as both a medical clinic coordinator and a medical practice office manager provides her with what the CVB’s Marketing Director, Kristen Pepper, states as “a myriad of experience in a variety of customer service related positions.”
Winland also has a direct connection with Huntsville, Alabama and its budding community.
Winland was born in Huntsville and, after returning from military service with deployment overseas, she worked for ten years at the Space and Rocket Center, an award winning museum and one of the most visited locations in North Alabama.
Her connection with Huntsville “gives Terry an appreciation for our community and the points of interest, attractions and activities that it has to offer to residents and visitors alike,” says Kristen Pepper.
Combined with the award winning staff and services of the CVB, Terry Winland will lead Huntsville’s first impression for visitors and strive to continue the city's positive economic growth. RECOGNITION
NAI Chase Commercial Adds New Property Manager to Huntsville Office
NAI Chase Commercial welcomed Chris Windom as the Property Manager for the real estate firm’s Huntsville office.
As an Accredited Management Organization, NAI Chase Commercial is responsible for providing Retail Office and Industrial Commercial Property Brokerage, Leasing and Sales, Commercial Property Development, Commercial Property Management Services, Investment Property Brokerage, Construction Management Consulting, and Building Renovation Services.
NAI Chase Commercial, with offices in both Huntsville and Birmingham, are a member of NAI Global, an international network of commercial real estate firms. Established in 1978, NAI Global has more than 375 offices globally and works with more than 380 million square feet of property.
Windom arrives at NAI Chase Commcerical’s Huntsville office to continue working on their goal of creating bonds with local clients to tackle specific multimarket challenges facing many customer and business goals of North Alabama.
“We are thrilled to have Chris Windom join our team. His depth of knowledge, expertise, and disposition compliments our growing team of experienced professionals and will contribute to the company’s success”, said Tracy Hunter, Executive Vice President of NAI Chase Commercial.
Prior to accepting the Property Manager position, Windom worked as the Senior Project Manager, Operations Manager, and Facilities Manager, working these positions for a combined 24 years of experience.
These positions included working in the commercial real estate industry for 5 years, managing construction projects, tenant improvements, and developing preventative maintenance programs and informed property inspections, as well as working in the Modular Furniture Industry for 12 years, managing large projects on the Alabama Power Corporate Headquarters, AmSouth Bank Corporate Headquarters, Hospital renovations and additions, and much more.
For more information, https://www.chasecommercial.com/.
RECOGNITION
Von Braun Center Announces New Director of Sponsorship Sales, Adds New Member to VBC Team
The Von Braun Center (VBC) added Abby Lee Casey to their team as the new Director of Sponsorship Sales on.
Focusing on providing venues from cultural, education, entertainment, and sporting events, the VBC is a large part of the entertainment and developmental growth in the heart of the City of Huntsville. With over 170,000 square feet of meeting space, the VBC hosts a variety of events such as concerts, the Von Brewski Beer Festival, and the Huntsville Havoc hockey team who play in the Propst Arena.
According to VBC Executive Director Steve Maples, Casey brings to the VBC over nine years of sales experience with a history in both the marketing and advertising industry, as well as holding a post as Director of Sales, Marketing, and Public Relations at Harmony Landscape and Pond.
“We are excited to have Abby Lee join our team and help businesses in our market find creative ways to put their brand in front of the thousands of people who visit our facility throughout the year,” said Maples.
Casey, a Madison County Native, also worked as the Manager of Investor Relations at the Madison County Chamber of Commerce and, most recently, the Account Executive at Alabama Media Group, and invested much of her time working to grow the Huntsville-Madison County community in various ways.
As the new Director of Sponsorship Sales, Casey will seek to utilize this past experience in the Huntsville-Madison County community to work on soliciting, securing, and maintaining sponsorships for the VBC and special events.
