Meet EGBI Intern – Ami Dave

By : Ava Dasari

Meet Ami Dave, a summer program intern at EGBI. She has been working with EGBI over the past year to help clients refine and elevate their brands to the next level. Ami is very passionate about business, and working with the EGBI’s small business clients has allowed her to learn more about branding, marketing, and outreach.

Ami shares a little bit about her experience volunteering with EGBI.

Share a fun fact with us.

I really love dancing. I’ve been dancing one form of dance or another for as long as I can remember. First it was ballet, then tap, then hip-hop, and now Bharatanatyam.

How did you first get involved with EGBI?

I actually found EGBI through the internet via Google. I felt very connected to EGBI’s mission to alleviate the resource disparity that exists in our society by providing small businesses with the resources they need to succeed. 

Why do you intern for EGBI?

I intern for EGBI because I feel that their values truly align with my own. I am extremely dedicated to providing others with the resources they need to reach their fullest potentials, and EGBI has given me an outlet to further this passion. In addition, I love learning about the different facets of business such as marketing, outreach, and entrepreneurship, and EGBI has provided me with the opportunities and support I need to expand my understanding of these different realms of business. 

EGBI has facilitated the simultaneous growth of both of these passions by granting me the opportunity to coach small businesses, a service which I had previously not known much about.

How has your involvement with EGBI helped you grow professionally and personally?

Professionally, EGBI has allowed me to further my passion for business and acquire new skills in marketing, outreach, and business coaching, but personally, EGBI has allowed me to feel empowered and find a sense of fulfillment and purpose in providing small businesses with the resources they need to reach their fullest potentials.

Want to get involved ? Contact us to find out how you can volunteer or donate.

Meet EGBI intern – Scarlett Dupre 

By Ava Dasari 

Scarlett Dupre is an energetic, passionate and highly motivated person. She interns for EGBI and one other company training and helping with marketing and graphic design. Dancing since the age of 2 has led her to where she is now. She is on a competitive dance team training 18-20 hours a week and competing in several styles of dance. In her free time she likes to do art projects, paint, cuddle with her cat and spend time with family and friends. 

Share a fun fact with us.

I recently completed my open water scuba diving certification!! 

How did you first get involved with EGBI?

Through a mutual business acquaintance.

Why do you intern for EGBI?

The experience, getting to help businesses grow and thrive, and most of all, I enjoy it!

How has your involvement with EGBI helped you grow professionally and personally?

Professionally it has helped me with: Market research, presentation, and customer relations.

Personally it has helped me with: Improving leadership qualities, research capabilities, and growth in business economics.

Want to get involved ? Contact us to find out how you can volunteer or donate.

Meet EGBI Client – Debra Wissman

By Josephine Sun

A native Austinite, Debra Wissman first found St. Mark CDO as a parent when looking for a two-day program for her now college aged son! Debra later joined the staff as a teacher, and finally as director in January 2009. Debra earned a BA in Theology from Texas Lutheran University and began master’s level coursework in Counseling and Guidance at Texas State University. Prior to working at St. Mark CDO, Debra was the Director of Youth Ministry at Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church and then a full-time mom! Debra enjoys serving in ministry to the children and families of the preschool. Her greatest joy is serving the CDO in this capacity and looking forward to coming to “work” each day! Debra is married to Marc, and they have three sons aged 16, 18, and 20, and two dogs, Rocky and Willamena, aka Pebbles.

St. Mark Children’s Day Out has been a licensed childcare since 1993 and before that, it was a 1/2 day preschool open only 2 days a week. It is now open Monday-Thursday from 9 am to 1:30 pm September through May and then Tuesday and Thursday in June and July. It is closed in August.

Debra shares her experience as a client at EGBI.

Tell us a fun fact about yourself.

I toured St. Mark CDO with my son 19 years ago and I haven’t left! He will graduate from college in May 2024.

“We were assigned a business coach who helped us with everything from marketing to spreadsheets and was super supportive during the rebuilding after COVID.” Debra Wissman

How did you first find out about EGBI?

I was introduced to EGBI post COVID through Texas Workforce as we tried to re-build the school following COVID.

How did EGBI help your business? What service did you benefit from?

We were assigned a business coach who helped us with everything from marketing to spreadsheets and was super supportive during the rebuilding after COVID.

Why should people consider supporting an organization like EGBI?

It’s a new age of running a business post COVID and getting help in all areas of running a business is crucial! Support EGBI so that they can support businesses!

EGBI provides training, coaching, and support to aspiring and existing business owners who face barriers to growing a successful business. If you would like to support our efforts, please visit our website https://egbi.org/donate/.

Meet EGBI Client – Brooklyn King

By Josephine Sun

Brooklyn King is a licensed esthetician based in South Austin and is the owner of Brooklyn’s Beauty Bar. Brooklyn’s Beauty Bar is an all inclusive spa that provides customized facials, chemical peels, and full body waxing located in South Austin, Texas. Each service is performed by Brooklyn King, who has experience working with many types of skin conditions and skin types before opening her own establishment. Brooklyn’s passion is to educate clients on how to maintain healthy skin, even outside of the treatment room. Brooklyn’s Beauty Bar provides pharmaceutical grade skin care with active ingredients to clients, so they can achieve the best results in their daily regimen. Brooklyn’s Beauty Bar is the perfect place for anyone looking to get that healthy glowing skin and to see real life changing results.

Brooklyn shares her experience as a client at EGBI.

Tell us a fun fact about yourself.

My favorite color is pink.

“EGBI has helped a lot with my business. things I never really put too much thought into, including networking, marketing, and financial support.” Brooklyn King

How did you first find out about EGBI?

I found out about EGBI in 2021 from word of mouth since at the time I was just starting my business.

How did EGBI help your business? What service did you benefit from?

EGBI has helped a lot with my business things I never really put too much thought into, including networking, marketing, and financial support. I recently enrolled into the 90 days to success and am a month in, and it has been so helpful!

Why should people consider supporting an organization like EGBI?

Especially for new business owners, I definitely think EGBI is a great resource to take advantage of. There are professional that have been in the business and can point you in the right direction as far as where you want to your business to be in the future. Setting those goals and achieving those goals are important. EGBI makes sure you hold yourself accountable and learn from others.

EGBI provides training, coaching, and support to aspiring and existing business owners who face barriers to growing a successful business. If you would like to support our efforts, please visit our website https://egbi.org/donate/.

Meet EGBI Client – Liliana Bueno Mendez

Liliana Bueno Mendez, who goes by Lily, was born in San Luis Potosi and raised in Austin, Texas. She is the owner of Empoderadas Gym in South Austin, an all-women gym that aims to empower women to achieve their fitness goals and make them feel safe. In addition to spending time with her family, Lily enjoys being outdoors even in the Texas heat, trying different foods, and watching Korean dramas.

Liliana shares her experience as a client with EGBI.

Tell us a fun fact about yourself.

A fun fact about myself is that I am obsessed with Korean food.

“EGBI supported and guided me through everything since this is my first business.” Liliana Bueno Mendez

Tell us about your business. 

Empoderadas Gym is a safe space for all women of all backgrounds, ages, and skill levels at the gym. At Empoderadas gym women feel safe to wear whatever they want. They feel safe to try a workout and fail at it without being judged. They feel safe to be women at the gym. Not only do they feel safe, but I also feel safe here.

How did you first find out about EGBI?

I found out about EGBI from an ex employer. She has had much help from them with her business. 

How did EGBI help your business? What service did you benefit from?

EGBI helped me so much with organizing and scheduling my marketing posts since I didn’t know when to post and how often before. EGBI helped me find tools that would make it easier for me to just post with one click. 

Why should people consider supporting an organization like EGBI?

As a small business owner who does not have any employees at the moment, I am doing everything myself. EGBI supported and guided me through everything since this is my first business; it is quite scary and EGBI made it easier. They supported me and I will support them and that’s why people should consider supporting an incredible organization like EGBI.

EGBI provides training, coaching, and support to aspiring and existing business owners who face barriers to growing a successful business. If you would like to support our efforts, please visit our website https://egbi.org/donate/.

Meet EGBI Client – Yeraldin Yordi

By Josephine Sun

Yeraldin Yordi is an Austin-based entrepreneur and a passionate corporate event planner dedicated to crafting unforgettable experiences. She is the owner of Yeraldin Events. With expertise in high-profile conferences, captivating product launches, and engaging team-building retreats, Yeraldin brings meticulous attention to detail and creative excellence to every project. Embracing diversity and inclusion, Yeraldin creates inclusive environments where every attendee feels valued and engaged.

Yeraldin shares her experience as a client with EGBI.

Tell us a fun fact about yourself.

I love to dance and travel to different countries. I am half Lebanese and half Syrian, but I was born and raised in Venezuela, so I love cultures.

Tell us about your business.

Yeraldin Events provides event planning and coordination services for both corporate events and personal celebrations. Our goal is to create memorable moments and experiences for our clients and their guests. Our planning and coordination services range from event production, budgeting, food, entertainment, and more!

“Supporting an organization like EGBI aligns with the principles of economic empowerment, community development, and fostering a thriving entrepreneurial ecosystem.” Yeraldin Yordi

How did you first find out about EGBI?

I first found out about EGBI at the open house for BCL of Texas.

How did EGBI help your business? What service did you benefit from?

EGBI provides crucial support to my business. They have offered me mentorship, marketing and branding one-on-one sessions, as well as opportunities to network, and even helping plan their annual luncheon fundraiser. EGBI’s assistance has helped me as an entrepreneur develop my business more.

Why should people consider supporting an organization like EGBI?

Supporting an organization like EGBI aligns with the principles of economic empowerment, community development, and fostering a thriving entrepreneurial ecosystem. It is an investment in the potential and aspirations of entrepreneurs.

EGBI provides training, coaching, and support to aspiring and existing business owners who face barriers to growing a successful business. If you would like to support our efforts, please visit our website https://egbi.org/donate/.