Meet Ava Dasari, a summer program intern at EGBI. Ava is very passionate about business, especially in the realm of small businesses. Ava was born in Austin, Texas, and has lived there ever since. In her free time, she likes to listen to music, spend time with her friends, and bake for her friends and family.
Ava shares her experience at EGBI with you.
Share a fun fact with us.
I am really passionate about debate, and I’ve been debating in school for almost 4 years now. Debate allows me to express myself, while also traveling, and bonding with my teammates.
How did you first get involved with EGBI?
I first got involved with EGBI because I wanted to get hands-on experience with the business world, and learn about consulting. After researching, I came across the city of Austin Internship program, where I was paired with EGBI as my site for this internship.
Why do you intern for EGBI?
EGBI heavily aligns with my values as an intern. I love helping small businesses kickstart, and I love giving back to my community. I intern for EGBI because it provides me with valuable insight into the business world, while also helping me gain hands-on experience. Through my experiences at EGBI, I know I have expanded my knowledge about small businesses, but also gained skills in marketing, pricing, entrepreneurship, and graphic design.
How has your involvement with EGBI helped you grow professionally and personally?
Professionally, EGBI has helped me by teaching me important skills about marketing, investment, and small business consulting. I have made connections within the business world, and I know these skills will last me a lifetime. Personally, EGBI has helped me by growing my communication skills. By communicating with different clients, I am able to learn how to understand many different types of people, and provide solutions to their unique problems.
Want to get involved ? Contact us to find out how you can volunteer or donate.
Meet Neel Kakkad, an intern at EGBI . He’s going into his senior year in Austin, Texas. Neel was born in Boston, and moved to Austin before middle school. In his free time, he likes to watch TV, meet his friends, and go to the gym.
Neel shares his experiences at EGBI.
Share a fun fact with us.
I really enjoy playing sports, and I especially love soccer. I have been playing soccer for 13 years now and currently play for my high school’s team.
How did you first get involved with EGBI?
I first got involved with EGBI through the City of Austin’s high school internship program. EGBI’s practices and values intersected with my own and I am glad that I got placed as an intern here.
Why do you intern for EGBI?
Participating in the internship program at EGBI presents a valuable chance for me to acquire practical knowledge, enhance my professional skills, and gain real-world experience that will have a significant positive impact on my future. I have thoroughly enjoyed engaging with the diverse range of services EGBI offers to business owners, and this internship provides me with an exciting opportunity to further explore and develop my interests in this field. Through my experiences at EGBI, I not only expand my knowledge but also gain valuable insights about myself and cultivate my long-term goals.
How has your involvement with EGBI helped you grow professionally and personally?
EGBI has provided me with the opportunity to pursue my passion for business, develop skills, and also make a meaningful impact on small businesses. I have not only gained knowledge, but my involvement with EGBI has allowed me to interact with many clients and new people, developing my interpersonal skills as well.
Want to get involved ? Contact us to find out how you can volunteer or donate.
Josephine is an incoming sophomore in Central Texas. While she was born in Florida, Josephine has lived in Texas for almost her entire life and considers herself to be a seasoned Austinite (despite never having attended ACL). At school, she is the sophomore class president and participates in DECA, extemporaneous speaking, and pole vaulting. She enjoys photography, hiking, painting, and watching movies in empty theaters.
Josephine shares a little bit of her experience at EGBI.
Share a fun fact with us. I am an avid crystal collector. Currently, my obsessions are with citrine and rainbow amethyst. My favorite thing about crystals is taking great pictures and sharing them with everyone.
How did you first get involved with EGBI? I first became involved with EGBI through the City of Austin’s youth internship program. The program essentially matched me with an organization that aligned with my professional goals, and I was matched with this non-profit.
Why do you intern for EGBI? My passion in business and desire to gain experience in marketing has led me to interning here for EGBI. EGBI’s mission to empower both aspiring and established small-business owners resonates with my personal philosophy and this internship allows me to make an impact on the surrounding community.
How has your involvement with EGBI helped you grow professionally and personally? My involvement as a marketing intern has helped me grow in ways I previously could not have imagined. This experience has given me first-hand experience in the professional world and has taught me life-long skills in communication, organization, and problem-solving. I am more than grateful for this opportunity and am excited to pursue my development in business. EGBI provides training, coaching, and support to aspiring and existing business owners who face barriers to growing a successful business.
Want to get involved ? Contact us to find out how you can volunteer or donate.
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.
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.
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/.
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/.
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/.
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/.
In today’s time, all businesses are using technology to stay ahead. One game-changing technology is Artificial Intelligence (AI), which has changed the world of marketing. While the idea of AI may sound complicated, it offers numerous easy-to-implement solutions that can help your marketing efforts. In this blog post, we will explore some straightforward ways in which business owners can use AI in their marketing to maximize the success of their business.
Personalized Customer Experiences:
AI helps businesses give personalized experiences to their customers. By analyzing large amounts of customer data, AI can understand individual preferences, behaviors, and buying patterns. With this information, businesses can tailor their marketing to each customer, which increases engagement. Personalized email campaigns, product recommendations, and website content are some simple AI strategies to deliver great customer experiences.
Chatbots for Customer Support:
Using AI-powered chatbots on websites and social media platforms can improve customer support by making faster response times. Chatbots can handle common questions, provide product information, and even help with making purchases. By giving these tasks to the AI, businesses can make sure they have constant customer service. With advancements in AI, chatbots can understand and respond to customer questions more accurately, mimicking human-like interactions.
Predicting the future for Smarter Marketing Decisions:
AI- predictions help businesses make marketing decisions backed by data. By looking at past historical data, AI pattern recognition can predict future trends, which helps businesses to create better marketing strategies and target the right audience at the right time.
Social Media Management and Content Creation:
Managing social media platforms and creating engaging content can be time-consuming. AI tools can make these tasks easier by doing content creation, scheduling posts, and looking at social media performance, all for you. With AI-powered content creating tools, businesses can discover relevant articles, videos, and images that reflect their brand. This saves time and effort in manual searching. Additionally, AI can look at social media conversations to help businesses understand their audience’s preferences and tailor content.
Incorporating AI into marketing strategies doesn’t have to be scary or complex!
Whether it’s personalizing customer interactions, implementing chatbots for better customer support, using patterns for data-driven decisions, or creating better advertising campaigns, AI offers numerous solutions. Embrace the power of AI and take your marketing efforts to the next level, gaining a competitive edge in today’s dynamic business landscape.
Remember, the key is to start small and gradually start using AI solutions in your marketing, while keeping a close eye on the results and changing your approach along the way. With the right AI strategies, your business can flourish in our increasing digital era.
So, what are you waiting for? Dive into the world of AI and unlock its potential to boost your marketing efforts today!
