Jeremiah Bentley is the vice president of Marketing & Community Affairs at Texas Mutual Insurance Company, the state’s leading provider of workers’ compensation insurance. He oversees the company’s marketing, public relations, advertising, community relations, digital media and customer outreach efforts. Jeremiah is on the board of directors for the Greater of Austin Chamber of Commerce, Leadership Austin, United Way for Greater Austin, the Austin Ed Fund and the Greater Austin Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. He also serves in a variety of other roles in community organizations throughout the Austin area. Jeremiah is a member of the Austin Area Research Organization and is a 2015 graduate of the Leadership Austin Essentials program. Jeremiah lives in northwest Austin with his wife Brandy and two young boys. He’s active in the local elementary school, local soccer community and at Bethany United Methodist Church. He’s a graduate of the University of Texas-Arlington with a BS in University Studies.
Jeremiah Bentley shares his experience as a supporter of EGBI.
To get started, would you mind telling us a fun fact about yourself?
During the day, I’m the vice president of marketing & community affairs for Texas Mutual Insurance Company. Outside of work, my passion is soccer. I’m the co-host of Moontower Soccer, Austin’s most popular podcast. We put out a new episode every Tuesday covering the week’s match, discussing team news and interviewing players & front office personnel.
Why should people consider supporting or volunteering with EGBI?
EGBI fills an important niche in Austin in a very unique way. There’s no other organization that I can think of that provides such meaningful direct support for entrepreneurs and small business owners. The coaching services provided by EGBI volunteers have enabled countless businesses to grow and thrive, allowing Central Texans the opportunity to create a better life for themselves and their families. It seems like there’s no more rewarding work or volunteering opportunity than to help people realize the dreams that they have for themselves and help client unlock their human potential.
Why do you think it is important to support our Celebrating Success event?
The Celebrating Success event is one we’ve been involved with for a few years. The event exposes people who may not know about EGBI to the work of the organization. We’ve brought community partners and employees to the event in the past who had never heard of EGBI. But, once they saw the stories and understood EGBI’s work, they left inspired. It’s also important for the clients to see the success of others. Sometimes, when someone is struggling to build a business, they may feel like they’re alone. Events like this expose people to the real opportunities and potential out there.
Why is it important for people to support organizations like EGBI?
Organizations like EGBI are important because they create opportunities for individuals and help grow the economy of Texas. Small business is the lifeblood of our economy and every business starts with a person and an idea. Providing the coaching that allows those businesses to scale will help us all thrive in the future.
In 2021, EGBI volunteers put in more than 130 hours to help EGBI support and serve over 400 small businesses. Supporters like Jeremiah make this possible and continue to help EGBI pursue their mission of training, coaching, and supporting aspiring and existing business owners who face barriers to growing a successful business.
Want to get involved too? Contact us to find out how you can volunteer or donate.
Alison Flangel is a rising junior at the University of Maryland, pursuing a degree in Government and Politics along with General Business and Public Leadership. This summer she is working as a marketing intern for EGBI. In her free time, Alison loves cooking, playing tennis, and hanging out with her dogs.
Alison shares her experience as a volunteer with EGBI below.
To get started, would you mind telling us a fun fact about yourself?
In my free time, I love to play tennis.
How have you volunteered for EGBI (tasks, projects, etc.)?
Thus far in my time at EGBI, I have done a lot of work on various programs such as Excel and Canva. I really like being able to help with the company’s organization, as that is something I enjoy doing in my own life as well. In addition to this, I have taken on helping with our annual report by conducting interviews and writing feature articles.
Why do you think it is important to volunteer at EGBI?
EGBI is a unique organization — I love the mission that targets minority business owners. I think that by providing tools and resources to individuals who usually lack this knowledge, EGBI is rare. I am very proud to work for an organization with such a powerful objective.
What has your favorite experience with EGBI been so far?
My favorite experience so far has been getting to meet with business owners and hear their stories. It is so inspiring to hear first-hand the obstacles individuals have overcome to get to where they are today.
“I don’t think there is a better organization to volunteer for than EGBI.Within the non-profit sector they are top of their game.”– Alison Flangel
In 2021, EGBI volunteers put in more than 130 hours to help EGBI support and serve over 400 small businesses. Volunteers like Alison make this possible and continue to help EGBI pursue their mission of training, coaching, and supporting aspiring and existing business owners who face barriers to growing a successful business.
Want to get involved too? Contact us to find out how you can volunteer or donate.
Hi! My name is Ricardo Leon. I was born and raised in Guadalajara, Mexico. I have an Associate in Computer’s Science. I joined a tech company back in 2005 in Guadalajara, Mexico and then they invited me to move to the U.S. with a work visa that later on they upgraded to a Green Card.
I understood that I couldn’t build a life around a single income so I decided to open a few lines of businesses with my wife, and this has been an amazing life changing decision for me and my family. The benefits and knowledge that the small business world brings is UNBELIEVABLE GOOD! EGBI has helped us make amazing things possible by giving us entrepreneurs tools to go get things done! I’m very thankful for that!
Ricardo shares his experience as a volunteer and client below.
To get started, would you mind telling us a fun fact about yourself?
My soul gets full when I see people making the decision and taking action to improve their lives, like opening a business, learning more about personal finances and topics related to businesses, and having the courage and discipline to set goals and go after them. That makes me really happy!
What is unique about your business?
I work best with business owners that are willing to do more and learn more about the business world. I bring a different perspective and new ideas to the table when they decide to do business with me. I also like giving them as much value as possible beyond any contract, like offering their products or services to people in the community that are looking for them.
What is the biggest obstacle you encountered in starting or growing your business? How did EGBI help you overcome this?
At first it was my very own limiting mindset, like doing paperwork to form an LLC, talking to the State Comptroller to make sure all transactions would be done correctly in order to collect and pay State sales tax, then getting permits for a food business that I used to run, etc. All of that was overwhelming to me! But then I was invited to participate in the workshops that EGBI provided and that gave me a lot of clarity in terms of how to manage my business and how to make it grow by following a plan. EGBI gave me all these tools and knowledge that I’m using now to get consistent income in my digital marketing solutions business.
EGBI walks you through the entire process of making a small business successful. Isn’t that what you’re looking for? – Ricardo Leon
Ricardo, you have volunteered as an instructor and also on the EGBI Marketing Committee.Why do you volunteer with EGBI, and what has your experience been like?
I’m very grateful to EGBI and their goal to make more and more businesses successful. That’s why I volunteer every time I’m invited to. I have nothing but good things to say about this organization and its commitment: to help as many business owners as possible to establish and make small businesses grow. The coaches and managers at EGBI are amazing people that always make sure that all volunteers (like me) feel welcomed and confident to help them in their mission.
What advice do you have for someone thinking of volunteering with EGBI?
Please do it! Everyone’s experience in running and managing a small business is unique and everyone can provide a different perspective on how to get around obstacles, as well as tips and tricks to be successful in this small business world. We all will appreciate your input!
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In 2020, EGBI volunteers put in more than 130 hours to help EGBI support and serve over 400 small businesses. Volunteers like Ricardo make this possible and continue to help EGBI pursue their mission of training, coaching, and supporting aspiring and existing business owners who face barriers to growing a successful business.
Want to get involved too? Contact us to find out how you can volunteer or donate.
Amy Carrillo Cobb started her business in Spring 2020. Amy holds a bachelor’s in finance and is a Certified QuickBooks ProAdvisor. She started her own business Amy Cobb Consulting to help Business Owners demystify their finances. Amy has a history of non-profit experience beginning in 2007 with her participation in the Hispanic Austin Leadership program. She became a Board Member of the Hispanic Women’s Network of Texas-Austin Chapter in 2008. She was a board member for the Latino Leaders of America and co-chaired their annual 5k fundraiser Walk-Run-Lead in 2014 & 2015. She now serves as the Board Treasurer for Ladders for Leaders.
Amy is a wife and mother of a 6-year-old daughter. She has lived in Austin since 2004. She is dedicated to using her skills and experience to help others and unify the community.
Amy shares her experience as an EGBI volunteer, supporter, and blog writer below.
To get started, would you mind telling us a fun fact about yourself?
My fun fact is I’ve completed the Austin Marathon & Half-Marathon. Owning a business is a marathon not a sprint- I am a runner and business owner.
Why do you volunteer for EGBI?
This is my first-year volunteering for EGBl. I believe in the mission and am happy to assist as an Austin Business Owner.
Why do you think it’s important to volunteer?
I created Amy Cobb Consulting on the foundation to enhance social equity. Volunteering was instilled in me at a very young age by my family. We are strong community advocates, and I will continue that legacy through my volunteerism and business.
“I chose to become an EGBI volunteer because I believed in the mission. It is mysocial responsibility as a community member to help others succeed.” – Amy Carrillo Cobb
Why do you write blogs for small businesses owners?
As a Latina and first-gen Entrepreneur, I run into my own set of limits that I subconsciously put on myself. [Based on] my experience speaking, working and strategizing with my clients, others do the same thing. I want to engage business owners through a platform (blogging) that is easily digestible. My blogs allow others to see how I engage with my clients. I am the resource for minority business owners.
What advice do you have for someone thinking of volunteering with EGBI?
Volunteering helps me engage in the community and hone my business skills. It is a way to participate and build your skills.
Amy Cobb shares her knowledge through blog posts for EGBI. Read her recent post on Money Sabotages & Trauma to learn more.
Meet Bill Combes, founder and CEO of No Time for Social – a digital marketing agency that has been in business since 2014. Bill is originally from Long Island, New York and came to Texas via the Air National Guard after spending 4 years in Lawrence, KS. Bill attended K.U. for meteorology and was a weather forecaster in the Air Force at the 127th weather flight in Topeka, KS. In 1995, Bill started his first business, AnythingWeather, a private Austin-based weather company. Bill fell into digital marketing after he left his first start up and a lot of his roofing company clients were asking about running Facebook ads for their businesses, thus the start of No Time for Social. Bill lives in Round Rock and when he is away from work, he enjoys spending time with his wife Ileana and two sons Billy and Alex.
Bill shares his experience as a volunteer of EGBI and how you can get involved too.
Hi Bill! To get started, would you mind telling us a fun fact about yourself? With my background in weather, I love storm chasing and even ran a business taking people on storm chasing adventures across many states and thousands of miles over the years. I love anything and everything weather and if there is a weather event going on, I am most likely tracking it. The tornado that hit Round Rock was less than a mile from my house which was a little frightening!
How have you volunteered for EGBI? I will be presenting at one of EGBI’s Digital Marketing workshops on June 23rd, 2022.
Why do you think it is important to volunteer? I’ve been volunteering on many levels over the years and I love to give back – especially in learning spaces. The ability to take my wisdom and knowledge and pass it on to others to help them succeed is invaluable to me. In fact I usually get more out of it than the individuals I am working with. I really enjoy people and conversations so it just fits when I can speak to others and give back. I’ve volunteered over the years with the City of Round Rock, Round Rock ISD, United Way, the Round Rock Chamber, and a host of other organizations and I love it.
“Supporting EGBI means you are supporting others in their entrepreneurial journey. The more entrepreneurs succeed the better off we are as a society and community. Small businesses are the backbone of the community and just about all businesses start small so let’s help them become successful.” – Bill Combes, founder and CEO of No Time for SociaL
Why is it important to volunteer at EGBI? Most entrepreneurs are out there on an island with all of the cards stacked against them so they need as much support as possible. They may have friends and family members questioning their path to success, so they need as many individuals on their team to provide guidance in the journey. If we can help develop these business owners and provide information for them to succeed, we have succeeded so it is a win win for all of us. I love seeing people succeed and that is what EGBI is all about!
What would you say to someone thinking of volunteering with EGBI? If you are looking to give back and you have knowledge that will help others succeed then you should consider volunteering. As I have mentioned previously, I get a LOT out of the volunteering process so I love to do it.
— Bill Combes will be sharing his knowledge about growing your business using social media in the upcoming Marketing series on June 23rd from 8:30 AM to 10 AM. To register be sure to register at this link.
Meet Joe Arellano-Villegas. He currently lives in Dallas but spends lots of time in Austin. He is the first in his family to graduate and attended St. Edward’s University in Austin where he got his Bachelor’s in Photo-Communication (2014). He later went back to school a bit before the pandemic to Dallas College to get an Associate’s in Applied Science in Graphic Design (2021). Joe has had a variety of careers, gigs, and volunteer opportunities from helping students on film sets, to retail, to school photography, photo editing, and now shifted towards a career in graphic design. He is currently freelancing and a volunteer at Dallas Fuse: a HIV prevention treatment center and STI education safe space.
Joe shares his experience as a volunteer of EGBI and how you can get involved too.
Hi Joe!To get started, would you mind telling us a fun fact about yourself?
I was looking for clients to volunteer for on Catchafire and saw an Austin company called EGBI. And the former Austinite in me said, “Well I definitely have to apply.”
How have you volunteered for EGBI?
I helped design some information flyers for entrepreneurs in order to distribute information they might need to start and/or run their business.
Why do you think it is important to volunteer?
Nonprofits sometimes need help since the people who work for them do a lot for the communities they engage with. If I can help take a load off of them why not help.
“No one is useless in this world who lightens the burdens of another.”-Charles Dickens
Why is it important to volunteer at EGBI?
Starting a business is hard, especially for communities of color, which have historically been disenfranchised in the process. EGBI helps those in Austin learn, incubate, and grow so that companies that are starting or struggling to find footing have an easier time navigating such a process.
What would you say to someone thinking of volunteering with EGBI?
Volunteering in any capacity is an act of love because you are willing to go into a space and offer help to those who might need it. Be open to communication and always listen to what the needs of those who are asking for help. Everyone at EGBI is really nice and wonderful to work with.
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In 2020, EGBI volunteers put in more than 130 hours to help EGBI support and serve over 400 small businesses. Volunteers like Joe make this possible and continue to help EGBI pursue their mission of training, coaching, and supporting aspiring and existing business owners who face barriers to growing a successful business.
Want to get involved too? Contact us to find out how you can volunteer or donate.
