Devoyd Jennings Business Assistance Center

Such a great example of what's possible in our city with help from local partners like CDFI Friendly Fort Worth! 👏

From Mexico to Fort Worth: SBA Financing and Esmeralda Polanco's Entrepreneurial Journey Explore how OYE Roofing Supply grew with SBA financing and community support, showcasing resilience and success in the Fort Worth small business landscape.

Congrats to these local winners of Main Street America’s $10K “Backing Small Business” grants!

had the most grant winners in Texas, with three of the 17 statewide winners this year. 👏

Congratulations to Black Coffee, Green Thistle Emporium, and Acre Distilling – these local small businesses each received $10,000 grants through Main Street America's "Backing Small Businesses" initiative!

Learn more about how investments like these help build capacity in 's small business corridors: https://itbeginsinfw.com/3LMavV5

Calling all food vendors – we want to help food trucks and restaurants expand their service offerings at New City Hall in partnership with Fooda!

Join us for a kick-off celebrating this exciting new initiative from 4-6 p.m. Tuesday, July 30, in the mezzanine of the new city hall, located at 100 Fort Worth Trail.

Register now: https://fortworthtexas.gov/food-vendor-kickoff

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Llamando a todos los vendedores de comida - ¡queremos ayudar a los camiones de comida y restaurantes de Fort Worth a ampliar su oferta de servicios en el Nuevo Edificio del Ayuntamiento en colaboración con Fooda!

Acompáñenos en la inauguración de esta nueva y emocionante iniciativa, de 4 a 6 p.m. el martes 30 de julio, en el mezzanine del nuevo edificio del ayuntamiento, situado en 100 Fort Worth Trail.

Inscríbase ahora: https://fortworthtexas.gov/vendedores-de-comida

📣 Calling all residents and stakeholders of the Historic Northside District !

Time is running out to complete the 2024 Community Survey, which will help inform a five-year work plan to guide the neighborhood's priorities as part of their transformation strategy with Main Street America.

Make your voice heard: https://itbeginsinfw.com/3Ksd6Tj

Join the Historic Northside District and the Fort Worth Hispanic Chamber of Commerce from 9-11:30 a.m. **this Saturday​​** at Artes de la Rosa Cultural Center for the Arts at the Rose Marine Theater for a special workshop to discuss the basics of , future land uses, and how they can work together with community input and the City's Comprehensive Plan to preserve and transform the North Main Street corridor.

This event is part of the district's ongoing work with Main Street America.

Register to attend online: https://www.facebook.com/events/7472568212790774/?ref=newsfeed

Join the Historic Northside District and our partners at the Fort Worth Hispanic Chamber of Commerce this weekend for their first concert of the summer!

The headliner is Carabali, one of the premier salsa and merengue bands in DFW.

This free event is presented by the James L. West Center for Dementia Care.

5-10 p.m. Saturday, May 17
Marine Creek Park (303 NW 20th St)
🎟RSVP on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/events/327520753339002/

"Road to Success: Opening Your Own Food Truck Business" is a presentation for individuals aspiring to enter the exciting world of mobile culinary entrepreneurship. This engaging session will provide a roadmap for turning dreams of owning a food truck into a thriving reality.

Participants will discover the crucial steps involved in launching and operating a successful food truck venture, from conceptualization to ex*****on. This presentation will cover a wide range of topics, including developing a unique concept, menu development, business planning, how to find funding, regulations and permit requirements, types of vehicles & equipment, working with local commissaries, and implementing effective marketing strategies to attract and retain customers.

Register Here:

Road to Success: Opening Your Own Food Truck Business "Road to Success: Opening Your Own Food Truck Business" is for individuals aspiring to enter the exciting world of mobile culinary entrepreneurship. This will provide a roadmap for turning dreams of owning a food truck into a thriving reality.

Sonidos Del Summer presented by James L. West Center for Dementia Care is coming back next month! Join us on three special dates this summer for unforgettable experiences at Marine Park!

Mark your calendars:
- May 18th for Salsa y Sol, featuring the headliner Carabali
- July 6th for Northside 4th, featuring headliner Latin Express
- September 7th for Baila Esta Cumbia, featuring the Selena Forever Tribute Band

Immerse yourself in lively atmospheres with various vendors and amazing local food trucks. Indulge in the sights and sounds around Marine Park as we bring the summer vibes to you.

Bring your family and friends to enjoy these fun-filled days with us!

Congratulations to the Top 8 small businesses – we're looking forward to the Finale on May 9!

Get your tickets here: https://itbeginsinfw.com/BPCFinale2024

Congratulations to the Top 8 small businesses moving on the the finale of the 2024 Fort Worth Business Plan Competition!

– Brown Sugar Ice Cream Company
– Ca'Maire
– Champion Strength and Conditioning
– OnDa Spot Solutions
– Shaman Systems LLC
– Smackin Mac
– StyleSmart VA
– RIPE Publishing House

Join us on Thursday, May 9, to watch these businesses make their pitch to the judges for a shot at the $10,000 cash prize!

** Get your tickets now: https://lnkd.in/gj5Mfuha **

The Fort Worth Business Plan Competition is proudly sponsored by the City of Fort Worth Economic Development and Frost.

Calling all small business owners!

Main Street America's "Backing Small Business" grants are back, presented by American Express!

Eligible small businesses can apply for $10,000 grants for projects that grow or improve their businesses by building community, supporting their economic viability, or bolstering meaningful change.

Applications close on April 7:

Backing Small Businesses presented by American Express The Backing Small Businesses grant program, presented by American Express, offers funding to small business owners.

Last chance for businesses to join The University of Texas at Dallas Community Business Booster program under the service-oriented track.

Apply by Friday, March 22 – it’s FREE, and spots are still available. Don't miss out!

Learn more: https://innovation.utdallas.edu/communitybooster/

So excited to start working with the latest group of owners as part of the 2024 Business Plan Competition! 👏

Congratulations to the 20 local small businesses who will be moving forward in this year's 2024 Business Plan Competition!

These competitors will participate in several weeks of business development workshops and mentorship opportunities with local partners before writing their own business plan, and potentially moving on to pitch for cash prizes at the Finale in May.

The Fort Worth Business Plan Competition is proudly sponsored by City of Fort Worth Economic Development and Frost.

Learn more: https://itbeginsinfw.com/3UmsCGo

Applications are now open for the 2024 Fort Worth Business Plan Competition!

Small businesses will receive several weeks of training and coaching from local partners to help them craft a written business plan that will impress the judges. The Top 8 will participate in a pitch competition with a $10,000 cash prize at stake!

Businesses must meet the following criteria to be eligible:
• Be an established business between 2-5 years old.
• Have an annual revenue of less than $500,000.
• Have a DBA and business address located within Fort Worth's city limits.

** Applications close at 11:59 p.m. Friday, Jan. 5. **

Learn more: https://itbeginsinfw.com/BPC

(Proudly sponsored by City of Fort Worth Economic Development and Frost.)

ICYMI: HSC Next will be handing off the operation of Sparkyard – 's resource navigator for entrepreneurs and small business owners – to Tamara Payne of Ensemble Coworking.

As one of Sparkyard's founding partners, the City of Fort Worth Economic Development department looks forward to seeing this important tool continue to grow and evolve even more under her stewardship.

HSC to hand off operations of Sparkyard HSC Next is handing over operations of its Sparkyard platform to Tamara Payne, CEO and cofounder of Ensemble Coworking

This is your last chance to participate in the final session of our Success Series at the BAC!

Our last session on Tuesday, Oct. 24, will feature Lacy S. at NBT Financial and a panel of lenders, who will be discussing ways to better ensure your requests for funding from banks move forward.

Sponsored by NBT Financial, City of Fort Worth, Fort Worth Metropolitan Black Chamber of Commerce , Fort Worth Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, and Texas Bankers Association.

Register now: https://itbeginsinfw.com/3RGjxHq

It's time to register once again for our ongoing Success Series at the BAC!

Next up on Tuesday, Oct. 17, will be Eddie Johansson, founder of Credit Security Group, who will discuss ways that a high credit score can benefit your business.

Sponsored by NBT Financial, City of Fort Worth, Worth Metropolitan Black Chamber of Commerce, Fort Worth Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, and Bankers Association.

Register now: https://itbeginsinfw.com/3tcjpFc

📣 owners, you'll want to save this link! 📣

CO- by U.S. Chamber of Commerce has compiled an INCREDIBLY robust list of links and sources for small business capital – from loans and government grants, to industry-specific grants and grants...and more!

https://itbeginsinfw.com/3terpFM

Free Grants and Programs for Small Business When you know where to look, help for your small business is there for the taking.

Join us on Tuesday, Oct. 10, as we continue our Success Series at the BAC!

Next up will be Autrionne Harris of CLA, and Kristen Cherry of Husch Blackwell, who will be speaking about the kinds of financial and legal documents that you'll need to prepare your business for long-term success.

Sponsored by NBT Financial, City of Fort Worth, Fort Worth Metropolitan Black Chamber of Commerce, Fort Worth Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, and Texas Bankers Association.

Register now: https://itbeginsinfw.com/46MVISD

Time's running out to register for the first event in our four-part Success Series!

Our first event at 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 3, will go over how to write a business plan to help your business gain access to capital. It will feature speakers Kay West of Pipe Consulting, and Frances Smith-Dean of Zan Wesley Holmes JR. Community Outreach Center - Success Coach

The event is sponsored by Financial, City of Fort Worth, Fort Worth Metropolitan Black Chamber of Commerce, Fort Worth Hispanic Chamber of Commerce and Texas Bankers Association.

We'll see you at the BAC!

Register now: https://itbeginsinfw.com/3rFiWLc

Last week, we hosted C.C. the Great's "Next Level Cosmetology" class at the BAC, to help inspire these young entrepreneurs and talk to them about all the different organizations in who can help when they're ready to start a small business of their own.

Big thanks to Michael D. Crain for Fort Worth, Fort Worth Chamber, SCORE Mentors, Fort Worth Metropolitan Black Chamber of Commerce, PeopleFund, AccelerateDFW Foundation, Workforce Solutions for Tarrant County, and the our partners for stopping by!

Do you wonder which source you should use to protect your Intellectual Property (name, inventions, and ideas)? If so, this workshop is just right for you.

Copyright, Patents and Trademarks are our resource for protection, but sometimes it is difficult to navigate through it. In this fun and informative session, you will learn :

Who you need to talk to.

What you need to protect.

Where you need to go for your Intellectual Property Strategies (Copyrights, Patents and Trademarks) that will get you headed in the right direction fast.

Intellectual property: Copyrights, Patents, & Trademarks Do you wonder which source you should use to protect your Intellectual Property (name, inventions, and ideas)? If so, join us to find out which is just right for you.

Are you a small business owner in need of financial assistance to get your project off the ground?

Join AccelerateDFW Foundation for a special "Meet the Lenders" panel discussion with TruFund Financial Services, Inc., starting at 5 p.m. Tuesday, July 25. Refreshments will be served.

The event is free, and registration is open now: https://itbeginsinfw.com/AccelerateFW

2023 Business Pitch Competition: Finale! The Fort Worth Hispanic Chamber of Commerce is excited to present our Third Annual FWHCC Business Pitch Competition, an event for local entrepreneurs and small businesses. This event allows startups and aspiring business owners the opportunity to pitch their business concept to a panel of judges. Th...

Today is the deadline for this cycle of our Small Business Grants. Get your application in for your chance to be awarded up to $500 to cover certain business expenses and startup costs. Applications must be submitted online by the end of the day. Click the link for more info and to apply! https://ow.ly/zMA050OVfSu

📣 Calling all local small business owners!

As continues to support entrepreneurs in the early stages of starting their businesses, AccelerateDFW Foundation is seeking your feedback through a short experience survey.

Take the survey now: https://itbeginsinfw.com/42Dfux9

Join us Tuesday, June 13th, for the first session of our virtual banking series with Simmons Bank.

Register Here: https://business.fwmbcc.org/events/details/banking-spotlight-series-7975

Learn about social media marketing from the experts themselves!

Join Meta and AccelerateDFW Foundation for a special lunch-and-learn workshop on Wednesday, May 31 – lunch is included for attendees, who will receive a $25 Meta gift card.

Register now: https://itbeginsinfw.com/3IGGrsF

Earlier today, we celebrated the legacy of with the formal renaming of the Business Assistance Center (BAC) on the James E. Guinn Entrepreneurial Campus.

Jennings grew up in the Butler Place public housing community, graduated from I.M. Terrell High School and attended Tarrant County College and Texas Wesleyan University before emerging as a visionary local leader. In addition to his many years of service with the Fort Worth Metropolitan Black Chamber of Commerce – including his role as president and CEO for more than 30 years – Jennings served on numerous boards, committees and commissions throughout his life and was a passionate advocate for Fort Worth's Black neighborhoods and Black-owned businesses, both publicly and behind the scenes.

We're proud to partner with the FWMBCC, City of Fort Worth leadership, TechFW, AccelerateDFW Foundation, and the small business partners at the Guinn campus to honor Dee's long history of service to as part of .

Join the small business partners at the James E. Guinn Campus from 12:30 – 2 p.m. Thursday, May 4, as we formally re-name the Devoyd Jennings Business Assistance Center and celebrate the impact of Dee Jennings, the building’s new namesake!

After the sign unveiling, there will also be a campus-wide open house in celebration of – so you'll be able to visit Fort Worth Metropolitan Black Chamber of Commerce, AccelerateDFW Foundation, TechFW and the other organizations who offer many kinds of support to local business owners and entrepreneurs.

Learn more: https://itbeginsinfw.com/41uMdVO

How Businesses Obtain Credit Want to build and maintain business credit? Do you know how creditworthiness is measured for small businesses? Join us online for these topics and more!