When minority entrepreneurs and startups relocate to Dallas, many immediately comment on how helpful and friendly their fellow entrepreneurs are, said Brittany Hibbs, director of events and programming at The Dallas Entrepreneur Center (DEC).

“It baffles the people who move here,” said Hibbs. “I’m not sure why Dallas is more friendly. They feel compelled to give before they get, and that’s the DEC model as well, in the startup community.”

Hibbs said they even have a term for it: ‘collabetition’ (a mash-up of “collaboration” and “competition”).

“I’m not sure why Dallas is more friendly. They feel compelled to give before they get, and that’s the DEC model as well, in the startup community.”
BRITTANY HIBBS

Whatever the proper word might be, Dallas ranks as the 6th best city in the nation to be a minority entrepreneur.

Minority startup leaders and entrepreneurs, or even individuals who aspire to be entrepreneurs, are invited to attend Diversity Entrepreneur Day from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m., Dec. 15, at The DEC, 311 Market St., in Dallas’ Historic West End.

While there are dozens of organizations that help minorities establish their businesses, The DEC aims to help guide minority entrepreneurs to the expertise they need, in their particular stage of business development.

The event, in its second year, drew 100 attendants in 2015, and promises discussions on three key issues: How to position your startup to be attractive to corporations, steps to take to compete for contracts for doing business with the city of Dallas, and how to access funding.

Members of AT&T’s Supplier Diversity Group are scheduled to speak from the perspective of what startups/small business owners can do to work with AT&T; Linda Ghaffari, CEO/founder at Affinity Strategic Partners, will be leading the discussion of how to compete for contracts for the city of Dallas.

Successful Dallas-area entrepreneurs will be on-hand to discuss their startup ventures.

“It’s really difficult to launch a startup or small business if you don’t know other entrepreneurs.”
BRITTANY HIBBS

Hibbs strongly recommends minority entrepreneurs and startups to attend.

“It’s really difficult to launch a startup or small business if you don’t know other entrepreneurs,” she said. “Entrepreneurs are here help each other. That’s what so great about the Dallas startup community. People who come here from different parts of the United States say how helpful our entrepreneurship [community] is. Instead of being closed off. The community is very proud of that.”

Dinner and drinks will be served at the free event, which will be sponsored by AT&T.

To register for the event, click here.

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