echo: Youth and Adult Entrepreneurship Center

Given how challenging of a week it has been for many of us, we thought you might enjoy a break that will hopefully make you 😊 . We're just two weeks away from the echo ebe launch party on Thursday, 11/21, and we want you to be part of building the Triangle's most connected entrepreneurial community. We know that echo’s ecosystem is gifted at making connections, so today we wanted to put those skills to the test. We’ve created an NYT Connections-style challenge for you to play today and here’s your exclusive hint: the categories may relate to the ebe launch. ⁉️ Try your hand at our puzzle and be sure to comment your results! Plus, it’s not too late to make more connections at the ebe launch party on 11/21! Join us at ReCity for an evening of impactful speakers and meaningful networking. We’re even having an exclusive silent auction! Don’t miss out on this awesome event– secure your ticket today at bit.ly/ebe-launch. —-

Entrepreneurship isn’t just about building a business— it’s also about all the relationships you build along the way. Leading up to the launch of entrepreneurs building entrepreneurs (ebe) on November 21st, echo is challenging our LinkedIn network to answer this key question: #whobuiltyou? Today, I want to celebrate Mel Wright 🌟 . Amazing thought partner, critic, cheerleader, collaborator - and my friend. Over the past two years we always find each other and find ways to support one another. So thankful for her 🥰 So, who built you? Share a story about your influential mentor(s) using the hashtags #whobuiltyou and #echonc. We hope to see you (and your mentor!) at the ebe launch party on 11/21. Help us build a more inclusive ecosystem today.  Thursday 11/21 @ 6pm ReCity bit.ly/ebe-launch

One week ago Christina Marie Noel, Laura Cunningham and I were setting up for the first FYSO Friday event. I built this tree (don't judge my skills - lol 😎) to try and represent the strong entrepreneurial roots and dedicated ecosystem building that is happening in the Triangle. (I won't try to name everyone who is doing this - mostly b/c I'll forget someone dear and then feel badly 😭 - BUT you know who you are and I honor and am inspired by your work!!!!). Throughout the day and during the breakout conversations, we asked participants to jot down any wins, losses, gaps, needs, dreams, frustrations, hopes and fears on these little leaves. Then I added them to the tree to remind me/us that there is work to be done. AND we can do this work TOGETHER. (I mean, just look at this nugget!!!) Thank you to new friends Oz Merchant Sunny Su ⚡️ Brand ✦ Product ✦ Design Colby Flood Dr. Sarah Glova Margaret McNab Angela Liu Jen McFarland Emily Crookston Cherith Hunter Roberson Jen Rhoton Thank you to my ride or die buds who always show up when asked Mel Wright Lee Gray, MBA Jonathan Collins Lindsay Hebert 林希 Kenyetta Hall, MBA, CSM, CSPO Venus Liles Jacob Molz Emma Browning Melissa Wood, MBA And, huge thank you to the echo and Triangle entrepreneurs who came out and spent the day in conversation about how we can leverage our own talents, skills and knowledge and build an ecosystem that works for us. Amy Gardinier Judy Batista, M.S., CCC-SLP Diana Abreu Nefateria Fonda`Rich “Richnovated” Gilliam Ruby Garcia Amanda Frystock Ronan Helen Mangum Sal Conino Runbin Dong Denashya Miller Ajay Pasupuleti And you know we saved the best for last - Chisa Pennix-Brown LadyBizness who closed out the day with her call to action: #iamnotanaskhole Leaf me a comment and I'll add it to our tree!

🤩 Are you an entrepreneur looking for a community of like-minded dreamers, problem-solvers, procrastinators, change-makers and rockstars? We've got ya! ⭐ Filling up fast. New cohort starts August 13. https://bit.ly/46fTOe4 #entrepreneursbuildingentrepreneurs

Did you know that since the merger last year we've been testing ways to build the pipeline...to promote entrepreneurial mindset skills for teens AND support growth and sustainability for current small business owners and founders❓ Well, here's one way we're promoting cross-pollination: a recent echoSystem graduate and small business owner became a vendor for our Teens Tackle Hunger market ☕ #winwin #durhamentrepreneurs

⭐ Let's break bread and build community, together. If you have a network that intersects with school-aged children in Durham, please share. 🙏 We are ready to host our first Farmer's Market next Thursday at Lakewood Social from 10a-2p. 🌟 The amazing Ben Battle with Interfaith Food Shuttle and Skip Gibbs from Brightleaf Farms will be showing us how to cook up a delicious lunch; Cesar Hurtado, our DJ, will create the vibe; a smoothie BIKE (?!); and dance lessons 🕺 🎶 🚲 . Fresh produce and meal-starter kits provided. All tucked into Boomerang bags donated by Don't Waste Durham and Sew Crafty.

🌟 We are soooo close to reaching our goal of raising $30k in 3 weeks 🌟 If you're just seeing this, the echo teen entrepreneurs will pilot two business ventures to provide meals this summer during a 4-week gap in school meal programs. They have 4 dates for teen-centered farmer's markets at Lakewood Social with cooking demos, meals, produce, shelf-stable food items, a DJ, coffee and smoothie bars, and SWAG. For our neighbors who cannot make the market events, there will be food trucks 🍉 posted up at local parks with meals ready to share. Stay tuned for more logistics as we get closer. Last time for this request - Please help spread the word so we can wrap up the fundraising part of this and dive deep into the best part - Community In Action 😎 https://lnkd.in/eNxpDE_Q

A little mid-week magic! It's HOT Today! 😎 So come by Simons Says Dip This in Durham today. They are donating 10% of today's sales to our Teens Tackle Hunger campaign 🍨 Hope to see you there! (I'll be the one holding up the line trying to decide - sooo many choices!) 🤭 Last week of the campaign!!! We are so close. ⭐ Don't forget we are funding teen entrepreneurs who will pilot teen farmers markets and food trucks to feed their peers this summer to combat food insecurity. 🍽 👉 Donate now to make a difference ➡️ https://lnkd.in/eNxpDE_Q #simonsaysdipthis #durhamcommunity #teenentrepreneurs