Balancing Impact: Recent Episodes
Texas Impact Alliance
This is "Balancing Impact" podcast. We're uniting the greatest minds & thinkers from all different sectors statewide, for one common goal: positive impact in Texas. By connecting people from the private sector, public sector, finance, and academia, we can connect each other with resources & tools to make a bigger impact on the social & environmental state of Texas. Simply put….We can do more, when we work together. This is Balancing Impact.
Anish Nagar is the CEO of Corecentra, a Social Impact Software solution for social enterprise's to manage stakeholders, track projects, analyze data, maintain budget and create custom reports.
Episode Highlights
In our conversation, we talk about how Anish got his start in the software field.
· The applications of Corecentra.
· Corecentra's non-profit accelerator.
· The role of core values in an organization.
· And more!
Resources Mentioned:
https://www.corecentra.com/
Daniel came to the farm with a B.S. and M.S. in Mechanical Engineering from Santa Clara University. He has over 3 years of experience as a Manufacturing Engineer in a Medical Device Startup in Silicon Valley and with a local oil and gas manufacturing firm. These have given Dan the hands-on training in production and manufacturing necessary to help develop the farm infrastructure both physical and operational. With certificates in Six Sigma and Lean, Dan has used his time developing and tweaking farm processes and documentation to create replicable and scalable systems that help the farm run smoother while collecting data and communicating responsibilities. With a side hobby in web design, Dan is also the lead in marketing for the farm through social media outlets, the development and maintenance of our website, and flyer and farm stand design.
Lastly, his background in entrepreneurship developed in college and fostered within the startup world has made Dan the driving force behind Small Places’ long-term business vision, growth, and development separating Small Places from any other urban agricultural projects.
Small Places
Episode Highlights:
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Impact sustainable agriculture is making in the lives of children and communities
-
How economics fit into sustainability
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Challenges of Land Security
Contact Dan and find out more at https://www.smallplaces.org/
Kim Griffin is the Member Engagement Manager of Toniic a global community of asset owners seeking deeper positive net impact across the spectrum of capital.
Episode Highlights
In our conversation, we talk about how Kim got her start in venture capital (VC)
· Impact Investing During a Pandemic
· Initiatives for new Impact Investors
· And much, much, more
Resources Mentioned:Toniic.com
Sacred Economics by Charles Eisenstein
As part of our Gender Lens finance series, where we shine a spotlight on funding for female founders in Texas, we are excited to interview Stephanie Campbell. Stephanie is a General Partner of the Artemis Fund which is the first female-focused fund in Houston. Artemis seeks to move the needle on female founders’ access to capital.
Stephanie is also the Managing Director of the Houston Angel Network, one of the most active angel networks in the country and the Chair of Houston Exponential’s Early Stage Investment Committee. She holds an MBA from Rice University.
Episode Highlights
In our conversation, we talk about how Stephanie got her start in venture capital (VC)
· How Texas VC’s evaluate opportunities and how it may differ from the other coasts.
· Investment readiness for founders
· And much, much, more
Resources Mentioned:
https://www.theartemisfund.com/
https://www.houstonangelnetwork.org/
Venture Deals by Brad Feld
The Overstory by Richard Powers
Spruce
Kate Jaceldo has paved her own path to entrepreneurship as the founder of Compost Queens in San Antonio, TX. A company that provides residential and commercial composting services through a process called Bokashi.
Things you will learn in this episode:
- What is the connection between food waste and climate change
- What is Bokashi
- 2 things that shouldn't keep you from going for funding
- A key ingredient that's needed for the entrepreneur journey
Resources from this episode:
LaunchSA & Venture Challenge
UTSA Small Business Development Challenge
Traction: Get a Grip on Your Business
Les Dames San Antonio
Connect with Katie https://www.compostqueenstx.com/ IG: compostqueens/ Facebook: compostqueens
Akola is the only Impact luxury brand that impacts and transforms lives of women in crisis through their supply chain. Akola quality jewelry can be found in Sak's 5th Avenue, Neiman Marcus and Macy's and Akola serves women from Uganda to Dallas, TX.
Things you will learn in this episode:
Why nonprofits may want to consider changing their business model
Akola's unique competitive advantage
Different Funding options for nonprofits and for-profit companies
Connect with Brittany - Website https://akolaproject.com/, IG @akolajewelry
In our first episode on Texas Impact Alliance Podcast show, Balancing Impact, we start off with our interview series of female founders in Texas with Rahel Abraham, Founder & CEO of Climaguard. Rahel has an inspiring story and an incredible product that can be useful across the world.
Things you will learn in this episode:
- How to use resourcefulness to open up doors of opportunities for bootstrappers
- Learnings from 1st round of production in China
- The importance of having the male and female perspectives in your entrepreneur journey
- The importance of coaching yourself to keep progressing
- How you can protect your car, couch and more from flooding
Resources mentioned in this episode: * Climaguard * SCORE * Houston Urban League * DiVinc * Engineers Without Borders
Connect with Rahel - Website https://www.climaguard.co, E-mail rahel@climaguard.co. , IG @climaguard_llc She’d love to connect with you.