ABILENE STARTUP CONNECTIONS
2020-04-06 12:15 - 12:55 (America/Chicago) | ONLINE
FEATURED GUEST ENTREPRENEUR: BRIAN BLUHM
Co-Founder & President of Strategic Development

Abilene Startup Community is still meeting “for lunch” every Monday. Join us on ZOOM while you eat at the location of your choice. Great way to stay connected with other entrepreneurs and those who serve entrepreneurial businesses.
SEE CONNECTION DETAILS BELOW.

Meeting ID 613-748-590
Meeting Password [REDACTED]
CLICK ON THIS URL: https://zoom.us/j/613748590?pwd=[REDACTED]

POSTPONED: THE BUSINESS CLINIC 2020
2020-04-13 09:00 - 13:00 | Potter’s Pizza, 3802 Buffalo Gap Road, Abilene, TX, 79605, United States
WHEN IS THE LAST TIME YOUR BUSINESS HAD A “CHECK-UP”? It is common for us to go to the doctor for an annual physical exam…but what about YOUR BUSINESS? How healthy is it? Are there any latent signs of “disease” that you have not yet seen? Join us in conducting an interactive organic diagnostic of your business during this half-day event. For ticket purchase options: REGISTER HEREFor details to support this event: SPONSORSHIPS HERE
WHEN: MONDAY, APRIL 13, 2020
TIME: 9AM – 1PM (DOORS OPEN AT 8:30AM)
WHERE: POTTER’S PIZZA MEETING ROOM 3802 BUFFALO GAP RD. ABILENE, TX 79605
COST/PERSON: $25 (Breakfast & Lunch Included) (This Early Bird Special Effective Until March 27th)

WHY SHOULD YOU ATTEND? Anyone who is managing a business or a department knows the complexities of stewarding the current assets and trying to make improvements while identifying market opportunities in a quick-change world. The best teachers generally come from peers who are practitioners who have, primarily, learned by doing. Here is a really cost-effective way to take a half-day to break away from working in your business to work on your business. This day will help you assess what you are doing well and, possibly what you need focus upon in 2020.
WHO SHOULD ATTEND? Small Business Owners, Entrepreneurs, Economic Development professionals and others interested in having and maintaining healthy local businesses.
WHAT SHOULD YOU EXPECT TO HAPPEN? The theme of the day is about your BUSINESS HEALTH & HEALING. It will be interactive, engaging you in the process of examining your business/organization and will connect you with others in the Big Country business community that are called to make their mark on the marketplace. Things on the agenda:

Network breakfast starting at 8:30AM prior to the CLINIC. Bring info, business cards, etc. for the Info Table.
Hear from a panel of local entrepreneurs about their secrets to Employee Acquisition, Retention & Engagement.
Facilitator-led Table-talk Discussions that lead to application of hospitable health prescriptions outlined.
Develop a Business Diagnostic Report that will help you identify the healthy practices needed in your business.
Lunchtime Keynote Speakers who have partnered to build a growing digital production business in Abilene.

WHO IS PRESENTING?

THIS SECTION IS FOR SPONSORSHIP HOSTS

ABILENE STARTUP CONNECTIONS
2020-04-13 12:15 - 12:55 | ONLINE
Abilene Startup Community is still meeting “for lunch” every Monday. Join us on ZOOM while you eat at the location of your choice. Great way to stay connected with other entrepreneurs and those who serve entrepreneurial businesses.
SEE CONNECTION DETAILS BELOW.

CLICK ON ZOOM ICON ABOVE
Meeting ID 613-748-590
Meeting Password [REDACTED]

THE BUSINESS CLINIC - PART 1
2020-04-20 12:15 - 12:55 | TX
TRANSFORMED CONTENT DELIVERY is being offered ONLINE at NO COST in lieu of our inability to gather for the previously scheduled live seminar in April due to the economic disruption due to the personal health pandemic. Long before the arrival of the Covid-19 scare and the subsequent shut-down of many small businesses, our theme for this workshop/seminar was BOOSTING BUSINESS HEALTH: BE HOSPITABLE. Our goal with this clinic has always been to assist businesses (especially small, early-stage and start-ups) to apply practices that will ensure the health of their business. During recent months so much of the health focus has been on the individual person. This presentation and discussion embraces the necessity of business owners/managers to focus on the health of their business. Join us for the discussion. Details for connectivity are below.

Abilene Startup Community is still meeting “for lunch” every Monday. Join us on ZOOM while you eat at the location of your choice. Great way to stay connected with other entrepreneurs and those who serve entrepreneurial businesses.
SEE CONNECTION DETAILS BELOW.

CLICK ON ZOOM ICON ABOVE
Meeting ID 613-748-590
Meeting Password [REDACTED]

ABILENE STARTUP CONNECTIONS: FEATURED ENTREPRENEUR
2020-04-27 12:15 - 13:00 | ONLINE
MICHAEL W-P FORTUNATO, Ph.D, Founding Partner
Creative Insight Community Development (CICD) https://creativeinsightcd.com
It is Michael’s dream to see every community and region reach their fullest creative and lifestyle potential. He has two major professional objectives: First, to redevelop abandoned and underutilized spaces into create vibrant, inclusive, democratic communities grounded in creative expression and connection to the land, that uphold principles of human dignity and mutual respect, and espouse an ethic of collective entrepreneurial action. He aims to make “affordable housing” more synonymous with encouraging a healthy community and creative life through this strategy. Second, to create alternative education and professional development opportunities that are affordable and accessible, that provide new and current generations of community leaders with cutting-edge tools for confident and competent community and regional leadership in rapidly changing times. Michael currently lives between Texas and California. In his spare time, he is a multi-instrumentalist, and has been a studio, live, and touring musician with dozens of performance groups since his early teens. Music serves as a primary inspiration for how he thinks about the world, which includes solving wicked problems like an artist, and how even perfect strangers can play very well together under the right conditions and with common understanding.

CLICK ON ZOOM ICON ABOVE
Meeting ID 613-748-590
Meeting Password [REDACTED]

THE BUSINESS CLINIC - PART 2
2020-05-04 12:15 - 13:00 | TX
PANEL DISCUSSION TOPIC: Employee Acquisition, Retention & Engagement
TRANSFORMED CONTENT DELIVERY is being offered ONLINE at NO COST in lieu of our inability to gather for the previously scheduled live seminar in April due to the economic disruption due to the personal health pandemic. Long before the arrival of the Covid-19 scare and the subsequent shut-down of many small businesses, our theme for this workshop/seminar was BOOSTING BUSINESS HEALTH: BE HOSPITABLE. Our goal with this clinic has always been to assist businesses (especially small, early-stage and start-ups) to apply practices that will ensure the health of their business. During recent months so much of the health focus has been on the individual person. This presentation and discussion embraces the necessity of business owners/managers to focus on the health of their business. Join us for the discussion. Details for connectivity are below.

Abilene Startup Community is still meeting “for lunch” every Monday. Join us on ZOOM while you eat at the location of your choice. Great way to stay connected with other entrepreneurs and those who serve entrepreneurial businesses.SEE CONNECTION DETAILS BELOW.
CLICK ON ZOOM ICON ABOVEMeeting ID 613-748-590Meeting Password 018158

ABILENE STARTUP CONNECTIONS: FEATURED ENTREPRENEUR
2020-05-11 12:15 - 13:00 | ONLINE
TOPIC – “PURSUING MY PASSION”
Melissa Vinson is a wife, mother of 6, and grandmother of 10 amazing little ones. Melissa is married to Dr. Ray Vinson, and serves with him as COO of Dominion International Network of Ministries and Churches and she is a Senior Fellow of The Institute for Biblical Leadership. Melissa is also the Founder and President of Christian Business Women’s Network, which hosts the annual “Encouraging Women Conference” and the “Abilene Women’s Expo”. Her desire to encourage and support women in business and in ministry led her to start the organization in 2017. Her background of more than 20 years experience in both business and ministry have created a unique love for and ability to combine the two and help women achieve their career and personal goals.

Melissa is a motivational speaker, blogger, Licensed Formation Therapist, Formation Coach and Mentor to women of all walks of life. As a Special Speaker, her transparency inspires and motivates others to let go, step out and BE the amazing women they were created to be. Her motto for life is “No Matter What!”
Abilene Startup Community is still meeting “for lunch” every Monday. Join us on ZOOM while you eat at the location of your choice. Great way to stay connected with other entrepreneurs and those who serve entrepreneurial businesses.
SEE CONNECTION DETAILS BELOW.

CLICK ON ZOOM ICON ABOVE
Meeting ID 613-748-590
Meeting Password [REDACTED]

THE BUSINESS CLINIC 2020 - PART 3
2020-05-18 12:15 - 13:00 | ONLINE
Sales & Human Resource specialists from Allied Employer Group will be presenting updated information regarding the current open-business stipulations. Their presentation regarding all types of employment matters will be followed by an open Q&A from the attendees of this video-conference.

Abilene Startup Community is still meeting “for lunch” every Monday. Join us on ZOOM while you eat at the location of your choice. Great way to stay connected with other entrepreneurs and those who serve entrepreneurial businesses.
SEE CONNECTION DETAILS BELOW.

CLICK ON ZOOM ICON ABOVE
Meeting ID 613-748-590
Meeting Password [REDACTED]

MEMORIAL DAY COOKOUT
2020-05-25 11:30 - 13:30 | Abilene Startup Community, 1433 Meadowbrook Dr., Abilene, TX, 79603, United States

ABILENE STARTUP COMMUNITY LUNCH
2020-06-01 12:00 - 13:00 | Fuzzy’s Taco Shop South, 3351 Turner Plaza Drive, Ste.100, Abilene, 79606, United States

ASC 2ND MONDAY LUNCH
2020-06-08 12:00 - 13:00 | Potter’s Pizza, 3802 Buffalo Gap Road, Abilene, TX, 79605, United States
The Abilene Startup Community is pleased to have local State Farm Agent, Kim Austin, speak at this 2nd Monday lunch event to be held at Potter’s Pizza (3802 Buffalo Gap Rd.). She comes highly recommended from one of our members who attends our weekly lunches. Just purchase your own lunch – NO OTHER COSTS. This will be our first post-lockdown gathering, where we will position the tables with respect to the prevailing social distancing recommendations. We hope to see you soon!
Starting at 12:15PM we will broadcast Kim’s presentation LIVE on FACEBOOK / ABILENE STARTUP COMMUNITY.

ABILENE STARTUP COMMUNITY LUNCH
2020-06-15 12:00 - 13:00, 2020-09-21 12:00 - 13:00 | Rosa’s Cafe, 1026 Judge Ely Blvd., Abilene, TX, 79601, United States

ABILENE STARTUP COMMUNITY LUNCH
2020-06-22 12:00 - 13:00, 2020-08-17 12:00 - 13:00, 2020-08-24 12:00 - 13:00 | TX

ABILENE STARTUP COMMUNITY LUNCH
2020-06-29 12:00 - 13:00 | Subway – Pine, 1542 Pine, Abilene, TX, 79601, United States

ABILENE STARTUP COMMUNITY LUNCH
2020-07-06 12:00 - 13:00 | Joe Allen’s BBQ, 301 S. 11th St., Abilene, TX, United States

ASC 2ND MONDAY LUNCH
2020-07-13 12:00 - 13:00 | Potter’s Pizza, 3802 Buffalo Gap Road, Abilene, TX, 79605, United States
Dr. Kevin Phillipson was born in South Africa, immigrating to the USA in 1992. This Professor of Marketing with McMurry University School of Business has also taught Business, Entrepreneurship, Management, Strategy, and Technology throughout his academic career. Kevin is also completing a Masters of Science Management with concentrations in Sports Management and Marketing. THOROUGHLY ENTREPRENEURIAL – Prior to becoming a professor, he has owned a taxi service, asphalt driveway company, computer company, advertising companies, a magazine and currently owns a sports tour business, an online marketing company, and a business consulting company. Additionally, Dr. Phillipson is the head coach for the ACU men’s rugby programs and is actively pursuing plans to institute local youth rugby clubs in Abilene. Kevin and wife, Angie, parent seven children.

ABILENE STARTUP COMMUNITY LUNCH
2020-07-20 12:00 - 13:00 | Schlotzsky’s, 1018 N. Judge Ely Blvd., Abilene, TX, United States

ABILENE STARTUP COMMUNITY LUNCH
2020-07-27 12:00 - 13:00 | Grumps Burgers, 3533 N. 1st St., Abilene, TX, 79603, United States

ABILENE STARTUP COMMUNITY LUNCH
2020-08-03 12:00 - 13:00 | Jason’s Deli, 1772 HWY 351, Abilene, TX, United States

2ND MONDAY LUNCH
2020-08-10 00:00 - 13:00 | Potter’s Pizza, 3802 Buffalo Gap Road, Abilene, TX, 79605, United States
After working in multicultural and international enrollment for 14 years, he is now a full-time instructor of marketing and international business at Abilene Christian University. He is a member of University Church of Christ where he attends the bilingual service, teaches children’s classes, and serves as one of the co-chairs of the missions committee. Born in Mexico City, Daniel grew up in Cancun, Mexico. After high school, he moved to Abilene to become an international student at Abilene Christian University. He is married to Yukari from Japan, and together they have two confused Texan girls and a new baby boy.
PRESENTING: Positioning defines where your product stands in relation to others offering similar products in the mind of the consumer. However, many companies do not pay attention to their position in the marketplace. We will talk about strategies to influence a favorable marketing position.

ABILENE STARTUP COMMUNITY LUNCH
2020-08-31 12:00 - 13:00 | Gloria’s Grill, 228 Chestnut St., Abilene, TX, 79602, United States

NO ASC LUNCH TODAY - CELEBRATE THE HOLIDAY
2020-09-07 | TX

2ND MONDAY LUNCH
2020-09-14 12:00 - 13:00 | Potter’s Pizza, 3802 Buffalo Gap Road, Abilene, TX, 79605, United States
Paul M. Mason, Ph.D., has taught sixteen economics courses from Principles to MBA macroeconomics and statistics; three finance courses and a life-skills course to graduating senior undergraduates. He has written 40 peer reviewed articles in economics and finance; two books; 36 quarterly economic reports for Jacksonville FL; two linked-in articles; numerous other presentations, working papers, speeches, and unpublished manuscript. In his private consulting practice, Paul has provided extensive, complex testimony as an expert witness in economics litigation.

ABILENE STARTUP COMMUNITY LUNCH
2020-09-28 12:00 - 13:00 | Firehouse Subs, 3858 Ridgemont Drive, Abilene, 79606, United States

ABILENE STARTUP COMMUNITY LUNCH
2020-10-05 12:00 - 13:00 | Sharon’s BBQ, 849 E. HWY 80, TX, 79601, United States

THE ENTERPRISE EXCHANGE
2020-10-12 11:30 - 13:30 | Potter’s Pizza, 3802 Buffalo Gap Road, Abilene, TX, 79605, United States
THE PURPOSE OF THE ENTERPRISE EXCHANGE: TO FOSTER MUTUALLY BENEFICIAL PRACTICES BETWEEN FOR-PROFIT AND NON-PROFIT ENTERPRISES

Build awareness of current initiatives and hear the inside stories.
Identify resources that your organization/business has to offer in “exchange” for mutual benefits from another organization/business.
Identify “needs for growth” within your enterprise and what resources are needed to address those current barriers to growth.
Stimulate innovative and entrepreneurial thinking that can be applied to your enterprise through fresh ideas.
Make new professional connections and build working partnerships that will improve the overall “Abilene Life Experience” AND advance the prosperity of your enterprise.

To register for this 2-hour lunch event click here. The only cost to attendees will be the purchase of their lunch which will be paid when exiting the event.

Q & A PANELISTS

FEATURED ENTERPRISES

FEATURED SPEAKERS

Jim Clark
Director, Christian Service Center

Michael Mikeworth
Founder, Just People & Venture Call

NON-PROFIT

FOR-PROFIT

James Graham
Co-founder/Director

Kevin Batten
Founder/Executive Producer

ABILENE STARTUP COMMUNITY LUNCH
2020-10-19 12:00 - 13:00 | McAlister’s Deli, 849 N. Judge Ely Blvd, Abilene, TX, 79601, United States
