Whew! Last week was a whirlwind week for the Catalyst! On Tuesday Leigh Christian and Sonja Greene led the group in assisting the NASA MSFC Small Business Office host a “Doing business with Nasa” HBCU/MI event at the Yulista event center.

Mona Miller, Melissa de la Cerda and Lisa Mays collaborated with the Huntsville Housing Authority and shared our services at the Section 3 Business Concerns event.

Lisa Mays attend the Global Ties of Alabama Annual Meeting and Citizen Diplomacy luncheon were The Catalyst was awarded the Global Ties Alabama Global Partnership Award. We are very humble to receive this award. Working with small business owners from everywhere IS our passion!


Finally, Sandy Edwards attended the Von Braun Memorial Dinner hosted by the National Space Club. We love supporting our space community!
This week is Veteran Small Business Week!
Scroll down for more info on our Veteran Owned Business Summit.
Small Business Saturday is just around the corner! Check out this great guide to getting your business ready for the holiday season.
A Business Owner's Guide To Small Business Saturday |...

Black Friday and Cyber Monday represent two of the busiest days of the holiday shopping season. But in between them lies an opportunity for small-business owners to claim a share of holiday shoppers' budgets. Small Business Saturday is a way to...

Read more
www.bankrate.com

We're a Contender!
Looking forward to the small business celebration TONIGHT as we honor ALL of the Small Businesses. The Catalyst is proud to be named a contender for Non Profit of the Year!
IT'S HERE!
We've got a podcast! Check each FRIDAY for a new episode. First one will be available Friday, Nov 4th. Look for 'The Catalyst Conversation' or check the link here and start following.
REACH WOMEN'S BUSINESS CENTER
Before heading out to sea, the crew always ensures that they’re prepared for the worst- why should our businesses be any different? In this workshop the REACH WBC team will help you build your resiliency toolkit, identify resources, and store those proverbial life rafts- just in case!
VERIZON SMALL BUSINESS DIGITAL READY
Digital Ready is Verizon's Small Business online curriculum designed to give small businesses like yours the personalized tools to succeed in today's digital world. Learning modules, expert coaching, peer networking, access grant opportunities throughout the year and more—it's all there, and it’s all part of Verizon's goal to provide resources to help one million small businesses thrive in the digital economy by 2030, Verizon is partnering with LISC to launch a new round of grants open to small businesses who are active users on Verizon Small Business Digital Ready through November 14, 2022.
 
In order to unlock the application for this exclusive pool
of funding, you must join Verizon Digital Ready Program and must have completed any combination of two courses, coaching events, and community events between July 1, 2022, and November 14, 2022, then apply by November 14, 2022 on the Verizon Small Business Digital Ready portal. (Engagements through the Personalized Mentoring feature are not included towards grant eligibility.) 
 
Applications open on August 25, 2022 and close on November
14, 2022.

Applicants will be notified about whether or not they have been selected to
receive grant funding by the week of November 28, 2022.
WOMEN'S BUSINESS CENTER
Congratulations Bailey Erickson our emerging Entrepreneur of the year on releasing her waffle mix in 5 stores last week! If you need a special treat for a Holiday gathering, Bailey will be at the many Christmas markets in North Alabama as will as in stores like Southern Living store in Bridgestreet and UG White in Athens or the Twisted Tree in Madison!
Join us at this month's Strong Coffee Strong Women - MADISON edition! Michelle Epling is the Executive Director of the Madison Chamber of Commerce. With more than 15 years of experience Michelle Epling's has a diverse background from sales coaching, business development, direct sales, two entrepreneurial start ups, a love of volunteering with major non-profits in our city, and her love of all things Madison. Michelle can relate to large and small business owners and the challenges they face every day in running their businesses because she has also been in those same trenches throughout her entire career. 
 
 
Do you have a pitch for your business?
Can you say your pitch in roughly 60 seconds? 

Join us and learn how to write and say your pitch in a three part pitch workshop. This workshop will be for 8 people who are committed to meeting once a week for three weeks to learn how to craft your pitch. The goal is for you to be able to explain your business in 60 seconds when someone asks you "so what do you do?"

SO SORRY! These cohorts are FULL! if you are interested in joining
a cohort in the future please email us and we will put you on the
waiting list.
wbc@catalystcenter.org
11:30-12:30
Nov 2nd
Nov 9th
Nov 16th
11:30-12:30
Dec 7th
Dec 14th
Dec 21st
Calling All Bankers!
You are invited to Join us for Breakfast and learn about the SBA Lending Programs and here more about The Catalyst.
TECHRICH
LinkedIn has become the go-to tool to strengthen business development efforts and help your company stand out from its competitors, but how do you leverage its full potential? Hear from industry experts on the latest tips and trends that will strengthen your ability to attract new clients, recruit top talent, and create a long lasting brand that makes you, and your business, stand out from the rest.
Veteran Owned Business Summit
The Catalyst has obtained Subject Matter Experts (SME) and Special Guest Speakers to share their knowledge during two-hour classes as part of our Government Contracting Credentials (GCC) series. Come celebrate Veteran owned small business week. This event will be held virtually on November 2nd for 8AM-12 PM.

This will include a Veterans Salute & Tribute -
please send your picture of you in service to Leigh.Christian@catalystcenter.org
Have you checked out our
 Government Contracting Credential Programs?
Join us for our next session November 8th at 3 PM EST.
FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES
Grant for For Profit Small Businesses are few and far between but sometimes other successful organizations like to pay it forward.
Here is a resource to find grant opportunities.
Small Business Grants Archives

Small business grants are one of the best ways to increase working capital and grow a business. Check out our regularly updated list of grants.

Read more
smallbiztrends.com
Need help with funding?
Learn more about Microloans by taking this class whenever you have time with Catalyst On Demand!
Tune in anytime ON DEMAND for whenever, where ever you need help.
Community Events
Upcoming Events

Consistently Deploying Work-Life Harmony - Time Management

November 1st | 3 PM CT
W2 vs. 1099 Employment

November 1st | 9 AM CT

Increase Your Holiday Sales with Google Tools

November 2nd | 10 AM CT
Pitch Workshop


November 2nd | 11:30 AM CT
Veteran Owned Business SUMMIT

November 2nd | 8 AM CT
Linked In for Business Development & Brand Enhancement
November 3rd | 3 PM CT
Resources for Resiliency: Disaster Planning & Recovery

November 3rd | 10:00 AM CT
ENGAGE in Entrepreneurship

November 4th | 10:00 AM CT
Government Contracting 101

November 8th | 3 PM CT
Small Business Fraud: Protecting your Business

November 8th | 9:00 AM CT
Get Your Local Business on Google Search & Maps

November 9th | 10:00 AM CT
FIVE MUST KNOW Regulations in GOVCON - to start with...

November 10th | 3:00 PM CT
Basic Pricing Strategies for Small Business Government Contractors

November 15th | 3:00 PM CT
Greetings!

We hope you all had a SPOOK-tacular Halloween this year, filled with tricks and even MORE treats! Seems like everyone celebrated this year, and hope you're full from all the candy and treats!

It's officially November 1st, and it's time to end the debate: When is the correct time to start putting up your Christmas decorations?
Select one:
NOW! November 1st
After Thanksgiving
December 1st
Copyright © 2022 The Catalyst, All rights reserved. 
Funded in part through a Cooperative Agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration. All opinions, conclusions, and/or recommendations expressed herein are those of the author(s).

Reasonable accommodations for persons with disabilities will be made if requested at least two weeks in advance. Contact info@catalystcenter.org for arrangements.

The Catalyst Center for Business & Entrepreneurship is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization in Huntsville, AL that serves entrepreneurs and small business owners in every stage of business. We aim to provide best-in-class coaching, in-demand services, and relevant programs to foster the success of small businesses.

You are receiving this email because you either subscribed to our email list, or you attended one of our workshops or events. We hope you enjoy it!