Entrepreneurs For North Texas Newsletter

Summer 2014

CORNERSTONE SPONSORS

In This Issue

Wildcatter Risk, Philanthropic Return

Women + Technology = WINNING!

Shields Legal Group Makes an IMPACT

A Stylish New Partnership: Aston Martin of Dallas

Engagement Captain Roundtable: June 20

Entrepreneurs Connect: The Ecosystem in North Texas

Wildcatter Risk, Philanthropic Return

2014 Spirit of Entrepreneurship Event Highlights

The annual Spirit of Entrepreneurship event serves as a celebration of the hard work and dedication of good corporate citizens and the meaningful change they bring to society. This year's event titled, "Wildcatter Risk, Philanthropic Return", was a night to be remembered as we inducted one of Dallas' most successful entrepreneurs, Trevor Rees-Jones, into our Ring of Entrepreneurs. This invitation-only event was held at Communities Foundation of Texas on May 20, 2014 and brought together nearly 250 entrepreneurs, philanthropists, and community leaders to celebrate those doing well while doing good.

The EFNT Ring of Entrepreneurs is a group elite of business leaders honored for their outstanding contributions to communities locally, nationally and internationally. These individuals exhibit a passionate commitment to corporate culture and philanthropy and have made an indelible impact on society. This year's inductee, Trevor Rees-Jones, joined a prestigious group of legendary business leaders including Ross Perot, Ray Hunt, Herb Kelleher, Ebby Halliday Acers, T. Boone Pickens, Jim Keyes, Bill Lively, Roger Staubach, Craig Hall, and Charles and Sam Wyly.

Another exciting portion the Spirit of Entrepreneurship ceremony was the presentation of the North Star Award. This recognition goes to those in the EFNT community who have demonstrated a powerful commitment to making a meaningful contribution to our neighborhoods and to strengthening EFNT's network of good corporate citizens. This year's North Star Award recipients were Imaginuity Interactive and Montgomery Coscia Greilich, LLP.

Thanks to the very generous support from our Sponsors, the contributions of in-kind donors and silent auction contributors, EFNT netted $96,000 to support our year-round effort to make it easy for small and mid-size companies to do good. Now THAT'S what we call a successful event!

Event Photos on Facebook

Women + Technology = WINNING!

Last week Dallas Business Journal held their inaugural North Texas Women in Technology Awards. Among the 25 women who were recognized, 6 - nearly 25% of the award recipients are from EFNT Member Companies! Congratulations to Bettina Bennett, WhichBox Media; Kim Bunting, Business Access; Adrienne Cornelsen, Insite Interactive; Gabriella Draney, Tech Wildcatters; Julie Hamrick, Ignite Sales; and Lea Ellermeier Nesbit, Natural Dental Implants.

As Julie Hamrick states, "Some of the best entrepreneurial technology leaders are in EFNT and some of these women have unique insights and influence, and collaborate to benefit others. EFNT provides an additional unique of creating a network of women who desire to work for the betterment of us all!" Well said, Julie!

Click HERE to read more about the Women in Technology Awards.

(L-R Top) Bettina Bennett, Kim Bunting, Adrienne Cornelsen, (L-R Bottom) Gabriella Draney, Julie Hamrick and Lea Nesbit

Shields Legal Group Makes an IMPACT

Late last year Jim Shields, Principal of EFNT Member Company Shields Legal Group, decided it was time for his firm to start giving back. With help from EFNT, Communities Foundation of Texas, and a newly formed Community Involvement Team, IMPACT│365 was born. The mission of the Shields Legal Group IMPACT│365 program is to challenge and encourage employees to take some form of intentional action, big or small, every single day of the year to make a positive impact on the North Texas community.

The three areas of focus include:

Sustaining the environment
Lending a helping hand through volunteer service
Giving back through financial gifts

Click HERE to read more about their journey to IMPACT│365, and how they created their Mission Statement and their Volunteer Time Off policy.

Click HERE to to find out more about how EFNT is helping them jump-start their community involvement initiative.

If you are interested in starting a program like IMPACT│365 at your company, EFNT is here to help! Contact Sejal Desai at sdesai@efnt.org.

A Stylish New Partnership

EFNT is excited to announce a new partnership! Aston Martin of Dallas joined EFNT as a lead sponsor of the Spirit of Entrepreneurship event last month. Not only is Aston Martin of Dallas a Sponsor and Member Company of EFNT, but they will also be partnering with EFNT on events throughout the year, including the next Leaders & Legends event in the Fall.

Stay tuned for more information about EFNT's upcoming events with Aston Martin of Dallas, and in the meantime, if you'd like to schedule a test drive, contact Chris Phelps at: chris@spurrevenue.com.

Spirit guests take a closer look at the beautifulAston Martin Vanquish

Quick Links

Hunger Busters (July)

Circle of Support (July)

Visit Our Website

Give Wisely

See How CFT is Making Tomorrow Better

July Plug 'N Play:

Hunger Busters

Hunger Busters' mission is to provide a much-needed third meal of the day to food-insecure children in Dallas. Through their "Feed the Need" after-school program, evening meals are given to DISD students who depend on subsidized school meals for all of their sustenance. EFNT Volunteers will build sandwiches, pack fresh fruit and cookies in meal boxes for distribution to partnering schools.

Tuesday, July 15
1:00 - 3:30 PM

Click HERE to register

July Plug 'N Play:

Circle of Support

Circle of Support is uniquely dedicated to providing young girls and boys with access to resources that will help them develop into productive, responsible and successful adults. EFNT Volunteers will lead a wide-range of activities for Circle of Support's participants during their summer program for students in grades K-8. Activities will include sports, gardening, arts and crafts, and educational programming.

Monday, July 21

9:00 - 11:00 AM

Click HERE to register

Engagement Captain Roundtable

After last year's national record-crushing 75,000 donations totaling $25.2 million, North Texas Giving Day is back with the hopes that North Texas will rise to the challenge and outdo itself once again. With extra time, a new website and additional prizes, the sixth annual North Texas Giving Day aims to raise the giving day bar once again to benefit more North Texas nonprofits. On September 18, 2014, donations of $25 or more can be made 6 a.m. to midnight to more than 1,300 certified nonprofits listed on www.northtexasgivingday.org. Those donations will be amplified by more than $1.5 million dollars in bonus funds and prizes.

We invite all of our Member Company Engagement Captains to come learn about how your company can participate and help make North Texas Giving Day even more successful!

Friday, June 20

9:00 - 10:00 AM

RSVP to Ann Marie Warrick
awarrick@cftexas.org

Entrepreneurs Connect

Developing an ecosystem that promotes and supports entrepreneurs in North Texas is critical to a strong economy. In this third part of the Entrepreneurs Connect series, we will hear from several experts that address the key components that make North Texas a place where entrepreneurs can grow and thrive.

Remember, EFNT Member Company employees receive a 27%+ discount with code listed below. As an added bonus, all tickets include a 1-year subscription to DBJ, and ticket sale proceeds will be donated to EFNT!

Entrepreneurship: The Ecosystem in North Texas

(Discount Code: EFNT3)

Wednesday, June 18

7:30am - 9:30am

Communities Foundation of Texas

Moderator: Rick Sapio, Mutual Capital Alliance

Panelists: Darlene Boudreaux, TECH Fort Worth; Steve Hall, DriversSelect; Michael Monticino, UNT Foundation; Tracy Moonier, The Foundry, AT&T

Click HERE to register

If your company is limited on time and resources, you can leverage Entrepreneurs For North Texas as your outsourced community affairs department. Let EFNT make it easy for you to do good!