S4E2: Building Diverse Ecosystems for More Equitable Entrepreneurship feat. Dana Taylor

This season we are talking all about impact – the people and
experiences that have impacted us, the ways we are impacting
others, and what we can all do to build confidence in our ability
to make a difference. 


Programs at the David Eccles School of Business are preparing
students, alums, and others in the community with the skills and
confidence they need to make a difference. And joining us to talk
about one of those programs is Dana Taylor, project director for
Project DEEP. 


Project DEEP is an initiative of the Sorenson Impact Center at
the Eccles School that aims to disrupt the entrepreneurial status
quo by empowering women and people of color entrepreneurs through
on-demand training and support from industry experts. 


As a woman of color entrepreneur herself, the mission of Project
DEEP is especially important to Dana. She sits down with host
Frances Johnson to share an overview of Project DEEP, talk about
her personal experiences as a black woman entrepreneur, and how
we can all work to create systems to overcome the barriers they
face.


Eccles Business Buzz is a production of the David Eccles School
of Business and is produced by University fm.
Episode Quotes:

What Project DEEP can do to help you scale up as an
entrepreneur


[12:35] With Project DEEP, everyone has direct access to these
instructors, and there is so much value in having access to
people with this level of expertise provided in a program like
DEEP. So having access, gaining that knowledge, having that
opportunity to connect with them outside of the project, it’s
huge. And when you're serious about your business, other
entrepreneurs take you seriously. Investors take you more
seriously.


The importance of your network


[26:18] When you come across people who see you and what you
bring to the table and want to see your success, you hold on to
them forever and ever.


A place where people understand your value contributes to
your confidence


[27:15] Women and people of color are often undervalued in
mainstream business. And we know when we're being undervalued.
And so to be in a place where people understand your value, don't
question it, and make sure that you get compensation or funding
or whatever you need at your value level is huge. So, that's also
a huge part of what would be in a successful ecosystem.


The goal for Project DEEP


[24:49] I do hope that we can build new ecosystems that enable
people who didn't have ecosystems for themselves before to become
a part of and grow in their entrepreneurship and their
investing. 
Show Links:

Project DEEP

Sorenson Impact Center 

Women's Business Center of Utah

New Pattern