The Catalyst Center for Business & Entrepreneurship

06/03/2026

Client Spotlight ✨

We love celebrating the successes of the entrepreneurs we serve, and we're excited to see Tiers of Sweetness, LLC featured on Alabama Live!

What started as a beloved bakery has continued to grow through creative new offerings like their Summer Cupcake Camp, giving local kids a chance to learn, create, and have fun this summer.

Congratulations to the Tiers of Sweetness team on this exciting opportunity. We can't wait to see all the sweet memories you help create this summer!

Check out their interview below:

Tiers of Sweetness is hosting a Cupcake Camp every Wednesday in June and July, where children can learn how to decorate cupcakes

06/02/2026

Calling all veteran and military spouse entrepreneurs!

The Catalyst is proud to partner with Verizon Small Business Digital Ready to help veterans and military spouses access free tools, coaching, and resources to start, grow, and strengthen their businesses.

Through this free online platform, participants can access:

• Self-paced learning modules on topics including funding, business planning, marketing, and social media
• One-on-one coaching from experienced business experts
• Networking opportunities with fellow entrepreneurs and business owners
• Eligibility to apply for grants and access exclusive business tools and resources

Whether you're exploring a business idea, launching a startup, or growing an existing business, Verizon Small Business Digital Ready provides practical support designed to help you succeed.

Register today: https://digitalready.verizonwireless.com/partner-awbc-veteran-the-catalyst

Verizon Small Business Digital Ready is part of Verizon's commitment to support 1 million small businesses over the next decade, and we're proud to help connect veterans and military spouses with these valuable resources.

05/27/2026

Our Empower to Grow Project Manager, Sonja Greene, will be attending the 2026 VETS Conference hosted by the National Veteran Small Business Coalition!

VETS 2026 brings together federal procurement decision-makers, prime contractors, and procurement-ready small businesses from across the country for networking, teaming opportunities, training sessions, and business development conversations focused on growth in the federal marketplace.

If you’ll be attending, be sure to connect with Sonja while she’s there. We’d love to share more about how The Catalyst supports entrepreneurs and small businesses through the combined power of our subject-matter experts, technical assistance, training, and government contracting resources.

05/15/2026

We're still cheering over how wonderful National Small Business Week was!

Last week, The Catalyst Center for Business & Entrepreneurship collaborated with the U.S. Small Business Administration Alabama District Office and the UAH SBDC APEX Small Business Development Center to host four of the Alabama SBA Award winners for an award presentation and panel discussion. Panelists included:

Lang Sims of Seabrook Solutions, LLC, Small Business Person of the Year
Ginger & Matthew McComb of JIT Industries, Small Manufacturer of the Year
Rontario Hicks of Pool Scouts of Huntsville, Veteran-Owned Small Business of the Year
Mia Scott of Mt. Moriah Farms, Rural-Owned Small Business of the Year

Congratulations again to all of the award winners, and thank you to our partners at the SBA and UAH SBDC/APEX for helping make this event such a success. We’re honored to celebrate the entrepreneurs and small businesses making an impact across Alabama every day.

05/05/2026

It’s our favorite week of the year.

For more than 60 years, National Small Business Week has recognized the vital role small businesses and entrepreneurs play in driving our economy and strengthening our communities.

In our work, we see it every day: thriving communities don’t happen by accident. They’re built by people who take risks, create opportunities, and invest in something bigger than themselves. Supporting small businesses isn’t just meaningful work, it’s essential work.

And while we’re proud to be part of that, what matters most is this:

The entrepreneurs.

The ones who take an idea and turn it into something real. The ones who keep going when it’s hard. The ones building something not just for themselves, but for their families, their communities, and their future.

We’re grateful to walk alongside them as they create, grow, and thrive.

04/15/2026

The Catalyst team spent a magical night with members of the Madison Chamber of Commerce last night celebrating small business! Our CEO, Lisa Davis Mays took to the stage to present the award for Startup Business of the Year! Congrats and shoutout to CoreSouth Lagree on being the recipient of Startup Business of the Year and also to Catalyst client Blue Apple Books for winning the Best in Retail Award and Bronze Award for Milestone Moment of the Year! Congrats to all the deserving small business winners and nominees!

04/06/2026

If you’re working on your business this week, we’ve got several opportunities to help you move forward.

This week’s workshop lineup covers a range of topics for entrepreneurs and small business owners, including crowdfunding, government contracting, launching your business, and using Meta Business Suite more effectively.

Whether you’re just getting started or looking to strengthen a specific area of your business, we’d love to have you join us.

Explore this week’s workshops and register today:
https://catalystcenter.ecenterdirect.com/events?

03/31/2026

Before the meetings, budgets, partnerships, workshops, and approximately 47 open tabs… we were all just tiny humans. 👶💻

Today, we’re introducing the people behind The Catalyst in a slightly more adorable way.

From programs and partnerships to operations, coordination, and client support, this team helps keep the work moving every day.

Take a scroll and meet the faces behind The Catalyst. ✨

03/25/2026

Yesterday, we hosted another Strong Coffee Strong Women, this time in partnership with our friends at Main Street Madison!

We had the chance to hear from an incredible panel of women business owners leading some of Madison’s favorite businesses and brands.

From books and boutiques to coffee and restaurants, the conversation highlighted the perspective, leadership, and lived experience behind the businesses helping shape Main Street and beyond.

A big thank you to our moderator, Brenda Matthews of Bellehouse Venue, and to our featured speakers:
Robin Dauma of Blue Apple Books + South & Pine
Christy Wimberly of Honest Coffee Roasters - Huntsville & Madison
Deanna Bender of Favorite Things Boutique
Tammy Hall of Main Street Cafe Madison, Zanotta’s Ristorante, Lanier House Madison + The Vine & Oak

Thank you to everyone who joined us for the morning. We’re grateful for opportunities like this to bring women business owners together and spotlight the stories behind the businesses that help our communities thrive.

See you next time!

03/20/2026

We’re serving up another Strong Coffee Strong Women in Madison next week, and it’s one you won’t want to miss ☕✨

🎥 A glimpse of some of the women shaping Main Street Madison

Next Tuesday, hear directly from the business owners behind some of your favorite local spots as they share their real stories, challenges, and what it takes to keep showing up and growing.

🔥 Registration closes TODAY. Don’t miss it.

📍 Bellehouse Venue
🕘 Doors at 9 AM | Program at 9:30 AM

🎟️ Secure your spot: https://bit.ly/4svbs84