New TiE-DC Ex
ecutive Director, Steve Thomas, interviewed with WashingtonExec earlier this month. The President of Firebird Agency, a full-length consulting and management company for non-profit organizations, touched on the growing barriers of entry for budding entrepreneurs in this tough economy. Thomas also discussed how TiE-DC can help small business owners build a solid foundation for their company. TiE’s very recent partnership with the Business Alliance, including upcoming events and programs were also discussed.
When asked about where we sees the position of the entrepreneur community in the next couple years, Thomas replied, “Tough to say, though the completion of the 2012 election cycle will at least bring some degree of certainty either way in the economy, which should help entrepreneurship. Ultimately, people don’t stop having good ideas just because the economy got bad. We need to give them new ways to harness those ideas.”
WashingtonExec: So you’re back at TiE! What did you do in the interim?
Steve Thomas: I left to run a larger national charitable foundation, working primarily with development in rural areas. We did well there- especially in this economy. But I’m happy to be back working with entrepreneurs in our region, especially now that there are so many challenges to entrepreneurship.
WashingtonExec: What is different about the organization, and the entrepreneurial community, now as opposed to your first stint with the group?
Steve Thomas: TiE as a group has rolled with the punches of a different economic environment. It is tough on entrepreneurs right now, especially in the area of obtaining credit to grow and monetize good ideas. No longer can most startups get their seed funding through personal credit or mortgages. So entrepreneurs are having to find other ways to succeed. To that extent, I think TiE-DC is well positioned to help, especially with its five pillars of focus: Emerging Technology, Government Proximity, Expanding Entrepreneurship, Spotlight on India, and Community Service.
WashingtonExec: How is TiE-DC doing- how has it gone so far?
Steve Thomas: It has been exciting. The group seems to be riding a wave to some degree- membership is up 60% this year, revenue is up, and we’re doing more events and programs. We started a new program for high school students, “TiE Young Entrepreneurs”. And we’re about to announce a new partnership with the Business Alliance. We’re very happy with the progress this year.
WashingtonExec: What is the group planning for entrepreneurs in the near future?
Steve Thomas: The new partnership with the Business Alliance should leverage new resources for entrepreneurs in our region. 2012 will also see a new focus on women in entrepreneurship, coinciding with TiE-DC’s first woman President, Dolly Oberoi. And our 2011 annual Gala will be an outstanding event.
WashingtonExec: What is the prognosis for entrepreneurs in this area for the next year or two?
Steve Thomas: Tough to say, though the completion of the 2012 election cycle will at least bring some degree of certainty either way in the economy, which should help entrepreneurship. Ultimately, people don’t stop having good ideas just because the economy got bad. We need to give them new ways to harness those ideas.