This interview is part of the “Meet The E3 Durham Team” series, where we’ll give you a front row seat into E3 Durham from the perspective of the people at the forefront. Read more about E3 Durham here.
Magalie Yacinthe
Q: Tell us a bit about you and your role in the E3 Durham program and Durham community.
Q: A: I oversee the E3 Durham outreach and convening efforts including the planning and execution of Pull-Up at Provident.
Q: What is your or your organization's deeper why that inspires you to do what you do?
A: I believe in centering community at the heart of my work. Engaging with ecosystems allows me to do that very thing. Some days that means I need to listen, other days that means I need to speak up. Either way, everyday I get the chance to get up and do community work; or as I like to say I get to do the “heart work” not the hard work.
Q: What is most important to you as we come together to create a more diverse, equitable, and innovative entrepreneurial ecosystem in Durham?
A: That we take an entrepreneur-first approach. Simple.
Q: Can you share a story about something within the Durham entrepreneurial ecosystem that you have found deeply inspiring or motivating?
A: There is a strong spirit of collaboration in the ecosystem. It’s inspiring to see organizations go above and beyond, to live out loud, show in real time, everyday what is meant by community over competition. It’s a beautiful thing.
Q: Do you have any advice to offer current or aspiring small business owners?
A: You really do have to take it one day at a time. You got this.
Funded in part through a Grant with the U.S. Small Business Administration. All opinions, conclusions, and/or recommendations expressed herein are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the SBA.