The State Fair of Texas Announces New Partnership and 2021 Grant Cycle Results
Send the latest business news for your company to Ben Swanger at [email protected]
Comerica Bank has partnered with The State Fair of Texas to help resources from the nonprofit Trusted World reach communities in South Dallas. Trusted World, based in Garland, supplies audited non-profit organizations and schools with clothing, groceries and everyday needs. The partnership between Comerica and the fair will extend Trusted World’s efforts to the entire family unit, not just the students, from 2022.
“It is a pleasure to work with an organization like the State Fair of Texas that gives so much time and dedication to giving back to the community in which you work,” said Michael Garrett, CEO and Founder of Trusted World.
The State Fair of Texas announced that in 2021, the fair’s scholarship program has awarded more than $ 308,000 to 40 nonprofits in South Dallas – 11 first-time recipients. In the past six years, the State Fair of Texas has awarded more than $ 2.5 million and awarded more than 650,000 people.
“As last year, our grants are exponentially more serving the people in our community this year,” said Mitchell Glieber, president of the State Fair of Texas. “It is critical that we continue to work with a variety of local nonprofits and provide them with adequate support and resources so we can make a difference together.”
New Executive Podcast Notification: The Avondale Group’s Intersections
Luxury auto dealer Avondale Group will be releasing its fourth installment in its YouTube and podcast series Intersections, in which DFW executives, entrepreneurs, athletes and influencers share a wide range of business insights. The latest episode, “Wearing All The Hats,” will feature a conversation between Chuck Steelman, vice president of experience, programming and partnerships at Trademark Property, and Yasmeen Tadia, CEO and founder of Make Your Life Sweeter.
“It was remarkable to see the development of intersections. This episode features two great business leaders providing unique insights into the reality of entrepreneurship, climbing the corporate ladder and making sure everything is done with a heart for the community. Not to mention, you’ll see two of my favorite SUVs on the road today – the Bentley Bentayga and the Aston Martin DBX, ”said Kennedy Gibson, Avondale vice president of marketing.
The series title “Intersections” goes back to the roots of the Avondale Group – a homage to the intersection of Oak Lawn Avenue and Avondale Avenue, where the founders of the group opened their first Mercedes-Benz dealer in 1987. The series is directed by Muddy Shutter Media and produced and published by Mothership Media of Dallas.
A key storyline in the latest episode, which airs at 3 p.m. today, is the paradigm shift in how women are perceived in the workplace. “There was a big change for my clients when I told them my son would be attending meetings,” says Tadia. “Women have a place in the workplace and as women we have children. Nothing makes me prouder than being a mom, and if I can make that a living, it’s a perfect situation for our family. “
Yasmeen Tadia
Avondale Group

Chuck Steelman
Avondale Group

Behind the scenes at the intersections
Avondale Group

Behind the scenes at the intersections
Avondale Group
Previously released episodes include:
Episode 1: Former Dallas Cowboys Pass Rusher DeMarcus Ware and current Cowboys Pass Rusher DeMarcus Lawrence
Episode 2: Teamwork Commerce’s Chief Investment Officer, Chad Willis, and professional racing driver and entrepreneur Nick Boulle
Episode 3: Fitish founder Jenna Owens and Baker Botts IP partner and vice chairman Christa Brown-Sanford
Match Group settles $ 441 million lawsuit with Tinder founders
On December 1, Match settled a lawsuit alleging undervalued one of its apps, Tinder, and pays the app’s subsidiary $ 441 million. The lawsuit said Match had intentionally prevented Tinder founders Sean Rad, Justin Mateen and Jonathan Badeen from redeeming stock options that they could exercise and sell to former Match parent company InterActiveCorp (IAC).
In 2014, Tinder founders received Tinder stock options as part of their compensation; However, since Tinder is a private company, the stock options could not be sold in the open market. Shareholders were only allowed to sell to IAC and Match on certain dates. Four years later, Tinder merged with Match Group without the approval of Tinder’s board of directors, according to the lawsuit. The dates for exercising stock options were then canceled after the merger, leaving the Tinder founders unable to pay off.
Match intends to pay Tinder $ 441 million in cash to settle the lawsuit.
Deal content: The President and Chief Business Development Officer of Repairify on the recent acquisition of One Guard Inspections
Plano-based auto repair company Repairify recently announced that it has acquired One Guard Inspections, a vehicle inspection company that has thousands of certified inspectors across the state and Canada. The CEO recently met with Tony Rimas, President and Chief Business Development Officer of Repairify.
This conversation has been edited for brevity and clarity.

Tony Rimas
Repair
D managing director: Why did this acquisition of One Guard make sense for Repairify and how will One Guard improve Repairify’s offering?
RIMAS: “This acquisition underscores Repairify’s commitment to be the leading provider of OEM and OEM compatible technology, services and intelligence, made up of brands dedicated to delivering premium automotive aftermarket services. Additionally, the One Guard acquisition expands Repairify’s reach into the gig economy and introduces vehicle inspection reports into the Repairify ecosystem of vehicle solutions, particularly in a two-sided market. One Guard will not only expand Repairify’s range of solutions, it will also dramatically increase the total number of vehicles affected by Repairify. “
D CEO: Can you address Repairify’s recent year-over-year growth and how that growth has strategically positioned the company to spawn One Guard?
RIMAS: “It’s hard to deny that 2021 was an outstanding year for Repairify to grow. In the past year we have:
- Receipt of a strategic investment from 3M
- Acquisition of five leading aftermarket companies
- Announcement of a new patent grant and market launch of a new OEM and OEM compatible scanning, diagnostic and calibration solution
- Awarded # 14 of the 100 Fastest Growing Private Companies in North Texas
- Introduction of a strategic rebranding
“The acquisition of One Guard marks a major milestone in our continued quest to become a global leader in automotive technology and intelligence to help the automotive collision, mechanical and dealer sectors rule the modern vehicle.”
D CEO: How do you forecast for 2022 and beyond?
RIMAS: “We continue to see that industry trends are consolidating across all of our market channels. The combination of our new product launches and the ongoing recovery in market demand will support our persistently aggressive year-over-year trend line with double-digit growth. “
Bank of America invests in the DEC Network’s Small Business Grant Program
Launched in Fall 2020, the DEC Network’s Small Business Scholarship Program, BUILD, provides economic relief primarily to women or small minority-owned businesses coping with the pandemic. Now, with a recent investment of $ 200,000 from Bank of America, the program, which has already raised $ 160,000 to the South Dallas community, can more than double its efforts.
We recently met with Demetra Brown, Senior Director of The DEC Network, to discuss the monumental commitment and importance it has to businesses in South Dallas.
This conversation has been edited for brevity and clarity.

Demetra brown
The DEC network
D CEO: How do you think companies have benefited from BUILD and how will the recent $ 200,000 infusion continue to help Bank of America?
BROWN: “Small business owners have used BUILD as a resource hub and point of contact, connecting them to a variety of business support resources and providers in Dallas County. In 2020, for example, we launched the BUILD Small Business Grant program. We have provided micro-grant awards and one-on-one business coaching to small businesses in Dallas County. Additionally, we have helped business owners develop business continuity plans on paper on how to stabilize their business. This combination of support has given small business owners the much-needed economic relief and operational orientation. Because the pandemic has created so much uncertainty, previous award winners have shared how COVID-19 derailed their companies and how meeting a business coach helped them get back on track. “
D CEO: Can you comment on the growth of the scholarship program? Would you have seen this flood of financial support come in 2020?
BROWN: “This micro-grant program was launched as a pilot initiative in 2020 to respond to the needs of small business owners affected by the pandemic. Since 2020 to date, we’ve given over $ 160,000 to small businesses. This injection of funds from Bank of America will enable us to continue these efforts. Given the economic inequality faced by some entrepreneurs, a reliable and consistent source of free finance is vital to our market. “
D CEO: Finally, can you address the importance of financial support for minority and women’s companies, but also management consultancy?
BROWN: “We need to rethink our approach to technical or knowledge-based support for entrepreneurs. Advisory support was provided by a number of our BUILD partner organizations such as BCL of Texas and PeopleFund.
“During our first funding cycle, the program beneficiaries had to complete three business advice and continuity planning sessions. The purpose of the sessions was to help participants establish a stable foundation and resolve income problems. Over 130 combined business coaching hours were completed by BUILD’s business support providers. In addition to the technical assistance provided under the program, the beneficiaries had to demonstrate that their company was still operational. A total of 46 business owners have successfully completed the BUILD Small Business Grant Program, which has helped support local businesses. Before taking part in BUILD, over 65 percent of the award-winning business owners had never worked with a management consultant or advisor. “
[ad_1]
The State Fair of Texas Announces New Partnership and 2021 Grant Cycle Results