Meet Emma Barnhouse | Event and Marketing Coordinator at The DEC Network

We had the good fortune of connecting with Emma Barnhouse and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Emma, can you tell us more about your background and the role it’s played in shaping who you are today?
My name is Emma Barnhouse. I grew up in Springfield, MO and moved to Texas for school. I graduated from Abilene Christian University with a bachelor’s in Corporate & Nonprofit Communication. I currently work with an entrepreneurial resource center called The DEC Network as an Event and Marketing Coordinator. My job is to help bring resources to entrepreneurs of color and women entrepreneurs–anyone who faces barriers to effectively starting, growing, and scaling their businesses. While that is the mile-high view of who I am today, I recognize threads throughout my upbringing that led to my current attitudes and desires.

For as long as I can remember, I have been an inquisitive person–a researcher. I come by this honestly; my parents could win any trivia night. I love knowing a little about anything and looking at the world from a curious perspective. This has served me well in my career so far because curiosity unlocks creativity, especially when resources, time, and effort are limited. I love working with purpose, and thankful for a place and position that allows for questions.

I owe any success of mine to my family. I grew up around entrepreneurship and hard work, but they taught me that a day’s work is a privilege not afforded to everyone–that it is a joy and a gift to do something you like, but the people you work with are the key to balance and satisfaction. I was surrounded by determined, hard-working, and inventive leaders my whole life, and I am grateful for the imprint they left on my mind and eyes.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
The DEC Network seeks to provide resources and reduce barriers to entry for entrepreneurs of color and women entrepreneurs. My job allows me to listen to the community and engage with them on their successes, failures, wants, and needs. I love getting to know our partners outside the organization, serving my colleagues as we grow, and focusing on the company’s goals. For more information, be sure to check out our website (https://thedec.co/) or subscribe to our newsletter (https://app.getresponse.com/site2/thedec/?u=QZBxW&webforms_id=ze7Vq)!

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I am still new to Dallas and enjoy doing touristy things on my weekends while I get to know the city! Some of my favorite places to take people when they visit are the Dallas Museum of Art, Bishop Arts District, or The Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden. There’s great food in Lower Greenville and the Dallas Farmers Market, or live music at Revelers Hall. Definitely grab a coffee or cocktail at Triumphs Espresso and Whiskey, or visit Katy Trail & Whiterock Lake to get outside in the afternoon.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Kendall Castillo, Senior Manager of Events at The DEC Network, is to whom I owe any professional credit. Also, Bill Chinn, CEO, and Tarsha Hearns, Senior Director. They invested in my career growth and personal development and are great mentors and bosses.

Website: https://thedec.co/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thedecnetwork/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/thedecnetwork/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thedecnetwork

Other: https://vimeo.com/user136369696

Image Credits
Trés Cox (https://www.seenbytres.com/)