Meet Our Team : Kathryn Dickson, Endeavor Colorado Business Analyst

What inspired you to join Endeavor Colorado, and how does your background align with your current role?

I’ve always been deeply connected to the mission of supporting entrepreneurship. Since highschool, I have worked for female entrepreneurs and during my study abroad in Barranquilla, Colombia, I witnessed firsthand the critical role entrepreneurship plays in bolstering a vibrant economy.  My experience with Rappi, an Endeavor Colombia company, was a testament to that impact. Joining an organization that directly contributes to empowering economies aligned perfectly with my academic background as well as my personal and professional aspirations.  

What has been your most memorable moment or achievement with Endeavor Colorado this year?

Improving the process we use to evaluate companies has been a significant accomplishment. We have been building a system that can provide us with a fairly strong indication of a company’s stage, vitality, and influence, irrespective of the industry. We are continually working to make it more comprehensive of our ecosystem, and it’s incredibly satisfying to see the organization and structure we’ve developed.

Outside of work, what hobbies or interests do you have that might surprise people?

I’m dedicated to improving my Spanish proficiency. Although language acquisition does not come naturally to me, bilingual fluency is a significant goal of mine. Since swapping the Texan heat for Colorado’s mountains, my affinity for the outdoors has grown exponentially.  During my undergraduate studies at CU I developed a love for trail running and skiing. This past summer, I explored eight national parks and summited my first 14er. Also, I adore discovering emerging wellness, beauty, and fashion brands, particularly those that are female-owner. I’m passionate about supporting intentionally made, high quality products.

What excites you the most about Endeavor Colorado’s future?

I am most excited about building relationships with economic development organizations in rural areas. This will help support scale-ups that create more jobs in those regions.

If you could have lunch with one entrepreneur or business leader, living or deceased, who would it be and why?

I’d choose Gwyneth Paltrow. Regardless of the mixed opinions about GOOP, her impact is undeniable. She has transformed and brought significant attention to her industry. I admire the way she manages her team and business, and while some products may be unconventional, her mission to explore alternative lifestyles is something I find commendable.

Looking back, what is one thing you learned this year that you didn’t expect when you started?

I’ve learned that actually starting and running a business is exponentially more challenging than merely discussing it. It’s been a journey filled with unexpected complexities and learnings.

If you could set one major goal for yourself within Endeavor Colorado for the next year, what would it be?

My primary goal is to curate a selection portfolio that mirrors the demographic distribution of the United States.

How would you describe the team culture at Endeavor Colorado?

The team culture here is incredibly supportive and people-oriented. I treasure being part of a team that is genuinely interested in and curious about the people we engage with.

Which colleague from Endeavor Colorado would you choose to be stranded with on a deserted island, and why?

I’d choose Zeb. While we might struggle to figure out survival strategies, we’d spend the entirety of the time laughing as we tried to figure it out.

Would you rather fight one horse-sized duck or a hundred duck-sized horses? Explain your strategy!

I’d choose to confront a hundred duck-sized horses, provided I can wear cute steel-toed boots. My strategy would be to deftly and safely punt the mini horses away, maintaining a safe distance at all times.