Welcome to 52 Faces<\/strong> 52 Faces of Community<\/a> is a Fort Worth Report weekly series spotlighting local unsung heroes. It is sponsored by Central Market<\/a>, H-E-B<\/a> and JPS Health Network<\/a>.<\/p>\n At the end of the year, these rarely recognized heroes will gather for a luncheon where the Report will announce one honoree to represent Tarrant County at the Jefferson Awards in Washington, D.C.<\/p>\n Alsayyed, vice president of community lending at Happy State Bank, said volunteers make sure that the businesses know they are appreciated \u2014 an effort that leads to \u201ctruly organic conversations that helps us collect information that can help the (business) environment.\u201d<\/p>\n The east Fort Worth resident, who trains volunteers and assists in coordinating the tours, said the walks occur in the north, south, central, east and west parts of the city.<\/p>\n \u201cI do a lot of walks on the west side and my office is on the west side but I live in east Fort Worth,\u201d the 32-year-old said. \u201cFor me, I like to choose a list from the east side so I can go and venture around and visit businesses in my neighborhood that I\u2019m not familiar with.\u201d<\/p>\n Alsayyed has learned more about the city and is now investing in eastside commercial and residential properties that she and a partner own.<\/p>\n Steve Montgomery, president and CEO of the Fort Worth Chamber, said Alsayyed is a \u201cforce of nature\u201d in helping to coordinate the walks.<\/p>\n \u201cShe has been instrumental in the success of the chamber\u2019s Small Business Appreciation Walks from the beginning,\u201d Montgomery said. \u201cShe has brought energy, enthusiasm, innovation and leadership to the project and we simply could not have done it without her \u2014 and that\u2019s not an overstatement.\u201d<\/p>\n Ben Robertson, founder and owner of TEI Consulting, nominated Alsayyed for her work on the small-business walks.<\/p>\n Know an unsung hero in Tarrant County?<\/p>\n Tell us about them by filling out the form below. <\/p>\n \u201cI have had the pleasure of volunteering and co-chairing alongside Alyssa for numerous Fort Worth Chamber initiatives over the years,\u201d Robertson said. \u201cBeyond her roots of owning her own small business and a rapidly rising executive in the local banking community, her heart for helping our small-business community is truly inspirational and challenges many of us to ensure we are doing all we can to help others succeed.\u201d<\/p>\n A walk on May 6 \u2014 as part of the National Small Business Week and Small Business Month activities \u2014 drew 150 volunteers, Alsayyed said.<\/p>\n Volunteers handed out swag bags with items donated by companies. The walks also provide an opportunity to connect entrepreneurs with local resources, including the chamber\u2019s homeless tool kit, which offers suggestions for businesses to deal with the unhoused population.<\/p>\n \u201cBeyond her roots of owning her own small business and a rapidly rising executive in the local banking community, her heart for helping our small-business community is truly inspirational and challenges many of us to ensure we are doing all we can to help others succeed.\u201d<\/p>\n Ben Robertson, nominator<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n \u201cWe\u2019re so lucky to live in a city that has so much support for small businesses,\u201d said Alsayyed, who grew up in the Diamond Hill neighborhood. \u201cWe\u2019re very organically run by small businesses here. There\u2019s a lot of hands-on knowledge. People like to be part of the solution. There are so many things that affect small businesses.\u201d<\/p>\n During one eastside walk, for example, a business owner complained that a new bus stop hampered customers from entering and exiting the establishment\u2019s parking lot. But the issue was solved with a phone call to Trinity Metro, she said.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cOne call solved the problem,\u201d she said, adding that the bus stop was moved a few feet away and everyone was happy with the solution.<\/p>\n \u201cThese stories are why we\u2019re doing what we\u2019re doing,\u201d Alsayyed said.<\/p>\n Eric E. Garcia is senior business reporter at the Fort Worth Report. Contact him at eric.garcia@fortworthreport.org<\/a>.<\/p>\n
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