April 3, 2020

Dear Entrepreneurs and Business Owners: 

These are unprecedented times and our lives have changed dramatically, individually and collectively. As business owners, it’s unimaginable because there are so many unknowns. We at HCC believe it’s helpful to have a support system and resources as we move through these stressful days and nights. 
To that end, we have developed: 1) a series of Business Resiliency Workshops/Webinars to guide you to resiliency; and 2) frequent emails to connect you to resources for funding, emergencies, and programming. HCC programs and services will continue through online workshops, webinars, phone and other technologies to keep us connected and engaged yet separated physically. 

HCC has had to pivot to all online classrooms for our instructional programs as well as all of our entrepreneurial work. Check our website; we will update regularly: https://www.hccs.edu/SmallBusiness


Reach out to us:
Entrepreneurs in Residence

Stay safe and keep in touch, 
Maya Durnovo
Upcoming Webinars
April 9, 2020
12:00pm - 1:00pm CST
Growing Your Success Mindset in the Face of Extreme Uncertainty
Panic, doubt, frustration, fear and procrastination are but a few of the words to describe the current state of affairs for most business owners during the pandemic. Not knowing when this will end is unsettling; as business leaders, we must find a way through the uncertainty. In this session, we will share five key principles on how to reinvigorate our success mindset and lay out a framework for surviving and thriving during these difficult times.
Austin Tenette is a certified business coach with the FocalPoint Coaching organization; he is an expert in business resiliency and serves as Entrepreneur-in-Residence at HCC.
Janice Jucker is a graduate of HCC Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses, a HCC Business Plan Competition finalist and an advisor in the 2020 HCC Business Plan Competition.
Corona Virus Outbreak Worse than Harvey Says Three Brothers Bakery
ABC13 News Interview and Feature Video:            
Janice and Bobby Jucker, owners of Three Brothers Bakery have never faced anything like the COVID-19 pandemic…… 
The best way to help small businesses is buying products. Just one pecan pie from Three Brothers Bakery supports them, the pecan growers, the businesses that make the tin, the seal around the pie, and the cardboard box producers. “The biggest priority now is jobs and keeping people employed” says Janice Jucker.  
Check out their website  and order a pie! https://3brothersbakery.com
Disaster Tips & Resources
Financial Resources for Small Businesses
Safety Guidelines for the Workplace & Employers
Strategies & Tools for Small Businesses
How to Help
  • If you or your organization is interested in helping the effort to combat the spread of COVID-19, FEMA has established a website with more information - click here
  • To sell medical supplies or equipment to the federal government, please email specifics to covidsupplies@fema.dhs.gov
  • To donate medical supplies or equipment, please provide details on what you are offering at www.fema.gov/covid19offers
  • If you are a private company that wants to produce a product related to the COVID response - email nbeoc@max.gov
  • If you are interested in doing business with FEMA for non-medical supplies, service or equipment visit the Industry Liaison Program
HCC in the Community
HCC Provides Helping Hands to Hospitals Amid Pandemic
Vice Chancellor of Strategic, Planning and Institutional Research Dr. Kurt Ewen, spoke with FOX 26 Houston's Melissa Wilson about the important work HCC is doing with the help of our 3-D printers in making face masks for local hospitals.
Entrepreneurs Stories
Learn more from Ana Rojas, CEO and Founder of Orolait, where she talks more about how she balances time with her family, her business, and how she keeps up the positive spirits no matter the circumstances.

Orolait is a brand new startup in Houston that launced in march 2019, to give new mothers the opportunity to wear fun, functional, and fashionable breastfeeding bikinis and swimsuits for mamas of all shapes, sizes, and shades.
2020 HCC Business Plan Competition Training Sessions Go Virtual


The 2020 HCC Business Plan Competition Training Session #3 wrapped VIRTUALLY on April 1, 2020. The Topic was Sales, Marketing & Pivoting Your Business & Plans in Response to COVID 19.  
We applaud our entrepreneurs, advisors and staff for staying focused & making needed pivots in such unprecedented times!
HCC TV Up to the Minute Video Interview
Sandra Louvier, Northwest’s Center for Entrepreneurship Director discusses how the HCC Business Plan Competition pivoted due to COVID-19. Competition alum Derrell Norris, co-founder of Fresh Tech Solutionz demonstrates skills he learned to launch his company and to develop Apps with resources for local businesses during the crisis: 

Local Business Pivot for COVID-19
Many thanks to Chris Whitmeyer, Goldman Sachs 10KSB Alumni, Cohort 18 Business - Whitmeyer Distilling Co. LLC

Chris pivoted during this time of crisis to help our community. He turned his distillery into production for much needed sanitizers!

"If you / your family needs hand sanitizer, you are welcome to come by the distillery starting Tuesday at 10am. We will give each household 1 x 32oz pump bottle at no cost, no strings attached. We need you guys healthy and around to support us in the future. If you or your Company/Organization need bulk quantities we can help there too. Please email Kelser - kelser@whitmeyers.com "
‌