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Small Business News & Opportunities
  
In this Issue: 
  • Small Business Success Series by HCC© - Fall 2020 Updates
    • October - November Cohort - APPLY NOW
    • August - September Cohort  Just Graduated!
  • Success Stories by HCC Business Plan Competition Alumni
    • Megan Eddings - Accel Lifestyle
    • Helen Callier - Permit Us Now
    • Angelica Robinson - Peace & Love Studios
    • Thanks Again to our HCC Business Plan Competition Sponsors, Trainers, Judges and Advisors! 
    • HCC Business Plan Competition Sponsor Spotlight - LiftFund
  • Upcoming Virtual Events & Classes - HCC & Partners 
    • H-Force Small Business Survival Webinars 
    • HCC Southwest Free Webinars - Microsoft and More
    • Forbes' Next 1000
    • Creating a Successful Business Plan Class
    • Jobs Now Houston - Powered by HCC
    • Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses
    • Starting & Running Your Own Business Virtual Seminar
    • Small Business Administration Events
    • Digital Marketing Clinic
  • More Fall News from the Glenda & David Regenbaum Center for Entrepreneurship at HCC Northwest 
    • Junior Achievement High School Program Starts With "Ignite the Spark" 
    • Alief Early College High School Teams Begin Planning Their Startups
    • Liftoff Houston Startup Competition Pitch Training by HCC
    • National Association for Community College Entrepreneurship Annual Conference will Feature HCC in Multiple Segments .
     
Small Business Success Series by HCC©
 
Fall 2020 Updates 
 
     
October - November 2020 Cohort
 
 
  


This series is offered at no cost to entrepreneurs thanks to our sponsor
Wells Fargo Bank.
Apply for an 
opportunity to be 
chosen for a cohort.

 
 
Program Topics and Facilitator
Small Business Success Series by HCC©     
 
October - November 2020 Series - We are Going Virtual! 
 
One Module is offered Each Week in Two Afternoon Online Sessions
Monday 2:30 pm - 4:30 pm and Thursday 2:30 pm - 4:30 pm

  • 10/19 & 10/22 - Vet the Venture - Are My Ideas Lucrative? - Assists entrepreneurs in determining the financial viability of their business idea or growth plan. Covers competition, market need, price positioning, differentiators, revenue projections, start-up costs & more.
  • 10/26 & 10/29 - Ignite the Entrepreneur in You! - Understand key traits of successful entrepreneurs; your leadership style & problem-solving skills to negotiate, sell & achieve goals. 
  • 11/2 & 11/5 - Sales & Marketing Powered Up - Insights & tactics to improve your organization's ongoing market research process, messaging, strategic planning, budget & spending, digital marketing, analytics & measurement and loyalty & brand advocacy. 
  • 11/9 & 11/12 - Financials for Small Business Launch & Growth - Prepare for the "why, how & what's next" in understanding your numbers: past, present & how to analyze & estimate numbers you & your funders need to know to propel you to sustained success.
  • 11/16 & 11/19 - Minimizing Risk - Protect Your Assets, Your Business & Your Future! Minimize risk considering: Liability and tax requirements in business organization; insurance; hiring employees & independent contractors; operational processes & contract negotiations.
 
Featured Facilitators:  
Austin   
Tenette 
Ned 
Mueller
Thea
 Goldin-Smith
Ashley
Small
Rebecca
Schulz 
David
Regenbaum 

Be prepared to work and leave from each module with strong takeaways applicable to your business! As each day progresses, you will apply learnings to your business with guided exercises and peer interaction facilitated by our workshop leaders.
 
APPLY NOW to Be Chosen for the 
October - November 2020 Cohort of the 
Small Business Success Series by HCC©  
 
Class Size is Limited

 
Apply ASAP - The Cohort Starts October 19.  The application period will close early in the week of October 12 or 13, or the application period may close earlier considering volume of applications. 

Applications will be reviewed to choose those accepted into this series.
 
Applicants will be contacted via the email submitted in the application.
 
Your completion of the Small Business Success Series
also fulfills the program/class pre-requisite for applying
for the 2021 HCC Business Plan Competition in January! 
 
Congratulations to the Graduates of our August  - September Cohort  of the Small Business Success Series HCC©  
 



On September 24, we celebrated 31 Graduates of the August - September Small Business Success Series (SBSS) Cohort.  Dr. Zachary Hodges, President, HCC Northwest and Dr. Maya Durnovo, Chief Entrepreneurial Officer congratulated all involved, along with David Regenbaum and Sandra Louvier who lead the SBSS program Delivery Team.  The program is delivered by six primary facilitators and features panels of experts and resource partners from the local Houston entrepreneurial eco-system. 



The graduation ceremony also featured two class representatives, Carolyn Mitchell and Mary-Jane Buschlen who addressed the crowd.  The Zoom chat feature revved up as class mates cheered on Carolyn and Mary-Jane while they spoke and as they gave shout outs to fellow classmates they had gotten to know in our general sessions, small breakout groups, office hour-sessions and networking sessions throughout the five-week program. 


 
We thanked our facilitators and guest speakers from the Houston entrepreneurial eco-system, including the Small Business Administration, SCORE, various sources of funding, and legal, tax, insurance and cyber security experts. Wells Fargo Bank participates throughout the five week cohort providing resources and panelists, while sponsoring funds to provide this tuition free program to the entrepreneurs accepted into our program!   

The class of entrepreneurs makes the magic happen as they engage, absorb and actively participate throughout the program and after it to apply what they are learning to their businesses.  This leads to a cohort like this one of graduating entrepreneurs aligned with others continually reinvigorating their dedication to adaptability and the pursuit of success! 



Congratulations to our August - September Cohort Graduates! 


For entrepreneurs interested in Applying for the October - November Cohort, the time is NOW to submit your application to be considered for acceptance. 
 

Your completion of the Small Business Success Series
also fulfills the program/class pre-requisite for applying
for the 2021 HCC Business Plan Competition in January! 
   
Alumni Success Stories
HCC Business Plan Competition

Megan Eddings
Accel Lifestyle 
  
Creator of Elevated Anti-Stink Gear
 
Accel Lifestyle is the first socially conscious fashionable fitness apparel brand for people who sweat...and want to smell fresh.  Eddings invented a bacteria-resistant, stink-free material that ensures consumers are less likely to throw away their
clothing. https://www.accellifestyle.com/ 
 
Megan won first place in the 2018 HCC Business Plan Competition & Launched her company in August 2019.
 
"The HCC Business Plan Competition was awesome, teaching me everything from the ground up. Not only did it give me the tools and guidance to start my company, but my competition mentors were awesome!"    90-Second Video
 
Local Woman Makes Face Masks From Antibacterial Fabric
 
KPRC 2 - HOUSTON - Men and women are on the front lines battling the coronavirus in Houston, while there is a major shortage of personal protective equipment. Megan Eddings, a local woman who also uses an antibacterial fabric for her fitness apparel line, is now using the same material to make masks. Eddings says you can wash these masks 100 times and they will still be 98% effective against, bacteria. These Prema® masks are a cleaner solution to help prevent the spread of the coronavirus. Houston Methodist purchased 44,000 masks for their healthcare heroes. Full Interview - KPRC 2 
 
By Mid-April, Eddings provided masks to hospitals in the Texas Medical Center and went on to pull in contracts from the U.S. Navy, Navy SEALs and the U.S. Marines. By April, she was employing 62 people to sew masks and 14 full-time employees to help with packing and distribution. Prema Anti-Bacterial Masks are also on sale to the public.
By June, she moved into producing face masks for children. Now, in the wake of the pandemic, Accel Lifestyle has sold over 400,000 Adult Prema® Anti-Bacterial Face Masks, including to the US Navy, Navy SEALs, Marines, hospitals, universities, and nursing homes.  
  

Helen Callier, Owner 
Permit Us Now
 
A One-Stop Permit Expediting Company
 
We entered the competition to develop an idea to launch a permitting division as a separate entity to complement my existing company, Bradlink, LLC.
     
The competition allowed me and my team to fully flesh out a robust and solid plan together.  I did not win prize money, but we launched PermitUsNow just three months after the competition. 


We now have clients all over the state of Texas; large corporate clients, as well as small business owners. Permit Us Now received the HEB Supplier Diversity of the Year Award last year. We have offices in Houston, Dallas and San Antonio and are adding employees

She stays active supporting entrepreneurs.  On September 28, 2020, Helen Callier Spoke at HEB's Annual Supplier Opportunity Exchange Expo   

Helen also gives back through HCC.  She is a recurring cash sponsor of the HCC Business Plan Competition. 90-Second Video  Thank you Helen!  

Angelica "Jelly" Robinson,
Owner, Peace & Love Studios
 
Peace & Love Studios is the first mobile hair salon for children with a program catering to the special needs community.
Angelica better known as "Jelly" said this about her advisors: "The most helpful part of the competition for me was having advisors. Even though I would have been able to absorb the information from training, it's nothing like having someone with experience to coach you."
After the competition Jelly knew she needed to develop a team to move things forward. She found the advisors she needed to take action and was able to start her dream career from literal scratch! The pandemic has actually given more credence to her original concept. The services Jelly provides have always been personal in small settings with just the child and their family. Since people are skeptical about all the health concerns going on, her service adds a blanket of security for them knowing they don't have to lug the family out the house for a clean up.
Jelly competed in the competition in 2019. She says the plan she created, the training and her
advisors prepared her for the challenging conversations that have since led to her securing an investor who is funding her mobile unit. The van is currently being built out to accommodate her needs.
 
As soon as the van is ready Jelly plans to run a pilot experiment to get the 'ultimate approval" from her valued clients. Then Jelly will be open for business and ready to serve up to 10 families per day. Travel time in the Houston Area along with ensuring proper disinfecting and sanitation after each and every client will be the factor in this number. Jelly calls this her daily Top 10! https://peaceandlovestudios.com/
Jelly helps others as HCC and her advisors have helped her. She is currently serving as a mentor with our Center for Entrepreneurship team to students in the Alief Early High School who are moving through the annual city-wide Junior Achievement Company Program.    
 Thank you Again to our Competition Sponsors! 

    
HCC Business Plan Competition 
Sponsor Spotlight:  LiftFund

 
This year has challenged us in many ways, and small business owners are facing increasing difficulties and stress to keep their doors open. But we also know you are resilient, adaptable and innovative. You create opportunity from an idea, a need, and a cause.
At LiftFund, we are inspired by your resiliency and we're here to journey with you during these uncertain times. As we approach the approach the end of the year, we have a variety of resources to help you enhance your business operations, recover and rebuild:
Learn more and connect with us at www.LiftFund.com.
   
Upcoming Virtual Events
 
  
   

Forbes' Inaugural Next 1000 Initiative Will Spotlight and Accelerate Rising Entrepreneurs Forging The Path Forward To Redefine The American Dream

 
Forbes' Next 1000.  Click on the links below to download the article and application form. 
 
In other news, got a business idea you've been working on after hours? Or maybe you've already put pen to paper and have technically been in business for at least a year? Either way, you'll want to check out the Next 1000: a first-of-its-kind initiative that will spotlight bold and inspiring entrepreneurs on their way to success.  
 
Applications are open now through October 31. The final product? One thousand new faces with a running start to one day land on the cover of Forbes. 
 

  
Creating a Successful Business Plan Class
 
6 Weeks Access - 24 Course Hours
Online - Choose Instructor Led or Self-Paced Class 

 

Turn your business ideas into a solid plan for financing and long-term success. Committing your idea to paper in the form of a business plan not only increases your chances of obtaining financing, but also in keeping your business strategically focused. You will work through all the major components of writing a business plan and emerge with your first draft in hand. And most importantly, you will have completed the first-and most difficult-step on the path to small business success.
This class prepares you to apply for the Spring 2021 HCC Business Plan Competition! 

  

Instructor Led Class - 6 Weeks Access - Class Starts October 14

  

Self-Paced Class - 3 Months Access - Start Anytime.

  

Register Now 





 




SCORE Houston Presents:


Starting & Running Your Own Business Virtual Seminar

This 2-part seminar is a must for prospective entrepreneurs and a proven benefit to many already in business. It is a powerful program that's packed with information, tips and techniques needed to start a new business as well as improve an ongoing enterprise.
October 10 & 17  |  9:00am CST  |  Register Here   


   
 
 
 
 
   
Monthly Digital Marketing Clinic
  
October - Putting your Business  
on the Digital Map 

 

 
  More News From 


  
Junior Achievement High School Program Starts With "Ignite the Spark" 

The virtual event started with welcomes from the partners and featured a panel of HCC Alumni entrepreneurs.  It also delivered an Innovation Pitch Challenge. HCC awarded $100 each to the top three high school teams pitching.   
Thirty-five high school classes throughout the greater Houston area will be moving through the one-year program which ends May 2021.  

Alief Early College High School Teams Begin Planning Their Startups 

The Alief Early College High School (AECHS) class of Freshmen, Sophomores and Juniors is being led by Brian Stephenson, entrepreneur and Alief ISD instructor.   

The students will move through JA lessons and receive mentoring from a Glenda & David Regenbaum Center for Entrepreneurship Delivery Team that includes Entrepreneur in Residence, David Regenbaum, Director, Sandra Louvier, and Juan Crawford and Angelica Robinson, who are entrepreneurs and HCC Business Plan Competition Alumni.  

Lessons are run from September through December.  Spring will bring ongoing mentorship as businesses are launched and operated.  Design Thinking exercises are currently underway to develop their business concepts. 
  
Liftoff Houston Startup Competition Pitch Training by HCC
 
HCC Supports the City of Houston's Annual Liftoff Houston Startup Competition by delivering three Pitch Training Sessions to help prepare the entrepreneurs to pitch their plans within the competition and later to potential funders.  

David Regenbaum and Sandra Louvier shared responsibilities delivering interactive training sessions with Liftoff team support on September 14, 16 and 19.    

Participants learned how to develop a compelling pitch and had time to work up brief pitches. Several entrepreneurs did their pitches in the session to get feedback from their peers and from training facilitators. 

Plans are due in the Liftoff Startup Competition on October 9 and finalists pitch to judges to win prize money on November 7.  Best wishes to all contestants! 
Our Center will Present at the National Association for Community College Entrepreneurship Annual Conference October 12-15

The annual NACCE conference will be held in Nashville and also offer virtual participation.  Houston Community College and our Centers for Entrepreneurship will be featured in multiple segments throughout the week.  

Our Glenda & David Rebenbaum Center for Entrepreneurship - HCC Northwest is honored to present with Chief Entrepreneurial Officer, Dr. Maya Durnovo and our entrepreneurial colleagues on September 12 on the Topic:  Driving Innovation: It's the People! 

We will present again on October 14 with Dr. Zachary Hodges, President, HCC Northwest on the topic: Pandemic Pivots to Deliver Signature Programs With Community Partnerships and Support.  Best wishes to all who are presenting for a great conference!

Look for more news about the NACCE conference in our upcoming Newsletter! 
About the Glenda & David Regenbaum Center for Entrepreneurship - HCC Northwest

 
OUR MISSION:  To help entrepreneurs start and grow their businesses. We do this by offering workshops, seminars, summits, classes and competitive training and advising, while also providing practical knowledge, resources and connections.
Contact us at c4e@hccs.edu or 713-718-6650

    
We are committed to furthering the cause of social justice in our community and beyond...

Houston Community College is committed to furthering the cause of social justice in our community and beyond. HCC does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, gender identity and expression, national origin, age, disability, sexual orientation, or veteran status. I fully support that commitment and, as such, will work to maintain a positive learning environment based upon open communication, mutual respect, and non-discrimination. In this course, we share in the creation and maintenance of a positive and safe learning environment. Part of this process includes acknowledging and embracing the differences among us in order to establish and reinforce that each one of us matters.  I appreciate your suggestions about how to best maintain this environment of respect. If you experience any type of discrimination, please contact me and/or the Office of Institutional Equity at 713-718-8271. 
 
From all of us to all of you In all our offerings! 
 
Sandra Louvier, Director
David Regenbaum, Entrepreneur in Residence
Flora Renteria, Reception Assistant
Sabiha, Dholkawala, Administrative Assistant