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Center for Entrepreneurship - West Houston   
September Small Business Opportunities
 
For Startup and Existing Entrepreneurs, HCC Faculty, Staff & Students 

In this Issue:

Entrepreneur Success Stories - HCC Business Plan Competition Alumni
  • Accel Lifestyle Launched on August 20 - Megan Eddings
  • Naughty Noah's Noodles - Jimmy Trihn
September Events
  • Meet & Mingle Monday - 9/9
  • SBA Mentor Matchmaking Event - 9/10
  • Digital Marketing Clinic - 9/11
  • Small Business Success Series - 9/14, 10/5, 10/19 & 11/2 - Sign Up for Series & Save
  • Is My Idea Lucrative - Small Business Success Series  - 9/14
  • Small Business Summit & Expo - Starting, Owning, Buying & Selling a Business - 9/25
October Events
  • SBA Lender Matchmaking Event 10/1 
  • HAGGL Golf Tournament - Proceeds benefit the HCC Business Plan Competition! - 10/10
  • Women's Entrepreneur Boot Camp - 10/25
  • Small Business Success Series - Remaining Fall Workshops: 
    • How Much Will It Cost? - October 5
    • How Do I Market My Idea? - October 19
    • How Do I Manage Risk?  - November 2
Entrepreneur Success Stories
Accel Lifestyle Officially Launched on August 20th!
 
Click Photo Above to Play Video.
HCC Congratulates Megan Eddings, Founder & CEO, 
and Winner of the 2018 HCC Business Plan Competition                                       

A note from Megan: "We officially launched Accel Lifestyle (men's and women's) on August 20 th . It's been extremely exciting as we have received worldwide coverage and I have already been interviewed by journalists in the UK and New Zealand.   Accel is selling online at www.AccelLifestyle.com   and at local Pop Up Shops.  Thanks to all of yo u at the HCC Center for Entrepreneurship for your excitement (about Accel and the upcoming Summit) and for helping entrepreneurs!"

Upcoming Pop Up Shop Dates:
  1. The Briar Club: 2603 Timmons Lane - September 13 and 14, 8:30 am-11:30 am
  2. Define Body & Mind The Heights: 714 Yale St. Ste 200 - September 21, 8:00 am-12:00 pm
  3. Loch Bar (Ellevate Event): 4444 Westheimer St. - September 17, 5:30 pm-7:30 pm
  4. The Greenhouse Day Spa: 2412 Woodhead St. - September 22, 2:00 pm-5:00 pm
  5. HCC Alief Hayes-Small Business Summit & Expo-September 25, 8:30 am-2:00 pm
Naughty Noah's Noodles 
HEB Quest for Texas Best Finalist
 
Jimmy Tay Trihn, Chef | Founder | Chief Noodler 
Graduate,  2016 HCC Business Plan Competition                    

Click on Photo Above to Play Video
Naughty Noahs Noodles was Featured on FOX 26 news for being one of 20 finalists out of 900 applicants for HEB's "Quest for Texas Best!"

Naughty Noah's Vietnamese is a super food, plant-based, better-for-you food platform. (Click on the video for more). 

The product was born from experience as Jimmy Trihn changed his poor eating habits using his mother's cooking style to go from over 200 pounds in culinary school to a 2-Time IRONMAN Athlete today.  

After completing the 2016 HCC BPC, Jimmy launched Naughty Noah's Vietnamese, LLC and went direct to consumer on  Sept 25 2017.   Two months later, he got his products onto Amazon.  In 2018, he got into Central Market (and continues on there).  In 2018, he also got his largest order to date from Cost Plus World Market and launched nation-wide in 220 locations.  From there he got accepted into a three month food accelerator in New York called Food X.   Food X is backed by SOSV Venture Capital.  As result, he attracted $115,000 in venture capital to grow and formed the Jimmy Tay Foods Corporation.  The company is home-based in Houston.  They've recently moved production from San Diego to Dallas and are now actively raising seed round for the next level of investment.

For More: naughtynoahs.com  

September Events
Meet & Mingle Monday 
 
Monday,September 9, 2019, 5:30 pm - 8:00 pm
1701 Webster Street, Houston, Texas 77003  
                                                       
 
SBA Mentor Matchmaking Event 
Meet With Mentors and Create Your Path to Success
 
Tuesday, September 10, 2019, 8:30 am - 12:00 pm
HCC Alief Hayes, Main Building, 3rd Floor, Rm A319                                             

Aspiring and current business owners will meet one-on-one with mentors and advisors from SCORE, SBDC (Small Business Developments Center), and the WBC (Women's Business Center) in 20 minute sessions. Find out how these organizations can help with your business plan, financials, marketing, legal, or any other general business advice! 
  • Slots are filled on a 1st come,1st serve basis.
  • Attendees/walk-ins can register anytime during the event and will be assigned the next available slot.

This event provides the stepping stone to building a continuing relationship with a mentor and a pathway to more entrepreneurial training and resources.  


NEW AT HCC!  Free Monthly Digital Marketing Clinics
 
Dates:  September 11, October 9, November 13, December 11

Choose one date or come every month to ask questions and focus on continuous improvement of your company's digital marketing effectiveness.

When:  Monthly, 2nd Wednesday, 6:30 pm- 8:30 pm

Dates:  September 11, October 9, November 13, December 11
 
Our Format: Open Discussion - Ask questions of our expert relating to your business about various digital marketing topics, including but not limited to those listed below.   Each clinic will focus on learning a bit more about one topic, but also allow for questions on the other topics.

Clinic Topics: Social Media, Web Design, Videos, Local Search Engine Optimization, Convertible Key Words - How to Make Sales, Analytics & Conversion Management. 

Clinic Expert & Facilitator:   Beth Guide President, SEO411
SEO 411 is a leading provide of Search Engine Optimization and Internet Marketing services,including organic results as well as social media and ppc options.

Where:   HCC Alief Hayes, Main Building, 3rd Floor, Room A319


Is My Idea Lucrative?  

Saturday, September 14, 2019, 8:30 am-4:30 pm
HCC Alief Hayes, Room A319/A320
 
This workshop is designed to assist entrepreneurs in determining the financial viability of their business idea or growth plan. There is no point in spending a lot of time and money on your business idea or growth plan if you are able to determine early on that it may not be financially lucrative. 
 
Featured Topics:    
  • Competitive space and product/service substitutes
  • Market need, market size and market size and market positioning
  • Business model options
  • Differentiators
  • Revenue models
  • Financials - selling price, gross margin, fixed costs & break-even
  • Start-up investments - time, team and financial resources.
Presenters: 
 
Ned Mueller, Entrepreneur in Residence,HCC, Center for Entrepreneurship Southeas t, Founder and CEO, Mueller Consultants, LLC, Silver Fox Advisor and Board  Member. Ned's past experience includes Executive Vice President, Designs Anew Houston LLC, and managerial and executive positions with The Carnite Group, GB Tech, ARINC Engineering Services and Lockheed Martin. 
 
Austin Tenette  is a certified business coach with the Focal Point Coaching organization; the brain child of Brian Tracy, a business growth specialist, who has authored over 70 books and has served over 5 million people globally via seminars, workshops and self-study programs.   Austin's practice is focused on accelerating the growth and well-being of business leaders and owners, by focusing on three main areas: strategic direction and execution, customer experience and team dynamics. 
 
Fee to our External Community: $25.00 for this individual workshop
 or $80 for the Fall Series.    
Each Workshop includes morning coffee, pastries, fruit & lunch.
 
FREE to our HCC FAMILY and to ALL VETERANS:   FREE Registration Registration for   HCC Credit Students, Faculty, Staff, HCC Business Plan Competition Alumni, HCC Alumni, and Veterans:    

Students, Faculty, Staff Alumni 
use Promo Code  HCCS and click APPLY. Bring ID at check-in.
Veterans use promo code: VETS and click APPLY .    
Earn a Certificate of Completion from HCC 
after completing all five workshops in the series.
 
Completing the Series:  If you'll miss a workshop in the Fall series, 
make it up next Spring  to complete the series and earn your certificate! 

   Reduced costs to the community and free registration to our 
HCC Family for the Fall 2019 workshops are made possible by our sponsor.   Thanks to Wells Fargo Bank, sponsor of the
Fall 2019 Small Business Success Series by HCC©   
Small Business Success Series by HCC©
Register for the Small Business Success Series by HCC©

FEES FOR OUR EXTERNAL COMMUNITY: 
   
Total Fee for the Fall Series:  $80  
 
Each workshop is available individually for $25.   
Or sign up by September 14 for the remaining four at $80 and save $20!
 
FEES FOR OUR HCC FAMILY: FREE
 
FREE for HCC Students, Faculty, Staff, HCC Alumni,
 HCC Business Plan Competition Alumni & 
HCC Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses Alumni
 
HCC attendees should sign up for each individual workshop only when committed to attending-to respectfully reduce no shows. When doing so,u se code HCCS & Click APPLY when registering. Bring ID at check-in.
 
THANK YOU AGAIN WELLS FARGO BANK!
 These reduced rates for our surrounding community and complimentary seats for our HCC Family are made possible by Wells Fargo Bank, our sponsor for the 
Fall 2019 Small Business Success Series by HCC©  
 
 
For more on each individual workshop in the series & to register for an individual workshop
  
 
 
Earn a Certificate of Completion from HCC 
after completing all five workshops in the series.  
Missed one already?  Make it up later. 
More dates for future workshops announced soon. 


       
                                                   
present

HCC Small Business Summit & Expo

Starting, Owning, Buying, & Selling a Business
Think Ahead When Starting & Growing Your Business 

Wednesday, September 25, 2019, 8:30 am - 2:00 pm
West Houston Institute, Auditorium, HCC Alief Hayes
 

Morning Presentations: By Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses
Generational Leadership, Dr. Kimberly Burroughs, Executive Director
How Growth Strategies Intersect with Exit Strategies, Liz Lara Carreno, Outreach Director

Keynote Speaker:

George Kurisky, JOHNSON DELUCA KURISKY & GOULD, P.C.,  Experienced in supporting clients in the purchase or selling of a business. Counseling entrepreneurs in launching or buying an existing business. Will cover due diligence, value and acquisition agreements. Will present steps, terminology and resources to ensure true value with Q & A Opportunities.

  • Round table discussions facilitated by subject matter experts
  • Panel of experts and business owners sharing war stories
  • Mini EXPO with resource partners and alumni entrepreneurs
  • Light breakfast and light lunch provided for registered participants.
Thanks to our Center for Entrepreneurship sponsors and the
 HCC Goldman Sachs 10,000 Businesses program we offer this event as follows:  

Fee to our Surrounding Community:  $15.00 online, $20 at door

Fee to our HCC Family:  FREE

HCC Family - Current Students, Faculty, Staff, HCC Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businessess Alumni and HCC Business Plan Competition Alumni Use Code HCCS and Click APPLY to register at no cost. 


Thank you to our Community Partner
SCORE FTLOYB
A Peek at Some October Small Business Opportunities
Lender Matchmaking Event 
Pitch your businesses financial needs to SBA-approved lenders!

Tuesday, October 1, 2019, 9:00 am - 12:30 pm, 
HCC Alief Hayes, Main Building, 3rd Floor, Room A319

You are invited to attend the Small Business Lender-Borrowere Matchmaking & Resource Event with the Houston SBA!  Representatives from several banks, certified development companies, and alternative lending sources will be on hand to meet with existing and startup business owners to discuss funding  for small businesses.  Small Business owners will have the opportunity to:  pitch financing needs to multiple lenders in scheduled, one-on-one 10-minute sessions!  Access business advisory services from participating resource organizations such as the SBA, SCORE and the Small Business Development Center.
  
18th Annual HAGGL GOLF TOURNAMENT

Thursday, October 10, 2019, 8:00 am - 2:00 pm, 
Blackhorse Golf Club, 12205 Fry Rd.,Cypress, TX 77433.



Thank You HAGGL!  
  
A portion of the proceeds from the HAGGL Golf Tournament will benefit the 2020 HCC Business Plan Competition.  

HCC thanks the Houston Association of Government Guaranteed Lenders (HAGGL) for becoming a recurring sponsor of the HCC Business Plan Competition!  Registration is open for individual golfers, packages & foursomes. 

HCC Women's Entrepreneur Boot Camp

Friday
October 25, 2019
8:00 am - 5:00 pm
West Houston Institute, Auditorium HCC Alief Hayes

Save the Date!  

More news coming and registration opens soon!
Thank You to our 2019 Sponsors! 
We so appreciate our 2019 HCC Business Plan Competition and Center for Entrepreneurship Cash Sponsors: Amegy Bank, Wallis Bank, Houston Association of Government Guaranteed Lenders (HAGGL), ProVideo Systems, Origin Bank, and HCC Business Plan Competition Alumni Circle Sponsors: CRES Real Estate, PermitUsNow, HD2Menus and Texas Security Shredding.
 
We also thank our In-Kind Prize Sponsors:  Houston West Chamber of Commerce, Small Business Today, True Color Graphics, The Cannon and LetsLaunch.
 
Thanks to our In-Kind Reception Sponsors: True Color Graphics, Three Brothers Bakery and Tea in Texas.  



Dear HCC Business Plan Competition Alumni, 

Let's Tell The World About Your Successes! 

To share an alumni success update,  email us at [email protected] or call 713-718-6650. 

Sincerely,
Sandra Louvier
Director 
Center for Entrepreneurship - West Houston
Houston Community College - Northwest
About the HCC Center for Entrepreneurship - West Houston

 
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 [email protected] or 713-718-6650