Networking Events / Opportunities 9.11.2023

Networking Events/Opportunities

The inclusion of events in this eblast does not equal an endorsement of any products or services.

The Office of Business Opportunity Solution Center conducts workshops throughout the Houston Community. Some of our workshops are in partnership with SCORE, the Houston Public Library, the UH Small Business Development Center, and other business organizations.

Vision:

The Office of Business Opportunity’s vision is to eliminate systemic barriers to prosperity and economic opportunity in the Greater Houston region.

Mission:

The Office of Business Opportunity is committed to cultivating an inclusive and competitive economic environment in the City of Houston by promoting the success of small businesses and developing Houston’s workforce, with a special emphasis on historically underutilized businesses and disenfranchised individuals.

Examples of our workshop topics include: Starting a Houston Business, Business Plan Basics, Financing, Franchising and Social and Media Marketing. Our upcoming workshops, programs, and appearances are detailed below.

OBO Calendar of Events

Schedule today for September 14th!

BakerRipley is proud to announce the launch of ¡Lánzate Houston! 2023

A groundbreaking business pitch competition for Latino entrepreneurs.

Delivered in Spanish, this annual event invites startups from Harris, Fort Bend, Brazoria, and Montgomery County to pitch their product or service ideas to a panel of expert judges. In collaboration with the City of Houston-Office of Business Opportunity, we will showcase 10 entrepreneurs as they vie for cash and in-kind prizes.

Winners from both the Product and Service categories will receive:

1st prize: $4,000 cash and any in-kind prizes from partners.

2nd prize: $3,000 cash and any in-kind prizes from partners.

3rd prize: $2,000 cash and any in-kind prizes from partners.

Fan Favorite: $1,000 cash.

Through this competition, we aim to bridge the resource gap by giving these entrepreneurs a platform to access vital capital and share their business ideas through our mentorship.

The application for ¡Lánzate Houston! 2023 is now open and closes on

October 2nd, 2023 at bit.ly/Lanzate2023

Save the date of the for the final competition details:

Date: Dec 1st at 6:00 pm

Location: 3000 Aldine Mail Rte Rd, Houston, TX 77039

Discover the Best Franchise Opportunities for You in 2023 September 14 12p

Are you looking to step into a franchise? The world of franchising can be complicated and choosing the right franchise is crucial to business success. In this webinar, our expert presenter will show you how to identify growing industries, what contributes to franchise growth and how to discover the best franchise opportunities for you in 2023. You’ll learn:

the factors that make a franchise opportunity a perfect fit
trending industries and the opportunities they offer
understanding the dynamics that contribute to franchise growth
15-minute Q&A session with our Franchise expert

Houston Veterans Business EXPO Facebook

Houston Public Works’ Premier Construction and Engineering Networking Event!

QUICK LINKS

OBO Newsletters and Publications

Upcoming SCORE Business Workshops In-Person & Webinars

SBA In-Person & Webinar Schedule for September 11 – 28, 2023

In-Person Events

Webinars

In an effort to assist small businesses in navigating the City’s procurement process, the Office of Business Opportunity, in collaboration with the Strategic Procurement Division, is pleased to present the new City of Houston (COH) Procurement 101 Tool. These web-based, on-demand training videos walk prospective City contractors through topics including: How to Bid on Contracts, Responding to RFPs, RFQs, and ITBs, Pre-Bid Meetings, Structuring the Team – Prime & Sub, Contract Terms & Conditions, and much more. The web-based training videos are available 24 hours/day, 7 days a week.

LGBTBE Certified Firms now Searchable in the City of Houston’s Certified Firm Directory

The City of Houston’s certified firm directory now includes certified LGBT Businesses Enterprises (LGBTBE). This partnership was made possible through Executive Order 1-70: City Inclusion and Opportunity Initiative for the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Business Community (E.O.), signed by Mayor Turner on March 4, 2021. This E.O. established a historic collaboration between the City of Houston, the National LGBT Chamber of Commerce, and the Greater Houston LGBT Chamber of Commerce. The formal recognition of LGBTBEs in City procurement will serve as a catalyst for increased access and economic gains for the LGBT business community.

Please visit the City of Houston MWSBE/PDBE, DBE and LGBTBE Director y online to search for Certified LGBT Business Enterprise firms.

To apply for the LGBTBE Certification, visit the NGLCC website.

City of Houston Certified Firms Directory

Houston Small Business Legal Consultations (HSBLC)

The HSBLC coalition is a coordinated effort with the City of Houston Office of Business Opportunity and participating law firms providing FREE, holistic, focused consultations via telephone with pro bono lawyers assisting Houston area small businesses.

Get a FREE legal consultation

through our HSBLC Program.

Sign Intake Form Here

Husch Blackwell is offering eligible minority businesses free legal services to see them grow and develop. If you are a small, minority-owned business or minority entrepreneur seeking legal assistance related to your business, apply at: huschblackwell.com/communities-for-change-intake-application. The ideal applicant is a viable company, meeting its financial obligations to expand and employ, but is unable to afford legal services. For more information, e-mail Quinncy McNeal, Pro Bono Counsel at [email protected] or call 713-525-6253.

Amazon’s Black Business Accelerator is dedicated to helping build sustainable equity and growth for Black entrepreneurs by enabling their success as sellers. Grow your business with access to financial support, strategic business guidance and mentorship, and marketing and promotional support.

More Information

The MBDA seeks to resolve the challenges faced by minority business enterprises (MBEs) in the export industry. Through outreach to minorities in the masses, MBDA will identify those who are not exporting and would like to explore the opportunity to export. We provide technical assistance and business development services for MBEs to have greater access to new and global markets. The criteria to participate in this program is to have a registered business for three years or have a registered business with an export ready product. If you are new to business and would like to learn what it takes to become an exporter, your ambition is also welcome. We are thankful to expand the MBDA strategy by helping minorities grow, flourish, and gain greater access to global markets.

For contact information,

please visit our website at www.mbdaexporthouston.com.

The due date for the 2022 Economic Census has now passed. Businesses who received an invitation to respond to the census but have not yet replied are receiving past due notices from the U.S. Census Bureau with instructions on how to respond and how to get assistance. Response is required by law. We support and encourage response to the 2022 Economic Census.

Check the How Do I Get Started page for detailed instructions on how to create an account to begin reporting, to check filing status or ask for an extension. Businesses that need to request an extension can do so by logging into their account via the respondent portal, entering the authentication code sent to them by mail or email (found on the invitation to participate) and accessing their survey card. Help completing the survey is available Monday – Friday, 8am to 8pm ET by calling the customer help line on their letter.

By completing the Economic Census, companies contribute to a wealth of valuable data that can help grow their business. For more information visit:

census.gov/econ

WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT

EVENTS & RESOURCES

WORKFORCE WEBINAR SERIES

In case you missed the Workforce Webinar Series, all recordings are now available on our website at http://houstontx.gov/obo/workforce_development_programs.html . Go on to hear from some wonderful partners like Dress for Success Houston, Houston Financial Empowerment Center, JW Marriott and more to hear about their offerings for job seekers.

Small Business Entities,

(OSHA) plans to meet to discuss Heat Injury and Illness Prevention in Outdoor and Indoor Work Settings.

OSHA’s possible rule would apply to employers whose employees are exposed to hazardous heat and could cover outdoor and indoor work in General Industry, Construction, Maritime, Agriculture, Oil & Gas, Restaurants, Warehousing, Transportation, Fisheries and sectors where OSHA has jurisdiction.

The panel discussion seeks participation from a wide range of small entities and welcomes SERs (Small Entity Representatives) from any industry that might be affected. We expect this panel to formally convene in the next few weeks.

See OSHA’s Heat Injury and Illness SBREFA webpage at https://www.osha.gov/heat/sbrefa.
Potential SERs interested in participating in the panel may contact Bruce Lundegren, Assistant Chief Counsel at [email protected] or (202) 205-6144.

Read more in our regulatory alert and find out how to participate on the panel here: OSHA Plans to Convene Small Business Panel on Heat Injury and Illness Prevention – SBA's Office of Advocacy.

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