2024 HCC Business Plan Competition Updates

Our 17thYear!

The annual HCC Business Plan Competition is for Proposed, Startup and Existing Entrepreneurs. All accepted contestant teams get free training and advising late February through May to refine and polish their plans to start and/or grow their business.  The top five teams win prize money!  All graduating teams feel like winners because they all come out with the greatest value, a stronger written plan, slide deck and video to pursue their business goals and to seek funding. 

Training Sessions Underway

2024 HCC Business Plan Competition

31 Teams Accepted into the Competition

Training Sessions 1, 3, 4 & 5 were Virtual

Training Session 2 was Onsite

Training Session #1 was about competition roles, responsibilities, and establishing & defining the business concept.

Held Tuesday evening February 27, this session was led by David Regenbaum, Entrepreneur-in-Residence, Sandra Louvier, Director, and Karen Sharp, Lead Advisor.

We started with 30 minutes of networking and conversation as contestants and advisors logged in early to meet each other and our session leaders.

We congratulated the 31 teams chosen for the 2024 HCC Business Plan Competition and thanked the 55-60 advisors who have volunteered their time and experience to advise these contestant teams.

David, Sandra and Karen covered an overview of the competition timeline, rules and requirements, including the business plan template, contestant and advisor roles and responsibilities, and began the discussion of defining, substantiating and articulating the business concept; in the written plan and verbally.

Follow up materials were relayed to teams and advisors. Each team had been introduced to their advisors via email and interaction had begun. They were encouraged to continue connecting to arrange one-on-one team meetings between training sessions.

Training Session #2 was about Leadership & Team Development, Company Values and Culture, and Mission and Vision Statements.

Dr. Zachary Hodges, President of HCC Northwest, welcomed all thirty one teams and their advisors on Tuesday evening March 5 to our Glenda & David Regenbaum Center for Entrepreneurship at HCC Alief Hayes. Dr. Hodges founded the competition 17 years ago. He also launched the first Center for Entrepreneurship at HCC along with Dr. Maya Durnovo and Sandra Louvier.

Next, each team lead gave a one-minute introduction of their team and their business concept. It's the beginning of a pitch they will continue to refine and polish. Each will submit their business plans on May 6. Then we'll do more pitch & presentation training on May 7. Teams will also submit a one-minute video pitch and a presentation slide deck on May 13. All 31 teams did a great job with their pitches on March 5! It's a good sign for things to come!

Thea Goldin Smith facilitated a presentation and interactive exercises that focused on leadership, company values and culture. Next was an intro of the mission and vision statement which led to a follow-up workbook and assignment for the next session.

The teams and advisors came early and stayed late to meet with each other and to get to know the others. It was a great evening!

For more pics:  Photo Web Album - Training Session #2

Training Session #3 - Austin Tenette and Karen Sharp Wrapped up Business Model Which Flowed into the Value Proposition and Sales & Marketing

Held Tuesday evening March 19, Training Session #3 was led by Trainer Austin Tenette for Sales & Marketing with Lead Advisor Karen Sharp stepping in to cover Value Proposition.

The opening optional networking time evolved quickly into a lively discussion as team leads pitched their Mission & Vision statements to get feedback from the facilitators, competition leaders, advisors and other entrepreneurs in the Zoom room.

The training session passed quickly, covering business model examples, a value proposition intro, the 8 Ps of marketing, sales process, direct and indirect sales channels, customer acquisition costs and sales forecasts.

Contestants and advisors were given follow up information, a course work assignment, a supplemental video by Karen Sharp and handouts to develop their value proposition. They were encouraged to continue connecting to arrange one-on-one team meetings between training sessions.

Training Session #4 Financial Requirements

Were Covered by Nannette Ray

With Templates and Additional Optional Sessions

Offered for Those Who Want More

Held Tuesday evening April 2, Training Session #4 was led by Trainer Nannette Ray for Financial Requirements. Nanette is an experienced highly sought entrepreneur and trainer who dedicates her career (and volunteer time as well) to assist entrepreneurs in understanding and knowing their numbers for strong management and decision making purposes throughout the life of their businesses.

The opening optional networking time went straight to Q&A as eager contestant team leads started asking questions about to handle certain expenses and line items in their financial statements. Once the session started, we covered startup costs, cash flow, break even, sales projections, income statements and balance sheets.

We average about 65 in attendance for each training session with all teams required to attend. Advisors attend three of the six training sessions throughout the Spring.

With a little over a month to go before plans are due, contestants were encouraged to work with their advisors throughout April and send draft numbers and sections of their plans for feed back.

OPTIONAL Added Financial Training: Contestants were offered another OPTIONAL Financial Q&A session on Zoom on Tuesday April 23 from 6:30-7:30pm. Course work assignments, financial templates and the session slide deck were given as follow up to the training session.

Training Session #5 - Putting It All Together - the Written Plan

Willy Verbrugghe, Karen Sharp and Sandra Louvier

Covered Managing Risk and What Goes into Creating a Strong Plan

With three weeks to go until Plans are due on May 6, this session was designed to help the entrepreneurs focus on building a strong case from start to finish and bring it all together in their plans. First, we considered again why businesses fail and how we've been moving through a process all spring make decisions that minimize risk and lead to success... and build a strong implementable plan of action.

We covered the flow of past training sessions and work done for each section of the plans, starting with the executive summary and ending with it.

There was lots of interaction and Q&A from entrepreneurs, with answers, discussion and advice from facilitators, advisors and entrepreneurs!

The real magic of the night was the words of inspiration and encouragement from all involved that served to make the process and plans less intimidating.

The sense of community and support was obvious throughout the session. We started it addressing apprehensions, concerns and challenges. This shifted very much so as we moved through the evening. We discussed different approaches and a progression of small focused steps to take all that has been done thus far, to bring it on home to plans due and ready for submission on May 6!

It created a strong sense that we are all moving forward together with a like-minded dedication to this process of building a plan for success that can benefit every team graduating from the competition. Our collective effort and individual contributions created a growing sense of optimism that is even stronger when a community works together toward strong results for all involved!

Next in the Competition Schedule:

• April 23 - Optional Zoom Financials Q&A Hour with Nanette Ray
• May 06 - Business Plan Due
• May 07 - Training Session #6 - Pitching & Slide Presentation
• May 13 - Slide Presentation & 1-Minute Video Due
• May 30 - Finalists Present to Judges
• June 06 - Celebrate Competition Graduates & Award Seed Money!

Sponsor Spotlight - Wallis Bank

Platinum Sponsor

2024 HCC Business Plan Competition

Wallis Bank Shows Long-Term Dedication & Support to HCC & Houston Entrepreneurs

Wallis Bank is a full-service community bank dedicated to serving small rural customers to large international ones with the highest level of personal service. The Bank was established in 1906 in Wallis, Texas, and holds the unique experience of surviving the Great Depression, both World Wars, the Great Recession, and the recent pandemic. Over the years, Wallis Bank has expanded its presence into Houston, Dallas, San Antonio, Los Angeles, Atlanta, and Phoenix.

Wallis Bank creates relationships with its customers to provide a personalized and unique banking experience. The Bank continues to expand its offering of digital products and services such as Wallis 360 for businesses, a customizable business banking platform, and their Wallis Bank Mobile app. The Bank is an SBA Preferred Lender and has been ranked in the top 50 of all SBA lenders nationally, and has consistently been ranked number 1 SBA Lender in Houston. In addition to SBA loans, Wallis Bank offers conventional loans for acquisition, construction / development, business expansion, and working capital lines of credit. Other accolades for the Bank include the Exemplary Local Economic Boost Award from the U.S. Small Business Administration, and consistently being included in the Independent Banker “Best of the Best” list. 

Wallis Bank has been a recurring sponsor of the HCC Business Plan Competition since 2013 and shines as Platinum Sponsor in 2024!

We deeply thank Asif Dakri, Gary Owens and Nasr Khan for their dedication to our efforts.

Yearly Support - We also thank the numerous Wallis Bank loan officers who give their time and experience to advise teams in the competition and those who review business plans. Special thanks to Sheila Patterson who has served every year since 2013! Wallis Bank leaders also serve as judges in the competition.

Wallis Bank will also waive the SBA packaging fee of up to $1,500 for eligible SBA loans with Alumni that have graduated from the HCC Business Plan Competition.

Advising & More - By design, the HCC Business Plan Competition and our sponsors empower every entrepreneur who graduates from the competition from the advising and training that happens throughout the Spring. All graduating teams come out with more refined and implementable business plans to seek funding and accomplish launch and growth!

Wallis Bank - Here for the long-term for HCC and for Houston entrepreneurs. For over a decade now, top leaders at Wallis Bank and numerous others within their ranks have worked with HCC, as we serve together to educate and prepare small business owners for greater success.

HCC is proud to put Wallis Bank in front of proposed, startup and existing entrepreneurs and alumni moving through programs like our HCC Business Plan Competition and the HCC Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses program. We celebrate our long-term relationship with Wallis Bank and the synergy that comes from our combined efforts to empower entrepreneurs throughout Houston!

Wallis Bank continues to grow and exceed customers’ expectations, all while being recognized for outstanding accomplishments.

To learn more about the Wallis Bank experience, please visit wallisbank.com

Sponsor Spotlight - LiftFund

Gold Sponsor

2024 HCC Business Plan Competition

LiftFund Has Given 30 Years of Microlending Support for Small Business Owners

Established in 1994, LiftFund is a nonprofit Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) dedicated to providing credit and business support services to small businesses and entrepreneurs who have limited access to loans from commercial sources. Our mission is to bring innovation to the microlending industry while transforming lives by opening doors, leveling the financial playing field, and fostering a community of shared success through entrepreneurship.

LiftFund was founded in Texas, as one of the first Latina-led institutions in the industry. Throughout the years, the organization increased its funding options and expanded its footprint to a 15-state service area. This year, LiftFund is celebrating its 30th anniversary and the tremendous impact resulting from facilitating over 27,000 small business loans totaling nearly $1 billion in funding.

HCC and our entrepreneur alumni thank LiftFund for your recurring sponsorship of the HCC Business Plan Competition since 2015, and for shining as Gold Sponsor again in 2024!

We deeply thank the LiftFund team, especially Jennifer Dale, Michael Coulter, Laurie Vignaud, Linda Toyota and Francisco Gonzalez for their dedication to our efforts!

HCC and LiftFund also collaborate in events around Houston throughout the year bringing small business training & education and LiftFund resources to empower entrepreneurs throughout Houston’s small business community!

Special thanks to Francisco, who has advised a team in our competition every year for the past five years, and Alejandro Guajardo. They both serve as advisors in our competition, as panelists in HCC group events, and they also connect individually with HCC entrepreneurs seeking funding throughout the year. LiftFund VIPs also serve as judges in the competition. 

Thanks to our sponsors, advisors and trainers, all graduating teams come out of the competition with more refined and implementable business plans and are more prepared to seek funding and accomplish launch and growth!

For More About LiftFund: https://www.liftfund.com

Sponsor Spotlight

TNR Advisors & Management Consultants, LLC

Bronze Sponsor

2024 HCC Business Plan Competition

Thanks to our Bronze Sponsor - TNR Advisors & Management Consultants, LLC., Owners Nannette and Terrence Ray.

TNR Advisors & Management Consultants LLC is a firm with over 33 years of experience helping clients build and grow their businesses. Our areas of expertise include Accounting, Financial Services, Management Consulting, IT Consulting, and Graphic Design experience. The Executive Team has worked in Fortune 500 companies such as Marathon Oil & Gas, El Paso Corporation, PricewaterhouseCoopers, and USAA. In addition, our team has owned various businesses over the last 16 years. All of this knowledge and experience is what separates TNR from other financial services firms.

https://www.tnraccounting.com/

Owner, Nannette Ray delivers the prerequisite financial webinar, reviews competition applications, delivers competition training sessions and additional Optional Q&A and training. Terrence and Nannette have served as judge in the competition and they also give Bronze cash sponsorship and in-kind sponsorship to our HCC Business Plan Competition and Center for Entrepreneurship.

You give your time, experience and financial support; a trifecta of giving! We are deeply touched and grateful! Thank you!!!

Women of Katy Symposium

HCC Showcased Entrepreneur Alumni,

Partners & Programs in Panel

On March 28, 2024 the Katy Area Chamber of Commerce held the Women of Katy Symposium at the Alamo Drafthouse, thanks to title sponsor HCC Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses and event organizers, Stacy Jacobs with the Katy Area Chamber and Olivia Martin, Owner KTX Window Cleaning, LLC an alumni of many of our HCC small business programs.

Over 150 women gathered for the Level Up Panel featuring: Michelle Ngome, Outreach Director, HCC Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses, Sandra Louvier, Director, Center for Entrepreneurship HCC NW, Beth Johnson University of Houston Katy, Exec Dir. Community Relations and Deysi Crespot, Executive Dir. Katy Christina Ministries. Great presentations also done by and Elizabeth Westbrook, "How to Go From Chaos to Calm” and Alex Lane on “How to Elevate Your Digital Presence”. Our “How to Level Up” panel was all about training and growth for women in their careers and work life balance.

Olivia Martin was panel moderator, posing questions to get panelists to talk about how HCC Small Business programs were designed to empower women. They did so and gave examples of women who have benefitted from HCC programs, using Olivia as the first example!

• Olivia Martin, Owner of KTX Window Cleaning https://ktxwindowcleaning.com/, is a prime example of an entrepreneur who has taken the HCC pathway and keeps coming back. She graduated from the Small Business Success Series by HCC, participated in HCC's Open for Business program, and graduated from both the 2022 HCC Business Plan Competition and the HCC Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses program!  (Olivia is pictured below in top middle of photo collage).

Michelle Gnome and Sandra Louvier talked about @HCC Small Business Programs and how HCC provides a pathway for entrepreneurs from launch to exit strategy.

They were asked what are the top challenges facing women entrepreneurs today and how HCC programs helped address those issues. ...

L to R: Jennifer Dale, Nannette Ray, Michelle Ngome, Sandra Louvier, Katheleen McMordie, Crystal Williams Lister and Wendy Acaries.

It was a joy to have so many HCC alumni entrepreneurs, sponsors and supporters there, all shining examples of how they keep coming back to HCC for more year after year over the lives of their businesses. We also highlighted these sponsors & women entrepreneurs:

They were all put before the crowd as shining examples of women who have launched and/or grown their businesses while forging the HCC small business pathway.

• LiftFund - Jennifer Dale, Laurie Vignaud and Linda Toyota - Gold Sponsor - HCC Business Plan Competition and our Ctr. for Ent.  https://www.liftfund.com/
• TNR Advisors & Management Consultants, Nannette Ray, Bronze & In-Kind Sponsor HCC Business Plan Competition and our Ctr for Entrepreneurship, Nannette is Trainer in multiple HCC programs. https://www.tnraccounting.com/
• Kathleen & Bruce McMordie Owners, Texas Swim Academy - Winners of the 2015 HCC Business Plan Competition and alumni of HCC Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses. Past competition advisors and sponsor. https://texasswimacademy.com/
• Crystal Willams Lister, Owner, Mommy & Me - The Listers, is a graduate of the Small Business Success Series by HCC, the HCC Mattress Mack School of Selling and she is the 1st Place Winner of 2023 HCC Business Plan Competition. Mommy & Me-The Listers is all about bringing STEM education to young minds. https://mommyandmethelisters.com/home
• Wendy & Arnaud Acaries, Owners, Bon Jour Cafe, in Katy, are alumni of the 2018 HCC Business Plan Competition. Bon Jour Cafe is open for breakfast, lunch and now dinner too. https://bonjourcafe.us/
• Tiffany Williams, Owner, Twice Media Productions, won 3rd place in the 2016 HCC Business Plan Competition and graduated from HCC Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses in 2023. She also won the SBA Media Advocate of the Year in 2023 and gives back serving as advisor in our competition! She couldn't make the event but we bragged about her too! https://twicemediaproductions.com/

See many of their shining faces in our photo web album!

 https://photos.app.goo.gl/zX1MsRGADyxHDJqd8.

Congratulations Landi Spearman

Organized SHIFT and iSHIFTx

Landi Spearman Wins Judge’s Top Choice Award at 2024 CodeLaunch Hou for her tech startup iSHIFTx

Congratulations are in order yet again for Landi Spearman, graduate of the 2015 HCC Business Plan Competition and owner of Organized SHIFT. Recognized as a forward-thinking and trusted advisor, Landi designed Organized SHIFT to equip leaders with burnout-free growth methods and modern solutions to SHIFT at scale.

Over the years, Landi has evolved her company to provide immersive, multisensory experiences for leaders navigating change's pace and complexity. In Fall 2023, she was recognized as one of Houston’s top 15 coaches by Influence Digest while managing Organized SHIFT and conducting the virtual and onsite training programs for the HCC Mattress Mack School of Selling.

With roots in eight family-owned businesses and two decades of corporate leadership, Landi understands the challenges of both scaling a business and the corporate ladder. By integrating data, proven change methods, and cutting-edge behavioral science she created the SHIFT approach to equip leaders for today's fast paced, multigenerational workplace. (https://organizedshift.com/).

Leveraging the innovative SHIFT approach, in 2024, Landi pioneered to push the boundaries even further launching iSHIFTx, an AI-powered technology, delivering coaching at scale. (Learn more at https://ishiftx.com/)

On her journey to becoming a tech startup Founder, Landi achieved another milestone, winning the esteemed 2024 CodeLaunch Accelerator, Judges Top Choice Pitch Competition Award!

Congratulations Landi! You are a living, breathing example of what you teach, train and coach and you are changing lives!

Helen Callier - Permit Us Now

Alumni & Sponsor Spotlight

Helen Callier,

Permit Us Now

Founder, CEO

HCC Business Plan Competition

Graduate 2016

HCC Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses, Graduate Cohort 9

Recurring BPC Alumni Circle Sponsor

Bronze Sponsor- 2024 HCC Business Plan Competition

Brief Description - Permit Us Now is a building permit expediting company serving commercial & government clients throughout Houston, Austin, and other metroplexes across Texas.

When Helen entered our competition, she'd launched and grown Bradlink, LLC and was continuing to do so, bolstered by her experience in the HCC Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses program. Helen also had her sights set on developing her idea to launch a new venture, Permit Us Now. She knew there was no guarantee that her new company would do well unless she treated that new company (Permit Us Now) as well as her first company.

When Helen got into the HCC Business Plan Competition, her primary focus was developing a growth plan to launch Permit Us Now, not on winning prize money. She saw the competition as a means to tap into great structured training and advising and to stay accountable while doing so, working alongside like-minded entrepreneurs.

She began taking action during the BPC and came out with a growth plan for a successful launch of PermitUsNow in the summer of 2016 following the competition. “We won, our clients and the marketplace won and continues to win! As an example, we then went on to play a crucial role in permitting key areas for Super Bowl 51 which resulted in PermitUsNow being 1 out of 5 small businesses highlighted in the commemorative NFL Super Bowl 51 Program Book and Texas Monthly Magazine.”

Website: https://permitusnow.com/

We asked her to give us an update on recent projects and developments at Permit Us Now for this past year through Spring 2024: 

• We continue to be the go-to permitting resource on H-E-B projects across Texas and for OTG United Airlines Concession projects at IAH. 
• We are currently handling permits for new ground up UA IAH Operational Facilities.
• We are providing permitting services on the $1 billion+ new ground up Harris Health LBJ Hospital.  
• We are providing permitting services for BRIZO Construction, long-time client, in Mobile, AL area on reconstruction of single-family homes suffering major damage during recent hurricanes / tornados.

• We are grateful to continue to work on HCCS projects and have permitted over 20 Houston Community College System bond projects in 2023. Helen is pictured here with Dr. Margaret Ford Fisher, Chancellor, Houston Community College System and Charlene Ward Johnson, HCC District II Trustee while at the Greater Houston Partnership’s State of Education event last Fall. Dr. Ford Fisher shared how the Digital Literacy Centers that we permitted are making a huge and positive impact for students.
• Awarded and started working (4Q23) on the $2.44 billon Austin ISD 2022 Bond Program providing permitting services. Currently, we are working on multiple AISD school projects that are new ground up and major modernization. 

Growth: We are expanding staff to meet client and market opportunity demands in Houston, Austin, San Antonio, and in North Texas.

Helen Callier is known around Houston and the state as a Connector in the Community; in service to multiple industries and organizations, and in support of small business owners. 

We are touched and grateful that Helen has been a recurring HCC Business Plan Competition Alumni Circle Sponsor since 2017. She has served as speaker at our opening reception and closing awards ceremony and a competition judge. For the last two years, she has also raised her sponsorship to the Bronze level. Thank you Helen! From our hearts to yours!

To Learn More About Helen and Permit Us Now Click below for an HCC TV Interview: Helen Callier, President & Owner, PermitUsNow - HCCTV Show “It’s Your Business” with Host Veronica Douglas https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uoYveP-Uiic

More Sponsor Spotlights & Alumni Highlights Coming in our next issue!

Upcoming

Small Business Opportunities from

Monthly Digital Marketing Clinic

Join us on Zoom Wednesday April 24, 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm

To Register Now - https://hcc.idloom.events/DMCApr24

Lender Matchmaking Event

Tuesday May 21, 8:30 am - 12:00 pm

2811 Hayes Road, Houston 77082

Main Building 3rd Floor, Room A319

For More & to Register: https://SBAHCCLending.eventbrite.com

More Small Business Opportunities from HCC

A Wealth of Training & Resources for Entrepreneurs!

HCC Office of Entrepreneurial Initiatives Awards

On behalf of all of our entrepreneurial programs and staff, we thank all of the entrepreneurs, partners, sponsors, volunteers, students, and HCC faculty and staff who have contributed to our efforts! Without your support and dedication to our programs, this wouldn't have been possible!

Learn about the prestigious awards earned by the HCC Office of Entrepreneurial Initiatives in recent years - https://conta.cc/3JtbBE7

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. We are also known for three Signature Programs: the Annual HCC Business Plan Competition, now in its 16th year; the Small Business Success Series by by HCC^©; and the HCC Mattress Mack School of Selling^©

Contact us at c4e@hccs.edu or 713-718-6650