2023 HCC Business Plan Competition Updates

Our 16thYear!

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

2023 HCC Business Plan Competition

30 Teams Accepted into the Competition

Training Sessions 1, 3 & 4 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 28, 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 30 teams chosen for the 2023 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 teams and their advisors on Tuesday evening March 7 to our Glenda & David Regenbaum Center for Entrepreneurship at HCC Alief Hayes. Dr. Hodges founded the competition 16 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 8. Then we'll do more pitch & presentation training on May 9. Teams will also submit a one-minute video pitch and a presentation slide deck on May 15. All 30 teams did a great job with their pitches on March 7! 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 Wrapped up Business Model Which Flowed into the Value Proposition and Sales & Marketing

Held Tuesday evening March 21, 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 7 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 4, 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 75 in attendance for each training session with all 30 teams required to attend. Advisors attend three of the six training sessions throughout the Spring.

With a little over one 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 25 from 6:30-7:30pm . They were also offered a whole day of OPTIONAL onsite financial training at no cost from 9am to 3pm on Friday April 21 at HCC Alief Hayes! Course work assignments, financial templates and the session slide deck were given as follow up to the training session.

Next in the Competition Schedule:

• April 18 - Training Session #5 - Putting it All Together - Written Plan
• April 25 - Optional Zoom Financials Q&A Hour with Nanette Ray
• May 08 - Business Plan Due
• May 09 - Training Session #6 - Pitching & Slide Presentation
• May 15 - Slide Presentation & 1-Minute Video Due
• June 01 - Finalists Present to Judges
• June 13 - Celebrate Competition Graduates & Award Seed Money!

Entrepreneur Pep Talk From Our

Amazing Community of Support for Entrepreneurs

Hear them &

See Them!

Our 2023 Competition Champions, Sponsors, Trainers, Advisors, Reviewers, Eco-System Partners and 10 Competition Alumni - We all gathered to give a pep talk to our entrepreneurs to welcome them and to cheer them on as the competition progresses! This video comes in handy now for any time of the day or night it's needed as our contestants keep moving toward their goals!

Great energy happens when these people gather!

The link below gives a lineup and timeline of our featured guests

and you can click on the video to hear and see them too!

 2023 HCC Business Plan Competition Showcase Speakers

Sponsor Spotlight - Wallis Bank

Platinum Sponsor

2023 HCC Business Plan Competition

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

HCC is honored and proud to have Wallis Bank as a longtime sponsor of the HCC Business Plan Competition

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 the number 1 SBA Lender in the Houston and San Antonio Districts. 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 2023!

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!

Together HCC and Wallis Bank also nominate

HCC Business Plan Competition alumni for awards.

Congratulations Lyndsey Brantley and Tiffany Williams

2023 SBA Award Winners

The Small Business Administration (SBA) announced two of our nominees as 2023 awards winners!

Lyndsey & Tiffany are graduates of both the HCC Business Plan Competition and HCC Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses. We look forward to celebrating with them at the SBA awards luncheon on May 3rd!

Lyndsey Brantley

Camellia Alise

Houston District Woman Business Owner of the Year

Tiffany Williams

Twice Media Productions

Houston District Small Business Media Advocate of the Year

Wallis Bank - Here for the long-term - From the earlier years when HCC celebrated the groundbreaking of Wallis Bank's corporate headquarters back in 2013, and when Nasr and Asif hosted our opening competition reception and showcase at their prior headquarters, 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

2023 HCC Business Plan Competition

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

Established in 1994, LiftFund is a nonprofit Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) with a mission to provide credit and business support services to small businesses and entrepreneurs who have limited access to loans from commercial sources and to provide innovation in the microlending industry. LiftFund's vision is to transform lives by opening doors, leveling the financial playing field, and building a community of shared success through entrepreneurship. One of the first Latina-led institutions in the industry, LiftFund supported over 80 small businesses in TX with microloans in its first year of operation. Almost 30 years later, LiftFund has expanded across 15 states and provided over $430 million in capital to over 18,000 entrepreneurs.

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 in 2023!

We deeply thank Michi Bruns Clay, Jennifer Dale and Linda Toyota for their dedication to our efforts! Special thanks to Francisco Gonzalez who has advised a team in our competition every year for the past five years! 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 to seek funding and accomplish launch and growth!

We also congratulate Michi Clay and LiftFund for being named SBA 2023 Community Partner of the Year! See you at the awards luncheon in May!

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

Sponsor Spotlight

TNR Advisors & Management Consultants, LLC

Bronze Sponsor

2023 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 has served as a judge in the competition and Terrence & Nannette 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!!!

Kim Roxie and LAMIK Beauty are Soaring

Kim Roxie,

Founder and CEO

LAMIK Beauty

LAMIK Beauty is a vegan makeup line made with natural and organic ingredients for multicultural women. LAMIK stands for Love and Makeup in Kindness. The brand is the first black-owned clean, and cruelty-free brand on Ulta.com. https://lamikbeauty.com/

Kim Roxie has grown into a business icon & role model all while having an amazing bond to HCC. She is a lifelong learner who gives back.

Click below for an article about her journey, an audio interview, pics & video!

• Audio Interview with Kim, with her story and some advice to teen entrepreneurs in Junior Achievement from high schools from around Houston.
• Kim and LAMIK Beauty on Home Shopping Network
• Video Interview of Kim interviewed by Gayle King on CBS Morning News

Kim Roxie - LAMIK Beauty - Article, Pics and Interviews

Christina Meade - Nerdy Girl Success

Christina Meade

Nerdy Girl Success

Founder, Executive Director

HCC Business Plan Competition, 2017 Graduate

Nerdy Girl Success® is changing the landscape of leadership by supporting and preparing young women to become the leaders of today and tomorrow. We do this through career exploration and skills development that results in leadership roles. https://www.nerdygirlsuccess.com/

Click the Link Below for an Article and Video Interview with Christina to learn more about her entrepreneurial journey.

Interview Topics & Video:

• Why did you pick Nerdy Girl for a name and how did you get started? 
• How did the HCC Business Plan Competition help you?   
• Business Name Change
• Changing from For Profit to a Non-Profit
• How did Nerdy Girl Success® make it through the pandemic?  
• Expanding to other states and advisory boards
• What's next for Nerdy Girl Success?

Christina Meade - Nerdy Girl Success - Article, Pics & Interview

LaGina Harris - The Us Space

LaGina Harris

The Us Space

Founder, CEO

HCC Business Plan Competition, 2021 Graduate

Brief Business Description - The Us Space creates intentional innovative spaces for women of color, women-led businesses, & women-centric organizations to thrive. Our five pillars guide what we do at The Us Space: prosperity, programming, productivity, professionalism, and partnerships. We are the lightning rod for our Collective members to have increased opportunities to find what they need, are seen, supported, and others can find our goods and services. We serve as a positive, affirming, and uplifting haven where one’s ideas can flourish safely. 

https://theusspace.com/ 

Click the Link Below for an Article and Video Interview with LaGina to learn more about her entrepreneurial journey.

Interview Topics & Video:

• Tell us how you were inspired to become an entrepreneur - 4th generation entrepreneur, also inspired by mom, dad and siblings too.
• What happened growing up that led you to open The Us Space? - high school to college through early career leading to entrepreneurship
• How did the HCC Business Plan Competition help you? - advisors, training tough questions, verbalize exacting narrative
• What happened after the competition? - The Cannon and more
• The Us Space Vision - strategic expansion impacting communities of color

LaGina Harris - The Us Space - Full Article, Pics and Interview

Congratulations

Tennille Johnson, Olivia Martin & Deidre Mathis

HCC Business Plan Competition Alumni and

Recent Graduates of Cohort 35

HCC Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses

Tennille Johnson

Scrubs to the Rescue

2021 HCC Business Plan Competition, 3rd Place

Olivia Martin

KTX Window Cleaning

2022 HCC Business Plan Competition, Graduate

Deidre Mathis

Wanderstay Hotels

2017 HCC Business Plan

 Competition, 3rd Place

HCC provides an Entrepreneurial Pathway to Pursue Continued Success & Growth These three women entrepreneurs have accelerated their business goals by moving from one program through another at HCC.

Tennille and Olivia first graduated from the Small Business Success Series by HCC^© ; Tennille in 2020 and Olivia in 2021. The next year, they applied for, got accepted into and graduated from the HCC Business Plan Competition. Deidre Mathis went through the HCC Business Plan Competition in 2017, won 3rd place and opened the first black woman-owned hostel in the U.S. in 2018! Deidre came back to HCC for more as she is pursing the opening of her second lodging facility, a boutique hotel.

Their paths intersected in 2023 when they got accepted into the HCC Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses program to create plans to grow their businesses further. On April 13, 2023 they all graduated from Cohort 35!

Congratulations ladies! We welcome you to another outstanding group of HCC alumni entrepreneurs. Stay connected to HCC and this wonderful network of HCC alumni entrepreneurs alongside you as your journey continues to unfold! HCC will continue to support you as you take action to implement your plans for your next levels of growth!

More News From

Dr. Maya Durnovo Honored at

International Woman Awards Luncheon

2023 Woman of the Year - Leader Higher Education

On March 9, 2023, the Ecquadorian Chamber of Commerce held the Second Annual International Woman Awards Luncheon at the Houston Racquet Club.

The Chamber honored outstanding women who embody success, power and inspiration around the country. Dr. Maya Durnovo was honored as 2023 Woman of the Year, Leader in Higher Education.

As Associate Vice Chancellor and Chief Entrepreneurial Officer at Houston Community College, Dr. Durnovo leads programs across the HCC District to support the Houston small business community.

Click Here for a Video of the Award Presentation to Dr. Durnovo

Congratulations Maya from all of us on your team!

We also congratulate Soledad Tanner, CEO, STC Consulting for her award, 2023 Woman of the Year, Outstanding Entrepreneur.

Soledad also serves as a Spanish speaking facilitator for some of the small business training Houston Community College delivers in Spanish.

Click Here for a

photo web album

of the Awards

Upcoming

Small Business Opportunities from

Small Business Success Series by HCC^©

Fridays, 9:00 am - 3:00 pm, April 21, April 28 & May 5

2811 Hayes Road, Houston 77082

Main Building, 3rd Floor, Room A319

Our Small Business Success Series by HCC^© is underway onsite at HCC Alief Hayes. If you can't attend all five days, it is OK to come to as many as you can. This series is No Cost to Entrepreneurs, thanks to Wells Fargo Bank and our MBDA Pandemic Recovery Center.

More About the Upcoming Modules:

• 04 21 - 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.
• 04 28 - 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. 
• 05 05 - Managing Risk - Protect Your Assets, Your Business & Your Future! - Manage your risk considering: Liability and tax requirements in business organization; insurance; hiring employees & independent contractors; operational processes & contract negotiations. 

When registering, tell us in the registration form in the comments section which date(s) you will attend.

CLICK HERE to REGISTER for remaining days

in the Small Business Success Series by HCC

Monthly Digital Marketing Clinic

Join us on Zoom Wednesday April 26, 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm

CLICK HERE to REGISTER for the 04 26 Digital Marketing Clinic

Lender Matchmaking Event

Tuesday May 23, 8:30 am - 12:00 pm

2811 Hayes Road, Houston 77082

Main Building 3rd Floor, Room A319

CLICK HERE to REGISTER for the 05 23 Lender Matchmaking Event

More Small Business Opportunities from HCC

A Wealth of Training & Resources for Entrepreneurs!

For More Upcoming Small Business Opportunities

from Around HCC: https://conta.cc/41Cy2hc

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

Houston Community College Wins 2022 Global Consortium of Entrepreneurship Centers Award for Excellence in Specialty Entrepreneurship Education

 Houston-based academic group called out top universities and programs from around the world — including one in Houston and another in Texas — that are excelling in educating future entrepreneurs at the Global Consortium of Entrepreneurship Centers Conference in October.

The GCEC is a consortium of more than 250 university entrepreneurship programs that is headquartered at Rice University’s Jones Graduate School of Business, which has been named a top entrepreneurship program itself time and time again. Houston Community College's Office of Entrepreneurial Initiatives (led by Dr. Maya Durnovo) won in the Excellence in Specialty Entrepreneurship Education category. The office is known for signature programs like its annual business plan competition, which has been running since 2008. It is also home to the Minority Business Development Agency, created by a grant from the Department of Commerce in 2013, and the MBDA Pandemic Recovery Center. Additionally, the HCC Alief Hayes Campus is in partnership with the Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses program, providing 100 hours of instruction and advising and access to capital and an alumni network.

GCEC Award-Innovation Map Article

Houston Community College Wins 2022 Bellwether Award for Entrepreneurial Initiatives

Houston Community College has won the 2022 Bellwether Award for its outstanding and innovative workforce development program: HCC’s Entrepreneurial Initiatives. The Bellwether Awards are widely regarded as one of the nation’s most competitive and prestigious recognitions for community colleges. Dr. Maya Durnovo, HCC’s chief entrepreneurial initiatives officer leads HCC’s mission of helping entrepreneurs start and grow businesses to bolster the local economy, create jobs and build Houston’s ecosystem by starting and growing small businesses, including minority-, veteran- and women-owned businesses. Dr. Durnovo said. “I am so fortunate to have a highly motivated and passionate team that strives for excellence in everything they do.”

Houston Community College Receives 2021 Diversity In Business Award from the Houston Business Journal!

Congratulations to all students, faculty, staff, entrepreneurs (aspiring & existing); and to all our community participants, supporters, volunteers, partners and sponsors who collaborate with us to make awards like this possible! Congratulations also to all of the other honorees and awardees! 

#WeAreHCC # HoustonStrong #HBJDiversity

Houston Community College 

2020 Entrepreneurial College of the Year

October. 6, 2020: The Houston Community College System was selected as the winner of the 2020 Entrepreneurial College of the Year award by the National Association for Community College Entrepreneurship (NACCE) at NACCE's annual conference, where entrepreneurial colleges from across the U.S. gather to share best practices. 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!