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.


Texas Gulf Coast Small Business Development Center

Small Business Roundtable

Thursday, January 8 | 7:30am-9:30am CT

IN-PERSON EVENT | REGISTER

 

WBEA Women's Business Center

How to Get WBENC WBE Certified

Friday, January 9 | 1:00pm-3:00pm CT

VIRTUAL EVENT | REGISTER


Kickstart Success Strategies: Business Resources

that Transform into Success Stories

Hosted by Fort Bend County SBDC

Thursday, January 15 | 10:00am-12:00pm CT

IN-PERSON EVENT | MORE DETAILS

 

Fort Bend ISD Small Business

Enterprise Program Workshop

Hosted by Fort Bend ISD

Thursday, January 22 | 2:00pm-4:00pm CT

IN-PERSON EVENT | MORE DETAILS

 

Creating a Marketing Plan Workshop

Hosted by the City of La Porte

Tuesday, February 3 | 2:00pm-3:00pm CT

IN-PERSON EVENT | MORE DETAILS

 

Capital Connections:

Small Business Lender Fair

Hosted by BakerRipley

Thursday, February 5 | 9:00am-12:00pm CT

IN-PERSON EVENT | MORE DETAILS

Empower to Grow (E2G) Program - 

Federally Focused Training by FedMap

LEARN MORE | Questions? Contact support@fedmap.us

Enjoy no-cost access to personalized 1-to-1 training, weekly training sessions, an extensive online course catalog, free tools and templates, and a vibrant networking community. Training and access to FedMap is FREE to eligible small businesses. LIMITED AVAILABILITY! 



VIRTUAL WEBSITE WEDNESDAYS SERIES:

All Events from 10:00am-11:00am CT


SBA Business Guide

Wednesday, January 7 | REGISTER


SBA Funding Programs

Wednesday, January 14 | REGISTER


SBA Federal Contracting and Certification Programs

Wednesday, January 21 | REGISTER


SBA Learning Platform and Local SBA Assistance

Wednesday, January 28 | REGISTER


VIRTUAL GOVERNMENT CONTRACTING TRAINING

LEARN MORE


Want to learn more about SBA Programs & Services?

 Download the National Resource Guide HERE

Descarga la Guía Nacional de Recursos (en español) AQUÍ

Questions? Please contact houston@sba.gov


BakerRipley has partnered with Harris County to provide ARPA-funded technical assistance to Harris County small businesses impacted by COVID19! Our coaches can help you with:

  • Marketing for your small business
  • Accounting for your small business
  • Payroll management for your small business
  • Hiring for your small business
  • Business Plan Creation

BakerRipley se ha asociado con el Condado de Harris para proporcionar asistencia técnica financiada por ARPA a las pequeñas empresas del Condado de Harris afectadas por COVID19! Nuestros entrenadores pueden ayudarte con:

• Marketing para tu pequeña empresa

• Contabilidad para su pequeña empresa

• Gestión de nómina para tu pequeña empresa

• Contratación para tu pequeña empresa

• Creación de Planes de Negocios

Flu Shots now Available

Houston VA and our outpatient clinics are now offering flu shots in primary care. You can get your flu shot during a scheduled primary care appointment or as a walk-in.

Veterans can also get a free flu shot in the community. Learn more


SHINE Hope – Spirit and Soul Care

Feeling hopeless comes from both emotional despair (sadness, anger, fear) and feeling helpless or powerless. We all experience moments of these feelings every day. ​

SHINE Hope helps Veterans to connect with their strengths to overcome feelings of hopelessness by exploring their personal sense of meaning and purpose and activating skills to build up hope. Believe it or not hope is something we can actively practice, and we learn how to do that here.

This class is co-led by Whole Health and Chaplain Service, and is open to all Veterans. 

When: Tuesdays, 1 p.m. to 2 p.m.

Where: VA Video Connect

How to join: Call our direct line at 713-770-1548. You can also ask your VA healthcare team to submit a Whole Health consult.


Beyond the Call – Wellness Retreat

'Beyond the Call' is a one-day retreat designed to support Veterans in re-connecting with their sense of identity, with others, and themselves after separation from active duty.

This program helps Veterans to find tools and resources to improve life at any point after the transition from military to civilian life, and teaches mind-body skills to manage stress and connect better with themselves.

'Beyond the Call' is led by Dr. Jeremiah Pearcey, an Air Force Veteran and cognitive psychologist. Dr. Pearcey has extensive experience in stress management and psychophysiology. His work focuses on building resilient minds through integrative modalities like guided meditation and progressive muscle relaxation. 

When: Nov. 7, 2025 & Jan. 6, 2026

Time: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Where: Lifeline Chaplaincy, 1415 Southmore Blvd., Houston TX

Register Online Here


Phone Numbers & Resources

Virtual Urgent and Tele Emergency Care: 1-800-639-5137, Press 3

Appointments, prescriptions, talk to triage nurse: 713-794-8985

Patient Advocates: 713-794-7884

Main phone (operator): 713-791-1414

Toll-free: 800-553-2278

Veterans Crisis Line: 988 then Press 1.

Contact Us

Make an Appointment

Pharmacy

Register for Care

Houston VA website

The MBDA seeks to resolve the challenges faced by minority business enterprises (MBEs) in the export industry. 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.


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, presents the 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. 

Low-interest federal disaster loans are available to Texas businesses and residents affected by recent storms, straight-line winds, tornadoes and flooding. Applicants may apply online and receive additional disaster assistance information at www.sba.gov/disaster.

FREE LEGAL CONSULTATIONS

Houston Small Business Legal Consultations (HSBLC)


OBO Episode 1


OBO Episode 2

WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT
EVENTS & RESOURCES

WORKFORCE WEBINAR SERIES


In case you missed the Workforce Webinar Series, all recordings are now available on our website at Workforce Development Programs. 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. 

Texas Employers Can Now Apply for $6 Million in Workforce Training Grants


The Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) has announced the availability of $6 million in funding through Upskill Texas, an initiative designed to help employers provide technical training to their current employees. The goal is to ensure Texas businesses have the skilled workforce needed to stay competitive in today’s rapidly evolving economy. Click here to learn more.

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