SBA Houston District Office’s Post

Last Thursday, we participated in the 2024 State of Texas Governor's Small Business Summit held at the Angelina College Conference Center in Lufkin, TX. The event had several sessions covering topics such as Access to Finance and Funding, Cybersecurity: Protecting Your Business in a Digital Economy, A fireside chat with successful entrepreneurs, and What’s Hot in Small Business Marketing & Social Media. The event offered a variety of sessions from local, state, and federal resource partners to provide key insights on critical business topics and connect business owners with the resources and information needed to start, strengthen, and grow their businesses. Lead Business Opportunity Specialist Miguel Ruiz and Lender Relations Specialist Bobby Bilberry were in attendance to provide entrepreneurs with information on SBA resources. #SBAHDO

Lights, Camera, Action! The Houston District Office was featured on the SCORE/Houston Television (HTV) Series – Episode 5:"Empowering Small Business Dreams: Inside the SBA”. The session was hosted by SCORE Mentors Houston Chair Jada A. Harris, MBA, MS, and featured Deputy District Director Winston Labbé speaking about capital, Lead Business Opportunity Specialist Miguel Ruiz speaking about contracting, and Lead Economic Development Specialist Valerie Maher speaking about counseling. HTV is the cable communications division of the City of Houston Mayor’s Office and works with elected officials and city departments to promote local events and provide information about municipal services and other initiatives. #SBAHDO

On Thursday, we hosted a Lender Roundtable discussion with local SBA Houston lenders. The discussion began with opening remarks from District Director Mark Winchester followed by insight on local SBA Lender Activity and Events by Deputy District Director Winston Labbé. Other SBA staff in attendance included Lender Relations Specialist Sonia Maldonado and Outreach and Marketing Specialist Elizabeth C., MBA. It was a very productive and enthusiastic meeting, with the lenders suggesting that we schedule the meetings quarterly! #SBAHDO

Small businesses are THRIVING in Houston! This week, we hosted orientation sessions for the two cohorts of the 2024 THRIVE Emerging Leaders Program – the Houston and Greater Houston cohorts. Fifty CEOs across the district gathered to meet their T.H.R.I.V.E. coaches, SBA HDO staff, SCORE mentors, and fellow CEOs. Both coaches did a fantastic job leading the morning, which consisted of a program overview, icebreakers, and small group discussions. SBA participants included District Director Mark Winchester, Deputy District Director Winston Labbé, and Outreach and Marketing Specialist Elizabeth C., MBA. The CEOs walked away enlightened, enthusiastic, and ready to GROW! #SBAHDO

Last week, the Pasadena Chamber of Commerce hosted the Pasadena Small Business Resource Fair! The program began with a panel discussion moderated by Outreach & Marketing Specialist Elizabeth C., MBA. The panel, which included representatives from the San Jacinto Small Business Development Center, SCORE Mentors Houston, and Port Houston, focused on the resources available for the Pasadena small business community. Lead Business Opportunity Specialist Miguel Ruiz and Outreach & Marketing Specialist Elizabeth Charles were available to discuss SBA Resources, including counseling services, access to capital, government contracting/certifications, and disaster assistance. #SBAHDO

REMINDER: July 16 is the deadline to apply for an SBA federal disaster loan for property damage caused by severe storms, straight-line winds, tornadoes, and flooding that occurred April 26 – June 5. Visit http://sba.gov/disaster for more information and to submit your application.

On Tuesday, we were in attendance at the Greater Houston Business Procurement Forum. Director Mark Winchester, Business Opportunity Specialist Ida Benson, Business Opportunity Specialist Jesus S. Gomez, and Office of Disaster Recovery and Resilience Supervisory Program Analyst Dylan McNally were available to discuss SBA resources with attendees. The theme of the Forum was Emergency Preparedness - Planning and Preparing for a Disaster, and the event was chalked full of information on Hurricane Preparedness for businesses in the Houston community. #SBAHDO