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In 2011, the Houston Area Urban League (HAUL) launched the Houston Entrepreneurship Center (H-EC) to help established minority entrepreneurs obtain the necessary management skills that will enable them to take advantage of new business opportunities and qualify for financing that will lead to higher levels of business growth. The Center provides small business training, referral to certification to do business with the City of Houston, and counseling as well as local events and educational seminars designed to foster participation and increase skill sets among business owners. H-EC is viewed as a major resource within the Houston community.
The combination of partnerships with the City of Houston, Houston Minority Supplier Diversity Council (HMSDC), Port of Houston, U.S. Small Business Administration, Lyft Fund (formerly Accion Texas), Minority Business Development Agency, Greater Houston Black Chamber, faith-based organizations, universities, community colleges and small business development centers has proven to be an effective method of providing training, advocacy, and outreach to the local community, minority and women-owned businesses, and non-traditional urban residents.
Since its inception, the H-EC has consistently experienced a higher demand by solopreneurs, small business start-ups, and companies in the expansion phase seeking technical assistance, business consulting services, and access to capital through Small Business Development University (SBDU), HAUL’s small business program. This program provides comprehensive training through the small business development curriculum and leverages technical assistance platforms available through wellsfargoworks.com and the IBM SME Toolkit. SBDU is a ten-week session that addresses business start-up fundamentals tracking towards formal certification. This program is designed to educate and provide aspiring entrepreneurs, start-ups, and existing businesses with the supportive services needed to start, grow, and scale their business to capacity.
According to Tiffany Williams, Owner of Twice Media Productions, “since finishing the Small Business Development University, Twice Media Productions has doubled its staff, opened studio and office locations inside the HAUL building, and greatly increased its client base to include Shell Oil Company, ExxonMobil, Houston Airport Systems, Toyota and many more.”
The H-EC also provides a variety of online training and business seminars via resource providers; consultants; trainers and speakers; and Houston Area Urban League Entrepreneurship Center Staff.
As we approach the 4th Quarter, the H-EC has a robust service offering prepared for the City of Houston. It will sponsor the 2015 HMSDC Expo Luncheon featuring Goldman Sachs 10KSB, facilitate the 2015 Women in Business Empowerment Symposium, and culminate the year with the 3rd Annual Small Business Exchange and Community Pitch Competition. Many activities will emphasize the certification process in preparation of contract opportunities connected to the 2016 NCAA Final Four and 2017 NFL Super Bowl, both of which will be held in Houston!
The Houston Area Urban League Entrepreneurship Center is a viable source for small business development needs in the Greater Houston Area. The H-EC will stay committed to reaching as many aspiring entrepreneurs and existing businesses that could benefit from our services and continue to forge strategic partnerships that focus on job creation and small business sustainability.
