Alumni Success Stories

Meet Britne Broadnax from Happy Me Tee (Video)

Meet Simone Steele of Simply Shady (Video)

Meet Tanu Jain from FlowCare (Video)

Meet David Lee from True Reflections Media (Video)

Meet Barbara Wogh from Keeping Your Parents Safe (Video)

Meet Crystal Williams-Lister – Mommy and Me: The Listers (Video)

Meet Juan Islas from EV1Pro and EV1ProSigns (Video)

Meet Raya Guruswamy from Maxari, LLC (Video)

Meet Landi Spearman from Organized Shift (Video)

Meet Christina Meade from Nerdy Girl Success (Video)

Meet Kiley Summers from SpenDebt (Video)

Meet LaGina Harris from The Us Space (Video)

Meet Olivia Martin from KTX Window Cleaning, LLC (Video)

Meet Carmen Flores from Catapult Art Studio (Video)

Meet Arneisha Sadler from Emeniss Call Center (Video)

• Listen to Arneisha's 2022 HCC Fall Convocation Speech (Video)

Meet Alina Kravchenko from TonerBum by Better Way Body, LLC (Video)

Meet Tiffany Hicks from VRE Training Solutions (Video)

Meet Wendy and Arnaud Acaries from Bonjour Café (Video)

Meet Brandi Allen from Daisies and Pancakes (Video)

Meet Angelica 'Jelly' Robinson from Peace and Love Studios (Video)

Meet Janice Jucker from Three Brothers Bakery (Video) 

Meet Juan Alanis from Big Oak Tree Media (Video)

Meet Tennille Johnson from Scrubs To The Rescue (Video)

Meet Danyelle Templeton from Hair of Nature (Video)

Meet Aziz Hikem from Hiketron (Video)

Meet Hussain Ali from HD2 Menus (Video)

Meet Alan Berrara from Grass on the Go (Video)

Meet William McMordie – Texas Swim Academy

• HCC TV Interview - January 14, 2020 (Video)
• Up To The Minute HCC Interview (Video)

Meet Helen Callier from Permit Us Now (Video)

• Up To The Minute HCC Interview 1 (Video) 
• Up To The Minute HCC Interview 2 (Video)

Meet Tiffany Williams from Twice Media Productions (Video)

Meet Megan Eddings from Accel Lifestyle (Video)

• Up To The Minute HCC Interview (Video)

Meet Derek Gilboe of Lokimox (Video)

Meet Raquel Freeman from Empower Youth Sports (Video)

Meet Lyndsey Brantley from Camellia Alise (Video)

• Up To The Minute HCC Interview (Video)

Meet Christa Clarke from Cubicles to Cocktails (Video)

Meet Reda Hicks from GotSpot (Video)

Meet Sarah Mercier from Learning Ninjas (Video)

• Up To The Minute HCC Interview (Video)

Meet John Hadley from Specialty Diving (Video)

July 2025 Newsletter -  Read the 2025 HCC Business Plan Competition Newsletter - Announcing our Winners and Graduates

Competition Winners

• 1st Place ($12,000): M&Y Knitever LLC – Ying Yi
• 2nd Place ($8,000): Tsunami Hair – Cameron Hunt
• 3rd Place ($4,000): The Paper Packaging Company – Chidi Oguegbu
• Honorable Mention ($1,000): You Will Speak – Gunay Rasulova
• Honorable Mention ($1,000): TASK Technologies – Frerika Varlack

One-Minute Video Winners

• Browning One Assisted Living Facility – Desirae Mock
• Lash to a TEE – Tiffany To
• The Paper Packaging Company – Kirati Amin

Sponsor Spotlights

• Stellar Bank – Gold Sponsor
• Vertical Web – Bronze & In-Kind Sponsor
• HD2Menus – Alumni & Bronze Sponsor

Additional Highlight

• HCC Office of Entrepreneurial Initiatives wins SCORE Award for Excellence in Small Business Education

May 2025  Newsletter 

Read: Small Business Opportunities from Around HCC

April 2025 Newsletter – Special Issue

Read: the Spring 2025 Newsletter: Training, Alumni, and Sponsor Highlights – HCC Business Plan Competition

Featured Updates & Alumni Success Stories

• Tennille Johnson – Scrubs to the Rescue
• Constance Jones – HJ Staffing
• Arneisha Sadler – Eminess Call Center
• Crystal Williams Lister – Mommy & Me – The Listers
• Tanu Jain – FlowCare
• Simone Steele – Simply Shady
• Landi Spearman – OrganizedShift
• Lyndsey Brantley – Camellia Alise
• Helen Callier – PermitUsNow (Alumni & Bronze Sponsor)

Sponsor Spotlights

• Wallis Bank – Platinum Sponsor
• TNR Advisors & Management Consultants, LLC – Bronze Sponsor

March 2025 Newsletter

Read: Small Business Opportunities from Around HCC

February 2025 Newsletter 

Read: Entrepreneurial Opportunities from Around HCC and Partner Events

January 2025 Newsletter 

Read the 2025 HCC Business Plan Competition: Application Period Opens – January Activities

Key January Events

• Season Opening Launch & Showcase (Zoom): January 9
• Reception, Showcase & Orientation (Zoom): January 9
• Small Business Success Series (Required for applicants): Fridays, 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. - Jan 17, Jan 24, Jan 31, Feb 7, Feb 14
• Financial Workshops (Required for applicants): Jan 15, Jan 22, Jan 30

Timeline

• Application Period: January 6–27
• Competition Runs: January through June

Alumni Video Interviews

• David Lee – True Reflections Media (1st Place, 2024)
• Simone Steele – Queen Aesthetics, Simply Shady (3rd Place, 2024)
• Tanu Jain – FlowCare (Honorable Mention, 2024)

Sponsor Thanks

• 2024 Sponsors: Thank you!
• 2025 Sponsors: To be announced soon

December 2024 Newsletter

Read: 2025 HCC Business Plan Competition Dates Announced – Alumni Video Interviews and Sponsor Thanks

In This Issue

• 2025 HCC Business Plan Competition – January activities announced
• Alumni Video Interviews: David Lee, Simone Steele, and Tanu Jain
• Sponsor Acknowledgements

Featured January Events

• Reception, Showcase & Orientation (Zoom): January 9
• Small Business Success Series (Required for applicants): Fridays, 9:00am – 3:00pm - Jan 17, Jan 24, Jan 31, Feb 7, Feb 14
• Financial Workshops (Required for applicants): Jan 15, Jan 22, Jan 30

July 2024 Newsletter

Read: 2024 HCC Business Plan Competition Newsletter – Announcing Winners and Graduates

Competition Winners

• 1st Place ($12,000): True Reflections Media – David Lee
• 2nd Place ($8,000): Tori Artis Planners – Tori Artis
• 3rd Place ($4,000): Queen Aesthetics – Simone Steele
• Honorable Mention ($1,000): FlowCare – Tanu Jain
• Honorable Mention ($1,000): The Mastermind Learning Center – Monique Carlisle

May 2024 Newsletter

Read: In Memory of John (Jack) J. Barry III – Founding Leader, Trainer, and Judge for the HCC Newspring Business Plan Competition

April 2024 Newsletter – Special Issue

Read the Spring 2024 Newsletter: Updates, Successes & More – HCC Business Plan Competition Well Underway

Sponsor Spotlights

• Wallis Bank – Platinum Sponsor
• LiftFund – Gold Sponsor
• TNR Advisors & Management Consultants, LLC – Bronze Sponsor

Alumni Highlights & Updates

• Women of Katy Symposium – HCC alumni and partners featured
• Olivia Martin – KTX Window Cleaning
• Kathleen & Bruce McMordie – Texas Swim Academy
• Crystal Williams Lister – Mommy & Me (The Listers)
• Wendy & Arnaud Acaries – Bon Jour Cafe
• Tiffany Williams – Twice Media Productions
• Jennifer Dale – LiftFund VP of Loan Administration
• Nannette Ray – TNR Advisors & Management Consultants
• Landi Spearman – Winner, Judges’ Top Choice Award for iSHIFTx
• Helen Callier – PermitUsNow (Bronze Sponsor)

March 2024 Newsletter – News Bytes

Read March 2024 News Bytes: Entrepreneurship at HCC

Featured Updates

• HWCOC West Houston Business Summit – HCC participation
• Dr. Kimberly Burroughs recognized at HCC OEI
• Wallis Bank hosts Partners at Appreciation Luncheon
• HTown Roundup – Startup Community Showcase at HCC

March 2024 Newsletter – Opportunities

Read Small Business Opportunities from Around HCC – March 2024

February 2024 Newsletter

Read Entrepreneurial Opportunities from Around HCC and Partner Events – February 2024

January 2024 Newsletter

Read Season’s Opening Launch Party & Showcase – 2024 HCC Business Plan Competition

December 2023 Newsletter

Read: 2024 HCC Business Plan Competition Dates Announced – January Activities & Alumni Video Interviews

Key Highlights

• Application Period: January 5–26, 2024
• Reception, Showcase & Orientation (Zoom): January 11
• Small Business Success Series (Required for applicants): Oct–Nov cohort still available before applicant selection
• Financial Webinars (Required for applicants): Jan 18, Jan 24, Jan 30

Additional Content

• Alumni Video Interviews
• Sponsor Acknowledgements

December 2023 Newsletter– Events & Opportunities

Read: Small Business Events and Upcoming Opportunities

November 2023 Newsletter – Digital Marketing

Read: Digital Marketing Clinic

November 2023 Newsletter – Patent Academy

Read: Patent Academy (November–December 2023)

November 2023 Newsletter – Opportunities

Read: Upcoming Opportunities – HCC Mattress Mack School of Selling Digital Series & More

October 2023 Newsletter – Lender Matchmaking

Read: Lender Matchmaking Event – October 11, 2023

October 2023 Newsletter – World Chamber of Commerce

Read: World Chamber of Commerce Event – October 5, 2023

September 2023 Newsletter – Small Business Success Series

Read: Small Business Success Series – October–November 2023 Cohort

September 2023 Newsletter – News & Opportunities

Read: Small Business News & Opportunities – September–October 2023

August 2023 Newsletter

Read: HCC Mattress Mack School of Selling – Aug–Sep Onsite at HCC Alief Hayes

July 2023 Newsletter

Read: Upcoming Small Business News & Opportunities

June 2023 Newsletter – Digital Marketing 

Read: Digital Marketing Clinic – June 27, 2023

June 2023 Newsletter – Winners Announced

Read: 2023 HCC Business Plan Competition – Winners & Graduates

Competition Winners

• 1st Place ($12,000): Mommy and Me – The Listers (Crystal Williams-Lister)
• 2nd Place ($8,000): RE.STATEMENT – Hannah Le
• 3rd Place ($4,000): Keeping Your Parents Safe – Barbara Wogh
• Honorable Mention ($1,000): CyFair Psychological Group of Texas PLLC – Tracy Johnson
• Honorable Mention ($1,000): Loving Lacquer Cosmetics – Kimberly Loving

April 2023 – Spring Newsletter

Read: Spring 2023 Newsletter – HCC Business Plan Competition Activities & Updates

Featured Alumni Success Stories

• Kim Roxie – LAMIK Beauty
• Christina Meade – Nerdy Girl Success
• LaGina Harris – The Us Space

Additional Updates

• 2023 SBA Award Winners & HCC Competition Alumni
  • Lyndsey Brantley (Camellia Alise) – SBA Houston District Woman Business Owner of the Year
  • Tiffany Williams – SBA Houston District Small Business Media Advocate of the Year

• Alumni Graduates of HCC Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses Program
  • Tenille Johnson – Scrubs to the Rescue
  • Olivia Martin – KTX Window Cleaning
  • Deidre Mathis – Wanderstay Hospitality

March 2023 Newsletter

Read: Act Now – Small Business Opportunities from Around HCC

February 2023 Newsletter

Read: Entrepreneurial Opportunities from Around HCC

January 2023 Newsletter

Read: Season’s Opening Launch Party & Showcase – 2023 HCC Business Plan Competition

Featured Alumni Success Stories & Updates

• Megan Eddings – Accel Lifestyle & Accel Unite
• Landi Spearman – Organized Shift
• Helen Callier – PermitUsNow

December 2022 Newsletter

Read: 2023 HCC Business Plan Competition – Application Period Opens January 5–26, 2023

Important Dates

• Reception, Showcase & Orientation (Zoom): January 12, 2023
• Small Business Success Series (Required for applicants): Fridays, 9:00am – 3:00pm - Jan 20, Jan 27, Feb 3, Feb 10, Feb 17
• Financial Webinars (Required for applicants): Jan 18, Jan 24, Feb 1

Featured Alumni Success Stories

• Carmen Flores - Catapult Art Gallery 
• Kiley Summers - SpenDebt 
• Olivia Martin - KTX Window Cleaning

November 2022 Newsletter 

Read: Opportunities for Small Business Owners

Featured Alumni Success Stories

• Arneisha Sandler - Emeniss Call Center
• Kim Roxie - LAMIK Beauty

September 2022 Newsletter 

Read: Small Business Opportunities Around HCC – September–October 2022

August 2022 Newsletter 

Read: Opportunities for Entrepreneurs from HCC & Partners

July 2022 Newsletter 

Read: HCC Small Business Opportunities 

Read: HCC Mattress Mack School of Selling - Evening Series Onsite At Gallery Furniture, Aug-Sept 2022

June 2022 Newsletter – Special Issue

Read: Winners & Graduates Announced – 2022 HCC Business Plan Competition

Competition Winners

• 1st Place ($12,000): Texas Swim Academy – Kathleen & Bruce McMordie
• 2nd Place ($8,000): PermitUsNow – Helen Callier
• 3rd Place ($4,000): Mommy & Me – The Listers (Crystal Williams-Lister)
• Honorable Mention ($1,000): Twice Media Productions – Tiffany Williams
• Honorable Mention ($1,000): Bon Jour Café – Wendy & Arnaud Acaries

May 2022 – Spring Newsletter

Read: Spring 2022 Newsletter – HCC Business Plan Competition Activities & Alumni Updates

Featured Alumni

• Alumni Highlights: David Regenbaum, Landi Spearman, Tiffany Williams, Olivia Martin, Christina Meade
• Sponsor Spotlights: Wallis Bank, TNR Advisors, LiftFund

April 2022 Newsletter

Read: Opportunities for Entrepreneurs from HCC & Partners – April 2022

March 2022 Newsletter

Read: HCC Small Business Opportunities

February 2022 Newsletter

Read: Building Advisor Cohort 2022 HCC Business Plan Competition

January 2022 Newsletter 

Read: Season’s Opening Launch Party & Showcase – 2022 HCC Business Plan Competition

Featured Alumni Successes

• David Regenbaum – The Glenda & David Regenbaum Center for Entrepreneurship
• Helen Callier – PermitUsNow
• Megan Eddings – Accel Lifestyle

December 2021 Newsletter 

Read: 2022 HCC Business Plan Competition – Applications Open January 6–28, 2022

Important Dates

• Reception, Showcase & Orientation (Zoom): January 13, 2022
• Small Business Success Series (Required for applicants): Fridays, 9:00am – 3:00pm - Jan 21, Jan 28, Feb 4, Feb 11, Feb 18
• Financial Webinars (Required for applicants): Jan 19, Jan 25, Feb 2

November 2021 Newsletter

Read: Open for Business Small Business Success Series by HCC Nov-Dec Cohort

October 2021 Newsletter

Read: Fall Activities Newsletter - Alumni Stories - Fiscal Year Report and More 

September 2021 Newsletter

Read: Upcoming Small Business Success Series by HCC Sept-October Cohort 

August 2021 Newsletter

Read: Upcoming Small Business Opportunities - HCC Mattress Mack School of Selling News

July 2021 Newsletter

Read: End of June & July Small Business Opportunities

June 2021 Newsletter -  Special Issue 

Read: Winners & Graduates Announced – 2021 HCC Business Plan Competition

Competition Winners

• 1st Place ($12,000): Wanderstay Hospitality – Deidre Mathis
• 2nd Place ($8,000): KTX Window Cleaning – Olivia Martin
• 3rd Place ($4,000): Scrubs to the Rescue – Tenille Johnson
• Honorable Mention ($1,000): Nerdy Girl Success – Christina Meade
• Honorable Mention ($1,000): LAMIK Beauty – Kim Roxie

May 2021 – Spring Newsletter

Read: Spring 2021 Newsletter – HCC Business Plan Competition Activities & Alumni Updates

Highlights

• Alumni Spotlights: Megan Eddings (Accel Lifestyle), Landi Spearman (Organized Shift), Helen Callier (PermitUsNow)
• Sponsors & Partners: Wallis Bank, LiftFund, TNR Advisors

April 2021 Newsletter

Read: Opportunities for Entrepreneurs – April 2021

March 2021 Newsletter

Read: Small Business Opportunities – March 2021

February 2021 Newsletter

Read: Building Advisor Cohort 2021 HCC Business Plan Competition

January 2021 Newsletter

Read: Season’s Opening Launch Party & Showcase – 2021 HCC Business Plan Competition

Featured Alumni Successes

• Christina Meade – Nerdy Girl Success
• Kim Roxie – LAMIK Beauty
• Helen Callier – PermitUsNow

December 2020 Newsletter

Read: 2021 HCC Business Plan Competition – Applications Open January 7–29, 2021

Important Dates

• Reception, Showcase & Orientation (Zoom): January 14, 2021
• Small Business Success Series (Required for applicants): Fridays, 9:00am – 3:00pm - Jan 22, Jan 29, Feb 5, Feb 12, Feb 19
• Financial Webinars (Required for applicants): Jan 20, Jan 26, Feb 3

October 2020 Newsletter

Read: Opportunities for Small Business Owners – October 2020

August 2020 Newsletter

Read: Digital Marketing Clinic – August 18, 2020

June 2020 Newsletter – Special Issue

Read: Winners & Graduates Announced – 2020 HCC Business Plan Competition

Competition Winners

• 1st Place ($12,000): Accel Lifestyle – Megan Eddings
• 2nd Place ($8,000): PermitUsNow – Helen Callier
• 3rd Place ($4,000): Organized Shift – Landi Spearman
• Honorable Mention ($1,000): KTX Window Cleaning – Olivia Martin
• Honorable Mention ($1,000): Twice Media Productions – Tiffany Williams

May 2020 – Spring Newsletter

Read: Spring 2020 Newsletter – Competition Updates & Alumni Highlights

Alumni Spotlights

• Christina Meade – Nerdy Girl Success
• Kim Roxie – LAMIK Beauty
• Deidre Mathis – Wanderstay Hospitality

January 2020 Newsletter

Read: Season’s Opening Launch Party & Showcase – 2020 HCC Business Plan Competition

December 2019 Newsletter

Read: 2020 HCC Business Plan Competition – Applications Open January 9–31, 2020

Important Dates

• Reception, Showcase & Orientation (Zoom): January 16, 2020
• Small Business Success Series (Required for applicants): Fridays, 9:00am – 3:00pm - Jan 24, Jan 31, Feb 7, Feb 14, Feb 21
• Financial Webinars (Required for applicants): Jan 22, Jan 28, Feb 5

October 2019 Newsletter

Read: Opportunities for Entrepreneurs – October 2019

September 2019 Newsletter

Read: Small Business Summit & Expo - September 2019

August 2019 Newsletter

Read: Digital Marketing Clinic – August 13, 2019

June 2019 Newsletter – Special Issue

Read: Winners & Graduates Announced – 2019 HCC Business Plan Competition

Competition Winners

• 1st Place ($12,000): PermitUsNow – Helen Callier
• 2nd Place ($8,000): Nerdy Girl Success – Christina Meade
• 3rd Place ($4,000): LAMIK Beauty – Kim Roxie
• Honorable Mention ($1,000): Wanderstay Hospitality – Deidre Mathis
• Honorable Mention ($1,000): Accel Lifestyle – Megan Eddings

May 2019 – Spring Newsletter

Read: Spring 2019 Newsletter – Competition Updates & Alumni Success Stories

January 2019 Newsletter

Read: Season’s Opening Launch Party & Showcase – 2019 HCC Business Plan Competition