INSIGHTS TO OPPORTUNITY Summer 2022 | Vol 23 | Issue 1
FROM THE DIRECTOR
News & Events from Houston OBO | houstontx.gov/obo
OBO’s First Business Beyond Borders Summit Highlights E-Commerce, Africa
Greetings, Happy New Year (City fiscal year 2023)! Having spent time at our staff retreat to discuss our priorities for this fiscal year, the OBO team has kicked off the year with the express intention of engaging the voice of our customers, enhancing your customer experience, and delivering the services that you need and find impactful. With this in mind, we have rolled out a new vision to eliminate systemic barriers to prosperity and economic opportunity in Go to DIRECTOR, page 4
WHAT’S INSIDE Applications for Liftoff Houston Open Until 8/19 Page 3
New Leader Joins Houston Airport System-OBO Page 4
FS Group Architects Shares Keys to Contracting Success Page 5
INDUSTRY INSIGHTS: Moderator Carlecia Wright and panelists, from left, Brent Klepko, Alain Minyem, Adel Caouch, and Stephane Konan discussed best practices in doing international business.
By: S. Nellie Piña
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ore than 75 participants attended the Office of Business Opportunity’s (OBO) first Business Beyond Borders Summit, held on May 19 at The Ion, the anchor of Houston’s innovation district – bringing entrepreneurial, corporate, and academic communities together into collaborative spaces and programs. Through panel discussions and business-to-business meetings, the event provided attendees with knowledge of how to effectively engage in international business, with a focus on e-commerce and Africa. “Houston is a major hub for international commerce, and we held this event to facilitate connections for those interested in trade and investment opportunities abroad,” said OBO Director Marsha Murray, who offered welcome remarks. Mayor Sylvester Turner, who supported the event with a video message, affirmed Murray’s sentiment by acknowledging the global representation of small business ownership in Houston neighborhoods and encouraging participants to explore becoming a part of a global network of entrepreneurs.
Participants also heard from OBO Advisory Board Member Raoul Keddy, whose network and expertise were key to the creation of the Summit. According to Keddy, there is a wealth of opportunities to be found in Africa, one of the largest continents in the world and one with plentiful resources. The key, he said, is finding the proper partners and resources, including foreign embassies and chambers of commerce that can provide connections and education within their locales. Native Houstonian Jasmine Terry, founder of Holistic Roots Skincare, then shared her entrepreneurial success story. Through her travels in Africa, she learned about the healing properties found in nature, which led to the creation of her business. “I now have clients in Canada, Australia, and Nigeria,” Terry said. “I started with just a thought, and I was able to excel by utilizing resources from connections that I made overseas. As I grow, I’m still learning, and I’m still collecting and connecting the dots.” Business Beyond Borders then moved into two panel discussions with experienced exporters and international Go to Summit, Page 2
Summer 2022 | Insights to Opportunity
SUMMIT: Local
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Partners Invaluable To Success
Continued from Page 1 business professionals. Carlecia Wright, Chief Diversity Officer for Lone Star College, moderated the first discussion, where panelists stressed the importance of having a game plan as a foundation, as well as doing market research and having a local partner who understands the business. Vanessa Cole, Managing Partner at Cole Klein Builders, moderated the second panel, which addressed the fear and challenges of doing business internationally. Panelists provided their personal solutions to overcoming barriers, which can include shipping time, differences in time zones, language barriers, as well as issues with currency exchange, customs and taxes. For these types of scenarios, they encouraged entrepreneurs to be flexible and budget for unforeseeable situations, keep an open mind, talk to seasoned global business owners, and engage with international business executives. They also acknowledged the importance of knowing that what works in the United States may not necessarily work in Africa. OPENING REMARKS: OBO Director Marsha Murray welcomed guests and introduced a video message from Mayor Sylvester Turner.
Closing remarks were provided by Lisa Phillip, Executive Director for the MBDA Export Center, who reminded attendees
that some business risks are universal, as well as to leverage resource partners to help navigate challenges. “Don’t be afraid, because people are so much alike,” Phillip said. “No matter what country I go to, I see that human beings want the same things: security for our families and economic development. At the end of the day, we all want to be able to take care of our families.”
Special Thanks Doing International Business Panel: Carlecia Wright, Chief Diversity Officer, Lone Star College, Moderator; Adel Caouch, CEO, ShaMaran Petroleum Corp.; Brent Klepko, Senior International Trade Specialist, U.S. Commercial Service - Houston; Stephane Konan, CEO, Competences LDA; and Alain Minyem, CEO, Ortho Services Group. Challenges in Doing International Business Panel: Vanessa Cole, Managing Partner, Cole Klein Builders, Moderator; Nathalie Lum, Managing Director, M&L Consulting; Robert Nyandjo, CEO, NJ Group; Peter Tataris, Senior International Trade Specialist, U.S. Commercial Service-Houston; Warren Winston, Managing Partner, Winston Worldwide; Willy Verbrugghe, Volunteer, SCORE Houston. Introductory Remarks - Selling in Africa: Raoul Keddy, Managing Director, Raked Intl, LLC Success Story & Testimonial: Jasmine Terry, Founder, Holistic Roots Skincare Closing Remarks - Putting It All Together: Lisa Phillip, Executive Director, MBDA Export Center Event Venue: Deanea LeFlore, Senior Director of Partnerships at The Ion, for working with OBO to host the Business Beyond Borders Summit Planning & Leadership: Raoul Keddy, OBO Advisory Board Member, and Dr. Porscha Jackson, OBO Business Development Manager
SPEAKERS AND GUESTS: OBO Advisory Board member Raoul Keddy, left, was key to the creation of the Business Beyond Borders Summit. He is pictured with panel participants Vanessa Cole, Alain Minyem, Willy Verbrugghe, and guest Johhny Vu.
Photos: S. Nellie Piña, OBO Business Development Coordinator
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Applications Open Through Aug. 19 for Liftoff Houston Startup Business Plan Competition By: Enzo Mungu
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pplications are now open for the Liftoff Houston Startup Business Plan Competition, where three winners in the areas of “product,” “service,” and “innovation” will each receive $10,000 in seed money to fund their dreams of entrepreneurship. The event, which has been sponsored by Capital One Bank and administered by the Houston Public Library (HPL) and the Office of Business Opportunity (OBO) since its inception, has assisted more than 15,000 new and aspiring entrepreneurs. Of all competition finalists, 27 winners have started businesses in retail, merchandise, labor, consulting, software, hardware, market businesses, hospitality, tourism, health and fitness, education, finance, technology, and logistics. Aimed at bolstering Houstonians in the entrepreneurial space through business literacy, education and mentorship, Liftoff Houston helps participants contribute to the growth of their communities and the overall economy of Houston as they start their own businesses. To be eligible for the competition, applicants must live in, and operate their businesses within the city limits of Houston. The business should be for-profit, in operation for less than one year, and have verifiable revenue that does not exceed
OBO ACCOLADES The Greater Houston LGBT Chamber of Commerce presented OBO with its Chamber Advocacy Award during its 2022 Pride in Business Awards, held June 22 at the Downtown Houston Aquarium. OBO was named a Supplier Diversity Champion and honored for being a Presenting Sponsor at the annual Subcontractors USA Awards Luncheon, held June 22 at the Junior League of Houston. Congratulations to the 2022 graduates of the Interagency Mentor Protégé
TENTH ANNIVERSARY LAUNCH: Mayor Sylvester Turner, joined by HPL Deputy Director Nicole Robinson, Capital One Bank Market President Yasmin Huebinger, and OBO Director Marsha Murray, recognized Liftoff Houston alumni who have grown their businesses past the startup phase - 2019 Service Category winner Sherhara Downing of SpeakHaus and business partner Christa Clarke, 2016 Service Category winner Jennifer Thai of Awesome Bites Co., and 2018 Innovation Category winner Alphonso Roundtree of Social Bevy.
$10,000. Those who are not eligible to compete can participate in the Educational Pathway, which allows them access to all workshops and mentorship sessions. Introduced in 2020, this option extends the program’s educational benefits to areas outside the Houston city limits. “As we celebrate a decade of Liftoff Houston, we look forward to making a
greater impact for Houston’s aspiring entrepreneurs,” said OBO Director Marsha Murray. “This competition will provide participants with a clear roadmap to help them achieve their goals of succeeding as a small business owner.” To apply for Liftoff Houston, go to www. liftoffhouston.com. On Facebook, Instagram and Twitter, follow @liftoffhouston.
Program (IMPP). The Office of Business Opportunity and Houston Public Works, along with partner agencies Metro, Houston Independent School District, Port Houston, Houston Community College and Houston First Corporation, celebrated the cohort’s success with a graduation event on July 12 at the Houston Community College Auditorium. OBO’s 2022 Summer Interns completed this year’s program with an engaging capstone presentation on Aug. 1 that assesed the impact and effectivity of OBO’s programming. Kudos to interns D’Savion Henderson, Mark Luo, Alana Mangum, Moneasha
Rogeau, Alexis Shepard, and Frida Vazquez (pictured above), and to OBO Procurement Specialist Tifney Scott for managing this year’s program, which is part of the City of Houston’s Hire Houston Youth (HHY) Initiative.
Summer 2022 | Insights to Opportunity
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HAS-OBO Welcomes New Deputy Assistant Director “When small businesses can grow due to City contracting, so can our disadvantaged communities.”
By: Mark Luo
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o successfully carry out its mission of cultivating an inclusive and competitive economic environment in the City of Houston, the Office of Business Opportunity (OBO) relies on the dedicated compliance and outreach support provided by the Houston Airport System (HAS-OBO) office. In Fiscal Year 2021, HAS awarded more than $271 million in City contracting dollars to minority, women-owned, and small business enterprises.
Kellie Irving, HAS-OBO al Airport, William P. Hobby Airport, and at Ellington Field. The representation of these businesses at HAS, Irving said, will further showcase the beauty of Houston’s diverse and inclusive community, something she hopes travelers will see each time they visit.
Leading this partnership is Kellie Irving, who joined the OBO-HAS office as Deputy Assistant Director in June. Born and raised in Compton, California, she graduated from California State University, Dominguez Hills with a B.S. in Public Administration and a concentration in Urban Administration. Throughout her career, Irving has advocated for equity and inclusion for historically underutilized small businesses in the land transportation world and in municipal government, having worked at Long Beach Transit, LA Metro, and the City of Augusta, Georgia. The chance to explore and apply her experience to another arm of transportation and aviation excited Irving and led her to Houston because of her neverending desire to grow and learn.
“There is always an opportunity for me to learn and as a professional,” she said. “One should always want to be in the mode of constantly learning.” At HAS-OBO, Irving has already hit the ground running to expand opportunities for disadvantaged business enterprises, including airport concessionaires, MWSBEs and LGBT Business Enterprise certified firms (LGBTBEs) that are interested in contracts at George Bush Internation-
DIRECTOR: OBO Enters FY23 With Updated Mission, New Vision Continued from Page 1 the Greater Houston region, and an updated mission to emphasize our commitment to inclusivity. The full vision and mission statements can be found on our website at www. houstontx.gov/obo. In this issue, we will share highlights from OBO’s Business Beyond Borders Summit, a continuation of our
Additionally, she is committed to improving the efficiency of services and workflows at HAS-OBO. She also hopes to positively impact the community by monitoring contract compliance and advocating for contractors to hire locally. “What I’m doing today, and how it’s going to impact someone down the road, is critically important to me,” Irving said. “When small businesses can grow due to City contracting, so can our disadvantaged communities. Moms and dads can keep food on the table, pay their mortgages, pay their rent, and buy new cars. Their children then get the opportunity to chase their dreams and become outstanding members of society.”
efforts to connect local businesses to resources and opportunities for exporting their products and services.
Last, but certainly not least, we welcome Kellie Irving to the OBO team. You will learn more about Kellie, who leads the Houston Airport System-OBO office, in this issue.
We are excited to embark upon the 10th year of the Liftoff Houston Startup Business Plan Competition which provides entrepreneurs with valuable information and resources each year, including more than $30,00 in prize money made possible by Capital One Bank.
In closing, I want to thank our summer intern class of 2022 for the incredible work they have done in the various divisions in our office, especially for their work on a capstone project which explored how OBO can further enhance our services for maximum impact.
Marsha E. Murray was appointed by Mayor Sylvester Turner and confirmed by City Council to serve as the Director of the City of Houston’s Office of Business Opportunity (OBO) in April 2020, after having served as OBO’s Interim Director.
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BUSINESS PROFILE
FS Group Architects: Build Trust to Ensure Contracting Success By: Enzo Mungu
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S Group Architects (FSG) was established in 1999, after licensed architect and accredited LEED professional Sabir Fakhruddin was asked to design a medical office building by a Houston cardiologist. Twenty-four years later, the company has grown its portfolio to include projects in commercial, corporate and institutional spaces, as well as in aviation, education, healthcare, and public works. FSG is licensed in Texas to provide architectural services and employs licensed architects and licensed interior designers under Fakhruddin’s leadership, and provides master planning, professional architectural design, and interior design services. In the City of Houston, FSG is a certified Minority Business Enterprise (MBE) and has been awarded several professional services contracts, including: for Houston Public Works, buildings for the Northeast Water Purification Plant (NEWPP); for the General Services Department, renovations at the Memorial Park Golf Club; and for the Houston Airport System, the Infrastructure Development Office – PMO/IDO Building at the George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH), the Aerospace Institute and the Campus Masterplan for the Houston Spaceport at Ellington Field, as well as new construction and renovations to
MAJOR CITY OF HOUSTON PROJECT: FS Group Architects at the site of the Dewatering Building of the Northeast Water Purification Plant (NEWPP), which will provide the pumping of finished and filter backwash supply water with seven high-service pumping unit turbines. The NEWPP project is the largest progressive design build project in the United States, and FSG is the Architect of Record and in charge of 40 buildings on the campus.
Terminal B, also at IAH. FSG also worked on designing the iconic wayfinding signage at the William P. Hobby Airport, which helped Hobby achieve its Skytrax 5-Star rating.
being committed to maintaining a high quality of professional service, coupled with excellent relationships, financial, and time management, according to Fakhruddin.
“We are one of the largest MBE architects in the city, with a diverse team reflecting the diversity of Houston,” said Fakhruddin. “We have been doing work with the City for over 15 years since FSG designed renovations for Mayor Bill White’s offices.”
“It is extremely important to manage your accounting, your time, and your cash flow to become a solid financial partner as a prime or as a sub,” he said. “These aspects build trust, which is critical to building a continuing relationship from one project to another.”
The key to longevity and repeat business for contractors, whether at the prime or subcontractor level, is continuously
For more information about FS Group Architects, go to www.fsdesignbuild.com.
CALENDAR OF EVENTS Acres Home Chamber of Commerce Business Networking Luncheon: Join OBO Director Marsha Murray at 11 a.m. on Aug. 18 at 6112 Wheatley Street. As guest speaker, Murray will share information about OBO’s free services and resources, including City of Houston certifications and business development programs. To register or sponsor a table at this in-person event, go to acreshomechamber.com. Live & Virtual Pre-Certification Workshops: Attend virtually at 2 p.m.
on the first and third Tuesday of each month via Microsoft Teams. Attend in person at 611 Walker, 7th Floor at 2 p.m. every third Tuesday. Representatives from OBO’s Certification Division will provide an overview of certification types, requirements, application procedures and certification benefits. Registration is required and can be completed by going to http://www. houstontx.gov/obo/registrations.html. Additionally, on-demand versions of the workshop can be accessed 24/7 via the link above.
Increasing Your Business and Business Strategies Panels: Join OBO and SCORE Houston for a series of discussions designed for City of Houston vendors and Houston entreprenuers. Topics cover Obtaining OBO Minority Certification, Sept. 1; Contract Management, Oct. 6; Managing Financials with QuickBooks, Nov. 3; and Forecasting, Dec. 1. All events take place from 1-2 p.m. at Houston Community College – Missouri City, 1600 Texas Parkway. For registration links, contact Porscha.Jackson@houstontx.gov.
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EMPLOYEE HIGHLIGHT
Certification Officer Louis Banks Builds Career Rooted in Service
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r. Business Development Coordinator Louis Banks joined the Certification and Designations Division of the City of Houston’s Office of Business Opportunity (OBO) in January 2020, just before the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. His passion to help small businesses reach their full potential earned him a senior-level promotion within two years. He also serves as OBO’s Wellness Ambassador. After high school, Banks enlisted in the United States Navy for four years on the USS Shoup, deploying twice in the Pacific Ocean. Banks received a humanitarian medal for the work he did during a tsunami in Indonesia.
completed the application process. It’s exciting to hear their prospects as they grow their business.
Q
Q
A: I liked the idea of public service and
A: In my division, we really look in-depth at the certification applications. It’s a lot of documentation, and we ask a lot of questions and do a lot of reviews. We vet these applications to make sure they meet the requirements of the program, which takes tons of time. A lot of times the leg work involved with that is the most undervalued part.
having a job where I’m able to help people and businesses. I worked in banking before this, but I just felt like I had something more to offer. Working at OBO has given me an opportunity to help businesses in Houston grow.
Q
How would you describe your role at OBO?
A: I process the applications for Minority Business Enterprises (MBE), Women Business Enterprises (WBE), Small Business Enterprises (SBE), and Persons with Disabilities Enterprises (PDBE). With these certifications, businesses can grow and have the opportunity to work with the City of Houston.
Q
What do you enjoy most about your job?
A: I most enjoy the people that I work with. We have a really good team where everyone helps each other. We teach each other, and we learn from each other. It also feels good when you get a call from a business owner who is really excited that they have
There are more than 10,000 restau➡ rants in the Houston area with culinary choices that represent more than 70 countries and American regions.
Houstonians eat out more than ➡ almost anyone else. According to Zagat,
By: Mark Luo
What brought you to the Office of Business Opportunity?
DID YOU KNOW?
Houston has been eating its meals at restaurants more than any other city for the better part of the last decade.
In 2016, Yelp.com listed Houston as ➡ having more than 75 national categories of cuisine, and listed over 600 vegan-friendly restaurants, more than 150 farm-to-table restaurants, and more than 700 food trucks.
In 2014, the Greater Houston Part➡ nership unveiled a multi-million-dollar,
What do you think is an undervalued part of your division?
Q
What is something you’d like the community to know about the Certification and Designations Division?
A: We’re always eager to help and assist when people call or when they come in with questions. If we don’t have the answers to your concerns, we will find them. We really enjoy helping applicants and prospective applicants anytime.
Q
What are some things you like to do for fun?
A: I like to travel, play basketball, and go fishing. Earlier this year, I went to Jamaica for a week and in August I will be going to Hawaii. I also fish every weekend with my favorite spot being in Freeport, Texas.
multi-year campaign to attract businesses and talented workers to live in the city with the campaign slogan, “Houston: The City with No Limits.”
Houston is on land that was home to ➡ the Karankawa and the Atakapa indigenous peoples for at least 2,000 years before the first known settlers arrived.
WHO WE ARE
Insights to Opportunity is produced by the City of Houston’s Office of Business Opportunity (OBO), which has a mission to cultivate an inclusive and competitive economic environment in the City of Houston by promoting the success of small businesses and developing Houston’s workforce, with special emphasis on historically underutilized businesses and disenfranchised individuals. OBO’s vision is to eliminate systemic barriers to prosperity and economic opportunity in the Greater Houston region. Executive Editors: Marsha E. Murray, Esq., Lalla V. Morris, Esq. Managing Editors: Pearl Cajoles, Enzo Mungu Copy Editors: Norma Meadows, Dr. Porscha Jackson Contributing Writers: S. Nellie Piña, Mark Luo Any information in this newsletter does not constitute the Office of Business Opportunity’s endorsement of any business or organization. If you have a story idea, e-mail pearl.cajoles@houstontx.gov.
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