Houston OBO Insights to Opportunity Newsletter - Winter 2021

INSIGHTS TO OPPORTUNITY Winter 2021 | Vol 21 | Issue 6

News & Events from Houston OBO | houstontx.gov/obo

City of Houston Breaks Participation Records MWSBE participation percentage for Construction contracts was 34.1%, and these firms were awarded more than $332 million for their work.

For Goods & Services contracts, MWBE participation increased to 30.2%, well over the City’s 11 percent annual target. These firms were awarded more than $220 million for their work. The City also awarded more than $108 million to MWBEs for Professional Services contracts.

To view the entire OBO Fiscal Year 2021 MWSBE Awards Report, go Go to SUPPLIERS, page 5

EXCEEDING PARTICIPATION GOALS: OBO Director Marsha E. Murray relayed details about the City of Houston’s MWSBE Awards Report during the 2021 Meet The Buyer Procurement Forum.

By: Angel Rodriquez

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FROM THE DIRECTOR

he Office of Business Opportunity is committed to the success of minority, women-owned, and small business enterprises (MWSBEs) by monitoring and fostering their meaningful participation in the City of Houston’s procurement process.

Each fiscal year, through its MWSBE Awards Report, OBO details the progress City departments have made towards attaining participation goals established for the City’s MWSBE program.

In Fiscal Year 2021, the overall percentage of MWSBE participation was at 31.9% – the highest in the history of OBO’s recording. This percentage represents more than $662 million awarded to certified firms who do business with the City. Prior to this report, the highest known participation was 29.2% in Fiscal Year 2018.

The City also broke participation records in Construction, as well as on Goods & Services contracts. The

Greetings!

What a year! I want to start by thanking each and every member of the OBO team for their steadfast dedication to supporting Houston’s small businesses and disenfranchised Houstonians. They have done this through their daily work, and by their creative and impassioned delivery of our programming. The OBO team has delivered this year – certifying Go to BOARD Page 5

WHAT’S INSIDE Meet the Buyer Continues Connections in Hybrid Format Page 2

Free Educational Programs Benefit Small Businesses Page 3

Liftoff Houston Awards $10K to Aspiring Entrepreneurs Page 4

numerous new businesses, monitoring over 1,400 contracts, hosting countless webinars focused on business and workforce development, and rolling out new programming – all in the spirit of ensuring the City plays an impactful role in supporting an inclusive local economic environment.

As you will read in this issue, the City broke records in FY2021 in making Go to DIRECTOR, page 7

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Continued Connections: Meet the Buyer Goes Hybrid By: Ky Willson

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or more than a decade, the Office of Business Opportunity (OBO) has hosted the Meet the Buyer Procurement Forum (MTB) with the purpose of connecting certified businesses with City of Houston procurement agents, prime contractors, regional governmental agencies and industry-specific professional organizations. The structure of the agenda, workshops and exhibitor fair provide direct networking opportunities among companies large and small.

In December 2020, there was a shift, a pivot. The face-to-face interactions occurring in previous years transitioned to a completely virtual experience.

Under the leadership of OBO Business Development Manager Dr. Porscha Jackson, a committee of OBO staff volunteers created an online experience that ensured all participants, approximately 450 in total, continued to build productive professional and business relationships.

Meet the Buyer 2021, held Dec. 2 at the George R. Brown Convention Center, was no exception as a model of resilience for all participants.

Thanks to sponsors Houston First Corporation, CenterPoint Energy, and Lockwood, Andrews & Newman, the event was presented in a hybrid format.

Attended by more than 255 registrants (approximately 190 in person and 65 virtually), the event allowed prime contractors, subcontractors, government agencies and industry organizations to reap the benefit of making professional connections in person, while demonstrating flexibility in the continuation of key business practices for those who opted to attend virtually.

Additionally, businesses also received practical applications of online networking, virtual introductions of products and services, and targeted strategies to interact directly with buyers. Through panels, Q&A sessions, and expo booths in person and virtually, prime contractors interfaced one-on-one with prospective subcontractors and industry organizations to provide valuable

NETWORKING OPPORTUNITIES: Raul Vasquez of TruFund shares information about small business financing during the Meet the Buyer Procurement Forum.

resources in support of procurement success.

opportunities for MWBE subcontractor participation,” she said.

The event began with welcome messages from Mayor Sylvester Turner and Houston City Councilmember Amy Peck of District A. Mayor Turner encouraged small business owners to leverage the connections made at Meet the Buyer, while Councilmember Peck reminded participants that the

Featured speaker Roger Harris, Director of External Affairs at Houston First, spoke about contracting best practices and upcoming opportunities in the public and private sectors. OBO Advisory Board member Raoul Keddy, Founder and Managing Director of Raked International, facilitated a panel titled Procuring Beyond the Nation’s Borders. Other panels focused on private sector procurement, procurement success, and formal requests for proposal (RFPs) and bid Invitations.

“The greatest impact of MTB is the potential for small businesses to expand their business portfolio and forge meaningful and productive relationships.”

Marsha E. Murray OBO Director

City is open for business, with many contracting opportunities available.

Director Marsha E. Murray then provided updates about OBO’s programs and events, including an important program change to allow MWBE primes to meet advertised goals by self-performing up to 50% of the total goal. “This will allow MWBE primes to build capacity and still provide

“Through structured panel discussions, business owners who have previously walked this path shared personal experiences and recommendations on how best to submit bids on projects, secure the bid, and optimize outcomes of completed projects,” Director Murray said. “In addition, participants learned how to leverage their certifications to do business with key players in the private sector as well as how to expand their business in global markets. The greatest impact of MTB is the potential for small businesses to expand their business portfolio and forge meaningful and productive relationships.”

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Free OBO Programs Focus on Bonding, Capacity Building By: Pearl K. Cajoles

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his past fall, the Office of Business Opportunity presented three business development programs aimed at increasing procurement success for minority, women-owned, and small business enterprises (MWSBEs).

Build Up Houston For the first time since its inception, Build Up Houston extended its reach beyond the construction arena to welcome participants from the retail, hospitality and service industries – areas of business that were most impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Eleven graduates celebrated their success during an inperson ceremony at the Buffalo Soldiers Museum on Aug. 17.

details, including a link to the application form, go to www.houstontx.gov/ builduphouston or contact Dr. Porscha Jackson, Business Development Manager, at Porscha.Jackson@houstontx.gov.

Bonding and Business Capacity Building Program In collaboration with Houston Public Works and the U.S. Department of Transportation, OBO launched its Bonding and Business Capacity Building Program, part of a longterm strategy to assist certified firms in positioning themselves for larger contracting opportunities available in the public and private sectors.

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market core company capabilities to prime contractors during the bidding process; Thomas Jones Jr. of McConnell & Jones, LLP, who provided an overview of construction accounting concepts from job costing to financial reporting, as well as industry-specific practices; Mark Winchester of the U. S. Small Business Administration Houston District Office, who identified the most common reasons why small contractors fail and tips to avoid these pitfalls; and Herman Ross of National Insurance Consultants, Inc., who spoke about field operations, monitoring and minimizing job costs, and maintaining relationships.

Participants also learned about procurement opportunities from Houston Public Works, the Houston Airport System, Harris County, METRO, the Texas Department of Transportation, as well as representatives from the private sector.

Established in 2014 and administered by the Office of Business Opportunity, Build Up Houston is a no-cost, capacitybuilding program designed to help established small businesses increase their revenue, hire more employees, and improve their success in public and private procurement. Over a period of seven months, participants utilize the “Streetwise MBA” curriculum provided

by Interise, a non-profit organization dedicated to economic development and job creation.

The program focuses on peer-to-peer learning, CEO mentoring groups, building a three-year strategic growth plan, and live case studies using the businesses of each participant. OBO has graduated six cohorts from this signature program, with support this year from the Houston Airport System and Houston Public Works.

“Our sixth cohort included owners of an athletic training company and a beauty salon, which are examples of businesses that have suffered adverse impacts from the pandemic,” said OBO Director Marsha Murray. “We are currently accepting applications for the 2022 program, and I encourage businesses in similar industries to apply.”

The 2022 Build Up Houston program will launch in the spring. For more

LESSONS FROM THE PROS: At the Bonding and Business Capacity Building Program, representatives from Reytec Construction Resources, Inc. presented a bidding and estimating workshop, which focused on how to market core company capabilities to prime contractors, and the importance of print and electronic communications.

The program, held weekly from Oct. 13 through Nov. 17 at the E.B. Cape Learning & Development Center, covered topics such as: bonding and insurance; project management and field operations; construction accounting; banking and financing for contractors; personal credit; and managing growth.

These concepts were presented to participants through workshops facilitated by Reytec Construction Resources, which focused on how to

After completion of the workshops, participants received complimentary one-on-one sessions with surety bond producers, underwriters and other professionals who assist in the completion of bond applications and addressing any deficiencies that might deter the successful underwriting of a bond. This component was made possible by the U.S. Small Business Administration and the U.S. Department Go to PROGRAMS, page 9

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PROGRAM HIGHLIGHT

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Congratulations!

2021 Liftoff Houston Winners

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n partnership with the Houston Public Library and through the generosity of Capital One Bank, the Office of Business Opportunity is pleased to announce the winners of the 2021 Liftoff Houston Startup Business Plan Competition! Each received $10,000 in seed money for their business. Congratulations also goes to this year’s Fan Favorites, who each took home $500: Courtney Booker, Helpful Hearts Transportation (Service); Mary Lynn Fernau, Serendipity Picnic (Product); and Maryellen Vargas, Switches (Innovation). Pitch Day was held on Nov. 7 at the Julia Ideson Building. To view the Facebook Livestream, go to facebook.com/ liftoffhouston or click here.

SERVICE

PRODUCT

INNOVATION

ClaraTech Clara Orlean, CEO

SafetyKay, LLC Krystle Hodge, Owner

TonerBum Alina Kravchenko, CEO

ClaraTech empowers older adults to better utilize the technology in their lives, allowing them to stay safe, connected, and independent. ClaraTech delivers in-person technology training and assistance to older adults in the Houston area through the use of in-home tech consulting sessions and workshops.

SafetyKay, LLC, offers products that focus on decreasing fatality and accident rates among children ages 5-11 by teaching them critical health and safety skills.

Through the SafetyKay Safety Kits and animated SafetyKay kid videos, children will be taught critical safety skills to protect and prepare them against harm.

The TonerBum is a “U.S. Utility Patented Glute & Leg Toning Dumbbell” that is ergonomically designed to fit behind the back of the leg. This allows the user to safely and comfortably perform donkey kicks, fire-hydrants and other exercises that target key glute muscles in five minutes from the comfort of one’s home.

DID YOU KNOW? Houston is the most ethnically diverse metropolitan area in Houston rates first in total park acreage among U.S. ➡ ➡ the United States. At least 145 languages are spoken by resicities with more than one million residents. dents, and 90 nations have consular representation in the city.

Houston was found on August 30, 1836 by brothers Au➡ gustus Allen and John Kirby Allen on land near the banks of Buffalo Bayou.

➡ GQ Magazine named Houston the “New Capital of Southern Cool” in 2018.

➡ Houston has more than 80,000 hotel rooms.

Houston’s cultural events and exhibitions report 9.2 ➡ million visits per year.

Source: Visit Houston/Houston First Corporation. Learn more about Houston at visithoustontexas.com.

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EMPLOYEE PROFILE

Tamara Luera Makes Strides in Workforce Development Arena A: I’m a graduate of St. Edward’s

By: Julie Garay

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ith her position as the Workforce Development Coordinator of the Office of Business Opportunity, Tamara Luera brings an emphasis to creating and enhancing jobtraining programs and hiring opportunities that aims to foster the growth of certified firms and to eliminate employment barriers for job-seeking Houstonians.

OBO’s Turnaround Houston Job & Readiness Fairs and the Workforce Webinar Series, available on demand at YouTube. com/houstontxobo, are just two examples of Luera’s involvement in building and implementing community resource programs.

Q: What encouraged you to join OBO?

A: OBO’s mission was appealing

and has a meaningful purpose to enrich people’s lives, in comparison to other workplaces.

Q: Tell me about your background.

SUPPLIERS: More

University in Austin, but I was born and raised in Houston. After I graduated college, I started working in the non-profit sector. As a result, I’ve built programs that are still in place till this day, which help non-profit organizations allocate funds to reach their mission. I guess you could say those are my legacies.

Q: What is OBO planning in terms of workforce development?

A: Currently, we are working on

developing programs that will assist certified firms with building and growing their workforce. By partnering with other organizations aligned with OBO’s goal, we aim to assist certified firms with apprenticeship programs or certifications for trades, which is a win-win for small businesses and the workforce.

Q: What do you enjoy the most about working at OBO?

A: I’ve learned so much about

how the City works, how different departments work, and how their goals align. I also enjoy meeting new people and being able to network and make connections.

Q: What are your favorite things to do in your spare time?

A: One of my favorite things is

exploring Houston and trying new coffee shops. My favorite coffee has been from La Chamba Coffee Shop, which is part of SER Jobs, a non-profit community organization that OBO is working with to create a webinar series focused on certifications and trade training programs. The coffee shop is in the East End of Houston and has an amazing Horchata Cold Brew.

Than 4,700 MWSBE Firms Listed in City’s Online Directory

Continued from page 1 to houstontx.gov/OBO and click on Reports. The 58-page document also summarizes awards by vendor type, ethnicity and contract type, as well as by industry. It also breaks down MWSBE awards by City department, and contains several appendices for reference.

Including the amounts awarded to MWSBE firms, the City awarded well over $2 billion dollars to businesses working on City projects, with many

more projects to be awarded in the upcoming years. Recognizing that MWSBE vendors are catalysts for economic growth and ingenuity, OBO seeks to create a competitive and diverse supplier marketplace through its advocacy for these firms.

“We encourage prime contractors pursuing City contracts to utilize our Certified Firm Directory,” Director Murray said. “There, you will find more than 4,700 certified firms ready to perform work in construction,

professional services, commodities and supplies, equipment, and work services among others.”

To learn about City of Houston certification and how to become listed in the City’s Certified Firm Directory, visit the OBO website and click on the Certifications tab. For Contract Compliance related inquiries, also visit the OBO website and click on Contract Compliance. To view the City of Houston’s Certified Firm Directory, go to houston.mwdbe.com.

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TEP Program Celebrates ‘Successful Six’ Entrepreneurs By: Damita Roberts

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fter nearly four months of virtual training, mentorship and camaraderie, six aspiring business owners – Preston Dillard, Michelle Freytag, Tommy German, Jr., Norman Harris, Sarah Mabry, and Quincy Moore – celebrated their graduation from the 2021 Turnaround Entrepreneurship Program (TEP), held Sept. 1 at Hilton University of Houston.

Part of Mayor Sylvester Turner’s Turnaround Houston initiative, TEP aims to assist Houstonians touched by the criminal justice system start their own businesses and increase their credit scores for better access to capital. The program, established in 2019, was put on hold in 2020 due to COVID-19. This year, TEP returned in a virtual format thanks to partners and sponsors including Capital One Bank, Cadence Bank, the City of Houston Health Department and the Mayor’s Office of Complete Communities.

Through a video message delivered at graduation, Mayor Turner expressed his pride in the graduates and acknowledged their contributions to the community.

“I am truly proud of all of you, as I have been proud of the Turnaround Entrepreneurship Program since it first started,” he said. “Entrepreneurs like you are the heart and soul of our local economy. Your businesses will provide “Entrepreneurs like you are the heart and soul of our local economy.“ Mayor Sylvester Turner

essential services to our neighborhoods, they will create more jobs, and they will increase community wealth.”

Held over 14 weeks, TEP included online evening classes with industry experts from SCORE Houston, Cadence Bank, Epic Collaborative Advisors, Joseph Consulting Firm, LiftFund, The BridgePath, and the U.S. Small Business Administration.

The program’s curriculum focused on components of a business plan: business foundations; legal structure; products

OUT IN THE COMMUNITY: TEP graduates attend community event in Third Ward. Pictured from left: Preston Dillard, former City of Houston Councilwoman Jalonda Jones, Mayor Sylvester Turner, Quincy Moore, and Kenny Hill.

and services; market analysis; strategy and organizational management; financial planning and projections; and implementation.

With each session, the cohort elevated their knowledge of business foundations and how operational principles affect all aspects of their business plans. They also developed their own business ideas and created business plans on the Live Plan platform.

Participants also developed planning strategies and branding concepts, and improved their technical skills using planning applications such as Canvas, and online platforms such as Microsoft Office and Microsoft Teams.

TEP also covered communication, writing, presentation, and networking, as well as financial counseling from The BridgePath.

These counseling sessions provided individual consultations and custom credit rebuilding plans.

Upon graduation, participants received certificates of completion and a curated business kit to help their business operations, which included a laptop, business supplies and a stipend to help with the formation costs of their businesses with the Texas Secretary of State.

Learn More About the Successful Six Preston Dillard Effective Revisions is a program designed to improve outcomes for individuals with co-occurring substance abuse and mental health disorders through the provision of appropriate evidence-based services. This includes addressing the individual’s criminogenic needs, and is based on a reentry plan that relies on a risk and needs assessment that reflects the risk of recidivism for that individual.

Norman Harris Promise Land Resources offers a Reentry Masterclass to returning citizens, equipping them with self-empowerment tools to successfully reenter society while Go to TEP, page 7

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envisions gaining a minimum of 10 steady clients in the first fiscal year, exceeding client expectations, and being among the top five paralegal firms in the Houston Metro area within five years of establishment.

COACHING ENTREPRENEURS: TEP graduate visits the Joseph Consulting Firm to receive specialized coaching and brand development. Pictured from left: Norman Harris and Candace Joseph.

TEP: Meet

the Grads

Continued from page 6 building and maintaining stability and being compliant with the terms and conditions of supervised release. The Masterclass focuses on four keys areas: job readiness, social and life skills, victim empathy and civic engagement.

Michelle Freytag Concierge Legal Solutions (“CLS”) is a paralegal firm that provides legal processing and notary services. CLS

Sarah Mabry Convict Confections offers delicious latenight dessert and coffee options based on recipes from Sarah’s grandmother.

Located in front of Pearl Bar on Washington Ave, as well as at various farmers markets and citywide events, Convict Confections is the solution to Houston’s latenight dessert experience.

Tommy German, Jr. Chosen Aquatics is a pressure and power washing company with diagnostic

DIRECTOR: New Programs Slated for the New Year Continued from page 1 sure minority, women and small businesses are meaningfully included in our procurement process. We also forged relationships with private sector partners to support the inclusion of our certified firms in their procurements. For the first time since 2012, we rolled out a program focused on increasing the bonding capacity for our local businesses so they can take advantage of the numerous construction opportunities on the horizon in this region. And we did not miss a beat in delivering our signature programs this year, such as Build Up Houston, Turnaround Entrepreneurship Program, Turnaround Houston

Job and Readiness Fairs, as well as collaborative programs such as Turner School of Construction Management, Interagency Mentor-Protégé Program and Ascend Houston.

While we will continue to deliver these programs, we have new offerings to support you slated for the new year. In January, you will be able to take advantage of Procurement 101, an online interactive tool created in response to your requests to understand the ins and outs of the City’s procurement process. This tool, created in partnership with the City’s Strategic Procurement Division, can be accessed at your convenience.

Through National League of Cities, an

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expertise to solve large problems from residential driveways to multi-unit apartment complexes. With a small environmental footprint, Chosen Aquatics has the knowledge, technical expertise, work ethic and desire to leave clients satisfied every time.

Quincy Moore Moore’s LawnCare & Outside Services provides ideal landscape design as well as material installation and lawn maintenance.

The combination of these services allows landscaping in the client’s home or business to maintain its lush and vibrancy. With Moore’s LawnCare & Outside Services team, there will be less hassle, less confusion, and “Moore” results.

TEP begins each spring and is set to welcome its third cohort in 2022. For more information, go to www.houstontx. gov/turnaround.

organization committed to helping cities implement equitable policies, programs, and practices to support entrepreneurship-led economic growth, we will assist select local businesses to raise capital from community-based investors. And this Spring, we will host a new and improved exporting forum for local businesses interested in taking advantage of a global customer base by exporting their products or services internationally.

As usual, I encourage you to stay healthy and safe, and to continue to prioritize the health and safety of your employees and customers.

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

Mad Hat Maven Takes Pride in Certification By: Krystell Castillo

Certification, which is provided by the National LGBT Chamber of Commerce.

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n the summer of 2018, after several years of doing freelance communications work, Heather Taylor decided to take her business to a larger scale. She incorporated and founded Mad Hat Maven (MHM), a full-service communications firm specializing in external and internal communications, with an impressive and expansive portfolio of work in varied industries.

“I started small with no real expectation to grow, but through networking, I organically expanded the size and talent of Mad Hat Maven. This growth is largely attributed to our mantra – ‘no excuses, only solutions’,” Taylor said. “Our solution-oriented, holistic approach in the world of communications facilitates offering a broad list of services and expands the clients that we work with.”

Taylor and her team of 12 “Creative Mavens” offer services in digital media, communication, human resources, diversity and inclusion, digital transformation, c-level messaging, creative services, marketing, sales, team building, and leadership advocacy.

They wear many hats, and have clients in oil and gas, energy, retail,

CREATIVE MAVEN: Heather J. Taylor, Mad Hat Maven Chief Consultant, has more than 20 years of wearing multiple hats in the advertising, marketing communications, and public relations fields. Photo courtesy of Mad Hat Maven.

technology, hospitality, real estate, and entertainment. Key to their success is playing an active role in Houston’s small business community, including being a member of the Greater Houston LGBT Chamber of Commerce and other business organizations in the area.

In fact, it was through Houston LGBT Chamber Co-Founder and CEO Tammi Wallace that Taylor learned about obtaining LGBT Business Enterprise

INCLUSIVE AND DIVERSE: Mad Hat Maven, Heather J. Taylor pictured with staff and clients, said LGBT Business Enterprise certification gives her a sense of pride and aligns with the values of her network. Photo courtesy of Mad Hat Maven, Facebook.

“Benefits of chamber membership and certification have included networking, the opportunity to attend business events, and meeting people with different skill sets. Being part of a community that values diversity and inclusion also reflects Mad Hat Maven’s internal culture,” Taylor said.

“It is important that we are aligned with companies that have hired us as Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DE&I) consultants, and we are proud to be LGBT.” This past March, Mayor Sylvester Turner signed Executive Order 1-70, which calls for the intentional inclusion of LGBT businesses in the City of Houston’s procurement process. LGBT Business Enterprises are now included in the City’s Directory of Certified Firms, providing more visibility for contracting opportunities in both the public and private sectors. Taylor said this event was indicative of an administration that has a vision to keep Houston inclusive and diverse, and one that ensures that every voice is heard.

“One of the reasons I love Houston is that this is where I came out of the closet,” Taylor said. “Obtaining LGBTBE Certification gives me a sense of pride, and it’s an honor to put the LGBTBE certification badge in our website and marketing materials. Further, it is an honor to be part of an amazing network of people who couldn’t be more out and who are proud to talk the talk and walk the walk.”

To learn more about Mad Hat Maven, go to madhatmaven.com or call 832-460-6263. To access the City of Houston’s Directory of Certified Firms, go to houston.mwdbe.com. Also visit houstontx.gov/obo and click on the Certifications tab for an overview of the following certifications: Minority Business Enterprise, Women Business Enterprise, Small Business Enterprise, Persons with Disabilities Enterprise, Disadvantaged Business Enterprise, Airport Concessionaire Disadvantaged Business Enterprise, and LGBT Business Enterprise.

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OBO ACCOLADES

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or its leadership and commitment to the advancement of the minority and small business community, the Office of Business Opportunity was honored with the 2021 Strategic Partner of the Year Award by the Greater Houston Business Procurement Forum during its 30th Annual Awards Ceremony.

GRADS ON LOCATION: The 2021 Turner School of Construction Management cohort visited an active Turner Contruction site along with Dr. Porscha Jackson from the Office of Business Opportunity, and representatives from Turner Construction Company, including Andrew Reno.

PROGRAMS: Go

Online for Application Info Continued from page 3 of Transportation’s Small Business Transportation Resource Center.

Vice Mayor Pro Tem Martha CastexTatum of Houston City Council District K, who delivered welcome remarks, spoke to participants about the program’s benefits and the procurement opportunities available in the future.

“This program will help prepare you to take advantage of the billions of dollars that the City and the federal government will spend on construction projects in this region over the next few years,” she said.

“You will be able to expand your networks within the contracting community, and you will get firsthand knowledge about how to manage growth and pain points in this industry.”

Turner School of Construction Management The Office of Business Opportunity celebrated the 2021 cohort of the Turner School of Construction Management with a graduation ceremony on Nov. 16 at the Houston Community College Alief Hayes campus. The event returned to an in-person format this year.

In planning the program, OBO and Turner Construction Company considered new

OBO Director Marsha E. Murray also recieved accolades for her leadership in 2021. In September, she was named a Woman of Excellence for her contributions to the Greater Houston community during the Ruby Jubilee celebration of the Federation of Houston Professional Women, pictured below.

ways to make it the most impactful for participants. While the class was held in a virtual format with more than 60 participants last year, the 2021 cohort was reduced to 17 in order to introduce a more personalized and hands-on curriculum.

Also new in 2021 was a visit to an active Turner construction site at a KIPP campus to see business being done the “Turner Way.” For 30 years, Turner Construction Company has maintained a strong and steady partnership with the City of Houston, allowing men and women in construction and related industries to find many opportunities to grow and win more contracts because of this educational outreach program.

“I am confident that your business acumen has become stronger with new and refreshed knowledge of managerial, technical and administrative skills,” said OBO Director Marsha E. Murray to the 2021 cohort as she delivered congratulatory remarks on graduation day. “May everything you have learned from Turner School assist you in developing strategic business relationships and growing your network.”

For more about Turner School of Construction Management, go to houstontx.gov/obo and click on Business Development Programs or contact Dr. Porscha Jackson, Business Development Manager, at Porscha.

Jackson@houstontx.gov.

In December, Director Murray was also honored with the 2021 Legacy Maker Award for blazing a trail of leadership and service for others to come. This award was presented by Walker’s Legacy and the African American Mayors Association.

Also in December, OBO External Affairs Manager Pearl K. Cajoles received recognition from Mayor Sylvester Turner for her hard work, dedication and service to the City of Houston. She is pictured below with Mayor Turner and Director Murray, who nominated her for the award.

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CALENDAR OF EVENTS Live Pre-Certification Workshop:

2 p.m. on Jan. 4. Join representatives from OBO’s Certification division in a presentation and Q&A about the steps to becoming a certified firm.

Get an overview of certification types, requirements, application procedures and certification benefits. Registration is required by going to houstontx.gov/obo and clicking on the Certifications tab, or call 832-393-0600 and press Option 1.

Evolving the Business Plan: 11

a.m. - 12:30 p.m. on Jan. 6 at Houston Community College, 8701 S. Gessner Road, Suite 1200. Join OBO and SCORE Houston for the first of three panel discussions about Business Elements and Projecting Your Business in 2022.

For more information, contact Porscha.Jackson@houstontx.gov.

The Office of Business Opportunity’s Procurement 101 tool will launch January 2022!

Live Pre-Certification Workshop:

2 p.m. on Jan. 18. Join representatives from OBO’s Certification division in a presentation and Q&A about the steps to becoming a certified firm.

Get an overview of certification types, requirements, application procedures and certification benefits. Registration is required by going to houstontx.gov/obo and clicking on the Certifications tab or call 832-393-0600 and press Option 1.

Bookkeeping Matters:

11 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. on Feb. 10 at Houston Community College, 1600 Texas Parkway. Join OBO and SCORE Houston for the second of three panel discussions about Business Elements and Projecting Your Business in 2022.

For more information, contact Porscha.Jackson@houstontx.gov.

Obtaining Business Resources: 11 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. on March. 10 at

WHO WE ARE Insights to Opportunity is produced by the City of Houston’s Office of Business Opportunity (OBO). OBO is committed to cultivating a competitive and diverse 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.

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n 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, is pleased to announce the launch of the new 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 will be available 24 hours/day, 7 days a week. OBO will be sharing the link to the tool in January 2022 via our weekly newsletter, the OBO website, and social media.

Houston Community College, 1600 Texas Parkway. Join OBO and SCORE Houston for the final panel discussion in this three-part series about Business Elements and Projecting Your Business in 2022. For more information, or to register, contact Porscha.Jackson@ houstontx.gov.

Diversifying your Contracting Portfolio: 10 - 11:30 a.m. on Jan. 7

Executive Editors: Marsha E. Murray, Esq. Lalla V. Morris, Esq. Managing Editors: Pearl K. Cajoles, Enzo Mungu Copy Editor: Dr. Porscha Jackson Contributing Writers: Krystell Castillo, Julie Garay, Angel Rodriguez, Damita Roberts, Ky Willson Layout Designer: Damita Roberts

If you have a story idea, send an e-mail to pearl.cajoles@houstontx.gov. Follow @ HoustonOBO on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram and @HoustontxOBO on YouTube.

Any information in this newsletter does not constitute the Office of Business Opportunity’s endorsement of any business or organization.

via Zoom. Join OBO, Harris County, University of Houston, and the U.S. Small Business Administration in a workshop focused on how to expand opportunities in the world of procurement. Join with this link: https://bit.ly/3yahoYK.

Follow OBO