Free OBO Programs Focus on Bonding, Capacity Building

By: Pearl K. Cajoles

This 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.

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 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.

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 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.

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

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.

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 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.

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.