Alumni Success Stories
Alumni Success Stories
Video - Interviews by HCC TV and Newsletters - Events & Articles
About our Programs – Sandra Louvier – Director, Entrepreneurial Initiatives & Community Relations, Glenda & David Regenbaum Center for Entrepreneurship – HCC NW
Watch the HCCTV Interview (Video)
- 4 min - 00:00 – 3:56 - Glenda & David Regenbaum Center for Entrepreneurship
- 5 min - 3:57 - 9:02 - Our Three Signature Programs
- 3:57-6:47 - HCC Business Plan Competition
- 6:47-7:42 - Small Business Success Series by HCC©
- 7:43- 9:02 - HCC Mattress Mack School of Selling©
- Updates as of December 2024
January 2025 Activities
- 2025 Business Plan Competition Opening Reception & Showcase
- Date/Time: Thursday, January 9, 2025 – 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM CST
- Format: Virtual on Zoom
- RSVP for the 2025 Opening Reception & Showcase
- Financial Workshops (Webinars)
- Choose one date:
- Wednesday, January 15, 2025
- Wednesday, January 22, 2025
- Thursday, January 30, 2025
- Register for a 2025 Financial Workshop
- Choose one date:
- 2025 Business Plan Competition Application Period
- Opens: Monday, January 6, 2025
- Closes: Saturday, January 25, 2025
- Milestone Achievements
We surpassed the 1,000 Alumni Graduate Milestone for our three Signature Programs in Fall 2023 and, as of Year End 2024, we celebrate over 1,400 alumni graduates!
HCC Business Plan Competition
Alumni Success Stories
Video Clips
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)
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
Meet Helen Callier from Permit Us Now (Video)
Meet Tiffany Williams from Twice Media Productions (Video)
Meet Megan Eddings from Accel Lifestyle (Video)
Meet Derek Gilboe of Lokimox (Video)
Meet Raquel Freeman from Empower Youth Sports (Video)
Meet Lyndsey Brantley from Camellia Alise (Video)
Meet Christa Clarke from Cubicles to Cocktails (Video)
Meet Reda Hicks from GotSpot (Video)
Meet Sarah Mercier from Learning Ninjas (Video)
Meet John Hadley from Specialty Diving (Video)
Newsletters
2025
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
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, 9:00am – 3:00pm
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
2024
December 2024 Newsletter
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
April 2024 Newsletter – Special Issue
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
2023
December 2023 Newsletter
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
2022
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
2021
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
2020
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
2019
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