COVID-19 relief options and additional resources
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Success Stories

SBA COVID-19 RELIEF FUNDING LEADS TO SAVORY SALVATION

 

Background:

Graduating in 2009 with a degree in Baking and Pastries, Alcorta began his culinary career as an Event Manager at a large restaurant chain.  In February of 2014, David Alcorta Catering opened its doors and today the chef is one of the most sought-after caterers and specialty cake bakers in the city. In fact, his wedding, quinceañera, gender reveal, and birthday cakes have been called “drool-worthy fantasy creations that are Instagram-ready” by Outsmart Magazine.

 

David Alcorta Catering is not all about cakes; just as their name suggests, they also cater all types of parties and events, supplying everything from the food to the table linens to the TABC certified bartenders and on-site prep. Being able to plan each aspect of these life events is a passion that Alcorta takes seriously.

 

 

Situation:

With steady bookings set throughout the year, 2020... Read More

Planting Roots and Sprouting Success

Dandelion Café

Sarah Lieberman started her business in 2016 after initially moving to Houston to work in oil and gas. Growing up around the restaurant industry when her parents ran their own pizza place, Sarah was moved to begin her own venture. What started out as a coffee shop quickly turned into an elevated brunch spot that broke even within a couple months of adding food to the menu. Sarah even put her carpentry skills to work by building her own tables and doing maintenance on her own restaurant to save money.  

With no familiar support in a new city and even less capital, Sarah tapped into SCORE mentorship for assistance, eventually meeting on a weekly basis to walk through the business planning process. Sarah found it difficult to access funding due to collateral and minimum loan requirements, especially as an applicant from the restaurant industry. After several rejections from banks, SCORE set her up with Bayou... Read More

SBA Helps Woman-Owned Cattle Business Expand Boundaries

Background:

Ranching isn’t for the faint of heart and when you think of ranching—it’s not just a man’s world.  Bullard Cattle Company started in 1996 by Gary Bullard who purchased two cows to start a legacy similar to the one his grandfather had built over seven decades prior. His grandfather, Herbert Brast, ran a dairy farm in the early 1930’s and 40’s servicing the Kruse’s Creamery which later became Blue Bell. 

After her husband’s passing, Rhonda Bullard took over as Owner and Operator of the family-run business. Today, the company has over 2,000 head and growing with access to small grass-fed operations in the gulf coast region allowing for scaling as needed. 

 

Situation:

And scaling is exactly what was needed when Bullard Cattle Company was selected as one of 50 companies to participate in an inaugural class sponsored by Houston Community College and Amazon. The previous business... Read More

The Compounded Effect of SBA COVID-19 Relief Assistance

Background:
Nannette Ray, MBA and Terrence Ray, CPA began TNR Accounting and Management Consulting, LLC  in 2008.  TNR is a minority woman-owned small business that provides CFO Services, bookkeeping, tax preparation, and management consulting services for corporations, governmental agencies, and small to medium-sized businesses.

In 2018, TNR was interested in obtaining WOSB and WBE certifications for the firm and went to the WBEA-WBC’s Fourth Fridays Coffee Chat to learn more on how to utilize the certifications to grow the business; this is where the Ray’s first heard of the Small Business Administration.

Situation/Solution:

Fast forward to 2020, COVID-19  made the company realize early on that a pivot was needed to continue being successful. The duo attended SBA and SCORE trainings to receive training for their staff concerning the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) and the Economic Injury... Read More

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