Small Firm Roundtable Webinar - November 2021

Join the conversation.........Small Firm Roundtable Webinar

Free to attend, advance registration is required

Topic: MBE & WBE Certification Workshop

                     Women Business Enterprise & Minority Business Enterprise

Many public and private organizations have MWBE contract goals, making this a great opportunity for firms that are majority Minority and/or Women owned. The certifications provided by Houston Minority Supplier Development Council (HMSDC) and Women’s Business Enterprise Alliance (WBEA) are a great initial step in being awarded contracts with MWBE goals as well as attaining certifications from other organizations, like City of Houston and METRO. Join us to see how you can get your firm certified and get questions answered about the process.

Speakers:

Thomas James Nash, Director of MBE Services, Houston Minority Supplier Development Council 

Selina Gonzalez, Certification Specialist, The Houston Minority Supplier Development Coucil

HMSDC provides the only nationally-recognized Ethnic Minority Business Certification in the Houston Region. Certification offers minority suppliers the opportunity to connect face-to-face with many of America’s largest publicly-owned, privately-owned, and foreign-owned companies, as well as universities, hospitals, and other buying institutions. Leveraging our 45 years as an industry expert in Minority-owned Business Enterprise (MBE) enrichment, development, and impact, HMSDC offers certified minority suppliers support from technical trainings to exclusive buyer forums and corporate procurement events. Come work alongside Thomas James Nash, Director of MBE Services and Selina Gonzalez, Certification Specialist and see how HMSDC can benefit you.

Shirley Brooks – Director WBEA - Women’s Business Center and The Small Business Administration: Financial Services Champion for Small Business

Shirley is Director of the WBEA - Women’s Business Centers, (WBC), where “We develop women to level up statue.”  WBC Program is funded in part by host agency, Women Business Enterprise Alliance, a Non-Profit 501 C-3, and a partner organization for one of the most widely recognized and respected certification programs, in the United States for women business enterprises, and in part by the United States Small Business Administration through a Cooperative Agreement.     
Shirley’s has assisted over 2500 women entrepreneurs during her tenure at the Center – fueling her passion by being intentional when counseling women about turning their dreams and purpose into business models that can scale to their expectations.  The WBC is all about building business disruptors that will showcase WOMEN niche business ideas and problem-solving capabilities as their stories will influence and impact their business success.  The WBC program is designed to develop strong BUSINESSES that can engage a client in contract opportunities. Shirley also realizes that women businesses require access-to-capital; which is why she has made her mantra – helping women businesses tell their financial story and need requirements through a signature training – where Women Bankers consulate Women Business Owners on the importance of gaining access to capital. Mastering true financial knowledge through vital training on (Revenue Generation, Creating Sufficient Financial Statements) will be the pivoting point of up-leveling.

Prior to WBC she was with ACCION Texas, Vice President of Lending for 13 years.  Her previous thirteen years was spent packaging, underwriting and funding commercial loans for startups and businesses that could not obtain a loan through traditional sources. She is an Entrepreneur – owner of Liquid Capital Alternatives (Franchisee), funding contract receivables.  
In her current capacity as Director, Shirley is charged with developing a network of partnerships with Houston’s strongest team of mastermind counselors and collaborative partners.  We offer workshops, free one-on-one consulting, and mentoring, all geared to take entrepreneurs through the transition from an employee to a CEO. 

Native Houstonian – University of Houston “Go Cougar”! But her legacy will be severing women from her 10 year-old-life experience compos. And, being grateful to God for loving her enough to send her a beautiful, intelligent, loving, daughter.  Complete!