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Drama: Scenes and Monologues: Dec 01, 2009 -Dec 03, 2009
Spring Branch Campus Performing Arts Center
Opera Workshop Performances: Dec 04, 2009 -Dec 06, 2009
Spring Branch Campus Performing Arts Center
HCC Northwest Choir Concert: Dec 06, 2009
Spring Branch Campus Performing Arts Center
"What If" Drama: Dec 10, 2009 -Dec 12, 2009
Spring Branch Campus Performing Arts Center
Dance Recital: HCC Dance Students: Dec 11, 2009 -Dec 12, 2009
Spring Branch Campus Performing Arts Center

Spring Branch Business Plan Competition Concludes

The first annual Spring Branch Business Plan Competition concluded with the awarding of first, second, and third place winners at an awards recognition held Monday, April 28.

First place winners Rudy Hernandez and John Blackmon received $8,000 for their submission. The pair, advised by Dan Prosser, established a business plan for an interactive public opinion polling Web site, www.thepeoplethink.com. It offers users a place to network socially through customizable pages, polls and boards. Users are free to vote on a range of topics - national news, politics, pop culture, and the “best” of anything in town. Unique to this site is the ability to create text or video streaming polls for topics of interest.

The second place winner, Brian Jason Cooper advised by Jack Barry, Jr. and Steve Shaffer, developed the Spring Branch Entertainment Studio, an audio recording studio offering discount recording services. The studio would have several soundproof recording booths equipped with self-service recording equipment for artists and vocalists. Cooper received $6,000 for his second place win.

Shannon Carey and Russell Moore advised by Mike Eyre and Cynthia Albanese created The Greener Side and were recipients of the $4,000 third place award. As a mobile health spa offering an array of services using only natural products, The Greener Side would set up a relaxing environment at at a customer's home or place of business.

The idea for the business plan competition started at a meeting with Dr. Zachary Hodges, President of HCC Northwest, and members of the Barnabas Class of Memorial Drive Presbyterian Church that included Robert Westheimer, retired Arthur Andersen Co. partner. Dr. Hodges talked with the group about the role Houston Community College plays in community and economic development. The Barnabas Class had established Newspring as a 501c3 organization designed to nurture new businesses in the Spring Branch area of Houston with the support of experienced businessmen and women to serve as mentors. Newspring will also help Spring Branch businesses by expanding their market opportunities beyond the borders of Spring Branch.

The competition was open to HCC students only, with the stipulation that the proposed businesses are to be incubated in Spring Branch. Student teams were assigned two established business leaders who served as advisors. The teams attended training sessions that included the basics of business plans, financial indicators and statements and obtaining capital.

Mr. Westheimer expressed that students learned more than just entrepreneurial basics, they learned the importance of fostering relationships with people. "We knew that a business plan competition for a community college would present some unique challenges and it did. However, the upside is significant. Student entrepreneurs who participated were helped in ways that don't lend themselves to precise measurement. Most of them were already on track to start businesses, so the competition accelerated their development. The big surprise was the bond that was created between the students and their Newspring advisers. In some cases those bonds are outlasting the competition, providing positive relationships for both the students and their advisers."

Competition judges included David Weekley, Chairman of David Weekley Homes; Jack Barry, Consultant, Author, and Retired CEO; Richard Fant, President and CEO of New Process Steel; Victor Alvarez, Economic Development Director of Spring Branch Management District; and Jay K. Sears of NewQuest Properties. Finalists each gave 15 minute presentations of their business plan to the judges.

“It was a great opportunity to see these aspiring young leaders present some really outstanding new business opportunities. Houston is blessed with some great educational institutions and talent to move our community forward!” Mr. Weekley said.

Jack Barry emphasized the importance of matching students with a business mentor. “The participants with the assistance of successful business people acting as advisors learn the business fundamentals necessary to build a successful business. This includes how to organize a plan and how to sell a business concept to an investor. Most importantly the participants learn that they personally have the responsibility to make their business successful.”

Program sponsors include Reliant Energy, HEB, Spring Branch Management District, USI SW, SmartBridge LLC, Stewart Title, New Process Steel, NewQuest Properties, Andrea and Mike Gallien, and Wal Mart.