HCC Newspring 2011 Business Plan Competition Winners

Winners of the 2011 HCC Newspring Business Plan Competition, sponsored by Sterling Bank, were announced at a reception Monday, May 2 at Houston Community College Spring Branch. The 2011 competition drew 19 teams, culminating with five finalist teams who presented their business plans before a panel of distinguished judges. Contestants were advised by over 40 volunteer business professionals through Newspring.

First prize of $12,000 went to Desiree Worrell-Mosley for Time for Tots, a drop-in daycare business that currently provides childcare on location at weddings and other events. Worrell-Mosley hopes to expand the business to an actual daycare facility in the Spring Branch area which would charge by the hour for daycare services. The first place winner was advised by Robert Westheimer and Tracy Little.

Second prize of $8,000 went to Anas Maguz for Soccer Revo, an indoor five-player soccer enterprise. Maguz describes this type of soccer as action-packed and appropriate for most age levels. He was advised by Steve Rosencranz and Steve Taconnelly.

The third place winners, Khurum Choudry and Shazia Choudry, won $4,000 for their business Human Nation, a philanthropic clothing store where three percent of their sales would be donated to charities. The team was advised by Richard Tyler.

Honorable mentions include Meredith Howse for Paleo Place, an Earth Science Retail, and Melissa Sanders and Shervetta Sanders for Rising Stars, a daycare. Each honorable mention received a $500 check for their business plan.

“Going through the steps of constructing a business plan opened my eyes and helped me to literally map out the success of my business. My advisors did an amazing job steering me in the right direction,” Worrell-Mosley said.

Jack Barry, retired CEO, consultant and author and Business Plan Competition judge, offered inspiring words for the contestants.

“Think of the Business Plan Competition as the first leg of a relay race. You have completed the first leg by developing and writing your business plan. Leg two will be to find funding for your business, and then leg three will be implementation of your business. The fourth leg of your business is very important – keep it growing,” Barry said.

The annual Business Plan Competition is held in partnership with Newspring, a local social entrepreneurship, non-profit organization founded by Robert Westheimer. Newspring is dedicated to nurturing new and existing businesses in Spring Branch. This mission is supported by their recruitment of business leaders who serve as mentors and advisors for students who enter the Business Plan Competition.

“What is most critical about this competition is the pairing of the business advisors with the student teams. These unions create inspiration and opportunities that the college cannot do alone,” Dr. Zachary R. Hodges, HCC Spring Branch and Katy Campus President, said.

Westheimer, Board Chairman for Newspring, spoke about how the competition is not about winning, but rather about the relationships which emerge. He encouraged all of the teams to reach out for help in launching their business.

The HCC Center for Entrepreneurship, a collective vision of Hodges and Westheimer, was established in 2009 by Dr. Maya Durnovo, HCC Dean of Economic and Workforce Development, and Sandra Louvier, HCC Center for Entrepreneurship Director, to better prepare aspiring entrepreneurs to weather the rigors of a real-world business plan competition.

“The prize money is wonderful, but every contestant has immediate access to the greater prize which is the training, mentorship and guidance that can allow them to create a solid business plan,” Louvier said.

The Center, which is positioned to provide a focal point to new entrepreneurs for on-going training and networking within the business community, offers workshops, seminars, classes and entrepreneur certificate programs. For more information about the Center and the annual Business Plan Competition, visit hccbizconnect.org or contact Sandra Louvier at c4e@hccs.edu or 713.718.6650.