Getting Down to Business Program

Small business development program
Deadline extended to Saturday, April 30 

When

Application Deadline: Saturday, April 30, 2016
Classes Begin on May 19

Add to Calendar 

Workshop location

Houston Business Development, Inc.at Palm Center 
5330 Griggs Road
Houston, TX 77021  

 
Driving Directions 

Contact

Marvett Howard (Marvett.howard@capitalone.com) 
Capital One Bank 
713.212.5222 
 

TRAINING PROGRAM COMPONENTS


Education: Free training sessions will enhance the owners’ operational ef ciency and capacity to grow their businesses through increased knowledge of best practices in the business world. Approximately 16 courses will instruct the participants on speci c business concepts, including writing business plans, increasing their knowledge of credit marketing and advertising, accounting best practices, industry lending practices, and other areas.

IDA Savings Account: To provide financial encouragement, each participant will be required to open a free Individual Development Account (IDA) small business savings account with Capital One Bank, to be matched 2:1, up to $2,000, upon the business owner’s successful completion of the program. This component helps build the business owner’s capital and ability to leverage the savings with other available financing.

Mentorship: Participants will be paired with knowledgeable professionals and volunteers throughout the program. This mentorship approach will provide assistance both during the class sessions and for one year following to assist owners in implementing new and updated skills, answer questions related to business operations and provide advice

Created by Capital One Bank, Getting Down to Business addresses the core needs of a small business.

The program offers qualified business owners an opportunity to grow their businesses by increasing their knowledge of credit, budgeting, marketing, business growth plans, financing, accounting best practices, networking, insurance and much more.

Getting Down to Business includes a matched savings component up to $2,000 that the business owners can use for operations, staffing or the purchase of supplies – upon completion of the program.

In addition, participants are paired with knowledgeable professionals and volunteers who serve as mentors during the class sessions and will make themselves available for continued support following completion of the program.

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Seven-Month, Free Program, limited to 15 participants, selected through an application and interview process.

Register Now! 

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Business classes will be held from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30pm, every other Thursday beginning May 19th at Palm Center in Houston Business Development, Inc.’s event room at 5330 Griggs Road, Houston, TX 77021.

Read what our recent graduates say about this program in 2014...

Nina and James Youngers, Co-owners, Got Dirty Blinds?

Since completing the GDTB program, We branded, launchedand expanded our business. We secured a small business loan through LiftFund in cooperation with Capital One that helped us finance our expansion into the Austin Market. We added a 2nd cleaning truck and cleaned 500 blinds for the IRS and serviced residential customers in both markets. We have pending contracts with the DEA and the ATF bureaus and are currently in talks with UTHealth.

Every lesson learned during the intense 7months GDTB program has been a building block that has helped us craft a well thought out business plan focused on future growth. We couldn't have done this without the guidance and advice of all the incredible people, mentors and small business advocates involved with Capital One's GDTB Program and for that we are truly thankful.

Mary J. Gilmore, President/CEO Amazing Awards, Inc.

  • signed a 4-year contract with Texas Tech with an option to renew for four more
  • was awarded a 3-year, sole source contract for awards, plaques and trophies from Lexington Urban County Government in Kentucky
  • became a prime with HISD for awards, plaques, trophies and promotional products
  • secured a new LiftFund loan to meet growing business and hired an additional full time staff person

Jelita Green-Dathorne, OD, CEO Gulf Coast Vision Center, Inc.

GDTB gave me the information and the tools that I needed to take my business to the next level. I am following the business plan I wrote as part of the GDTB program, and I am ahead of schedule in its implementation:

  • successfully transitioned my practice from a small lease with Sam's Club to a full service optometric clinic where I can sell my own glasses and contact lenses with major increase in profitability
  • chosen for Capital One Spark Plug, free advertising featuring a fan of my practice 

Landi Spearman, Owner, Destination 4 Relocation LLC

I have been recognized with certifications, awards, and designations, both locally and nationally, during and since the completion of 2015 GDTB program:

  • Student Entrepreneur Award winner 2015 - American Institute of Economic Research
  • 2015 Pitch Competition winner - National Urban League
  • Nominated for 2016 Emerging Leader  award - Houston Business Journal
  • Finalist for 2016 MassChallenge Boston Accelerator
  • On the Finisher team - HCC-Newspring Business Plan competition