Juan Alanis is co-founder of Big Oak Tree Media

Constantine Zotos and Mitchell Webber are founders of Modern Chemical

Small business play a major role in the Houston region's broader economy. While these businesses employ just under 400,000 workers, or about 14% of the regional workforce, their tenacity and talent can be seen in some of the most unexpected places around greater Houston and beyond. 

In recognition of Small Business Month in May, the Partnership took a look back at some of the small businesses and entrepreneurs we've featured in the past year to highlight how they're making a positive impact. 

Entrepreneurs Transform From Cold Brew Coffee to Hand Sanitizer to Supply to Businesses

Entrepreneurs Constantine Zotos and Mitchell Webber were running Recharge Brewing Company, a nitrogen-infused cold brew coffee subscription business, when COVID-19 struck Houston in March 2020. The pandemic prompted demand for their product to drop, Zotos and Webber knew they had to quickly think of next steps.

In a short period of time, the duo launched Modern Chemical, which produces EPA-registered hand sanitizer and disinfectant products with B2B clients across the country. 

Listen to the Small Biz Insider interview with Modern Chemical (September 2020)

CEO Uses Second Chance to Help Convicted Felons Find Theirs

After Bryan Kelley was given a life sentence for murder in 1992, he said he was tired of being a part of the problem and wanted to be a part of the solution. 

That was the beginning of Kelley’s journey with the Prison Entrepreneurship Program, which connects the nation’s top executives, entrepreneurs, and MBA students with convicted felons. Over 2,600 men have graduated from the PEP since it launched in 2004. Kelley is one of them. Three years ago, he became CEO, overseeing about 30 employees and up to 3,000 active volunteers.

Listen to the Small Biz Insider interview with the Prison Entrepreneurship Program (January 2021)

Small Business Owner Helps Businesses Effectively Engage Houston's Dynamic Latino Market

Juan Alanis co-founded Big Oak Tree Media in 2016, a Houston-based public relations and digital marketing agency. One of the key focus area's for the small business is Hispanic marketing and community engagement. 

Alanis shared advice on successfully reaching Houston's Latino population and why businesses should steer away from "Latinizing" their messages and products.

Listen to the Small Biz Insider interview (April 2020)

Educators, Entrepreneurs Encourage 2020 College Grads to Adopt an Entrepreneurial Mindset

2020 was an especially challenging year for Houston's new graduates, including those who aspire to start their own business venture.

Dr. Yolanda Norman, Assistant Director of the University of Houston Cullen College of Engineering Career Center and founder and CEO of FirstGenCollege Consulting, and Dr. Hesam Panahi, Interim Executive Director of the Liu Idea Lab for Innovation and Entrepreneurship, offered their advice for Houston's newest entrepreneurs. 

Listen to the Small Biz Insider interview (July 2020)

Female-Focused VC Firm Helps Female Founders in Houston Thrive

Diana Murakhovskaya, Stephanie Campbell and Leslie Goldman are principals and co-founders of The Artemis Fund, a female-founded and female-focused venture capital fund based in Houston. They talked about the challenges women founders face and how their fund helps those entrepreneurs thrive.

Watch the Small Biz Insider interview (November 2020)

See the Partnership's latest figures on small business in Houston. Learn more about the Partnership’s Small Biz Matters business resource group and get information about how your organization can become a member today. Visit the Partnership's COVID-19 Resource page for updates, guidance for employers and more information.