o Build Up Houston is a comprehensive, seven month program designed to increase the capacity and success of small businesses. In 2021, the program extended beyond the construction industry to include businesses of all industries. Build Up Houston utilizes curriculum provided by Interise, a non-profit organization, focused on helping established small business owners take their companies to the next level for continual growth and success. Interise has an award-winning curriculum that was developed and refined by working hand-in-hand with small business owners and national business experts. Interise is a proven leader in educating and training established business owners to grow their businesses.

Build Up Houston

Program Overview

Build Up Houston is designed to combine the best of classroom learning with real-world case studies, including the one most important to you: your own business. Industry experts, business peers, and instructors provide insights, strategies, motivation, and accountability. It’s an interactive format, where you get the tools, know-how, and confidence to take the next step. During that time, you can expect to learn about:

  • Business Development Strategies
  • Strategic Planning
  • Estimating and Bidding
  • Finance and Financial Management
  • Bonding and Insurance
  • Marketing and Sales
  • Human Resources
  • Accessing Capital
  • Government Contracts
  • Project Management

Program Length: 7 Months

Congratulations to our 2022 graduates of Build Up Houston:

  • Stacey Frank | All In One Professional Services
  • Fabian Gutierrez | Global Partner Solution
  • Tenille Johnson | Scrubs To The Rescue
  • Kaston Martin | Paperwork Consulting
  • Reid McNally | AAA Technology and Specialties Co., Inc.
  • Dori Mullins | CM Simple Janitorial

Congratulations to our 2021 graduates of Build Up Houston:

  • Patricia Bomar | Yoga Athletex LLC
  • Juan Castillo | CAS Consultants, LLC
  • Chris Gatson | Gatson Concrete Construction, Ltd.
  • Blake Hutchins | NB Contractors, Inc
  • Colette Lewis | FFG Strategic Consulting, LLC
  • Janie Maldonado | General Commercial Solutions, LLC
  • Lourdes Pedroza | L & R Flooring Inc
  • Elizabeth Sturgill | Maximus Construction, LLC
  • Shearrard Thomas | Lyncverse Technologies
  • Judy Tuttle-Wurth | 3930 Ego
  • Oraios Ward | Abundans Information Technology LLC

2019-2020 Build Up Houston Graduates:

  • Connetta Hilliard | Space City Transport, Inc.
  • Charu Jain | Gasochem International
  • Khalil Memon | Dynamic Contract Consultants, LLC
  • Djuan Mouton | All in One Building Maintenance
  • Panagiota Papadopulos | Oreon Construction, Inc

2018 Build Up Houston Graduates:

  • Alex Dawotola | Heneco Engineering and Consulting, LLC
  • Bobbye Mills | Bobbye Joyner-Mills, Inc.
  • Callie Bletsch | MBCO Engineering, LLC
  • Casey Simien | GCI Solutions, LLC
  • Charles Mgbeike | APEX Consulting Group, Inc.
  • Gina Diaz | GCI Solutions, LLC
  • Hui Chang | H T & J, LLC
  • Joseph Taylor | D.C.T. Imaging
  • Lianne Lami | Bocci Engineering, LLC
  • Olusola Dosunmu | Dominion Engineering Management Services

2017 Build Up Houston Graduates:

  • Johnny Hollins | J.G. Hollins Investment
  • Jorge A. Mancilla | Gutier LLC
  • Vladimir Naranjo | PMG Project Management Group, LLC
  • Anthony Ndah | Noble Construction Co.| A division of Atlantic Petroleum
  • Janet Pena | Coastal Supplies and Services
  • Wayne Rodick | Coastal Hydraulics

2015-2016 Build Up Houston Graduates:

  • Robert Adams - Robert Adams, Inc.
  • Tony Batista - Floors 2 Luv, LLC
  • Mo Fatany - Veteran Supply and Manufacturing
  • Francis Foyeku - ADVACS, Inc. Facilities Maintenance and Construction Support Services
  • Terry Sowells - SCMU, Inc.
  • Fernando Vivas - Vivas Contractors, Inc.
  • Edison Williams - Williams Tunneling Industries Inc.

2014-2015 Build Up Houston Inaugural Class

  • Roque Campos -- Onnea Equipment, LLC
  • Cathy French -- Gennoa French Enterprises Inc. DBA Lone Star Underground Utility Contractor
  • Luis Guerra -- Texas Pride Utilities, LLC
  • John C. Higgins -- Neutex Advanced Energy Group Inc.
  • Wanda Johnson -- CandCNET Associates Inc.
  • Alicia B. Jimerson -- Jimerson Underground Inc.
  • Carol MacNeil -- Genesis Cabling Solutions, LLC
  • Hilton Middleton -- MUI Services, LLC
  • Hemendra Patel -- Texas Concrete Enterprise Ready Mix Inc.
  • Victor Washington -- Washington & Sons AC and Heating, LLC

Interise

Interise is the premier organization for established small businesses interested in growth. Interise seeks to fill a gap in small business economic development by serving established small businesses in order to promote job creation, local wealth generation, and community building. More than 2,500 entrepreneurs across the country have completed Interise’s StreetWise ‘MBA’™ curriculum with extraordinary results. In 2013, graduates of the program grew their businesses by an average of 39% and created jobs at 5X the rate of the private sector as a whole. More information can be found at www.interise.org.

Program Sponsors

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