Nomination Deadline Approaching for LSCS SBDC 22nd Annual Small Business Awards

Nomination Deadline Approaching for LSCS SBDC 22nd Annual Small Business Awards

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The deadline for nominations is quickly approaching for the Lone Star College System Small Business Development Center 22nd Annual Small Business of the Year Awards. Guidelines and nomination forms are available by visiting www.sbdc.LoneStar.edu. Applications are due Aug. 1.

Camille Hamilton, owner of CMIT Solutions of Northwest Houston Suburbs was nominated by the Tomball Chamber of Commerce and received the Small Business of the Year award in 2005.

“I couldn’t be more delighted with this honor; it truly establishes you as a business and gives you credibility,” said Hamilton.

“In corporate America employees are rewarded with raises and promotions, but when you own your own small business there isn’t anyone out there to give you that needed pat on the back,” she said. 

In addition to being extremely customer focused in her information technology business, Hamilton considers community service a high priority serving, among other things, as an active member of the LSCS SBDC advisory council.

“The friendships I have made through networking with other small business owners are something I truly value and cherish,” said Hamilton. 

Terry Sellers of Sellers Group LLC received the Small Business of the Year award in 2003 having been nominated by several peer business associates in The Woodlands. Sellers Group LLC is a commercial employee benefits agency established in 1997 which has grown to more than 100 employer clients and licensed in more than 30 states. 

“Receiving this award demonstrated that we had achieved recognition for service to the community and to our client partners beyond expectations,” said Sellers.

“Public presentation of the award at the banquet gave us the opportunity to invite clients and friends to participate in the celebration they were a part of,” he said. 

Sellers is equally committed to community service and support for LSCS. He currently serves on the board of the foundation as treasurer and assists with funding endowments for LSCS. 

Pat and Jill Boullion, owners of Boullion Graphics since 1988, received the Small Business of the Year award in 2007 after being nominated by the North Houston-Greenspoint Chamber of Commerce.  Boullion Graphics serves the business-to-business market with top quality graphic design and marketing services.

“It was a great honor to win the award because it meant that doing good work in the community and doing good work for your customers is not mutually exclusive,” said Jill.  

“We believe you succeed by doing both. It has given us credibility in new markets that we've entered in the past year and allowed us to compete against larger firms,” she said. 

Jill serves as chairperson of the North Houston-Greenspoint Chamber of Commerce; Pat is an active member of the LSCS SBDC advisory council.

Fifteen small business owners will be selected by the Advisory Council of the SBDC on the basis of leadership, entrepreneurial spirit, business growth and success, and contribution to the community. There will be three finalists from each of the five college service areas and ultimately one winner from each college service area. All 15 finalists will be recognized at the Small Business of the Year Awards Banquet on Nov. 20 at The Woodlands Waterway Marriott. 

Each of the 15 finalists will have the opportunity to showcase their business during the cocktail hour of the awards ceremony. During the evening’s program each finalist will be highlighted with a video and at the conclusion of the evening five recipients will be presented with an award from LSCS chancellor, Dr. Richard Carpenter. 

“This exciting event has become an annual rite of passage for both the college and the SBDC,” said Sal Mira, LSCS SBDC director.

“It allows all of us an opportunity to recognize exceptional businesses for what they do. We are delighted to carry on with this tradition and help to spotlight successful small businesses in this very special way,” said Mira.

Lone Star College System consists of five colleges, including LSC-CyFair, LSC-Kingwood, LSC-Montgomery, LSC-North Harris, and LSC-Tomball, six centers and LSC-University Center. With 49,250 students, it is the largest institution of higher education in the Houston area, and third largest community college district in Texas. To learn more, visit LoneStar.edu.

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Posted by Demilliano, Emily F on 7/16/2008 12:50:00 PM
Lone Star College System
5000 Research Forest Drive
The Woodlands TX 77381-4356
Phone 832.813.6500
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