Goldman Sachs 10K Small Businesses program graduates new class
Sep 5, 2018
When Priti Singh took over as CEO of Associated Testing Laboratories in Houston, her focus was on the immediate, day-to-day operations of the family owned business that opened its doors in 1959.
Today, she has taken on a vastly broadened perspective powered by a strategic growth plan – sage advice she gained from attending the Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses program at Houston Community College.
Singh is among 21 Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses alumni who received certificates of completion at a ceremony at the HCC Missouri City campus on Aug. 16.
Before taking part in the program, Singh said she had a parochial view of her business, which provides environmental and geotechnical engineering services, and construction materials testing and inspection.
“Now, I have more awareness of the different aspects of the business,” she said. “We’ve implemented a growth plan and we’re procuring new business. We’re reaching new market segments and working on increasing revenue and profitability.”
While there is no one-size-fits-all formula for business success, many small business owners are getting ahead with the intensive training and guidance they receive at the Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses program.
During the 22nd cohort that ended in mid-August, the business leaders spent 14 weeks – roughly 100 class hours – soaking up an innovative management and business curriculum designed by Babson College with HCC faculty that included growth opportunities, money and metrics, a legal clinic, and marketing. The class also took part in one-on-one business advising and financial workshops, and got timely advice from Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses community partners.
“When you give the business owner the opportunity to have the tools to grow their business, they will be able to increase their revenue and hire additional employees,” said Manuel Aguilar, lead faculty for the Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses program at HCC. “Hiring employees has a trickle effect that helps the Houston economy and also helps us nationally, and that’s what Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses is.”
“Today, there are roughly 600 small businesses who have received help from Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses that began at HCC in 2011,” said Rita Reed, the program’s alumni manager. “It’s significantly important,” she said. “We’re supporting small businesses in the Houston and the surrounding areas.”
The deadline to apply for the Spring 2019 Cohort is Oct. 11, 2018. The program is open to business owners from across the Greater Houston region.
To learn more or apply, visit hccs.edu/10ksmallbiz or 10ksbapply.com.