Mission

SUCCESS IN BUSINESS®, a division of The Pierre Foundation, Inc, is a 501(c)(3) non-profit charitable and educational organization. The mission is to educate and empower small, minority, women and disadvantage business owners. (MWDBE)

ABOUT SUCCESS IN BUSINESS ®

Success in Business® powered by The Pierre Foundation, Inc, is a 501(c)(3) charitable and educational organization. Founded in 2014, the mission is to educate, equip and empower small, women, minority, and disadvantaged business owners with information about government procurement contract opportunities and connect them with resources and certification entities through facilitating a number relaxing and informal forums designed to increase relationship and capacity building.

Events

Oct 15
IAH Terminal B Transformation Trade Outreach Event
George H.W. Bush Community Center - 6827 Cypresswood Drive, Spring, TX 77379
Oct 18
5th ANNUAL MISSOURI CITY, TX – SMALL BUSINESS EMPOWERMENT & PROCUREMENT FORUM
Missouri City Community Center - 1522 Texas Parkway, Missouri City, TX 77489
Oct 24
Clinton National Airport Hybrid MWDBE Opportunity and Procurement Forum
Bill and Hillary Clinton National Airport - 1 Airport Road, Little Rock, AR 72202

Programs

Success in Business® Government Procurement Incubator

Success in Business ® Government Procurement Incubator (Coming Soon) Designed to increase the participation of minority and women owed businesses in the government procurement space. This initiative will comprise of a 4–8-week series of cohort based virtual classroom trainings and workshops, industry technical assistance by subject matter experts in Business Law, Tax, Psychology, Finance, and Business Continuity and Resiliency, Marketing and Branding. The cohort will also participate in private meet the vendor events, industry level partnering at the local, state, and federal levels, and private networking opportunities and project matching assistance between subcontractors and primes.

The Success in Business® Government Procurement Expo (SIBGOV)

SIBGOV is dedicated to educating the public, sharing innovation, promoting progress, and fostering cooperation in government procurement. This event offers Social Disadvantaged start-up Businesses and emerging businesses a one-stop shop for information regarding contracting opportunities, the ability to network with business-owners and decision makers and attend topical seminars or roundtables designed to increase the ability to be successful in government contracting.  SIBGOV also offers firms the opportunity to establish valuable relationships with prime contractors and the private sector. A collaborative effort of the Local, State, and Federal Entities, local chambers of commerce as well as other small/minority business advocates in the Houston and surrounding areas.

Success in Business® Academy

Success in Business® Academy Success in Business® Academy hosts various classes geared toward educating and training MDBEs on better business practices. We aim to equip participants with a comprehensive educations of business fundamentals such as Disaster Preparedness and Resiliency, Strategic Planning, and Lien Law.

Success in Business® Coaching

Success in Business® Coaching is a membership program that develops MDBEs access to decision makers and capacity to successfully bid for contracts. dedicated to providing practical, proven processes to achieve business success. Our mission is to equip, educate, and ultimately empower small businesses to achieve economic success.

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Board Members

The Pierre Foundation, Inc.

Goodwille Pierre

Goodwille Pierre

Board Member

J. Goodwille Pierre, Esq. (“Goodwille”) is a lawyer and national expert in Voter Protection, Diversity Equity and Inclusion Program Management, disparity studies, federal labor compliance. Goodwille is a licensed patent and trademark attorney and founder of The Pierre Firm PLLC. Goodwille is also founder of Goodwillle Pierre, LLC., a diversity and inclusion management, strategic communication, business development and government relations firm. He is currently a consultant with the NAACP serving as the National Legal Coordination for Voter Protection.

Jacquelyn Pierre

Jacquelyn Pierre

Board Member

Jacquelyn Pierre is native Houstonian from the Acres Homes area and graduated from Booker T Washington High School. She has worked for 25 plus years in Hospital Sales and Training In The Houston area. Jackie has been married to James Goodwille Pierre for 28 years and have two beautiful daughters. Joi(26) & Jada (20). Jacquelyn is an active Member of North Harris County Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority and serves as a girls scout troop leader and mentoring young girls in the northwest area of Houston. Jacquelyn serves as Abbvie Women leaders in Action lead- mentoring women. She also serves as a board member of Success in Business Non Profit- business.

Joi Pierre

Joi Pierre

Board Member

Joi Pierre is a Houston Native and graduated from Rockford University with a bachelor in Fine Arts, Musical Theater and minor in theater management. She now attends graduate school at Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles, California. Joi plans on receiving a master of Fine Arts, Screenwriting and Producing for Television. Joi is also currently an Intern for Done and Dusted where she assists and organizes producers for unscripted television series. She also does research for current pass projects. She is also a board member in Success in Business.

Signora Tinsley

Signora Tinsley

Board Member

Signora Tinsley is a Houston Native who has served at the United States Postal Service as a Station Manager for 28 years. Signora also worked for the Harris County Appraisal District and currently serves on the trustee board member of the Community of Faith Church. She is also the block director of the Shepherd Park Terrace Civic Club. Signora currently serves as a board member in Success in Business.

Jada Pierre

Jada Pierre

Board Member

Jada Pierre is a Houston Native that currently attends Florida A&M University. She is a third year broadcast journalism major that plans to become a Multimedia Journalist after graduation. Jada is in a plethora of organizations on her campus including: National Council of Negro Women, Presidential Ambassador, First Year Experience Peer mentor, Texas Club, Athletic Internship, and Florida College Democrats. Jada is also an Emma Bowen Fellow and Intern at FOX 26 Houston where she currently gains hands-on experience with several reporters, directors, and producers at the news station. She is also a board member in Success in Business.

Advisors

Technical Advisors

Jon Sawicki, Technical Advisor

Jon offers nearly two decades of experience in critical infrastructure resiliency, security risk management, and program management. He assists clients in the entire risk management process, from initial risk identification through strategic planning for both regulatory (environmental, safety, and security) compliance and disaster preparedness, response and recovery. Jon specializes in security risk management for critical infrastructure, particularly within the maritime domain, focusing on both physical and cyber security.  He is an experienced program manager, supporting clients throughout the federal grant programs process. Jon excels at enabling clients to capture and management federal funds for both non-disaster programs, such as homeland security grants and disaster recovery. Jon has delivered security risk management projects throughout North America, South America, the Caribbean and West Africa.

Layla Ellis, PSCM, CDP, Technical Advisor

Layle Ellis serves as an advocate for businesses owned by minorities, women, veterans, persons with disabilities, and the LGBT community. Layle is a National Diversity Council Certified Diversity Professional and the Director of Community Relations and Inclusion for Manhattan Construction Company. She is often sought after as a thought leader, speaker, and presenter on Supplier Diversity, Diversity and Inclusion, Equity and Access, Business Development, Supply Chain and Logistics, as well as Image Consulting and Personal Branding. Layle has served as a Faculty Consultant for the Houston Galveston Women’s Business Center and is the Principal at The TLF Group, a boutique consulting firm located in Houston. She has worked tirelessly in various positions within corporations including Chevron USA, Dresser Industries, and United Airlines; as well as business and community organizations to include the Airport Minority Advisory Council, Air Transportation Industry Group, Associated Builders and Contractors, East End Chamber of Commerce, Greater Houston Black Chamber, Houston Minority Supplier Development Council, Institute of Supply Management, National Black MBA Association, National LGBT Chamber of Commerce, Organization of Black Aerospace Professionals and Women’s Business Enterprise Alliance. Layle has been recognized by Houston Business Journal Head of Diversity, Diversity Champion and People on the Move; Top 50 Women by Houston Woman Magazine; Special Recognition by the Minority Business Development Agency; Bridge Builder and Award of Merit from Greater Houston Business Procurement Forum; B2B Business Champion of the Year by Success in Business; Advocate of the Year by Greater Houston Business Procurement Forum, Houston Minority Supplier Development Council and the Women’s Business Enterprise Alliance. Layle is a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated; a proud alumna of Texas Southern University where she graduated Cum Laude from the Barbara Jordan/Mickey Leland School of Public Affairs; the University of Houston - Clear Lake Purchasing and Supply Chain Management Program and an MBA candidate at Louisiana State University.

Ollie Reed, Technical Advisor

Growth mindset leader that consistently connects and strategizes with a relentless pursuit fo developing team members and culture focused on delivering performance. * 20 years of experience as a self-motivated, talented professional with a track record of success across multiple divisions in the pharmaceutical Industry.

Dr. April Day, Technical Advisor

For more than 20 years, Dr. April Day has brought her unique passion and “sheer willingness” to her personal mission to develop communities and improve lives through education and economic sustainability. Her body of work demonstrates that she has always been on the front end of active service, challenging the status quo in order to create, deliver and preserve programs that achieve her personal goal to change the world one person, one community, one business at a time. Today, Dr. Day serves as president of the Women’s Business Enterprise Alliance (WBEA). The WBEA is a leading third-party certifying and business development organization. Dr. Day’s primary role is to facilitate procurement connections, enhance organizational performance, and increase capacity and opportunities for women-owned businesses through coaching, funding, procurement, education, and executive networking. Dr. Day recently launched WellDays a wellness company providing comprehensive burnout reduction and leadership services to elevate, enhance, and engage life fully through wellness, self-care, and self-discovery. WellDays is intentional about redefining success and optimizing our best lives in service without sacrificing health. Dr. Day gives back to the community by her service in volunteering, shopping, and dining. You can catch her on multiple boards within the non-profit and business community, serving as an adjunct faculty in the College of Business for Texas Women’s University, corporate business trainer for Houston Community College, a recipient of many awards, sought after presenter on transformational leadership, organizational performance, self-care, and burnout reduction. Dr. Day earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from the University of Houston, an MBA from Our Lady of the Lake University and her doctorate at Our Lady of the Lake. Her area of research is transformational leadership and burnout in the small businesses sector. Dr. Day is a proud mother of five, Certified Non-profit Professional, Leadership Houston Alum, American Leadership Forum Senior Fellow and member of the Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc.

Mark Winchester, Technical Advisor

Mark Winchester is the Deputy District Director for the Houston District Office of the U.S Small Business Administration and has been with the agency for nearly 13 years. Winchester’s duties include supervising district staff and assisting the District Director in overseeing the delivery of SBA programs and services in the 32 counties served by the district. Last year, this included over $1.1 Billion in loan guarantees and surety for small businesses in the district. Winchester is also 2015 Ike Award Recipient. Established by President Dwight D. Eisenhower in 1957 the President's Award for Distinguished Federal Civilian Service was created to allow the President to recognize civilian officers or employees of the federal government who have made contributions "so outstanding that the officer or employee is deserving of greater public recognition than that which can be accorded by the head of the department or agency in which he is employed." Before joining SBA, Mr. Winchester worked for the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV) for nearly eight years. During that time Mr. Winchester worked for the Women’s Business Center (WBC), Small Business Development Center (SBDC), the Veteran’s Business Outreach Center (VBOC) and the Rio South Texas Regional Procurement Technical Assistance Center (PTAC). Mr. Winchester is also a three-time recipient of the Lower Rio Grande Valley (LRGV) District Office Counselor of the Year Award and a two-time recipient of both the SBDC State Star Award and Congressional Letters of Recognition. While at UTRGV, Mr. Winchester held various positions including SBDC Certified Business Advisor (CBA) Level IV Counselor, Special Projects Coordinator and Assistant SBDC Director. In addition, Mr. Winchester served as VBOC Director and Director of the Rio South Texas Regional PTAC. Prior to UTRGV, Mr. Winchester was an AmeriCorps VISTA volunteer for a non-profit working in housing and economic development. Mr. Winchester has also worked for several insurance companies and was exposed to complex litigation, risk management, and underwriting. Mr. Winchester has also worked for the State of Connecticut Attorney General’s Office as well as U.S. Navy Submarine Force. Mr. Winchester holds an AS, BBS, and MBA from the University of Connecticut at Storrs. His expertise is in Finance and Information Technology.

Moises Brito, Technical Advisor

Moises Brito is an accomplished finance professional with a solid and progressive background in all facets of commercial banking, relationship management, and revenue growth within the financial services industry. He has over 15 years of combined experience in commercial lending and community development financing and specializes in SBA 504 loans. Prior to his current role at JP Morgan Chase, for nearly 11 years, as a Senior Loan Officer, Mr. Brito was responsible for spearheading the small business lending programs and activities for Houston Business Development, Inc. (HBDi), a 501c3 non-profit, Community Development Financial Institution. Established in 1986, HBDi is engaged in promoting the growth and expansion of small and minority businesses by providing access to capital and managements & technical assistance services that may not be available from conventional lending institutions. As native of the Dominican Republic, Moises is proficient in Spanish, and is an astute business strategist with proven success in leading financial organizations through critical transitions, driving portfolio growth, and establishing enduring relationships with clients. He has called Houston his home since relocating from Louisiana in 2001. Mr. Brito obtained a Bachelor of Science degree in finance from the University of Louisiana in 2001, and an MBA degree specializing in accounting in 2005. He began his career as a commercial credit analyst with Banco Popular North America and used his skills and knowledge to learn the industry before transitioning to MidSouth Bank to become a commercial lender, and ultimately HBDi.

Allena Portis, Technical Advisor

Allena Portis has worked in local government for over 20 years and is currently the Assistant City Manager for the City of Missouri City. She began her career in government as an Accounting Manager for a newly incorporated City in California. Over the course of her career, she has worked at various levels of government serving in positions such as Deputy Director of Sheriff’s Administrative Services, Finance Director and Chief Financial Officer. In addition to being a Certified Public Accountant and Economic Development Finance Professional (EDFP), Mrs. Portis holds a Master’s Degree in Public Administration and a Master’s Degree in Urban Planning. She is also a member of Pi Alpha Alpha (University of Southern California Chapter), the national honorary society for public affairs and administration. Service is in her heart, this is not only exhibited in the work she does in local government but the service she provides to various non-profit organizations including Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated, Order of the Easter Star, and Daughter of the Imperial Court, an auxiliary of A.E.A.O.N.M.S., Inc. Born in West Virginia and raised in California, Mrs. Portis has been a proud Texan for nine years. She is married with four children.

Marlon Mitchell, Technical Advisor

Marlon Mitchell is the President and Chief Executive Officer of Houston Business Development, Inc. (HBDi), a Community Development Financial Institution engaged in revitalizing neighborhoods and stimulating economic growth throughout the Houston metropolitan area and surrounding counties. As a mission driven, non-profit corporation for more than 35 years, HBDi is committed to a holistic approach to investing in and building strong, healthy and vibrant communities. The organization’s mission is accomplished through providing resources vital to the expansion and growth of small and minority businesses, including access to investment capital, affordable office space and management and technical support services tailored to the needs of emerging entrepreneurs. HBDi is also engaged in developing undervalued commercial real estate and affordable and mixed-income residential housing. Under Mitchell’s leadership, HBDi has been certified as a Community Development Financial Institution by the U.S. Treasury Department. He is also the founder and President of Lone Star State Capital Corporation, a Certified Development Company licensed by the U.S. Small Business Administration to make SBA 504 commercial real estate loans throughout Texas. Mitchell is responsible for having spearheaded the redevelopment and adaptive reuse of Houston’s oldest shopping center (Palm Center) and converting it into a 160,000 square feet mixed-use business complex, which today is home to over 60 small businesses, nonprofit corporations and government agencies. To date, he has helped facilitate over $200 million in funding to small and minority businesses in underserved communities, resulting in the creation of approximately 4,500 jobs for citizens in the Houston Metro area. Formerly a commercial banking officer, Marlon is responsible for strategic planning and managing the overall operations and company resources. With over 36 years of combined experience in commercial banking and community development financing, He has a broad knowledge of government lending programs and community/economic development tools and resources. A native of Fort Wayne, Indiana, Mr. Mitchell holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration with a concentration in finance from Ball State University. He has been certified as an Economic Development Finance Professional by the National Development Council and the Council for Urban Economic Development. Marlon is engaged in supporting several community-based organizations and currently serves on several advisory boards including the Credit Coalition of Houston, SCORE, the HGAC Gulf Coast Economic Development District and the Mayor's Office of Business Opportunity. He was recently awarded the City of Houston's 2020 Ernest B. McGowen Champions of Diversity Award and recieved the Greater Houston Black Chamber’s 2017 Mickey Leland Public Service Award. In 2016 Mr. Mitchell was named the Financial Services Champion of the year by the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) for Region VI, which includes Texas, Oklahoma, Louisiana, New Mexico and Arkansas. Marlon is married to his lovely wife Tammie and is an active member of Windsor Village United Methodist Church.

Dr. Aundrea Matthews, Technical Advisor

Aundrea Matthews, PhD currently serves as the President of the Buffalo Soldiers Association of West Point (BSAWP), Inc which is a non-profit organization that received national media attention in 2021 for donating and erecting a Buffalo Soldiers Monument at the United States Military Academy, in the likeness of her grandfather. She received her PhD from Rice University. Other degrees include a MA in Religious Studies from Rice University, a BS and MA from Texas Christian University, and an MTS from Brite Divinity School. While at Brite Divinity School, her academic study of theology focused on the interconnections between religion, art, and linking divine justice to social justice. She played a pivotal role in establishing the Black Church Studies Program and worked with public schools to reduce youth truancy and gang violence in the community. She was awarded the 2005 Book Award, and the 2007 Emerging Black Church Studies Scholar Award. While at Rice, her research and teaching interests focused on African American cultural memory and its role in the development of faith expressions as portrayed in cultural productions. In 2016, she was recognized by the President of the university for her contributions to the Rice Community. In 2021, she received the National Diversity Leadership Conference Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Champion Award for inspiring positive change. She also has a Diversity and Inclusion Certification, and a Women’s Entrepreneur Certification from Cornell University. She has participated in cultural immersion experiences in Egypt, Ghana, Senegal, Gambia, London, Paris, Spain, and Cuba. She is a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc and a Buffalo Soldier descendant.

Veronica R. Douglas, NIGP-CPP, CPPB, CTCM, Technical Advisor

Veronica R. Douglas, NIGP-CPP, CPPB, CTCM is the Manager of the Small Business Development Program at Houston Community College where she provides assistance to small businesses by providing workshops, information and support. She has over 25 years of experience in public procurement, having previously worked for the City of Rockwall, City of Allen, City of Plano and City of Houston, Texas. She holds the NIGP Certified Procurement Professional (NIGP-CPP), Certified Professional Public Buyer (CPPB) and Certified Texas Contracts Manager (CTCM) certifications. She is the Immediate Past President of the Southeast Texas Association of Public Purchasing (SETAPP) and an Advisory Board Member for the Greater Houston Black Chamber of Commerce (GHBCC).

SPONSORSHIP

Donate & Sponsor

SUCCESS IN BUSINESS®, a division of The Pierre Foundation, Inc, is a 501(c)(3) non-profit charitable and educational organization. The mission is to educate and empower small, minority, women and disadvantaged business owners. (MWDBE)

SUCCESS IN BUSINESS® through its collaborative efforts, organizes educational events, workshops and conferences aimed at connecting MWBEs to contract administrators and decision makers in the private, federal, state and city departments and to foster relaxing and informal forums for relationship and capacity building.

Prime contractors, contract administrators, and government/private contracting agencies can enhance their profile and demonstrate their commitment to MWDBE empowerment by sponsoring to SUCCESS IN BUSINESS®. Here are some of our donation levels.

DONOR OPPORTUNITIES

All donations are 100% tax deductible.

$10,000 Joint Venture Quarterly Donor Level (Three Events)

Opportunity to make self-introduction to attendees.
Distribute materials or promotional items or information.
Logo on event web page for the quarter.
Bring a banner for display during the event.
Listing on event poster if confirmed by 5 days prior to the event.
Display promotional material on all tables and handed out to attendees.
Reserved Seating for four at each sit-down event.

DONATE TODAY

$5,000 Teaming Partner Donor Level (Two Events)

Opportunity to make self-introduction to attendees.
Distribute materials or promotional items or information.
Logo on event web page for two events.
Bring a banner for display during the event.
Logo on event materials if received 10 days prior to the event.
Listing on event poster if confirmed by 5 days prior to the event.

DONATE TODAY

$3,000 Business Alliance Donor Level (One Event)

Distribute materials or promotional items or information.
Listing on event poster if confirmed by 5 days prior to the event.

DONATE TODAY

Resource Partner Donor Level (Exclusively for Small Business/Non-Profit)

If you are a small non-profit, please contact us.

DONATE TODAY

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