Episode 3 – Assisting Small Businesses Through HCC w/ Veronica Douglas

Episode 3 – Assisting Small Businesses Through HCC w/ Veronica Douglas

Veronica Douglas is the manager of the Small Business Development Program at HCC. With over 20 years of experience in public procurement in Texas. Throughout this episode she details how her team provides assistance to small business through workshops, information, support, and much more.

· HCC’s SBE Program is race and gender-neutral and also recognizes 6 certifications (all of which listed on HCC website)

· Veronica elaborates on their 35% direct spend goal on SBE and how they exceed such goal by working hands-on with the sourcing department

· She works directly with the end-user and sourcing team to remind them how important small business is to the local community

· She’s transparent about challenges finding certified small businesses and how they’re working to wrap up efforts to get people registered properly

· Elaborates on procurement plan and new NIGP commodity codes which will dictate notifications users will receive through their system

· Veronica shares details on how to access open records for HCC

· Details specific areas in her opinion of improvement for the SBE community

· Details specific commodities and services that HCC will be looking for

· Potential contractors can participate in free virtual networking events where they can get to know the SBE Program, discuss business credit, marketing, etc.

· Can get involved through “Content Contact” (found on the website) to stay up to date on events and programs

· Details how small businesses can engage with buyers through their upcoming Procurement Expo

· Expresses some of her personal challenges that she’s worked through as the manager of SBE Program

· Details Mentor/Protege 6week program

· Veronica discusses industry changes and the need for more SBE Programs for all government agencies

· Shares how she balances work/life and the challenges of small businesses in the midst of COVID

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/mpulse-live-podcast

Contact Veronica Douglas: 713-718-5278 or Veronica.douglas@hccs.edu

Hosted by: Tyrone Dixon & Jada Harris