Texas Business Alliance hosts small business forum at One Woman National Business Conference

More than 800 suppliers, business owners, entrepreneurs and exhibitors took part in this year's One Woman National Business Conference.   The two-day event, which ran on Aug. 17-18, was hosted by the Texas Business Alliance through a partnership with the State of Texas and the Office of the Governor. Featured during the event were general sessions, specialized workshops, exhibitors and networking opportunities for small business owners and entrepreneurs.   The conference kicked off with an informative general session hosted by the Texas Workforce Commission and Workforce Solutions, who provided information to educate entrepreneurs and those in the small business community on workforce development, marketing businesses, hiring and managing employees and training and growth opportunities.   Guest speakers during the conference included Brian Tippens, director of compliance and social responsibility in global procurement for Hewlett-Packard Company, and Cheryl Pearson-McNeil, senior vice president of public affairs and government relations for Nielsen. Breakout sessions focused on educating emerging business owners by industry experts and professionals to gather information needed for next-level business growth.   "Once again, we were able to deliver inspirational and life-changing information to attendees of this conference in our own unique way," said Texas Business Alliance CEO and Founder Jeffrey L. Boney in a press release. "One Woman 2012 served as a defining moment for every attendee and equipped a diverse group of entrepreneurs with the know-what, know-how and know-who to continue on their entrepreneurial journey with measurable and attainable success."   Closing out the One Woman conference were the Soaring Heights Awards, which recognize small business advocates who create or support exceptional minority- and women-owned enterprise initiatives.   The 2012 Soaring Heights Award recipients included Brian Tippens, Hewlett-Packard Company; Pedro Garcia, Port of Houston Authority; Jeffrey L. Boney, CEO/founder, Texas Business Alliance; Raynese Edwards, The Principle Partnering Group; Donovan Casanave, Shell Oil Company; and Shon Raglin, ExxonMobil Global Services Company.   Receiving the People's Choice Award was Charles T. Williams of NASA Johnson Space Center. The Still Standing Award was presented to Jade Gold of Prop Rock Concepts and Productions, Inc.   Seven small businesses were also presented the State of Texas Small Business Awards. They were Leeshan Birney, Stone Mountain Properties; Maria Rios, Nation Waste Inc.; Desiree Worrell-Mosley, Time for Tots; Harish Katharani, Southside Pharmacy; Lianne Lammi, Bocci Engineering; Lupe Fraga, Tejas Office Products Inc.; Jeri Brooks, One World Strategy Group.   Also highlighting the conference was the graduation of 10 students from the TBA Youth Entrepreneurship Academy program. Each teen launched their business at the conference and successfully sold their products and services.   Those who would like more information about becoming a sponsor or exhibitor at next year's conference can visit onewomanconference.com or call 713-738-7578.