The Greater Houston Black Chamber Hosted the Coveted Pinnacle and Upstart Awards at the 26th Annual Celebration of Black Business Excellence

COMMUNITY The Greater Houston The Greater Houston Black Chamber Hosted Black Chamber Hosted

the Coveted Pinnacle and Upstart Awards at the 26th Annual Celebration of Black Business Excellence

2020 Upstart Award: The Gingerbread School

2020 Rising Star Award: Total Wellness Assessment and Counseling

2020 Pinnacle Award: Lucille’s

2020 Pinnacle Award: Nuksys’s Fine Catering

By d-mars.com News Provider

The Greater Houston Black Chamber (GHBC) held its 26th Annual Pinnacle Awards, Saturday, October 24, 2020, where several of Houston’s best and most promising Black-owned businesses received high honors.

The GHBC Pinnacle Award recognizes leading African-American entrepreneurs for their success in business and their positive impact on the communities and industries they serve.

Each year, five Pinnacle Awards and one Upstart Award are handed out to some of the most successful small businesses. This is the third-year a Rising Star award was also named.

In addition to these prestigious honors, the GHBC also honored several other businesses and individuals with community awards including: • Lifetime Achievement Award –

Robert F. Smith, Vista Equity Partners • Excellence Award – James Harris, H-E-B • Larry V. Green Advocate of the Year Award –

Tamla Oates-Farney, Waste Management • Mickey Leland Public Leadership Award –

Lina Hidalgo, Harris County Judge • Young Entrepreneur Award –

Brice Everhart, Vallaire’s for Men • Niles Dillard of Superior Video Productions and Janette Hammond of CenterPoint Energy served as vice-chairs of the event, and Laurie Vignaud, president of Unity National Bank was the honorary chairperson.

Founded in 1935 as the city’s first AfricanAmerican civic organization, the GHBC has evolved into an active participant in the city of Houston’s socioeconomic process. The GHBC is the “go-to” organization for business development and community outreach partnership opportunities in the Houston African-American community. This annual awards celebration is one of the GHBC’s many efforts promoting greater unity among the African-American business community. Congratulations to all of the honorees.

For more information, please visit www.ghbcc.com

2020 Pinnacle Award: HillDay Public Relations

2020 Pinnacle Award: J. Archer Insurance Group

2020 Pinnacle Award: ReMax Legacy Living/ReMax 1st Class

Providing Professional & Personal Development Essential for A Barber Student’s Success

By d-mars.com News Provider

Barber employment statistics reported by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics has Texas at the top of the list with the highest employment level and concentration of jobs and location quotients in this occupation. Preparing students with curriculum that goes beyond the chair for competency and competitiveness is “There is no other in Quality Barber College. Co-owned by established business leaders Niki Smith- Houston like Quality Scott and Monica Freeman, this college Barber College. In is built on a foundation of “quality” in every sense of the word, with barber courses, cosmetology crossover courses, addition to the students learning and master instruction courses for those how to provide exceptional hair who want to keep their skills sharp and trending with industry standards. And services, our training is extensive with Scott and Freeman having a proven to include finance, business, and track record in entrepreneurship, there is an extension to the educational experimarketing support. We are proud to ence, affording students knowledge on be a vital element for a graduate’s business ownership, finance, and running day-to-day operations. Quality Barber College offers fullfirm foundation to be a strong force in this field.” time and part-time schedules, payment plans, and discounted services to the public with haircuts, tapers, fades, hot lather shaves, and facials. This licensed —Niki Smith-Scott, Co-Owner of Quality Barber College barber institution is strategically located in the community, attracting their target student market for a valuable student and client experience. Quality is the cornerstone of this business, offering a first-rate education and tools for success in an exceptional setting. Standing on their slogan “Where quality is always in style,” this college brings high-quality training necessary to be competitive in the industry as a licensed barber.

d-mars.com Q&A with Quality Barber College:

Please talk about how during COVID-19 you are prepared to continue to instruct students in a productive and safe learning environment.

Quality Barber College has adapted to overcome the challenges of COVID-19. We are open for operation during this pandemic. We balance the educational, social, and emotional needs of our students along with the health and safety of students, staff, and clients. Though the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation does set out a minimum standard that businesses must abide by, we exceed those standards. We require temperature checks for students, clients, and instructors, hand washing before and after each client, and tools and equipment are thoroughly sanitized. In addition, students are socially distanced (at least 6 feet apart) while in class, also wearing masks throughout the day. These are just some of the measures Quality Barber College has in place for the protection of our students, staff, and clients during this pandemic.

Talk about Quality Barber College’s special elements and approach to instruction that help make students a force in this profession after graduation.

Our campus has set the bar on how barber schools should look, with an appealing design layout and atmosphere for a positive experience for students and visitors. We host panel discussions and events with past and present barber shop owners who discuss the ins and outs of business ownership. Franchise salon owners and renters come in to speak on the pros and cons of receiving a salary vs. paying for booth rental. And our students gain knowledge in finance with accountants and financial advisors, discussing taxes, savings, credit scores, and investing. Our program also provides students with marketing knowledge and plans to help generate clients and revenue.

“Quality Barber College is a licensed barber school, and providing a quality education is the cornerstone of our business. We believe students choose our barber college over others because of our proven track record, reputation, learning environment, and quality instruction.”

—Monica Freeman, Co-Owner of Quality Barber College

For information on how to enroll at Quality Barber College or to make an appointment for services, please visit www.qualitybarbercollege.com.

Source: www.bls.gov Are you seeing more female barbers enter this field, and how is Quality Barber College encouraging women to pursue a profession in this male-dominated industry?

Yes! Absolutely! And men are now accustomed to having females cut their hair. In addition, there are several upscale barber shops/ salons that offer memberships and private rooms for barber services where women fit right in. We encourage women to join the barbering industry through our class offerings. We have marketed our school to cosmetologists, a field mostly sought after by women. But our curriculum allows cosmetologists to earn a barber license in a shorter amount of time. This gives cosmetologists the opportunity to broaden their knowledge and expand their services.

Can you please share with us a student success story?

There are so many success stories. The students I love to see are the ones who have no experience, but are excited to work in the field.

We have a student who was laid off during this pandemic and could not find employment. But he took this opportunity to come to Quality

Barber College and learn the barbering trade. This student is on his way to a great career, being in high demand. It’s also a wonderful feeling when clients come in feeling down and low about their appearance, but leave feeling and looking great.

Quality Barber College is on a mission to bring high-quality training to individuals desiring a lucrative career as a licensed barber. Students can be a high school student in an at-risk area, an ex-offender deserving a second chance, or someone seeking a career change. Quality Barber College is exceptional in barber education and professional development. But what makes this institution stand out from the rest are its tools for a student’s personal development, skills just as important for a successful career.

When COVID-19 required city mandated business closures, clients couldn’t get haircuts. And people are now more aware and appreciative of how valuable barbers and cosmetologists are to their everyday life. The demand and Quality Barber College’s curriculum and success rate are proof supporting a student’s ability to thrive in this field. And to broaden the college’s reach to a wider student market and increase enrollment, Scott and Freeman plan to expand, with a second school within the next 2 years.