You can find important lessons in the smallest things. You just have to pay attention and look underneath the surface. One of the activities I usually start my seminars with is a game where the group tosses a ball around while calling out their names. There are several challenges along the way, and the group has to respond to those challenges. Throughout the game, I stop every so often to…
It takes time and money, but there are enough people in the Rio Grande Valley in pursuit of a pilot license to keep two full-time flight instructors busy at McCreery Aviation Flight Academy at McAllen Miller International Airport. “It’s a process,” said chief flight instructor Mike Garza. “You’ve got to study, you’ve got to learn and you’ve got to have the time.” McCreery Aviation is a full-service general aviation center…
Once upon a time, a small business’s IT person installed new systems and programs, trained staff to navigate them and fixed glitches. But that’s so 20 years ago. “Marketing has changed so much, especially for anyone like us who markets nationally. If you don’t stay on top of marketing trends, you lose market share,” said Terrie Crockett, who with her husband Allan runs the gift fruit shipper Crockett Farms. “There’s…
When was the last time you had a meaningful conversation with a member of your staff? A healthy rapport with staff is critical to good leadership and good workplace outcomes. Building good rapport from day one provides the foundation necessary when critical conversations are necessary to launch a product, address a concern or clarify an objective. When employees walk into your office or meeting area knowing you are invested in the relationship…
The Women’s Business Center of Cameron County and the Brownsville Chamber of Commerce are now accepting applications from those interested in starting a business for its DreamBuilder Academy. The 12-module course is designed specifically for women (although anyone can participate) and creates a step-by-step framework for starting a business. The DreamBuilder format helps participants realize if they should start a business, as well as understand a business plan. Costs with…
On Tuesday, the Brownsville Navigation District Board of Commissioners signed an option agreement for Big River Steel LLC to build a $1.6 billion plant at the Port of Brownsville. The agreement covers up to 800 acres of property. This will enable the steel-maker to develop a LEED-certified steel manufacturing plant, as well as storage and a distribution facility. “This is good news for Brownsville and the result of hard work by many…
The National Science Foundation has awarded the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley a $249,992 grant for the NSF INCLUDES Symposium for ADVANCING STEM Latinas in Academic Careers. The federal funds will be made available to UTRGV on Aug. 1. The funding allows UTRGV to place emphasis on increasing the number of Latinas in STEM workforce areas. The NSF symposium will provide a national platform to discuss and address the issues that affect…
Area businesses who have an interest in Property Assessed Clean Energy are invited to attend an information session April 23 at the Port Isabel-San Benito Navigation District. During this time, PACE Executive Director Charlene Heydinger will discuss how property owners can upgrade their buildings and conserve energy while also saving money. Financing options are available for industrial property owners and multifamily property owners as well as commercial property owners. Industrial Property Owners The Texas…
The Texas Workforce Commission has kicked off its 2018 Summer Earn and Learn program which provides students with disabilities with both work readiness training and paid work experience. The program is a partnership between TWC, Texas Workforce Solutions Offices and Texas Workforce Solutions-Vocational Rehabilitation Services. Last year, more than 1,500 students, ages 16-22, participated in Summer Earn and Learn. They worked in positions such as design graphics assistants, customer service representatives…
There are certain pages every website can’t be without. A small business’s site needs to give visitors what they are most likely to be looking for. If you’re getting a website together for your small business or reinventing an existing site, take a look at the five essential pages every small business website needs. We include three other recommended pages as well. Homepage Your homepage is the virtual lobby of…