Follow SCORE Houston Podcast on your favorite platform: 🎧 Apple Podcasts: Apple Podcasts tap Follow! 🎵 Spotify: Spotify — tap Follow! 📻 Amazon Music:  Amazon Music— tap Follow! ▶️ YouTube: YouTube — Subscribe and hit the bell!

How do you turn a family BBQ restaurant into an award-winning small business?  In this episode of Small Business Success Stories, SCORE Houston mentor Dr Jeffrey Ricken sits down with Marie and Justin Bock — owners of Ryan's Smokehouse in Webster, Texas. Justin and Marie left South Dakota, uprooted their family, and took over a 24-year family restaurant from Marie's aunt. With zero prior business ownership experience, they grew sales 15–20% annually, expanded from 1 to 7 employees, and were named the 2026 SBA Houston District Family-Owned Small Business of the Year.

 In this episode you'll learn:

✅ How to buy an existing business and grow it fast

✅ How free mentoring from SCORE & SBDC helped them succeed

✅ How to use social media to grow a small business

✅ How to find and keep good employees

✅ How to build community presence without a big marketing budget

✅ Whether to buy a business or start from scratch

 ⏱️ Chapters:

00:00 Intro

00:41 Meet Marie & Justin — Ryan's Smokehouse

01:56 Moving from South Dakota to Texas

03:44 Buying a family business vs starting cold

05:04 Getting mentorship from SCORE & SBDC

06:44 Forming an LLC — what you need to know

07:50 Secret sauce: social media & community networking

10:30 Finding the right employees

14:13 Overcoming the employee-to-owner mindset shift

16:36 Buying vs. starting a business cold

20:43 What's next — expanding to a second location

21:31 Closing thoughts & how to reach SCORE Houston

#SmallBusiness, #BusinessMentoring, #HowToStartABusiness #SmallBusinessGrowth, #Entrepreneur, #SCORE, #SBA, #BBQRestaurant, #BusinessOwner, #SuccessStory, #SocialMediaMarketing, #HoustonBusiness, #FamilyBusiness, #StartupAdvice

Let us know what you think of this episode. What subjects you would like us to cover in next episodes.

Give your comments at https://scorehoustonpodcast.blogspot.com or write to [email protected]. Let us know what you like of this episode and suggest subjects on which you wish to know more. 

Follow SCORE Houston Podcast on your favorite platform: 🎧 Apple Podcasts: Apple Podcasts tap Follow! 🎵 Spotify: Spotify — tap Follow! 📻 Amazon Music:  Amazon Music— tap Follow! ▶️ YouTube: YouTube — Subscribe and hit the bell!

In this episode of Small Business Success Stories at SCORE Houston, host and SCORE Mentor PV Bala sits down with Sarah Lieberman, founder of Dandelion Cafe — Houston's beloved breakfast and brunch destination with three locations across the city. Sarah shares how she left a career in oil and gas to follow her passion for hospitality, launched her first cafe with just $40,000, no collateral, and a lot of grit, and grew it into a thriving small business that survived two hurricanes and a global pandemic.

You'll hear the real story behind securing startup funding with no bank loan, the pivot that took her from coffee shop to restaurant, how SCORE mentorship shaped her business plan, and what it takes to reach break even, scale to multiple locations, and land a spot on Good Morning America. Sarah is the 2026 SBA Houston District Small Business Person of the Year — and her story is proof that drive, flexibility, and community are the real ingredients for success.

🎙️ Host: PV Bala, SCORE Mentor, SCORE Houston 🍳 Guest: Sarah Lieberman, Founder, Dandelion Cafe Houston

Topics covered: how to start a restaurant, small business funding, SBA loans, micro-lenders, restaurant startup costs, coffee shop vs. restaurant profit, scaling a small business, small business mentorship, SCORE Houston, Houston entrepreneurs, breakfast restaurant business, women in business, small business success stories.

Let us know what you think of this episode. What subjects you would like us to cover in next episodes.

Give your comments at https://scorehoustonpodcast.blogspot.com or write to [email protected]. Let us know what you like of this episode and suggest subjects on which you wish to know more. 

Follow SCORE Houston Podcast on your favorite platform: 🎧 Apple Podcasts: Apple Podcasts tap Follow! 🎵 Spotify: Spotify — tap Follow! 📻 Amazon Music:  Amazon Music— tap Follow! ▶️ YouTube: YouTube — Subscribe and hit the bell!

In this episode, Dr. Jeff Rickon sits down with Martin Estill — serial entrepreneur, former Chief Revenue Officer, and SCORE Houston volunteer mentor — for an in-depth conversation about how to start, grow, fund, and scale a small business.

With 30+ years of real-world experience across oil & gas, software, retail, and B2B marketing, Martin breaks down the exact mistakes most entrepreneurs make — and what to do instead.

In this episode you'll learn: ✅ How to write a business plan (and why most people skip it — and fail) ✅ Where to get funding for your startup — from your own pocket to angel investors & venture capital ✅ How to get your first customers using referential sales (without paying for ads) ✅ The #1 mistake new entrepreneurs make going from idea to execution ✅ How to build a sales & marketing strategy that actually works ✅ When and how to scale your business and delegate effectively ✅ How to find a business partner and structure equity deals ✅ How to sell or exit a business for maximum value ✅ Why SCORE mentoring is the best-kept secret for small business owners

🕐 Timestamps: 00:00 – Introduction 

03:00 – Martin's background in oil & gas entrepreneurship 

07:00 – The 3 biggest mistakes small business owners make 

12:00 – How to write a business plan 

18:00 – How to fund your business (funding hierarchy explained) 

25:00 – How to get your first customers (the bullseye model) 

32:00 – How to scale, delegate & sell your business 

38:00 – How SCORE mentoring works & how to get free help

Let us know what you think of this episode. What subjects you would like us to cover in next episodes.

Give your comments at https://scorehoustonpodcast.blogspot.com or write to [email protected]. Let us know what you like of this episode and suggest subjects on which you wish to know more. 

Follow SCORE Houston Podcast on your favorite platform: 🎧 Apple Podcasts: Apple Podcasts tap Follow! 🎵 Spotify: Spotify — tap Follow! 📻 Amazon Music:  Amazon Music— tap Follow! ▶️ YouTube: YouTube — Subscribe and hit the bell!

How did two passionate educators turn a love of music into a thriving Houston small business? In this episode of the SCORE Houston Podcast, host Dr. Jeffrey Ricken sits down with Tamara Richter and Fernando Cervantes, co-founders of The Band Room — a music school and community space in Houston, TX.

Special thanks to SCORE Mentor Art O'Connor for guiding The Band Room on their entrepreneurial journey through free, confidential business mentoring.

Learn how they: 

Started a small business from the ground up 

Leveraged free business mentoring through SCORE with mentor Art O'Connor 

Combined education + music to build a creative community

Grew their business with the help of the SBA (Small Business Administration)

Whether you're an aspiring entrepreneur, a small business owner, or just love Houston's creative scene — this episode is packed with inspiration and real-world advice.

Get FREE small business mentoring at: www.score.org/houston

 Topics Covered:

• How to start a small business in Houston
• Free small business resources & mentorship
• Music school business model
• Entrepreneurship tips for beginners
• SCORE mentoring success stories
• Small Business Administration (SBA) programs

Subscribe/ Follow for weekly small business success stories, entrepreneur interviews, and free business advice from SCORE Houston mentors.

Let us know what you think of this episode. What subjects you would like us to cover in next episodes.

Give your comments at https://scorehoustonpodcast.blogspot.com or write to [email protected]. Let us know what you like of this episode and suggest subjects on which you wish to know more. 

Follow SCORE Houston Podcast on your favorite platform: 🎧 Apple Podcasts: Apple Podcasts tap Follow! 🎵 Spotify: Spotify — tap Follow! 📻 Amazon Music:  Amazon Music— tap Follow! ▶️ YouTube: YouTube — Subscribe and hit the bell!

💬 Share your thoughts: scorehoustonpodcast.blogspot.com"

Are you a local business owner struggling to get customers online? This episode is for you.

Every year, thousands of entrepreneurs open their doors — but stay invisible to 97% of their potential customers. In this episode, we break down a proven digital marketing and social media marketing strategy specifically designed for local business owners in their 30s and 40s who are done with the corporate grind and ready to grow.

🎯 What You'll Learn:

• Why your local business is invisible on Google — and how to fix it for free
• How to fully optimize your Google Business Profile to rank on page one
• Which social media platform is actually right for YOUR business (and why trying to be everywhere is killing you)
• The Give, Give, Give, Ask content framework to stop sounding like a used car salesman
• How a 5% increase in customer retention can grow profits by up to 95%
• Why SMS marketing gets a 98% open rate — and how to use it
• When (and only when) to spend money on Google Ads and Meta Ads
• A complete 30-day digital marketing sprint to go from invisible to fully booked

Practical Examples Covered:

The episode walks through scenarios including:

• Senior care providers building local visibility
• Tutoring centers attracting families organically
• Daycares leveraging reviews for trust-building
• Salons choosing the right social media platforms

These illustrate common challenges local businesses face and practical solutions.

⏱️ Chapters:

• 0:00 – Why 97% of local businesses are invisible online
• 0:45 – The block party analogy every entrepreneur needs to hear
• 3:00 – Google Business Profile: your free foundation
• 8:00 – Choosing the right social media platform for your business
• 14:00 – The Give, Give, Give, Ask content strategy
• 20:00 – Reviews, retention & SMS marketing
• 28:00 – When to run paid ads (Google & Meta)
• 35:00 – Your 30-day digital marketing sprint

Let us know what you think of this episode. What subjects you would like us to cover in next episodes.

Give your comments at https://scorehoustonpodcast.blogspot.com or write to [email protected]. Let us know what you like of this episode and suggest subjects on which you wish to know more. 

In this episode of the SCORE Houston Podcast, host PV Bala sits down with Phylicia Hill, Co-Founder and CEO/Managing Director of H5 Strategic Alliance — a Houston-based cybersecurity and IT professional services firm she co-founded with her husband James Hill in 2013.

Phylicia shares her remarkable journey from a career in education and school administration to building a thriving cybersecurity company that serves enterprise clients across healthcare, financial services, and beyond. She opens up about the patience it took to grow the business over five years while working full-time, navigating Hurricane Harvey, and putting family first — all before going full-time in 2018.

In this episode, you'll learn:

• How Phylicia merged her business acumen with her husband's deep technical expertise
• Why patience and preparation are the foundation of sustainable business growth
• How the COVID-19 pandemic became a turning point that accelerated their growth
• The unique talent model that powers H5's delivery across multiple states
• How small businesses can protect themselves from today's AI-driven cyber threats
• Why mentorship is non-negotiable for minority and women entrepreneurs
• What's next for H5, including their new Ignite managed services platform

Whether you're an aspiring entrepreneur, a small business owner, or simply curious about the cybersecurity landscape, this conversation is packed with real-world wisdom and practical advice.

Phylicia Hill was recognized as the SBA Houston District Minority Business Owner of the Year.

About SCORE Houston Podcast: SCORE Houston brings you inspiring stories and actionable insights from successful entrepreneurs and business leaders in the Houston area. Subscribe for new episodes every week!

Let us know what you think of this episode. What subjects you would like us to cover in next episodes.

Give your comments at https://scorehoustonpodcast.blogspot.com or write to [email protected]. Let us know what you like of this episode and suggest subjects on which you wish to know more. 

She started with a piece of paper, a vision, and a rented church kitchen. Today, Britany Vinson runs three restaurant locations, 27 refrigerated vending machines, 33 employees, and a soon-to-be national franchise — all from East Texas.

In this episode of Small Business Success Stories presented by SCORE Houston, host Dr. Jeffrey Ricken sits down with Britany Vinson, founder, owner, and head chef of Tome Catering — where TOME stands for The Ordinary Made Extraordinary.

Brittany shares her raw, inspiring journey: from cooking at age 4 with her 98-year-old grandmother, to bootstrapping her business while working full-time to pivoting during COVID by turning 20 cars a day into 100+ through a drive-through she almost didn't build.

What Brittany Said About the Power of Mentoring with SCORE:

"I had a SCORE mentor— he had a restaurant, and he walked me through some things, helped mold me and shape me, gave me ideas through his story and things he'd done to build his business. That was instrumental."

Britany credits free mentoring through SCORE and the SBA at Angelina College as a key turning point in building Tome into what it is today — proving that the right guidance at the right time can change everything.

In this episode you'll learn:

• How Britany launched her catering business in 2008 with no outside funding
• Why she kept her day job for 3 years while building Tome from scratch
• How a drive-through window she almost didn't install became her lifeline during COVID
• The story behind 27 refrigerated vending machines bringing fresh, home-cooked meals to hospitals, schools, and manufacturers across East Texas
• How she earned 3 degrees — including culinary certification — with no days off for 2 years
• The steps she took to legally franchise Tome for national expansion
• Her mindset on failure, faith, and feeding communities

Connect with SCORE Houston: 📞 713-487-6565 📍 8701 South Gesner, Suite 1200, Houston, TX 77074 🕐 Mon–Fri, 10AM–2PM | Walk-ins welcome 🌐 www.score.org/houston

Free mentoring. Real results. SCORE Houston is supported by the U.S. Small Business Administration.

Let us know what you think of this episode. What subjects you would like us to cover in next episodes.

Give your comments at https://scorehoustonpodcast.blogspot.com or write to [email protected]. Let us know what you like of this episode and suggest subjects on which you wish to know more. 

What does it take to build eight companies before the age of 30? In this episode of the SCORE Houston Podcast, host PV Bala sits down with Bahaa Elabbasi, SCORE Houston subject matter expert, who moved to the US from Lebanon at age 10, started washing cars at 13, and never stopped building.

Bahaa shares the story behind his automotive empire — from a single tow truck to four car dealerships, mechanic shops, an in-house insurance agency, and a marketing firm — all built on one guiding principle his father taught him early: write your own check.

In this conversation, you'll learn:

• How Bahaa scaled Texas Crown Towing to attract private equity investment
• Why owning every layer of your business (insurance, marketing, repairs) is a game changer
• How he manages eight companies without being the bottleneck
• The mindset shift from earning a paycheck to building ownership
• His next move: banking, investment, and a master's in finance

Whether you're an aspiring entrepreneur, an immigrant building your American dream, or a business owner looking to scale — this episode is for you.

🔔 Subscribe for more entrepreneur stories from SCORE Houston.

Let us know what you think of this episode. What subjects you would like us to cover in next episodes.

Give your comments at https://scorehoustonpodcast.blogspot.com or write to [email protected]. Let us know what you like of this episode and suggest subjects on which you wish to know more. 

Why do most new businesses fail — and how does a business plan fix that?

In this episode of the SCORE Houston Podcast, our mentors walk first-time entrepreneurs through everything they need to know about building a solid business plan — from market research and competitive analysis to pricing, cash flow projections, and financing options.

Whether you're just starting to think about launching a business or you're ready to walk into a bank, this episode gives you the practical, no-nonsense foundation you need.

What you'll learn:

• What a business plan actually is (and why it's not just for the bank)
• How to define your target customer and research your market
• How to analyze your competition
• How to price your product or service to actually make money
• The truth about working capital and undercapitalization
• How SBA loans, equity, and debt financing work
• What banks really look at: cash flow, repayment, collateral, and credit
• Why clean financial records and tax reporting matter from Day 1
• How SCORE Houston can help you — for free

🔗 Get free mentoring from SCORE Houston: https://www.score.org 

SCORE is a nonprofit resource partner of the U.S. Small Business Administration offering free, confidential business mentoring.

Let us know what you think of this episode. What subjects you would like us to cover in next episodes.

Give your comments at https://scorehoustonpodcast.blogspot.com or write to [email protected]. Let us know what you like of this episode and suggest subjects on which you wish to know more. 

From One Room to Rural Business Owner of the Year | Nicole York | Small Business Success Stories. 

What does it take to turn a personal struggle into a thriving business? Nicole York did exactly that — and her story will inspire you to bet on yourself. In this episode of Small Business Success Stories, hosted by Dr. Jeffrey Ricken — Certified SCORE Mentor and advocate for entrepreneurs across Houston and beyond — we sit down with Nicole York, founder of Desert Rose Beauty & Wellness in Lake Jackson, Texas.

Nicole's journey began at age 12, battling cystic acne that no makeup could hide. By 16 she was working as a receptionist at a local salon, learning the industry from the ground up. Years later, she launched her own esthetics studio in a single room in 2019 — with no sign, no ad budget, and no outside funding. Then COVID hit.

Rather than giving up, Nicole pivoted — becoming a brows and lashes specialist and building a 2-month waitlist through Instagram, word-of-mouth, and one simple philosophy: make every client feel truly seen. By 2022 she had expanded to a full-service studio with a team of estheticians and was named the Houston District Rural Business Owner of the Year by SBA.

In this episode you'll learn: ✅ How to start a business with no outside funding ✅ How to grow organically through social media & word-of-mouth ✅ How to pivot your business during a crisis ✅ Why authenticity is your biggest competitive advantage ✅ How free SCORE mentorship helped shape Nicole's path

Let us know what you think of this episode. What subjects you would like us to cover in next episodes.

Give your comments at https://scorehoustonpodcast.blogspot.com or write to [email protected]. Let us know what you like of this episode and suggest subjects on which you wish to know more.