Episode 30: How to Start a Business: Expert Advice on Planning, Funding & Sales

Ep 31: Small Business Lessons: How One Woman Built a Houston Breakfast Empire

Follow SCORE Houston Podcast on your favorite platform: 🎧 Apple Podcasts: Apple Podcasts [https://podcasts.apple.com/in/podcast/score-houstons-podcast/id1845697492] tap Follow! 🎵 Spotify: Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/episode/6ctXBuEuaw4XsSc7PnHvR1?si=XbYjKwyuT1y-1N39g_WpZA] — tap Follow! 📻 Amazon Music:  Amazon Music [https://music.amazon.in/podcasts/b4ac4d74-acb2-43cc-b5f0-433ad259fccb/score-houston's-podcast]— tap Follow! ▶️ YouTube: YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCwYwZdflYjHJeI8oTA_fRJw] — 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. [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2545812/fan_mail/new] Give your comments at https://scorehoustonpodcast.blogspot.com [https://scorehoustonpodcast.blogspot.com] or write to pv.bala@scorevolunteer.org. Let us know what you like of this episode and suggest subjects on which you wish to know more.

Episode 30: How to Start a Business: Expert Advice on Planning, Funding & Sales

Follow SCORE Houston Podcast on your favorite platform: 🎧 Apple Podcasts: Apple Podcasts [https://podcasts.apple.com/in/podcast/score-houstons-podcast/id1845697492] tap Follow! 🎵 Spotify: Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/episode/6ctXBuEuaw4XsSc7PnHvR1?si=XbYjKwyuT1y-1N39g_WpZA] — tap Follow! 📻 Amazon Music:  Amazon Music [https://music.amazon.in/podcasts/b4ac4d74-acb2-43cc-b5f0-433ad259fccb/score-houston's-podcast]— tap Follow! ▶️ YouTube: YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCwYwZdflYjHJeI8oTA_fRJw] — 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. [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2545812/fan_mail/new] Give your comments at https://scorehoustonpodcast.blogspot.com [https://scorehoustonpodcast.blogspot.com] or write to pv.bala@scorevolunteer.org. Let us know what you like of this episode and suggest subjects on which you wish to know more.

Episode 29: From Mexico City to Houston: How Two Immigrants Built a Thriving Music Community

Follow SCORE Houston Podcast on your favorite platform: 🎧 Apple Podcasts: Apple Podcasts [https://podcasts.apple.com/in/podcast/score-houstons-podcast/id1845697492] tap Follow! 🎵 Spotify: Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/episode/6ctXBuEuaw4XsSc7PnHvR1?si=XbYjKwyuT1y-1N39g_WpZA] — tap Follow! 📻 Amazon Music:  Amazon Music [https://music.amazon.in/podcasts/b4ac4d74-acb2-43cc-b5f0-433ad259fccb/score-houston's-podcast]— tap Follow! ▶️ YouTube: YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCwYwZdflYjHJeI8oTA_fRJw] — 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. [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2545812/fan_mail/new] Give your comments at https://scorehoustonpodcast.blogspot.com [https://scorehoustonpodcast.blogspot.com] or write to pv.bala@scorevolunteer.org. Let us know what you like of this episode and suggest subjects on which you wish to know more.

Episode 28: How to Use Digital Marketing and Social Media Marketing to Grow Your Local Business (Houston & Beyond)

Follow SCORE Houston Podcast on your favorite platform: 🎧 Apple Podcasts: Apple Podcasts [https://podcasts.apple.com/in/podcast/score-houstons-podcast/id1845697492] tap Follow! 🎵 Spotify: Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/episode/6ctXBuEuaw4XsSc7PnHvR1?si=XbYjKwyuT1y-1N39g_WpZA] — tap Follow! 📻 Amazon Music:  Amazon Music [https://music.amazon.in/podcasts/b4ac4d74-acb2-43cc-b5f0-433ad259fccb/score-houston's-podcast]— tap Follow! ▶️ YouTube: YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCwYwZdflYjHJeI8oTA_fRJw] — 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. [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2545812/fan_mail/new] Give your comments at https://scorehoustonpodcast.blogspot.com [https://scorehoustonpodcast.blogspot.com] or write to pv.bala@scorevolunteer.org. Let us know what you like of this episode and suggest subjects on which you wish to know more.

Episode 27: Secure and Steady: Phylicia Hill on Growing a Cybersecurity Firm from the Ground Up.

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. [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2545812/fan_mail/new] Give your comments at https://scorehoustonpodcast.blogspot.com [https://scorehoustonpodcast.blogspot.com] or write to pv.bala@scorevolunteer.org. Let us know what you like of this episode and suggest subjects on which you wish to know more.