SBDE Networking

This page is a part of the McNair Center's Guide to Small Business in Houston section on Houston's Small Business Resources.

Networking is one of many helpful resources to explore for your small business. If you've started a small business (or are on your way to starting one), there's a high chance that you've heard the term "networking" at some point in your career. But what exactly is networking, and why is it important?

What Is It?

There’s not one all-encompassing definition for networking but, generally, networking is about building connections and sustaining enduring, mutually beneficial relationships.

Why Is It Important to My Business?

The value of networking can be boiled down to two components: learning from others and building connections. First, networking provides the opportunity to gather insights from like-minded business owners. They can often provide invaluable field-specific advice. Second, networking allows you to build connections. It can provide you with opportunities to talk to highly successful people, who can then potentially generate business referrals, provide opportunities, and raise your business profile among their circle of business colleagues. Relationships with the right people are a catalyst for your business’s success.

Networking Resources

Institution Name	URL"URL" is a type and predefined property provided by Semantic MediaWiki to represent URI/URL values.	Cost
French American Chamber of Commerce	http://facchouston.org/	$
Greater Houston Partnership Programs	https://www.houston.org/	$$
Hispanic Women's Network of Texas	http://www.hwnt.org/	$
Houston Area Council of ABWA	http://www.abwahouston.org/haca.html	$
Houston Hispanic Chamber of Commerce	http://www.houstonhispanicchamber.com/	$$
Houston MBDA Business Center	http://www.mbda.gov/businesscenters/houston	$
Houston Minority Supplier Development Council	http://hmsdc.org/	$$
Houston Small Business Administration	https://www.sba.gov/offices/district/tx/houston	$
LoneStar Small Business Development Center	http://www.lonestar.sbdcnetwork.net/lonestar/default.asp	$
National Association of Professional Women	https://www.napw.com/chapters/central-houston-chapter	$$$
National Association of Women Business Owners	http://www.nawbohouston.org/	$
SCORE Houston	http://www.scorehouston.org/	$
Startup Grind	https://www.startupgrind.com/houston/	$$
The Block Group	https://www.theblockgroup.net/en/	$$
The Greater Houston Women's Chamber of Commerce	http://www.ghwcc.org/	$$
The Houston Entrepreneurs' Forum	http://www.heforum.org/	$
The Indus Entrepreneurs Houston	http://houston.tie.org/	$
The Intercontinental Chamber of Commerce	http://www.houstonicc.org/	$$$
Women's Business Enterprise Alliance	http://www.wbea-texas.org/wbenc	$$