DHL To Recognize Small-Business Equity Award Recipients In Houston

HOUSTON, TX -- August 31, 2005

Ten Local Business Owners Receive Second Distribution of DHL Grants To Promote Microenterprise Development


DHL, the world’s leading global express delivery and logistics company, will recognize the recipients of ten equity awards distributed to Houston-area micro businesses on Tuesday, August 30 as part of the “DHL Advancing Micro-Entrepreneurs” business development partnership with the Association for Enterprise Opportunity (AEO), the national microenterprise development trade and membership association.

A luncheon held by ACCION Texas, the state’s largest non-profit loan fund and DHL program partner in Houston, will honor ten of their most outstanding small-business clients in the city. These ten businesses are recipients of DHL cash equity grants and in-kind products.

The equity award recognition event will be held at Christ Church Cathedral Latham Auditorium, 1117 Texas Avenue, Houston, from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. ACCION Texas President and CEO Janie Barrera; Lori Bakke, DHL area account representative; and Houston City Council Member Ronald C. Green are scheduled to participate in the event.

“Partnering with DHL through the Advancing Micro-Entrepreneurs program has given us the means to recognize these deserving small business owners with cash awards,” said Janie Barrera, president and CEO of ACCION Texas. “Our clients are using their equity awards to build Web sites, buy inventory, beef up advertising, and hire part-time employees.”

“The DHL Advancing Micro-Entrepreneurs program exemplifies company efforts to promote the growth of microbusinesses and provide hands-on support to small businesses overlooked by large institutions,” said Kelly Keogh, director of corporate citizenship, DHL. “By providing financial grants and DHL in-kind services in support of these businesses ranging from caterers to tax preparation centers, we hope we to provide them with the critical resources they need for success.”

DHL provides both financial awards and pre-paid DHL ShipReady shipping products to deserving small business owners as part of a larger program to support underserved entrepreneurs in starting, stabilizing and expanding their businesses. In addition, a hands-on DHL employee volunteer project incorporated into the program gives DHL employees the opportunity to make personal professional service contributions to selected area micro-entrepreneurs. As part of the “DHL Cares Day” initiative, DHL volunteers will provide Houston-area microbusinesses hands-on guidance on any number of issues related to small businesses, including supply chain management and customer service.

ACCION Texas has disbursed more than 700 loans totaling in excess of $4.33 million to 524 small businesses in Houston. These loans have resulted in an estimated 119 new permanent jobs, more than $2.34 million in total wages, an additional $7 million in new economic activity, and more than $470,000 in total new state and local tax revenue.

About 70 people are scheduled to attend the DHL Advancing Micro-Entrepreneurs awards luncheon, including representatives from the Mayor’s Office of Affirmative Action, senior members of Houston’s banking, financial, non-profit and faith-based communities, and friends and families of the award recipients.

The following ACCION Texas clients in Houston are recipients of DHL equity awards:
- Keith Anderson, Owner, Houston Language Institute
- Delories Gordon, Owner, Spalon Hair Design
- Katherlyn Johnson, Owner, Weezy’s Sweet Kitchen
- Nghi Le Pham, Owner, 3-D Dimension Art
- Wanda Martin Moore, Owner, Wanda’s Tax Center
- Nuray Ozhan, Owner, 4U Gift
- Adriana and Miguel Scalcione, Owners, Royal Prestige, M.S.
- Felicia Sexton, Owner, Personal Touch Plus
- Kelly Seylar, Owner, Bung-Gee Pup-EE, “The Expandable Dog Leash” TM
- Beryl Williams, Owner, Delictable Gourmet Desserts


About ACCION Texas
ACCION Texas is the state’s largest non-profit small business loan fund. Its mission is to provide credit to small businesses that do not have access to loans from commercial sources. Through its loans and services, ACCION Texas helps microentrepreneurs throughout Texas strengthen their businesses, stabilize and increase their incomes, create additional employment and contribute to the economic revitalization of their communities. For more information on ACCION Texas, please visit www.acciontexas.org.

About AEO
AEO’s mission is to support the development of strong and effective U.S. micro enterprise programs to assist underserved entrepreneurs in starting, stabilizing, and expanding businesses. For more information on AEO, please visit www.microenterpriseworks.org.

About DHL
With annual revenues over $32 billion in 2004, DHL is the global market leader of the international express and logistics industry, specializing in providing innovative and customized solutions from a single source.

DHL offers expertise in express, air and ocean freight, overland transport and logistics solutions, combined with worldwide coverage and an in-depth understanding of local markets. Over 170,000 employees are dedicated to providing fast and reliable services that exceed customers’ expectations. Founded in San Francisco in 1969, DHL’s international network links more than 220 countries and territories worldwide. For more information on DHL, please visit www.dhl.com

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