ABC13 Who's Hiring Job Fair explores what you can do to become your own boss
HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) -- If you've wanted to become your own boss, ABC13's Who's Hiring Job Fair focuses on what you can do to make it happen.
If you are considering starting your own business, you aren't alone.
According to the Greater Houston Partnership, Census data shows 9,000 new businesses start up each year in the Houston area.
During Thursday's ABC13 Who's Hiring Job Fair with Workforce Solutions, a senior business consultant from JP Morgan Chase talked about the steps to start your own business and the resources that are available.
You can watch this week's virtual event in the video player below.
"It's like [being great at] anything else, you have to put the work in. You have to practice. You have to go to different sources to learn," JP Morgan Chase senior business consultant Branden Morris explained.
Morris said if you're serious about starting your own business do the research, network, develop a marketing strategy, but you can't do it in a bubble.
"As an entrepreneur, start to be comfortable being uncomfortable," Morris explained. "That really allows your business to have a better chance to grow."
If there are concerns, there are free resources available. JP Morgan Chase offers free information, and the Greater Houston Partnership does too.
The Small Business Association said it lent $1.2 billion in loans to help small business owners in 2023 and helped 31,000 people in training.
"There's assistance at the state level as well. You want to look at the governor's small business office because there's actually a webpage in there that walks you through step-by-step creating your business plan," Workforce Solutions spokesperson Michelle Castrow explained.
You don't need to quit your job to get started on your own business. However, experts caution how you go about doing it.
"Don't use your work computer for your personal business," Castrow explained. "Don't use your work time for your personal business. Keep those boundaries separate."
There were several immediate hire jobs, where if you applied during the event, you could receive an interview in days.
The number is 713-243-6663. To see the jobs, visit the Workforce Solutions website, and look for the "As seen on ABC13" section.
For updates on employment, hiring and free job fairs, follow Nick Natario on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
