Small businesses across Texas are invited to the inaugural GRIT Awards Showcase April 25

Inside TXST

Texas State University | April 17, 2023

The Translational Health Research Center (THRC) at Texas State University will host the inaugural GRIT Awards Showcase on April 25. The showcase is open to anyone from the small-business community in Texas. It is hosted in collaboration with SCALEUP, a program of TXST’s Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship.

Tuesday, April 25, 2023
3 p.m.-4 p.m.
Registration is required.  

THRC organized the GRIT Awards to recognize the great resilience demonstrated by Texas small businesses and to highlight the innovative actions small businesses take to thrive in the face of adversities.

The virtual showcase will be co-hosted by Melinda Villagran, executive director of THRC, and Josh Daspit, 2022-23 THRC faculty fellow and director of SCALEUP. 

Seven small businesses from a variety of industries and cities throughout Texas were chosen as GRIT Award winners. The showcase will celebrate each award winner and feature each on a panel to share their stories and lessons learned about building a resilient business.

Award Winners:

Three companies received the Award of Excellence in Resilience: Achieve Integrative Health, Hillday Public Relations, and TekWav

• Achieve Integrative Health is an acupuncture clinic in Cedar Park that specializes in neurological conditions, chronic pain relief, and supportive cancer care. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the company developed a new business model for medical clinics by embracing social media and remote work.
• Hillday Public Relations is an independent, full-service public relations consulting agency in Houston. Hillday uses unique strategies to integrate multi-channel business communication and project-management support services to position clients for success in any market. Owner Argentina James has fostered trust with her clients, enabling the firm to experience its greatest period of growth and prosperity during the pandemic.
• TekWav is a Sherman-based internet service provider that offers clients the quality of a large company with the support of a locally owned, community-focused business. TekWav addressed a critical need during the pandemic by finding innovative ways to provide internet access for its community, including underserved and rural areas.

Miller Consulting Services (MCS) received the Award of Recognition for Collaboration

• Miller Consulting Services is a certified woman-owned, small business in Carrollton that provides technical writing, regulatory compliance, and records management services to the energy and engineering industries. Team members were motivated to collaborate and learn new skills during the pandemic, which resulted in new service offerings, increased supplier diversity, and opportunities in new sectors.

Salon One 12 received the Award of Recognition for Adaptability

• Salon One 12 is a full-service hair salon in Buda that focuses on making guests feel beautiful, creating a space where positivity is shared, and working to strengthen the community. At the onset of the pandemic, Salon One 12 pivoted to ensure the safety of staff and clients while incorporating new approaches to continue and expand their services.

Texas Tito’s received the Award of Recognition for Preparedness

• Texas Tito’s is an innovative leader in food manufacturing that ships products worldwide out of New Braunfels, using foods that are locally grown, processed, and packaged in Texas. Texas Tito’s entered the pandemic with a continuity plan that allowed the company to continue operations and navigate business interruptions.

E Contractors USA received the Award of Recognition for Dependability

• E Contractors USA from Sugar Land provides services for commercial and municipal construction projects and has developed a reputation as one of the most trusted general contractors in the Houston area with a steadfast commitment to their clients and employees. During Hurricane Harvey, employees delivered resources and found housing for those in need. During the pandemic, they used new technologies to coordinate and ensure projects continued and were completed ahead of schedule and under budget.

The showcase is also open to all TXST faculty and staff.

The Translational Health Research Center at Texas State University shares research with the public to foster healthy and resilient people and places in Texas.

The Community Health and Economic Resilience Research Center of Excellence (CHERR) is a strategic initiative of the THRC and serves as a statewide research hub with a focus on making Texas communities more resilient.