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C. Dean Kring, Director of Research

Executive Director of Services Cooperative Association, Director of Research for the Centers (Entrepreneurial Development, Women's Business, Software Business, Product Development, International Business, Health-Medical Enterprise and Incubator Self-Sufficiency Group), President and CEO of Emerging Business Centers, Inc.

In 1976, after 15 years in "Corporate America," Mr. Kring chaired a private industry committee to determine future standards and forecast new methods for hydrocarbon exploration. At that time he made the correlation that our nation's greatest energy resource was its entrepreneurial energy, not hydrocarbon, nuclear, solar, wind or water. Consequently, he started an independent research and consulting practice in entrepreneurial education for emerging companies to minimize the loss of national resource that occurs when companies go out of business before adding positive energy of employment and tax contributions to the economic mainstream. During this process, he defined the methodology to have emerging companies grow faster and stronger with significantly less expenditure of startup capital. The methodology is called business incubation. Mr. Kring "is recognized by the National Business Incubation Association as an industry leader and pioneer in business incubation" and is credited with having the first emerging business development practice in the United States.

Since 1977 his related activities include:

Outstanding Toastmaster - Sharpstown Club 2243 - Toastmasters International, '77;
Co-founder - Small Business Council - Houston Chamber of Commerce, '77;
Chair Education Committee - DECA, VOE and Career - Alief Chamber of Commerce, '78;
President - Sharpstown Club 2243 - Toastmasters International, '78:
Co-author "Guide to Business Networking" for Small Business Council - Houston Chamber of Commerce, '78;
Outstanding Club President - District 56 - Area 2 - Toastmasters International, '78;
Commenced a privately funded study on "Why Small Service Businesses Fail" and began the design of a "Business Development Methodology On Factors For Startup Business Success," '79 - '85;
Contributing Editor, Small Business Issues, Small Business Council - Houston Chamber of Commerce, '80 - '83;
Co-author "Small Business Development Through Business Networking" for Small Business Council - Houston Chamber of Commerce, '82;
Founded Services Cooperative Association from a Houston Chamber project '82, on networking groups, to demonstrate the broader issue of entrepreneurial self-development and entrepreneurship education, '83;
Notable 1983 presentations included SCORE Houston.
Steering Committee - Houston Chamber of Commerce, Houston Business Group, '82 - '87;
Coordinator - Greater Houston Area Entrepreneurship Education Steering Committee - Texas Education Agency under the U.S. Departments of Education and Commerce Joint Program "Promoting Economic Development Through Entrepreneurship Education and Training," '84;
Chair First Annual Entrepreneurial Workshop - SCA, '84;
Chair A.C.E. Award - The National Exchange Club - Houston Chapter, '84;
Chair of Training Needs Assessment - North Harris County College Business and Industry Council, '84,
Notable 1984 presentations included the Texas Association of Post-Secondary Occupational Education, Deans and Directors on "Private Sector Perspectives of Entrepreneurship Education - Yes, It Is Possible."
Chair Second to Fourth Annual Entrepreneurial Workshops - Houston Chamber of Commerce, '85 to '87;
Founded the Entrepreneurial Development Center, Houston's first small business incubator (now Texas' oldest) - SCA, '85;
Designed the first advisory board for business incubator clients in the U.S. - EDC, '85;
Chair Economic Development - North Harris County College Business and Industry Council, '85;
Notable 1985 presentations included the Houston Economic Development Council and National Association of Women Business Owners.
Delegate to the White House Conference on Small Business, Vice Chair of Texas Delegation, Co-Chair on Innovation and Development Issues, '86;
Co-Author "Guide to Advisory Board Members," - EDC, '86;
"First Ever Damn Good Award" - SCA, '86;
Notable 1986 presentations included the Houston Public Library Neighborhood Information Center Librarians and National Tooling and Machining Association.
Co-Recipient of a Mayoral Proclamation for graduating the first company from a small business incubator in Houston, '87;
Co-Author "Guide to Business Mentors," - EDC, '87;
Notable 1987 presentations included Houston Community College Central Campus, American-Arab Business and Professional Association and Bellaire/SW Houston Chamber of Commerce.
Co-Author "First Annual Houston Awards for Promotion of Entrepreneurship," '88;
Fifth to Seventh Annual Entrepreneurial Workshop - SCA, '88 to '90;
Notable 1988 presentations included the University of Houston Center for Applied Technology and the University of Houston College of Business Administration.
Co-Founder "First Houston Small Business Seed Capital Fund," '89;
Vice Chair and Chair of Education - Texas Business Incubator Association, '89;
Co-Chair "Second and Third Annual Houston Awards for Promotion of Entrepreneurship," '89 and '90;
Interim Coordinator of the Federation of Houston Networking Groups, '89;
Led the design of development programs for the Womens Business Center, the first small business incubator for women in the U.S., '89;
Notable 1989 presentations included the U.S. Small Business Administration Region VI.
Chair Education Committee - Texas Business Incubator Association, '90 to '92;
Notable 1990 presentations included the California Business Incubation Network.
Led the design of development programs for the Software Business Center, the first small business incubator for software developers in the U.S., '91;
Visiting panelist - MIT Forum of Houston, New Venture Clinic, '91, '94 to '98, 2009 to present;
Co-Chair Network 100 Committee "Houston Business Breakfast Benefiting First Houston Small Business Seed Capital Fund," '91 to present;
Invited by the Soviet Association of Women Business Owners on a Entrepreneurship Lecture Tour through Russia, '91 (declined);
Organizational Task Force - Women's Chamber of Commerce of Texas, '91;
Notable 1991 presentations included the National Business Incubation Association.
Led the design of development programs for the Product Development Center, the first small business incubator for inventors in the U.S., '92;
Led the design of development programs for the Houston Engineering and Scientific Society, '92;
Notable 1992 presentations included the Entrepreneurs' Association.
Nominee - Kauffman Foundation "Entrepreneurship Educator Of The Year," '93;
Chair Nominating Committee - Texas Business Incubator Association, '93 to '96;
Overall Planning Committee and Interim Chair Legislative and Educational Programs - Texas Conference on Small Business, '93;
Led the design of development programs for the International Business Center, the first small business incubator for international business in the U.S., '93;
Beta Project Leader "Efficiency, Certification and Curriculum," Doctoral Candidate "Entrepreneurial Education" and led the design of development programs for the first Certified Business Incubators in the nation - Texas Business Incubator Association, '93;
Notable 1993 presentations included the Texas Business Incubator Association.
Economic Development Committee - Spring Branch Association, '93 and '94;
Chair Education Committee and Beta Project Leader "Efficiency, Certification and Curriculum" - Texas Business Incubator Association, '94 to '99;
Small Business Development Task Force - Imagine Houston Project, City of Houston, Office of the Mayor, '94 and '95;
Host Business Incubator - International Visitors Program - Institute of International Education, '94 to 97;
Entrepreneurship Education Committee - Houston Community College System, '94 and '95;
Interim Coordinator - Greater Houston Area Task Force - White House Conference on Small Business, '94;
Nominee - Greater Houston Partnership "Augustus C. and John K. Allen Award for Entrepreneurship," '94;
Nominee - Greater Houston Partnership "Sam Houston Award for Community Service," '94;
Nominee - Greater Houston Partnership "Jesse H. Jones Award for Business Leadership," '94;
Nominee - Kauffman Foundation "Entrepreneurship Educator Of The Year," '94
Notable 1994 presentations included the Houston Entrepreneurs' Forum.
Houston Entrepreneurial Community Outstanding Participation Award, '94, '96 and '97;
Houston Finance Advisory Council - Small Business United of Texas, '94 to '96;
Chair Issues Committee - Greater Houston Area Task Force - White House Conference on Small Business, '95;
Chair Public/Private Competition Sub-Committee - Greater Houston Area Task Force - White House Conference on Small Business, '95;
Notable 1995 presentations included the Houston Hispanic Chamber of Commerce.
Vice Chair and Chair of Education - Texas Business Incubator Association, '95 and '96;
Houston Task Force - Small Corporate Offering Registration, '95 and '96;
Houston Issues - Governor's Conference on Small Business, '96;
Texas Task Force - Small Business Equity Capital Investment Fund, '96;
Co-Author Unfair Competition Resolution - Governor's Conference on Small Business, '96;
Co-Recipient of a Mayoral Proclamation for "Entrepreneurial Community Tribute Day - July 3rd, 1996";
Notable 1996 presentations included the Texas Governor's Conference on Small Business.
Chair - Texas Business Incubator Association, '96 - '98;
Planning Committee "Fifth Biannual Texas Small Business Day - February 12, 1997";
Led the design of development programs for the Health-Medical Enterprise Center, the first small business incubator for the healthcare industry in the U. S., '97;
Chair - Eighth Entrepreneurial Workshop - SCA, '97;
Houston Legislative Issues Advisory Council - Small Business United of Texas, '97.
Notable 1997 presentations were to The Academy Association (graduates of the U.S. Military Academies), The Society of Women Engineers and The Small Business Capital Access Association.
Chair - Ninth Entrepreneurial Workshop - SCA, '98;
Steering Committee - Houston Technology Center, '98,
Spring Branch Redevelopment Association, '98 and '99;
Houston Focus Group - Community Reinvestment Act - Office of the Controller - State of Texas, '98;
Certificate of Recognition - Houston City Council, '98;
Notable 1998 presentations included The Houston Reveille Club and Memorial Women's Business Team.
Economic Development Committee - Houston West Chamber of Commerce, '99;
Co-Recipient of Mayoral Proclamation for "Services Cooperative Association Emerging Business Day, July 7, 1999";
Chair - Tenth Entrepreneurial Workshop - SCA, '99;
Notable 1999 presentations included the American Cash Flow Association.
Board of Directors - Spring Branch Redevelopment Association, '99 and 2000;
Chair - Eleventh Entrepreneurial Workshop - SCA, 2000;
Certificate of Recognition - "Eleventh Entrepreneurial Workshop" - City of Houston, 2000;
Advisory Board - Spring Branch Redevelopment Association, 2000 - '01;
Board of Directors of Houston Proud, 2000 - '04;
Notable 2000 presentations included Prairie View A&M University Office of Research and Development, Texas Chamber of Electronic Commerce and National Association of Mobile Health Professionals.
Steering Committee - Women's Empowerment Center, '01;
Chair - Ways and Means Committee - Women's Empowerment Center, '01;
Co-Recipient of a Mayoral Proclamation for "Services Cooperative Association Day - July 3rd," '01;
Award for "Outstanding Leadership in Keeping Houston Emerging Business Capital of the World" - SCA, '01;
Chair - Twelfth Entrepreneurial Workshop - SCA, '01;
"Inspiration Award" - Women Achieving Independence & Financial Success, '01;
Notable 2001 presentations included the Phi Theta Kappa International Honor Society and Houston Junior Chamber of Commerce.
Advisory Board - Spring Branch Revitalization Association, '01 - '05;
Emerging Business Council - Greater Houston Partnership, '02 - '06;
Chair - "20th Annual Houston Business Breakfast and Year 2003 Economic Forecast" - SCA, '02;
"Star Patron Award" - Women Achieving Independence & Financial Success, '02;
Notable 2002 presentations included the Commercial Real Estate Network.
Chair - "Houston Business: Starting - Expanding - Acquiring, SCA's 20th Anniversary Celebration" - SCA, '03;
"Business Associate of the Year" - WINGS Chapter American Business Women's Association, '03;
Economic Issues - Blueprint Houston Initiative, '03.
Co-Chair - "21st Annual Houston Business Breakfast and Year 2004 Economic Forecast" - SCA, '03;
Notable 2003 presentations included the American Business Women's Association.
Chair - Texas Business Incubator Association, '04 - '06;
Recognized as a "Houston Hero" - SCA, '04 - 09;
Chair - 15th Annual Entrepreneurial Workshop - SCA, '04;
Co-Recipient of a Mayoral Proclamation for "Houston Heroes Day," '04;
Chair - Board Development Committee - Houston Proud, '04 - '05;
5 Year Dedicated Service Award - 1st Wednesday Luncheon, '04;
Chair - "22nd Annual Houston Business Breakfast and Year 2005 Economic Forecast" - SCA, '04;
Board of Directors - Spring Branch Revitalization Association, '05 - '08;
Co-Chair - 16th Annual Entrepreneurial Workshop - SCA, '05;
Co-Chair - "23rd Annual Houston Business Breakfast and Year 2006 Economic Forecast" - SCA, '05;
Invited by the Chinese government to present at the formation meeting of the Chinese Women's Entrepreneurship Association, '06 (declined);
Economic Development Committee - Emerging Business Council - Greater Houston Partnership, '06;
Co-Chair - 17th Annual Entrepreneurial Workshop - SCA, '06;
Co-Chair - "24th Annual Houston Business Breakfast and Year 2007 Economic Forecast" - SCA, '06;
Named "A Houston Business Icon" by HNN, '06;
Notable 2006 presentations included the Houston Entrepreneurial Club.
Co-Chair - 18th Annual Entrepreneurial Workshop - SCA, '07;
Co-Founded the Women's Business Assistance Forum Online - WBC, '07;
Co-Chair - "25th Annual Houston Business Breakfast and Year 2008 Economic Forecast" - SCA, '07;
Notable 2007 presentations included Women's Business Assistance Forum Online.
Houston Technology Champion - HTC, '08 - present;
Emerging Technology Council - Economic Development Committee - HTC, '08 - present;
Co-Chair - 19th Annual Entrepreneurial Workshop - SCA, '08;
Co-Chair - "26th Annual Houston Business Breakfast and Year 2009 Economic Forecast" - SCA, '08;
Notable 2008 presentations included the NAFTA Delegation - Office of the Governor.
Rice Alliance for Technology and Entrepreneurship - Rice University, '08 to present;
Star Member - U of H SBDC, '08 to present;
Co-Chair - One Form Certification Process - SCA, '08;
Co-Founded Start A Business Store/Mall - SCA, '09;
Co-Chair Open 24-7 in Houston - SCA, '09.
Co-Chair - 20th Annual Entrepreneurial Workshop - SCA, '09;
Executive Committee Chairman "Business Tip of the Month" - Greater Houston Business Procurement Forum, '09;
Outstanding Contribution Award - Minority Enterprise Development Week, '09:
Patron MIT Enterprise Forum of Texas - '09 to present.
Co-Chair - "27th Annual Houston Business Breakfast and Year 2010 Economic Forecast" - SCA, '09;
Notable 2009 presentations included Houston Baptist University Entrepreneurship Students; Texas Association of Licensed Investigators; Greater Houston Business Procurement Forum.
"First Ever Enrollment Award" - SCA, '10;
Co-Founded LunchBreakBiz - SCA, '10;
Notable 2010 presentations included Central Senior Manager's Group - Houston.First Baptist Church.

Authored articles, lectures, workshops and seminars on small business incubators, entrepreneurial development and entrepreneurship for associations, business, civic, educational groups and students - third grade to post graduate, '77 to present, including the dissertation "Entrepreneurship Can be Taught" for a doctoral program in entrepreneurial education. Mr. Kring uses the successes of his client companies - which have won virtually every award for growth in the city of Houston, including The Aggie 100 and Inc. 5,000 - as proof of his theories and is considered a leading expert in self-sufficient public and private sector business incubation programs as economic development tools for both job creation and wealth generation. (See Services Cooperative Association.) Mr. Kring is frequently called upon as the keynote speaker for educational groups concerned with entrepreneurship education, entrepreneurial development and emerging business assistance as a means of economic development and is the most tenured owner/operator/manager of a business incubator in the National Business Incubation Association. Look for the books "Extraordinary Attention to Clients" and "Working with Gifted People."

A few benchmark accomplishments:
Demonstrated to academia that 1.) entrepreneurship could be taught and 2.) the most capable teachers were the successful entrepreneurs from within their own communities who had boot-strapped their ventures.
Demonstrated to the government that 1.) women were starting businesses at a faster rate than men and 2.) were seeking the "hand up" and a "level playing field" and not the "hand out" or "charity."
Demonstrated to the incubation industry that 1.) small business incubators could be self-funded and remain self-sustaining entirely without public funding, grants, gifts, contributions or donations and 2.) significantly accelerated business growth by making a variety of resources, assistance and expertise conveniently available from within one environment.

Notable quotes:
"Those who truly serve, lead."
"Entrepreneurship is color blind."
"You can't teach what you don't know."
"Charity is the bane of entrepreneurship."
"Be short on promises and long on delivery."
"Business incubators accelerate business growth."
"There are no glass ceilings in Entrepreneurial America."
"Our greatest energy resource is our entrepreneurial energy."
"Creating change is vastly more rewarding than accepting it."
"Some windows of opportunity are but brief moments in time."
"Business success is having fun, making money and doing good."
"When all the world leaders are women, there will be no more wars."
"A bird in the bank account is worth more than two in the business plan."
"Action can only be achieved when you allow your faith to overcome your fear."
"Entrepreneurship is an experiential discipline. To teach it, you must be able to do it."
"Business incubators provide entrepreneurial engineers to build successful businesses."
"The art of entrepreneurship continually befuddles the science of business administration."
"When you are skilled, those who buy on price are not your market. Those who buy on results are."
"Some people continually overcome life's difficulties while others are continually overcome by them."
"The health of our free enterprise system is determined by the vitality of our emerging businesses."
"There is no force so powerful as a group of like-minded women who are bonded in common purpose."
"Economic development is where someone comes and spends money with you rather than someone else."
"You don't learn to ride a bicycle by reading a book - you learn to ride a bicycle by getting on the bicycle."
"The essence of entrepreneurship is to find a niche, make sales, manage to profits and repeat the process."
"Women process information, assess risk, utilize support systems and demonstrate team playing skills uniquely."
"Coming up with new ideas is the easy part. Making them work is the hard part and that's where business incubators excel."
"Being happy is a choice. Being successful is a choice. Being honest, diligent and returning something to your community are not choices. They are responsibilities."
"There are those who will attempt to convince you that you must learn everything there is to know about electricity before you can successfully operate a light switch."
"More than anything else when working with early stage entrepreneurs, is to keep them mindful of things to be done, knowledgeable of how to do them, and motivated to get them completed."
"There exists within some people an inherent quality; an entrepreneurial exponent. With it, the likelihood of business success is dramatically increased. Without it, all the government funded small business development resources in the world won't yield a successful business."
"To be successful in your venture, no matter the nature of the venture, you must first believe in yourself and your mission. When you can believe in yourself, you can trust yourself. When you can trust yourself, you can trust other people. When you can trust other people, you open up an entirely new resource mix."
Mr. Kring serves as Advisor, Professional Development Coach, Mentor and Guide to individuals and chief executives of both not-for profit and for-profit enterprises, small and large.
For non-professional activities, Mr. Kring's interests range from being Charter Member #2 of the Houston MG Car Club (founded 1971) to membership in Knife and Fork Club (founded 1953) and American Mensa (founded 1951).
A few of the awards and letters of appreciation given Mr. Kring.

For information about Mr. Kring appearing as the speaker for your group, please click here or contact the business office
at (713) 932-7495 x 12 or send email to: Booking Office.

"Mr. Kring's presentation at our annual conference was educational, entertaining and inspiring."
California Business Incubation Network

For immediate response about the Structured Development Methodology for incubators,
resident companies and entrepreneurs, send e-mail to: Emerging Business Centers

"Entrepreneurship spoken here!"

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Services Cooperative Association
9600 Long Point Road, Suite 150
Houston, Texas 77055
713-932-7495 x 13 voice
713-932-7498 fax
email: service@servicesca.org

For more information about this site, contact: Business Support Center - a Womens Business Center graduate company.