Roy and Tracie Webb, owners of Webb's Automotive, were named Small Business of the Year representing Lone Star College-CyFair. Roy and Tracie Webb, owners of Webb's Automotive, were named Small Business of the Year representing Lone Star College-CyFair.[/caption]

Two Cy-Fair businesses were among the six honored at the 29th annual Lone Star College Small Business of the Year awards banquet Nov. 19. Roy and Tracie Webb, owners of Webb's Automotive, took home the award as representatives of the Cy-Fair area. James and Susan Fordice with Maid Brigade of Northwest Houston were the winners representing University Park.

Roughly 350 people attended the awards ceremony to show support for the businesses nominated.

“This year’s theme—‘banquet of champions’—was aptly chosen,” said Sal Mira, Director of the LSCS Small Business Development Center. “Lone Star College serves 1,400 square miles, and within so large of a footprint are literally tens of thousands of small businesses, each looking to grow and prosper. Our finalists have not only grown, but have been recognized for excellence in the community. [They] have taken [their] dreams, put [their] own capital at risk, stayed awake many nights, helped to create jobs and even found time to give back to the community.”

A video presentation gave each finalist a chance to talk about their connection to the communities they serve. The Webbs have been running their automotive repair business for more than 20 years.

“We strive to be very honest and have a great relationship with every customer,” Tracie said. “We’re very involved in the community because we live there and work there. We’re involved in a lot of the schools, we sponsor a lot of the sports teams. Globally, we sponsor two children—one in Africa and one in Haiti.”

Upon accepting the award, Roy dedicated it to his father, a small businessman who ran an office furniture shop and passed away five years ago.

“He was a true businessman,” Roy said. “I was taught at a young age that nobody is a stranger. No matter where you went, everybody knew [my father]. It just makes you realize [small business] is what runs this country. We know it’s a privilege and we’ll try to honor this award each and every day to our customers.”

The Fordices have been running Maid Brigade of Northwest Houston—a residential and small commercial cleaning business—for more than 16 years in Cy-Fair. Over that time, they have partnered with Habitat for Humanity to offer cleaning services for new homes; with Cleaning for a Reason to offer free monthly cleanings to cancer patients; and with Helping a Hero and Welcome Home Heroes, lending their services to military personnel.

“I am so honored for the nomination and to be a part of the finalist group that we’re in,” James said. “I have to give total credit to two people—my wife, who has stood behind me for the 16 years we’ve been doing this, and my daughter, Laura, who has brought us to the point where we are serving the community in addition to growing our business.”

A total of six businesses were selected for the award—one representing each of Lone Star College’s six campuses. Other winners included:

Community members were able to nominate businesses to the LSCS Small Business Development Center, which narrowed down the field to three finalists for each campus. Other finalists in Cy-Fair included Jon and Catherine Labuda with Mathnasium of Cy-Fair, who were recognized for their commitment to area schools, including serving as mentors, bus buddies, giving gift baskets for auctions and donating to the Cy-Fair Education Foundation, Cypress-area ministries and Reach Unlimited.

Claudia Orso with Panda Wellness Center was recognized for offering free spay and neuter services and rabies vaccinations for feral cats, participating in community fundraisers and working with Cy-Fair ISD to educate students on pet care and safety.

Finalists for University Park included John and Kristen Basel with Basel’s All-Star Gymnastics & Cheer. The Basels were recognized for never turning down a request for an auction item for school, church and nonprofit fundraisers, hosting performances at community events and working with the Cypress Creek Christian Church, Cypress Creek Christian Community Center and the Houston Northwest Chamber of Commerce.

James Parker with Shredding on the Go was recognized for efforts to hire individuals with disabilities, spreading awareness to parents and medical professionals about creative ways to employ individuals with disabilities, participating in H-E-B’s Earth Day celebration and volunteering with the Houston Northwest Chamber of Commerce.

“There are no losers here this evening,” Mira said.