The Lone Star College System honored Klein Wealth Management with the title of Small Business of the Year for the Tomball area at a Nov. 20 awards banquet.
"Just to be nominated—we were thrilled," said Lori Klein Quinn, City Council member and owner of Klein Wealth Management. "[Small businesses] are the backbone of America's economy, and sometimes a small business isn't recognized as it should be. To be able to represent all these great businesses in the Tomball area is an honor."
The award, which LSCS has been presenting for 28 years, recognizes the overall success of small businesses and their community outreach efforts. Founded in 1983, Klein Wealth Management offers assistance with taxes as well as retirement, estate and risk planning. Previously, the business was nominated for a LSCS small business award in the 1980s, Quinn said.
In addition to her seat on City Council, Quinn serves as a board member on the Grand Parkway Association and the Tomball Economic Development Corporation. In the 1980s, Quinn was a founding member of the Lone Star College Foundation. She has also served as the chair of the Greater Tomball Area Chamber of Commerce and president of the Women's Business Forum and Tomball Business and Professional Women.
Several Klein Wealth Management employees are also active in local organizations, including the Magnolia Parkway Chamber of Commerce, rotary clubs and Tomball Business and Professional Women.
"This is a community we have chosen to live and work in, and you need to do what [is necessary] to make your community great," Quinn said. "Everyone [at Klein Wealth Management] has that in their heart."
The business hosts an annual recycling event in January to allow the community to shred documents and properly dispose of electronic devices. During the winter season, the business is collecting food and other donations for Tomball Emergency Assistance Ministries and plans to participate in the KaBOOM! playground build day Dec. 6 at the 14-acre Broussard Community Park under construction in Tomball.
LSCS officials narrowed down a list of an estimated 200 applications to 18 finalists for the small business award, including Family Farm Health Food Store and FINS/ Fun IN Swimming Inc. in Tomball. Six winners—one representing each LSCS campus—were announced at the awards banquet. Other winners include:
- LSC-CyFair: Langham Creek Ace Hardware
- LSC-Kingwood: Red Door Realty & Associates
- LSC-Montgomery: Karlins Ramey & Tompkins, LLC
- LSC-North Harris: AEI Engineering, LLC
- LSC-University Park: Register Real Estate Advisors
In 2013, Country Air owners David and Alice Arevalo were awarded Small Business of the Year for the LSC–Tomball area.
Quinn said Klein Wealth Management has already received positive feedback from the community since being named small business of the year.
"The response and validation from our clients and friends is that they are very happy for us," Quinn said. "We are wealth management, so that is really a life planning firm. To be recognized for that validates our business model and that we are on the right road."
