Susan's Bio

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Hempstead, Texas, United States

Susan M. Repka , has 22 years’ experience working with small business to grow capacity.

As an expert in certification for woman owned businesses, she assists small business in the certification process, creating capabilities statements, as well as responding to government RFPs.

Prior to owning her consulting firm, Susan served as Business Development for Keystone Resources, a full-service marketing agency company. Susan has also served as the Executive Director for the Women Contractors Association (WCA). During her three year tenure, she increased the number of members by 51% and increased their luncheon attendees by 120%.

Susan started working with small businesses in 1998 after joining Women’s Business Enterprise Alliance (WBEA) previously known as the Houston Women’s Business Council. During her 14 years. She served as the Certification Manager starting in 2001 where she led the certification process of all women business enterprises (WBEs). In 2005, Susan was named Assistant Director in addition to her duties as Certification Manager. While serving as Certification Manager for WBEA, the organization grew from 200 members to 750 members. Considered an expert in certification, Susan pioneered some of the processes still currently in place and used around the country. Susan has had the honor of interviewing over 600 WBEs during the certification processes. These interviews have given Susan an insight into the challenges and joys of entrepreneurship in many industries and business sizes. In 2007 she was named Executive Director and served in the capacity until 2012. During her tenure as Executive Director, the Houston Galveston Women’s Business Center was opened following funding approval from the Small Business Administration.

While Executive Director of WBEA, Susan served on the Women’s Business Enterprise National Council’s Board of Directors and the GPC Board of Directors. In addition, she served on the Advisory Boards of the Texas Business Alliance and the Houston Area Score.

Susan has served on the board of directors for Energy Express Network – ABWA and served on several committees with WCA. She currently serves on the board of directors of Focusing Families and Quilts for Vets.

In 2010 Susan was named one of Houston’s Most Influential Women by the Houston Woman Magazine; One of the Top 25 Women of Houston by rollingout.com and was nominated for Sterling Bank Inspiring Texas Women Award. In 2016 Susan received a Legacy Award for her work with woman-owned businesses in the Houston community. She is an alumnus of Leadership Houston, Class XXI.

Prior to joining WBEA in 1997, Susan worked in the College of Business at Prairie View A & M University.

Susan lives in Hempstead, Texas, and is happily married with two grown children, and a proud "Maw-Maw" to seven active grandchildren.