Editor's note: The coronavirus, or COVID-19, outbreak has upended the country, and Houston is not immune from the repercussions the virus has provided like business closures and city mandates. InnovationMap will continue to publish articles covering Houston innovation both as it pertains to the outbreak and aside from the virus in general. This week's top stories were a mix of those.
3 Houston innovators to know this week
This week's innovators to know are Debbie Mercer, Andrew Bruce, and Maria Maso. Courtesy photos
While headlines about coronavirus keep multiplying — similar to the virus' cases, Houston's innovation news hasn't yet slowed. This week's people to know include a female entrepreneur who's leveling the playing field for outdoorsy women, a blockchain expert with new growth, and an investor creating the angel network she's been wanting for years. Continue reading.
Houston entrepreneur levels the playing field for female runners with new activewear line
Debbie Mercer, a Houston entrepreneur, has designed articles of clothing to empower female athletes. Photo courtesy of Zip Hers
It was race day for avid marathon runner, Debbie Mercer. She and her race pack got up early on a brisk winter's day in Chicago, Illinois, piling on warm layers over their compression tights, to run the Chicago Marathon.
Miles into the race, Mercer and her friends made a pit stop at the portable bathrooms. The female runners stood in long lines, awaiting their turns to do their business behind closed doors, while their male friends resorted to quickly and discreetly ducking behind the porta-potties, or finding nearby trees. Precious time ticked by as the women watched their male counterparts continue the race.
"I remember thinking 'I wish there was some way that we could do that too,'" Mercer recalls.
The Houstonian created Zip Hers, an activewear brand that has a full-length zipper lining the bikini area of each pant, to accommodate on-the-go women. The Zip Hers concept and design was intended to level the playing field for women and men when it comes to competitive sports. Continue reading.
Houston Food Bank seeks volunteers for coronavirus quarantine kits
The Food Bank needs help packing quarantine food kits. Photo courtesy of Houston Food Bank
As the long lines at any local Costco suggest, the coronavirus/COVID 19 phenomenon has caused some to interpret news reports advising sensible precautions such as "wash your hands thoroughly" to mean "buy a car-full of toilet paper."
Talk of a potential quarantine has only added to the fervor, as citizens are advised to stock up on food for up to two weeks. But what of those who can't don masks and charge through sprawling stores looking for tuna packets?
The Houston Food Bank is asking that local residents assist those who do not have reserves of food in the event of service disruptions and closures. The non-profit has put out a call for volunteers to help pack essential quarantine food kits. The boxes are not yet being requested, but will be necessary in the event there is a need due to COVID-19 occurrences in their service area, according to the Food Bank. Continue reading.
Houston entrepreneur shares communication tips for today's coronavirus environment
When faced with a crisis, it's essential to deliver clear, authentic messages to your target audiences. Getty Images
The reality for business owners is that everything you say matters; your words are reverberated and felt throughout the company and all of your stakeholders.
During times of crisis, your voice is amplified to the max, and people listen to every word you have to say, which is why — if not completely thought-through — your voice can breed misinformation, confusion and stress. As we face the increasing uncertainty in our community due to the spread of COVID-19, it's critical for business owners to say the right things, to the right people, that will inform and motivate, and use their presence and organization to be leaders within the community.
Practicing what we preach, we understand that as communication experts, it is our mission and responsibility during this time to help our local business community. We are putting our money where our mouth is and for the last week have been offering free communication and marketing consultation to any business in need. Continue reading.
Overheard: Houston energy experts share how tech and startups are affecting the industry
How is technology affecting the energy sector? These experts weigh in. Getty Images
Last week, Houston-based Pink Petro hosted its annual conference — but, quite like other events across the country, it took a very digital approach.
Energy 2.0, formerly called HerWorld, was always going to be streamed from two locations — Denver and Houston — but the conference, which took place from March 9 to 11, likely had more digital attendees than previous years thanks to the rising threat of COVID19, or the coronavirus.
The digital shift was pretty on par with the conversation of the "unconference," as its called. The last panel of March 10 was how tech was rattling the energy industry. Three panelists discussed the effect of technology on the industry, climate change, startups, and more. Continue reading.