Even while developing his creative talents in art
school, Jorge Suria knew he wanted to be an
entrepreneur. His dream of opening his own agency
came to fruition in 2003 when he established Hooah
LLC. An expression of high morale, strength and
confidence popular in the military, Suria thought
Hooah would be an ideal name for his firm which
provides marketing, IT and video production services
to clients such as the U.S. Army, Army National
Guard and Army Reserves. Hooah has been utilizing
the services of the SBDC at UCF’s Procurement and
Technical Assistance Center since 2007. In 2008,
after attending an SBDC Advisory Board Council (ABC)
Reception for Small Business Owners, Suria decided
to apply to the program. “We wanted to have an
advisory board because we saw potential for growth
and the challenges it would bring and we wanted to
get objective advice from people who didn’t have any
personal interest in the company,” remarked Suria.
When Hooah applied to the ABC there was some
discussion on the firm’s readiness for the program
as they barely met some of the eligibility
guidelines. However, the company was working hard to
reach their potential and was certified as a
Minority Business Enterprise and had just been
granted Small Disadvantaged Business 8(a) status by
the U.S. SBA. Jill Kaufman, ABC program manager,
decided to accept Hooah as a client and began work
on their board information. According to Suria, “one
of the most valuable aspects of working with the
Advisory Board Council is the fact that they
specifically tailored Hooah’s board to our company’s
needs.” He continued, “I can’t imagine putting
together a board without the SBDC’s help.”
Some of the projects Hooah sought help with from
their board include: contract negotiations and
contract review; putting proper accounting systems
in place; determining cost and price structures; and
mapping out their business development strategy.
According to Hooah’s vice president, Tanya Zeiher,
“the board has helped us at a strategic level to map
out our growth strategies and really hone in on what
we do and who we are. They helped us define our
strengths and clarify the areas of service we should
focus on.” Some of the board’s best advice
surrounded Hooah’s business development plan. Suria
commented, “the board helped us create a very
effective business development strategy which
enabled us to branch into and win work in the
utilities sector, a new industry segment for us.”
Today, Hooah is one of the fastest growing companies
in the entire ABC program. “There is a direct
correlation between the board’s involvement and our
growth,” remarked Zeiher. Revenues have jumped 265%
to $2 million and in 2010 the firm expects to double
its sales again. Hooah has also tripled its number
of employees and hired 10 new staff members. The
firm targets federal and local government work and
also serves large private sector organizations. In
August 2009, Hooah opened a branch office in
Arlington, Virginia to better serve their growing
clientele in Washington, D.C.
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"One of the most valuable aspects of
working with the Advisory Board Council is the
fact that they specifically tailored Hooah’s
board to our company’s needs."
Jorge Suria
Hooah, LLC
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