Thanks to Renaissance Entrepreneurship Center for this story!
Twenty-five years at the Department of Defense, private patrol certification, and special events patrol. These are all credentials of a female small business owner. What does one do with 25 years of experience in the security field when she wants to put that experience to work on her own terms? For Myra Holmes, starting a small business that provides high quality, professional armed and unarmed security guard and private patrol services is the only answer. After working for over two decades in a variety of capacities at the Department of Defense and private firms, Myra Holmes started Star Partners Security, Inc. with her sister, Jacqui Heard, who also possesses extensive experience in the private security industry.
When asked why she began the business, Myra states unequivocally, “Security is a passion. Being in the industry, I have worked with and watched a lot of males do the job, and I felt a woman could do it better.” And with such confidence and the business skills they have learned through Renaissance, Myra and Jacqui have expanded their business to include risk assessment and investigation support for construction projects, special events and the entertainment industry.
Star Partners Security, Inc. was recently honored by Northern California Supplier Development Council (NCSDC) as one of its four 2007 Suppliers of the Year. NCSDC is the regional affiliate of the National Minority Supplier Development Council, a network of councils linking more than 3,600 corporations and 16,500 minority-owned businesses across the country with the goal of promoting diversity in the marketplace.
Founded over ten years ago, and incorporated in 2000, the partners have continued to take advantage of the resources available to small businesses at the Renaissance Bayview Business Resource Center (Ren/BBRC). Among their accomplishments is the acquisition of numerous business certifications, including the State of California Small Business, Hub Zone, Caltrans, Women, and Minority Business Enterprise certifications. Recently, they applied for the Small Disadvantaged Business certification. In order to keep up with the demands of a growing business, Myra and Jacquie are utilizing marketing training at the Ren/BBRC to identify and solicit new contracts and increase their customer base. Furthermore, Financial consultants at the Ren/BBRC are helping the sisters plan and monitor future growth. We are delighted to see how high these “stars” continue to rise!
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