Austin, TX – [Date] – Saamiya Seraj and Sarah Seraj, co-founders of A Better Force, have been honored with the 2024 Emerging Business Award at the Greater Austin Asian Chamber of Commerce’s Ovation Gala. This prestigious recognition celebrates their outstanding contributions to leadership and professional development, as well as their commitment to equity and empowerment. The sisters have been clients of the Economic Growth Business Incubator (EGBI) since 2023, leveraging their expertise to create meaningful change in workplaces and communities.
A Better Force is dedicated to empowering individuals and companies through customized leadership and professional development programs. Their training is tailored to the unique needs of their clients, focusing on well-being, equity, and actionable solutions. As a women- and minority-owned business, they have a strong emphasis on supporting women, BIPOC professionals, and the immigrant community, ensuring that leadership development is inclusive and impactful.
About the Founders
Saamiya Seraj – Co-Founder & CEO
Saamiya Seraj earned her Ph.D. in Civil Engineering from the University of Texas at Austin in 2014. Following her doctorate, she spent five years in the construction industry, advocating for improved safety, quality standards, and building designs that prioritize occupants’ mental health and well-being.
Through her industry experience, Saamiya recognized a gap in leadership training that failed to address systemic inequities. She began facilitating workshops and discussions on the topic, which ultimately led to the creation of A Better Force. Her passion lies in empowering individuals—especially BIPOC professionals—and helping companies cultivate thriving, equitable workplace cultures.
Saamiya currently resides in Austin, TX, and is a recent survivor of Hodgkin’s Lymphoma, a testament to her resilience and determination to create positive change.
Sarah Seraj – Co-Founder & Chief Technology Officer
Sarah Seraj initially pursued a career in environmental engineering but transitioned into social psychology after recognizing the critical role that social and psychological factors play in problem-solving. She went on to earn her Ph.D. in Social Psychology from the University of Texas at Austin, focusing her research on social upheavals, cultural shifts, and racial issues.
At A Better Force, Sarah leads training sessions, consults with businesses on workplace culture, and integrates cutting-edge research in organizational psychology—particularly language-based data analysis—to develop innovative, research-backed solutions for companies.
Currently based in Austin, TX, Sarah enjoys reading and writing fiction in her free time, balancing her analytical expertise with creativity.
A Commitment to Inclusive Leadership Development
With a mission to equip organizations with transformative leadership strategies, A Better Force is redefining workplace training. By combining academic research, real-world experience, and an unwavering commitment to equity, the Seraj sisters are helping companies cultivate inclusive, thriving, and innovative work environments.
For more information about A Better Force and their services, visit www.abetterforce.com.
Austin, TX – October 26th, 2024 – The Greater Austin Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (GAHCC) has awarded Lucero Valle Ortiz, founder of Lucero Creative Studio, the prestigious title of 2024 Businesswoman of the Year. This recognition highlights Lucero’s exceptional contributions as a Latina entrepreneur, agency owner, and advocate for small businesses through strategic branding and high-impact visual storytelling. Lucero has been a client of EGBI since 2012.
As a certified Women and Minority HUB business, Lucero Creative Studio is a culture-driven, bilingual agency dedicated to helping businesses, government entities, corporations, non-profits, and professionals build compelling brand identities. With over 20 years of experience in photography and branding, Lucero and her team have transformed countless businesses by delivering high-quality photography, video production, social media management, and website design that resonates with diverse audiences.
“After years of capturing incredible visuals, we realized our clients needed more than just photography—they needed strategic marketing support,” said Lucero Valle Ortiz. “So, we stepped it up! Now, we offer a full suite of creative services to ensure brands not only look great but also connect meaningfully with their audiences across different platforms and languages.”
Lucero’s commitment to excellence and client success has earned her widespread acclaim. Tito San Diego, a long-time client, praised her expertise: “I highly recommend Lucero Valle as your next photographer! She’s the ultimate professional—kind, informative, and dedicated to providing outstanding customer service. I’ve had the pleasure of working with her on multiple occasions, and each time she delivers incredible results. Her engagement with subjects allows them to relax and truly shine, making all the difference in her photography.”
Lucero Creative Studio remains at the forefront of empowering brands through powerful visual storytelling, innovative marketing, and a deep commitment to community impact. As Businesswoman of the Year, Lucero Valle continues to inspire and uplift businesses in Austin, Texas, and beyond.
For more information about Lucero Creative Studio and its services, visit or contact https://www.lucero-creative.com/or (512) 825-9946.
About Lucero Creative Studio
Lucero Creative Studio is a full-service creative agency specializing in commercial photography, videography, branding, social media management, and website design. Led by Lucero Valle Ortiz, a Latina entrepreneur with over two decades of experience, the agency is dedicated to helping businesses craft compelling brand identities that drive engagement and success.
In today’s digital age, securing your social media accounts is more important than ever. One of the best ways to protect your Facebook account is by using an authenticator app. This adds an extra layer of security and makes it harder for hackers to gain access.
Follow these steps to secure your Facebook account using an authenticator app:
Step 1: Install an Authenticator App
First, you’ll need to download an authenticator app on your smartphone. Some popular options include:
Google Authenticator
Authy
Microsoft Authenticator
You can find these apps on the App Store (for iOS) or Google Play Store (for Android).
Step 2: Log into Your Facebook Account
Open your web browser and log into your Facebook account. Make sure you’re using a secure network connection.
Step 3: Go to Security Settings
Click on the downward arrow in the top-right corner of Facebook to open the drop-down menu.
Select Settings & Privacy, then click on Settings.
In the left-hand menu, click on Security and Login.
Step 4: Set Up Two-Factor Authentication
In the Two-Factor Authentication section, click on Edit next to Use two-factor authentication.
Facebook will prompt you to enter your password again for security purposes.
Step 5: Choose Your Security Method
You’ll see several options for two-factor authentication. Select Authentication App.
Facebook will display a QR code.
Step 6: Link Your Authenticator App
Open the authenticator app on your smartphone.
Tap on the + icon or Add Account (the process may vary slightly depending on the app).
Choose Scan a QR code and use your phone’s camera to scan the QR code displayed on Facebook.
The authenticator app will automatically add your Facebook account and generate a six-digit code.
Step 7: Enter the Code
Enter the six-digit code from the authenticator app into the Facebook prompt.
Click Continue.
Step 8: Save Your Backup Codes
Facebook will provide you with a set of backup codes. These can be used if you lose access to your authenticator app.
Save these codes in a secure place. You can either download the codes, write them down, or save them in a password manager.
Step 9: Confirm and Finish
Once you’ve entered the code and saved your backup codes, click Finish.
You’ll receive a confirmation that two-factor authentication is now enabled.
Additional Tips for Keeping Your Account Secure
Enable Login Alerts: Under the Security and Login settings, enable alerts for unrecognized logins. This will notify you if someone tries to access your account from an unknown device or location.
Regularly Review Your Security Settings: Periodically check your security settings to ensure everything is up to date.
Be Cautious with Third-Party Apps: Only connect third-party apps to your Facebook account that you trust.
By following these steps, you can add a significant layer of security to your Facebook account.
Hashtags have become an integral part of social media and are a powerful tool for categorizing content, increasing visibility, and engaging with a broader audience. This article will help you navigate hashtags on different social media to maximize your social media presence.
How to Use Hashtags Effectively
1. Do Your Research:
Trending Hashtags: Check platforms like Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn for trending hashtags related to your content.
Industry-Specific Hashtags: Use hashtags that are popular within your industry to reach a targeted audience.
2. Use a Mix of Popular and Niche Hashtags:
– Popular hashtags (#Travel, #Food) have a broad reach but high competition.
– Niche hashtags (#MinimalistLifestyle, #VeganRecipes) target a specific audience with less competition, increasing the likelihood of engagement.
3. Create Branded Hashtags:
– Unique to your brand or campaign, these hashtags can help build a community and encourage user-generated content.
4. Limit the Number of Hashtags:
– Instagram allows up to 30 hashtags per post, but engagement drops after 5-10 hashtags.
– Twitter’s character limit suggests 1-2 hashtags per tweet for optimal engagement.
– LinkedIn and Facebook are effective with 3-5 hashtags per post.
5. Place Hashtags Strategically:
– On Instagram, hashtags can go in the caption or the first comment.
– On Twitter, integrate hashtags naturally within your tweet.
– On LinkedIn, place hashtags at the end of your post for better readability.
Tyrone Meredith initiated his journey into entrepreneurship with his company after accumulating a decade of experience in the HVAC industry. Motivated by his extensive knowledge, he pursued and successfully passed the State Contractors exam. Following this achievement, Tyrone strategically developed the brand identity for his venture, Tyrone A/C & Heating Inc. With meticulous attention to detail, he navigated the incorporation process, establishing a solid foundation for his business. Equipped with determination and essential resources, including a truck, Tyrone entered the realm of entrepreneurship.
Tyrone shares a bit about his journey.
How did you hear about EGBI?
I found EGBI by contacting the City of Austin Small Business Development Office. I called looking for a business mentor and they referred me to EGBI.
How has EGBI helped you?
EGBI helped me to build the confidence to market myself and also believe in my vision. They coached me and recommended a host of individuals to assist with advertising and marketing. They introduced me to Mayor Kirk Watson among other people. This gave me the confidence I needed to know that “I am enough as I am and the sky’s the limit.” The lunch engagements helped me become more outgoing and overcome my fear of rejection. My world is truly as I make it.
What are you working on now?
Currently, I’m focused on expanding the reach of my company’s services through marketing initiatives. By attracting more customers with their HVAC needs, I aim to increase our revenue and solidify our position in the market.
If you were to start all over again, what would you do differently?
Looking back, I would prioritize allocating more resources towards advertising from the start, rather than waiting a decade to do so. Additionally, I’d make proactive investments in retirement planning to secure my financial future more effectively.
What inspired you to become an entrepreneur?
Have a better quality of life and to have more control of my personal time as a whole.
Where do you see yourself in five years?
I envision myself making smarter investments and expanding my team by hiring at least one additional full-time technician. Furthermore, I aim to elevate our brand visibility by increasing our advertising budget by $10,000.
What’s your biggest challenge?
My greatest challenge lies in finding the right individuals who can complement my skills and knowledge where they fall short.
What’s the best piece of advice you received?
The good thing about success it, it is in your hands. And the bad thing about success is, it is in your hands!!!
What advice would you give someone starting their own business?
Embrace the discipline required for success, and you’ll spare yourself the anguish of regret down the road.
