A LETTER FROM OUR PRESIDENT AND CEO
Dear Members of the Heart of Texas Business Community,
As I look back on 2025, I can’ t help but share how honored I am to be a part of Better Business Bureau Heart of Texas. Over the years, our region has become a vibrant hub of growth, opportunity, and most of all: trust. As we enter 2026, I am proud to reflect on all that we accomplished in the past year and the bold steps we took to get there.
Our commitment to Accreditation was stronger than ever. Over 3,000 businesses became BBB Accredited last year— a number that represents not just marketplace operations, but personal livelihoods. Like them, our BBB is more than the sum of its parts. We aren’ t just a seal of approval; we are a trusted partner for navigating said marketplace, providing benefits and resources businesses can rely on to thrive.
I’ m happy to share that in 2025, we significantly enhanced the value of Accreditation to our service area by offering brand new benefits to aid in business growth: Business Integrity Check, which helps businesses strengthen their digital presence across multiple platforms; Perks Marketplace, giving Accredited Businesses access to exclusive discounts and resources with impactful wellknown brands; and the BBB Career Center, designed to offer businesses talent recruitment and retention. In addition, we improved our full suite of BBB Marketing Tools, introducing new services to help businesses increase visibility and credibility so they can reach more customers. Simply put: These tools aren’ t just benefits. They are an ecosystem of support and opportunity. By investing in powerful services centered on business success, we empower Accredited Businesses for the better beyond the Accreditation Seal.
In tandem, we complemented these efforts by providing ongoing education and tools businesses can rely on through community outreach and program initiatives. From online webinars to in-person events to local media outlets, we continued to equip business leaders with the knowledge and resources they need to build stronger businesses. The Foundation for Better Business was instrumental in supporting and expanding these efforts. Ignite Essentials, the Foundation’ s signature educational program, provided nine courses dedicated to small business success, such as financial literacy, marketing and branding, sales strategy, and more. Paired with programs like Blueprint, She Means Business, and Power of Better Business— each centered on impactful leadership development— Texas business owners strengthened long-term business sustainability and forged meaningful connections with fellow community leaders.
2025 was the year of accessibility. Of opportunity and growth.
To continued momentum.
Sincerely,
Dr. Carrie Angell, EdD, MPAff
President & CEO Better Business Bureau Heart of Texas, Foundation for Better Business, and Heart of Texas Business Services
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