Small businesses create about two out of every three jobs in the U.S. each year, and roughly half of working Americans either own or work for a small business. There are nearly 49,000 Asian American-owned businesses and 390 Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islander (NHPI) businesses in the Houston Metropolitan Statistical Area that employ over 78,000 people and distribute over $2 billion in annual payroll. Small businesses strengthen America’s economy, and here is an inspiring example.
Bin Yu remembers when he was a young boy in Beijing. He had all the dreams of what he wanted to be when he grew up, and those dreams changed on a daily basis. One day, his grandma asked him to look in the mirror, and asked what he expected that person in the mirror to be. His answer was honesty, integrity and trustfulness. This set the tone for his future when he started his company.
Yu received his bachelor’s degree in management from Beijing Polytechnic University in 1991 and a master’s degree in management information system from Texas A&M University in 1997. He started with Deloitte Consulting in 1998, and later joined SAP America, becoming a platinum consultant then managing SAP’s U.S. Utilities Consulting team.
When Yu left to start Utegration, he asked himself a simple question, just like many entrepreneurs asks when starting their own company, “What do I want Utegration to be?” Your company is just your reflection in the mirror — growing a company is growing a person. As long as you keep your core values, your company will be OK.
Unique value proposition
Yu started Utegration in August 2008, and with his leadership has grown the company into one of the largest SAP Utilities Practices in the industry, recognized across this market for high quality work and commitment to clients and employees.
When Yu learned about minority certification through the Houston Minority Development Supplier Development Council, he went through the process, earned his certifications and his business grew. The certification meant an independent party validated that his company does what it says it does. It offered credibility and surrounded him with connections and resources that helped him better understand doing business with major corporations, his unique value proposition and how it relates to an ever changing market.
Yu had to change from a consulting service provider to a strategic enabler, from being a cost to adding value and from developing technology to providing solutions. In short, earn his clients’ trust by being part of their success.
Impacting others
In the six years since Utegration’s inception, it has grown to more than 140 employees, the majority of whom are based in Houston and surrounding areas, with oversea offices in India and Malaysia.
Being a first generation immigrant who is a U.S. citizen, Yu wants to provide entrepreneurial opportunities to many young professionals who aspire to develop their careers. More than 50 percent of Utegration employees are minorities, and the company has representation from 12 countries.
Small businesses impact our economy and create opportunities for others.
