Lisa and Michael Holthouse devote a preponderance of their time to philanthropy, using the Holthouse Foundation For Kids as a platform to serve at-risk youth. Their foundation focuses on serving the community through proactive programs designed to teach life skills, character education and entrepreneurship. Together they founded Prepared 4 Life whose flagship program, Lemonade Day, teaches youth how to start their own business using a lemonade stand. Created in 2007, Lemonade Day has experienced extraordinary growth and is now in 36 cities serving over 400,000 youth per year. Their current goal is focused on reaching 1,000,000 youth in 100 cities.
Michael is best known in the business world as founder and President of Paranet, Inc., a computer network services company. As an INC. Magazine Entrepreneur of the Year and a two-time “Inc. 500 Fastest Growing Company” winner, Michael grew Paranet in 6 years to 27 offices with 1400 employees with revenues in excess of $120 million and ultimately sold the company to Sprint in 1997. Since then he has focused on investments and a variety of business interests, principally focused in early stage technology companies.
Lisa is a native Houstonian. She was a principal recruiter in a local firm for nearly a decade, but has spent the most recent decade devoting her life to motherhood, family and community. She has served on a variety of boards and committees and has chaired fundraisers for an array of deserving charitable organizations. She was honored two times by March of Dimes as one of Houston’s Best Dressed. She and Michael have been honored together by organizations such as Houston Achievement Place and KIPP Academy with HISD for their outstanding philanthropic contributions to Houston’s at-risk youth. Lisa’s most recent accomplishment is the publication of her children’s book, It All Started With A Turtle.
The most treasured part of their lives is spending time together with their children, extended family and dear friends.