Del Mar College Small Business Development Center Newsletter

Transcription

1 Del Mar College Small Business Development Center Newsletter Apr - June Baldwin, VB-351 Corpus Christi, TX (361) SBDC Services and Programs The Small Business Development Center serves to promote the growth, innovation, productivity, profitability and improved management of businesses by providing the following services: develop business plans, package loan requests, prepare strategic marketing plans, analyze and improve accounting practices, provide licensing and permit information, provide business seminars and access to the government procurement system. Our website has a startup guide which lists the local, state and federal requirements on starting a business, an accurate schedule of events with the ability to register online, success stories, procurement related topics, frequently asked questions (FAQ) section and a links section which includes various federal, state and local agencies that benefit the small business community. We also have a contact section which lists all of our staff, phone numbers, , etc. Our website address is A Partnership Program of the US Small Business Administration Inside this Issue: SBDC Services & Programs New Web Site Launched Success Stories 2 PTAC Services.. 3 Training Schedule 4-5 NEW WOMEN S WEB SITE LAUNCHED BY SBA AND DEPARTMENT OF LABOR WASHINGTON - Hector V. Barreto, Administrator of the U.S. Small Business Administration, and U.S. Secretary of Labor Elaine L. Chao today announced the launch of a new Web site to help women small business owners deal with the ever-changing business climate and identify federal government resources for women. No business group in America is moving faster or more efficiently than women-owned businesses; they are doing a fantastic job contributing to our economy and creating jobs, said Administrator Barreto. But navigating the government s information network is one of the hardest things a business owner has to do, and even the fastest-moving businesses need to stop and ask for directions now and then. Now, when women entrepreneurs want to stop and ask for directions that will help them get through the maze of government, they can make one stop and ask at By doing so, they will discover the answers and resources they need to keep moving forward and continue setting the pace for all of America s Entrepreneurs. The Web site is an outgrowth of Women Entrepreneurship in the 21st century, a series of women s summits to discuss the increasing role of women in the American economy and the concerns about roadblocks to growth, long-term viability and their financial health. Highlights of the Web site feature up-to-date information on key issues for women entrepreneurs, including: Access to capital Healthcare for small businesses Government procurement and contracting opportunities Retirement security, and Technology Women-owned businesses are driving the American economy by producing more and more jobs for American workers. Their numbers continue to grow at twice the rate of all U.S. businesses. There are 9.1 million women-owned businesses. They account for 38 percent of all businesses, employ million workers and generate $3.6 billion in revenues. SBDC STAFF Ann Fierova Director Jerry Estell MicroLoan Program Manager Sean P. Smith Procurement Program Manager Mike North Elizabeth Soliz Cynthia Willeford Larry Ellis Joseph Cortez Lisa Farr Training Coordinator Margie Silguero Procurement Consultant Zuzana Zambrano Procurement Assistant

2 Success Stories Atlas Physical Therapy - Vicky Bledsoe, a licensed physical therapist, and Toni Wagner, a safety and occupational health specialist, often talked of starting their own business. Vicky received her degree in physical therapy from The University of Texas Health Sciences Center in San Antonio in 1995, and Toni received a degree in industrial technology from Southwest Texas State University in Since receiving their diplomas, Vicky has worked for physical therapy clinics in Austin and Corpus Christi, and Toni has worked for the US Department of Labor, most recently in OSHA s Corpus Christi office. After a few years in Corpus Christi, they longed to return to Austin, but not working for someone else. Vicky had always wanted her own clinic, and Toni agreed that starting a new business would be very beneficial. They started talking in earnest about opening their own physical therapy clinic in Austin, and the more they thought about it, the more excited they became. They reasoned that Vicky s strong interpersonal skills, training and expert hands-on therapeutic care, coupled with Toni s extensive administrative experience and their desire to help patients, would insure the success of Atlas Physical Therapy. With not much more than a name for their clinic, but with plenty of experience and ambition, they contacted the Del Mar College Small Business Development Center, for help in structuring a business plan and loan proposal. SBDC counselor Michael North assisted them in preparing a business plan, cash flow projections, personal financial statements and loan proposal. After the plan and financials were complete, Vicky and Toni approached a bank in Austin, as well as some potential investors, for a loan. Before the bank completed their analysis of the loan request, a retired physician agreed to finance the clinic. According to Vicky and Toni, the assistance provided in large part by Mr. North made our dream a reality. Mr. North wrote a business plan and loan proposal for us and enabled us to obtain financing for our startup. Our investors and potential investors were impressed with the thoroughness of our business plan. Mr. North provided us with excellent advice, guidance and moral support. The SBDC provided us with excellent service and we look forward to future assistance. Vicky and Toni s dream of starting their own business will become a reality in April 2003, the anticipated opening of Atlas Physical Therapy located in the Exchange Park Office Building at 7800 Shoal Creek Blvd., Austin, Texas. Atlas Physical Therapy is an outpatient physical therapy clinic providing rehabilitative and preventive physical therapy services, fitness and disability awareness programs and wellness education. Treat Your Shelf Too Bookstore - Betty McQueen contacted the SBDC for assistance with opening a new bookstore in George West, Texas. Betty has always had a passion for books. She has sold books in the past in a very small bookstore and developed a good business with winter Texans and local customers. Ms. McQueen was now ready to take her business to a higher level in a new and larger store. She met with her counselor, Larry Ellis who helped her plan her new bookstore. Her dream was to open a special bookstore in George West where customers could browse leisurely through the books, drink coffee, and enjoy reading and conversation. Ms. McQueen had already worked out a lease agreement at 100 E. Houston in George West. She needed financing to pay for start-up costs. Mr. Ellis discussed the Accion loan program with her and helped her prepare the Accion loan forms. In addition, Mr. Ellis did a collateral inspection for the Accion loan. The Accion loan closed and the funds were utilized to purchase inventory and two kilns that will be used to make pottery which will be sold at the bookstore. The owner has created a unique business selling books and unglazed pottery in the same store. Ms. McQueen also has plans to sell her pottery thru an internet website. The business will be operated as a family business with her mother and sister helping out. Ms. McQueen has now realized her dream of opening a very special bookstore in George West with the help of the SBDC. She has just recently moved into her new bookstore.

3 Procurement Technical Assistance Center (PTAC) 101 Baldwin, VB-351 Corpus Christi, TX (361) PTAC Services The Procurement Technical Assistance Center serves the counties of Aransas, Bee, Calhoun, Goliad, Jim Wells, Kleberg, Live Oak, Nueces, Refugio, San Patricio, and Victoria. The PTAC is partially funded by the Department of Defense and is designed to increase the number and type of businesses selling products and services to government agencies. The PTAC can help any business interested in doing federal, state or local contracting through the following services: Counseling on Procurement Matters Access to Bid Packages, Plans and Specifications Electronic Bid Match Service Interpretation of Bid Documents Access to Dodge Reports for South Texas Assist with government database registration Provide research for bid opportunities. Networking Opportunities with government agencies Seminars/workshops on a wide variety of procurement topics Access to military plans and specifications Access to federal acquisition regulations Technical support putting together procurement certifications If you are an existing business interested in further information, please contact Sean Smith at (361) or Margie Silguero at (361) New SBA Exchange Program The U.S. Small Business Administration is proud to announce the launch of the SBAExchange Pilot Program-- an electronic purchasing tool designed to facilitate small business e-procurement opportunities and improve the efficiency and accountability of current government procurement processes. The SBAExchange is a streamlined electronic tool that allows agencies to award simplified acquisitions up to $100,000 (including micropurchases) and to make purchases and payments electronically with the Governmentwide commercial purchase card. Agencies will be able to use SBAExchange to award purchases over $25,000 that have been posted in Federal Business Opportunities (FedBizOpps), provided the notice states that the award will be made electronically. Additionally, it will help small businesses compete for purchases that are currently being obtained through other contracting methods. To participate, small businesses must obtain an Internet-based Supplier Web Site from SBAExchange. Through the Supplier Web Site a small business will receive: A fully hosted, supplier branded, e-commerce website; Exposure to federal buying authorities, large federal prime contractors and other large buying officials along with an electronic catalog. A centralized order management system for receiving and processing Internet- based orders from federal, state, local and commercial buying authorities. A management system for tracking new business, creating and submitting quotes and assistance in managing the new site. SBA plans to kick-off this pilot program nationally on March 30, 2003 when agencies can begin awarding transactions through the system. For more information, please visit

4 Small Business Seminars for April 1, June 30, 2003 Seminars are subject to change, please call Zuzana at (361) in advance DATE SEMINAR TITLE TIME LOCATION COST 04/10/03 FedBiz Ops (Procurement Workshop) 04/10/03 Starting Your Business: Step 04/15/03 New Taxpayer s Seminar (Sales Tax) 04/17/03 SBA Contractor Programs for Existing Small Businesses 04/22/03 Starting Your Business, Step 1:30 pm - 3:30 pm Brooks County, Ed Rachal Memorial Library, 203 S. Henry, Falfurrias TX How to Create Your own Website 9:00 am - 3:30 pm Del Mar College, Venters Business Bldg. Room $ /26/03 Introduction to Pro-net/CCR (Procurement Workshop) 12:30 pm - 2:30 pm Del Mar College, Venters 04/29/03 How to use Financial Statements to manage your business 1:00 pm - 3:30 pm Del Mar College, Venters 05/07/03 Keeping the Books 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm Del Mar College, Venters 05/08/03 Introduction to Microsoft Publisher :00 pm - 4:00 pm Del Mar College, Venters Business Bldg. Room 206 $ /13/03 Employer Tax Workshop 8:30 am - 11:30 am Del Mar College, Venters 05/14/03 Basic Computer Class 1:30 pm - 4:30 pm Del Mar College, Venters Business Bldg. Room 05/15/03 SBA Contractor Programs for Existing Small Businesses How to do Business with CCISD 2:00 pm - 4:00 pm Del Mar College, Venters The Del Mar College s Small Business Development Center is partially funded under Cooperative Agreement No Z DMC by the U.S. Small Business Administration. The support given by the U. S. Small Business Administration through such funding does not constitute an expressed or implied endorsement of any of the cosponsors or participants opinions, findings, conclusions, recommendations, products or services. All SBDC programs are nondiscriminatory and open to the public. Reasonable arrangements for persons with disabilities will be made, if requested at least two weeks in advance. Contact Lisa Farr at Del Mar College, 101 Baldwin, VB-351, Corpus Christi, TX 78404; (361)

5 Small Business Seminars for April 1, June 30, 2003 Seminars are subject to change, please call Zuzana at (361) in advance DATE SEMINAR TITLE TIME LOCATION COST 05/20/03 Buying or Selling a Business 05/21/03 Warehouse Safety 8:00 am - 5:00 pm Del Mar College, Venters Business Bldg. Room 100 $90.00 $70 Group Rate of 5 05/22/03 Starting Your Business, Step 05/22/03 What Quality Customer Service Means to Your Small Business 05/23/03 Introduction To QuickBooks :30 pm - 3:30 pm Three Rivers Chamber of Commerce City Hall, 105 N. Harborth, Three Rivers, TX $ /05/03 Basic Computer Class, Part II 1:30 pm - 4:30 pm Del Mar College, Venters Business Bldg. Room /12/03 Introduction to Internet and 1:30 pm 4:30 pm Del Mar - Venters Business Bldg. Room 06/17/03 Small Business Tax Workshop 8:30 am - 4:00 pm Del Mar College, Venters 06/18/03 Starting Your Business, Step 06/19/03 SBA Contractor Programs for Existing Small Business 1:30 pm - 3:30 pm Jim Wells County, Alice Chamber of Commerce Conference Room 612 E. Main, Alice TX 06/26/03 Introduction to Pronet/CCR How to Do Business with the City of Corpus Christi 2:00 pm - 4:00 pm Del Mar College, Venters The Del Mar College s Small Business Development Center is partially funded under Cooperative Agreement No Z DMC by the U.S. Small Business Administration. The support given by the U.S. Small Business Administration through such funding does not constitute an expressed or implied endorsement of any of the cosponsors or participants opinions, findings, conclusions, recommendations, products or services. All SBDC programs are nondiscriminatory and open to the public. Reasonable arrangements for persons with disabilities will be made, if requested at least two weeks in advance. Contact Lisa Farr at Del Mar College, 101 Baldwin, VB-351, Corpus Christi, TX 78404; (361)