Del Mar College Small Business Development Center Newsletter

Transcription

1 Del Mar College Small Business Development Center Newsletter Jul - Sep 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 SBA s 50th Anniversary Success Stories 2 PTAC Services.. 3 Training Schedule 4-5 Welcome from SBA Administrator Hector V. Barreto SBA Special Newspaper Insert SBA s 50 th Anniversary. It is my pleasure to welcome you to a special section of Del Mar College Small Business Center Newsletter, dedicated to the small business owners of the Coastal Bend. Since this year is the 50 th Anniversary of the Small Business Administration (SBA), smallbusiness weeks all over the country are taking on special meaning for those of us who work for the small-business community. Small businesses are so important to our country, economically. They employ 51 percent of the private-sector workforce that s 57 million Americans! They create two out of three net new jobs and produce 51% of the private sector output. When you look at it that way, small business isn t small at all. Most importantly, perhaps, is what small business means to our country in terms of our spirit. Small business is the embodiment of the American Dream. Today s entrepreneurs offer the vision of success to the next generation. Whether they are born here or come here from another country, their contributions are an essential part of our American fabric. It s so important that we acknowledge what America s small businesses have given back to this country; that s what Small Business Week is all about. I m very proud of what the SBA has done for millions of entrepreneurs since 1953, and we are committed to empowering America s entrepreneurs for generations to come. If you are thinking of starting a business, or are already a business owner, please give SBA a call in Corpus Christi, TX at or visit our website at Our agency can help with access to capital, technical assistance, and facilitating opportunities for small businesses all of which helps them to grow and succeed over the long term. We look forward to hearing from you. SBDC STAFF Ann Fierova Director Molly Long MicroLoan Program Manager Sean P. Smith Procurement Program Manager Mike North Elizabeth Soliz Hector Vidaurri Procurement Specialist Larry Ellis Joseph Cortez Lisa Farr Training Coordinator Margie Silguero Associate Contracting Assistance Specialist Zuzana Zambrano Procurement Assistant

2 Success Stories Back Street Café - Back Street Café has been a Sinton institution for 10 years. Owned by sisters Julie Diggs and Chris Mauer, this restaurant is known for its cozy atmosphere and great food. Started on a shoestring budget, this business has now grown to over capacity during the lunch and dinner hours. Two years ago, Julie and Chris purchased the adjacent building in the hopes of expanding their business. Their ultimate goal was to turn the newly purchased building into the main dining room and use the existing building as a banquet room. In the process, they planned to connect the two buildings with a modernized kitchen and waiting area. The new building, abandoned for a few years was in dire need of a complete renovation. That was when Julie and Chris came to the Small Business Development Center. They needed assistance in producing a business plan to take to the local bank to seek a loan for the renovations. Cindi Willeford, Certified Business Advisor for the SBDC helped them to produce that business plan. Taking into consideration the added seating during the lunch and dinner hours, an income projection was produced estimating an increase in sales of 15% the first year after the expansion. Armed with these new pro formas, Julie and Chris approached their current bank. They were approved by Commercial State Bank for a direct loan to handle the renovations. As a direct result of this loan, twelve jobs were retained and four additional full time positions will be added. Fast Eddy s Pizza & Subs, Inc. - In 1993, Ronald Matthew Brown purchased a small pizza restaurant in Denton, Texas, called Fast Eddy s Pizza & Subs. He closed the restaurant in 1998, and moved to Corpus Christi, where he opened two Fast Eddy s Pizza & Subs. Brown was 21 years old when he bought the Denton restaurant and stated, the first three years in business for myself perhaps were the scariest in my life. There was so much to learn about taxes, bills, management, employees, etc. The list was so long I almost didn t make it work. But make it work he did. According to Brown, Fast Eddy s Pizza & Subs has been my life for ten years and has finally provided me with security and hope for tomorrow. It also afforded him the opportunity to expand his business by opening a third location. However, as Brown stated, I have never applied for a business loan, and it seemed that it would be difficult and time consuming. Fortunately, his resourcefulness and determination brought him to the Del Mar College Small Business Development Center where SBDC Certified Business Advisor Michael North assisted him in preparing a loan application including detailed cash flow projections and pro forma financial statements. After the loan application and financials were complete, Brown approached Frost Bank for a conventional loan and was approved. According to Brown, Mr. North was extremely helpful in securing my hopes by providing me with encouragement and the tools for expanding my business. After two and a half hours with Mr. North, I was able to provide appropriate information to help secure Frost Bank s trust in me and my business. Mr. North has also given me an open door policy to his expertise and education to help me in any way possible. Unlike some people I have talked to in the past, he expects nothing in return except success on my part. My family and I thank (SBDC) for your time, and the opportunity to meet with you and helping my dreams come true. Ronald Matthew Brown s third Fast Eddy s Pizza & Subs is now open for business and is located at Trinity River Road. The restaurant is doing extremely well and has created 15 new jobs. Al's Turbo Power Washing - Al Garza always dreamed of owning his own small business. In 1999, he approached the SBDC in need of start-up assistance for a power washing service business. Elizabeth Soliz, Certified Business Advisor for the SBDC provided information and guidance on business planning and loan proposal development. Mr. Garza would need power washing equipment and supplies to start bidding on residential and commercial contracts. He would also need working capital to support overhead expenses for the first three to six months and was interested in a small loan. Elizabeth provided bank and SBA loan information and requirements, and assisted in proposal development. Mr. Garza was unable to acquire a loan, based on a lack of business history. He decided to use his own personal capital and Al's Turbo Power Washing was open for business. For the past 2 1/2 years, Al's Turbo Power Washing has experienced only growth in customers and contracts and an increase in revenues. With an official track record, justifying profits for the business, Mr. Garza was now ready to apply for a loan once again. Elizabeth Soliz helped with proposal development and updates to be submitted to Laredo National Bank. The bank recently approved a loan for Al's Turbo Power Washing. This loan allowed for the purchase of a company truck, a power washer w/ equipment, and a trailer. Mr. Garza dba Al's Turbo Power Washing has established a loyal customer base that includes local hospitals, automobile dealerships, real estate management companies, and recreational facilities. In addition, Mr. Garza recently added painting and striping services to his business. The addition of these services, as well as the participation in various state and federal certifications, which Mr. Garza is currently working on, will only increase contract opportunities for Al's Turbo Power Washing. Mr. Garza is grateful for the SBDC services he received and states, "I am very pleased with good and outstanding assistance I received from SBDC to help start-up and now expand my business."

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) Contract Awards How are you doing? When people in business check on each other, they ask how are you doing. We know the question really means how are sales or have you been working or keeping busy? PTAC asks how are you doing? four times a year when we send you a Contract Award Report. The Contract Awards Report is how we learn if we have had an effect on your business through our assistance. The Defense Department has awarded Del Mar College the PTAC Program to offer assistance to small businesses in their pursuit of government contracts. The Contract Award Report is our tool to gather information so we can show the Defense Department that we are working on your behalf and that we are having a positive effect on your business. As PTAC services are free, you can think of the Contract Award Reports as our paycheck or report card. The first quarter 2003 Contract Award Reports show that Del Mar College PTAC clients have been awarded $1,391, in awards to federal, state or local government entities. The Contract Award Reports ask for information on government or commercial sales and contracts, number of jobs created and retained, the contracting entity and the contract number if available. We, in turn, report this information to the DLA (Defense Logistics Agency) in aggregate. We appreciate your cooperation in completing and returning the Contract Award Reports to Margie at the PTAC via fax at If you are a PTAC Client, you will receive a contract awards report once every quarter to fill out and return.

4 Small Business Seminars for July 1, September 30, 2003 Seminars are subject to change, please call Zuzana at (361) in advance DATE SEMINAR TITLE TIME LOCATION COST 07/10/03 FedBiz Ops (Procurement Workshop) 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm Del Mar College, Venters Business Bldg. Room /14/03 Starting Your Business, Step by Step 1:30 pm - 3:30 pm Kleberg County, Kingsville Chamber Board Room, 635 E. King Ave, Kingsville, TX 07/15/03 New Taxpayer s Seminar 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm Del Mar College, Venters 07/17/03 SBA Contractor Programs for 07/22/03 Keeping the Books 07/23/03 How to do Business with CCISD 1:30 pm - 3:30 pm Del Mar College, Venters 07/29/03 How to Create Your Own Website 9:00 am - 3:30 pm Del Mar College, Venters $25.00 Prepayment Required 08/12/03 Keeping the Books 1:00 pm - 3:30 pm Brooks County, Ed Rachal Memorial Library, 203 S. Henry, Falfurrias, TX 08/20/03 Starting Your Business: Step by Step 08/20/03 Basic Computer Skills for your Small Business Needs - Part I 08/21/03 SBA Contractor Programs for Business Bldg. Room /21/03 Employment Issues 08/27/03 Introduction to Microsoft Publisher $20.00 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 July 1, September 30, 2003 Seminars are subject to change, please call Zuzana at (361) in advance DATE SEMINAR TITLE TIME LOCATION COST 08/29/03 Basic Computer Skills for your Small Business Needs - Part II 09/11/03 What Quality Customer Service Means to Your Small Business 1:30 pm - 3:30 pm Del Mar College, Venters 09/16/03 Employer s Tax Workshop 8:30 am - 11:30 am Del Mar College, Venters 09/18/03 SBA Contractors Programs for 09/18/03 Keeping the Books 1:00 pm - 3:30 pm Three Rivers Chamber of Commerce City Hall, 105 N. Harborth, Three Rivers, TX 09/19/03 Women in Business Forum 9:00 am - 4:00 pm Del Mar College, Venters $ /23/03 Small Business Tax Workshop 8:30 am - 4:00 pm Del Mar College, Venters TBA DBE/HUB Programs and How to Do Business with RTA, TxDOT and Del Mar College 1:30 pm 4:00 pm Del Mar - Venters Business Bldg. Room /24/03 Marketing Your Business (For Existing Businesses) 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)