Del Mar College Small Business Development Center Newsletter

Del Mar College Small Business Development Center Newsletter Jan - Mar 2003 101 Baldwin, VB-351 Corpus Christi, TX 78404 (361) 698-1021 www.delmar.edu/sbdc 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, e-mail, etc. Our website address is http://www.delmar.edu/sbdc. A Partnership Program of the US Small Business Administration Inside this Issue: SBDC Services & Programs.... 1 OSHCON PROGRAM..... 1 Success Stories 2 PTAC Services.. 3 Training Schedule 4-6 What is OSHCON? The Occupational Safety and Health Consultation (OSHCON) program is a free, non-regulatory service available to small, private Texas employers. Their experienced, professional consultants can evaluate your current safety and health programs and help you identify hazards in your workplace. OSHCON is a program of the Workers' Health and Safety Division of the Texas Workers' Compensation Commission. Over 30 consultants are available throughout the state. How can OSHCON help me? Many free services can be provided by an OSHCON consultant, including: Occupational Safety and Health Consultation Program (OSHCON) evaluation and identification of safety and health hazards; industrial hygiene services such as noise monitoring and air sampling; problem solving and hazard correction assistance; technical updates on OSHA standards; hands-on training; safety and health program assistance; and training materials, videos and publications. I'm a small employer. Do I need to comply with safety and health standards? All employers are required by law to provide a safe and healthy work environment for their employees. The OSHCON program can be especially helpful to small employers that have limited staff or resources to allocate toward the development and implementation of safety and health programs. For more information, please visit http://www.twcc.state.tx.us/services/oshcon.html or call James Barkley at 883-2551. SBDC STAFF Ann Fierova Director Jerry Estell MicroLoan Program Manager Sean P. Smith Procurement Consultant Mike North Elizabeth Soliz Cynthia Willeford Larry Ellis Joseph Cortez Lisa Farr Training Coordinator Margie Silguero Associate PTAC Consultant Zuzana Zambrano Procurement Assistant

Success Stories....... Rios & Geryk, Inc. dba EmbroidMe Carol Geryk and Ofelia Rios have been friends for over 17 years and, as new friends are apt to do, often talked of going into business for themselves. But, as Carol Geryk stated, we also had new teaching jobs, new husbands and new babies. Carol and Ofelia decided to put their dreams of owning their own business on the back burner until their new babies were a bit more self-sufficient. 17 years later, Carol and Ofelia rekindled their desire to go into business for themselves and started looking for ideas over the Internet. They came across a relatively new franchise out of Florida called EmbroidMe.com, Inc. EmbroidMe stores service retail and business customers by providing them with embroidered logo wear, screen printed apparel and advertising and promotional merchandise. After doing their due diligence, Carol and Ofelia opened formal negotiations with EmbroidMe.com, Inc., to purchase a franchise to be located in Corpus Christi, Texas. Armed with offering circular and franchise agreement and plenty of ambition, Carol Geryk contacted the Small Business Development Center in April 2002, for help in structuring a business plan and loan proposal. SBDC counselor Michael North assisted Rios & Geryk, Inc., in preparing their business plan, cash flow projections and loan proposal requesting the necessary funding through the SBA s LowDoc program. After the plan and financials were complete, Carol Geryk approached Kleberg Bank for the financing and both the bank and the SBA approved the loan. According to Carol Geryk, Mr. North was very helpful while my loan was being processed. He was very informative and stayed with me every step of the way. When we ran into some bumps along the way, he would tell me what to do next. I think I might have given up if Mr. North had not kept encouraging me. Also, the business plan was very impressive to the bank. I was totally pleased. Rios & Geryk s dream of one day going into business together became a reality in June 2002. Their new EmbroidMe store, which is located in South Park Center at 3906-C South Padre Island Drive, is currently doing exceedingly well, and has created five new jobs. Northwest Tire & Auto Service /Goodyear Dealer Mr. Adolfo Vasquez began working as a store manager for Goodyear Tire & Auto in 1970. He worked a total of 21 years at several locations in Texas. In 1991, he decided to leave the company to start his own business in Robstown, Texas. Mr. Vasquez recalls starting Robstown Tire & Auto Service, Goodyear Dealership from scratch, with a very small investment, no customers, and no accounts receivable. He hired five (5) full-time employees, and both he and his wife, Juanita, devoted all their time to making the business work. A strong focus on customer service and quality products helped the business gain immediate trust and loyalty from the local community and customers. From then on the business was headed for success with a significant increase in customers. Within a few years of operation, the monthly sales goals for Robstown Tire & Auto were exceeded; and today the business ranks high in yearly sales. By the beginning of 2000, Mr. Vasquez was prepared to expand to the area of Calallen, Texas. Success in Robstown, and also a major downturn for Firestone- basically the only tire & auto service in Calallen, prompted Mr. Vasquez's interest in pursuing the expansion project. He would need financing to buy real estate and construct a new building. He visited a local bank and was referred to the SBDC. He contacted Elizabeth Soliz to request assistance with a business plan and loan proposal for an SBA loan. He was provided business plan, financial projections, loan application, and proposal organization assistance. First Capital Bank approved the SBA loan. Mr. Vasquez stated, When I applied with SBDC, the assistance was very helpful. Elizabeth made the loan application very easy to understand. Elizabeth was very helpful with the bank and the bank office. I did not realize how SBA was so easy to obtain a loan. The project was completed late 2001 and Northwest Tire & Auto Service-Goodyear Dealership was up and opened for business the first part of 2002. The new business is expected to increase sales over 75%. The expansion project retained eight (8) jobs and created eight (8) new jobs. Now with ten years in business, Mr. Vasquez credits his business success to true family support, total commitment, and a life of hard work. Both Mr. Vasquez's wife Juanita and son Adolfo, Jr. help in the business operations and all have truly earned every bit of their success.

Procurement Technical Assistance Center (PTAC) 101 Baldwin, VB-351 Corpus Christi, TX 78404 (361) 698-2221 ssmith@delmar.edu 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) 698-2221 or Margie Silguero at (361) 698-1025. 10 th Annual Spring Procurement Conference The Procurement Technical Assistance Center (PTAC) and numerous other local nonprofit agencies are co-sponsoring the Tenth Annual Government Opportunities Conference on Wednesday, March 12, 2003 at the Omni Corpus Christi Hotel Marina. The overall goal of the conference is to introduce local businesses to the federal, state and local government market and to improve their chances in obtaining government contract awards. The conference provides a great opportunity for the business community to come together for education on both general and procurement related topics. The conference also provides a chance to network with government purchasing representatives, financial institutions, business associations, insurance and bonding companies, and other area firms. Please mark your calendar with this date and plan to attend this very important event. If you are interested in attending this conference, please contact Margie at (361) 698-1025, as soon as possible to reserve a space for your company. CCR & PRO-Net Information - The Central Contractor Registration (CCR) and PRO-Net are now linked! The CCR is a database of basic business information from contractors who want to do business with the Department of Defense (DoD). Its roll has recently expanded to other agencies and is expected to be Federal Government wide at some point in the future. The registration includes basic information about the company, including location and contact names. CCR also contains essential information necessary for the government to pay vendors electronically. PRO-Net is an electronic gateway of procurement information for and about small business. This database is a Small Business Administration (SBA) project designed to assist with the interface between businesses and government purchasers. Businesses can register their company at no charge on PRO-Net and are required to maintain the accuracy of the information. Recent efforts to streamline government contracting have resulted in the integration of these two programs. these programs currently remain at different websites, it is expected they will merge before long. Though Why mention it now? If you are a business interested in selling to the Federal Government, you should have a current registration with both CCR and PRO-Net. If you are not with both programs and would like assistance, please call us at PTAC, we can help!

Small Business Seminars for January 1, 2003 - March 31, 2003 Seminars are subject to change, please call Zuzana at (361) 698-2220 in advance DATE SEMINAR TITLE TIME LOCATION COST 01/08/03 Supervising for Safety 8:00 am - 5:00 pm Del Mar College, Venters Business Bldg. Room 100 $90.00 01/14/03 Starting Your Business: Step by Step 01/16/03 Personnel Policies Workshop & How to Create an Employee Handbook 01/16/03 SBA Contractor Programs for Existing Small Businesses 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm Del Mar College, Venters Business Bldg. Room 305 01/17/03 Small Business Inventory Control 01/20/03 Keeping the Books 2:00 pm - 4:30 pm Three Rivers Chamber of Commerce City Hall, 105 N. Harborth, Three Rivers, TX 01/29/03 How to Create Your own Website 9:00 am - 3:30 pm Del Mar College, Venters Business Bldg. Room TBA $25.00 01/29/03 Marketing Your Business 01/30/03 Learn to Find Government work on the Internet 1:30 pm - 3:30 pm Del Mar College, Venters 02/01/03 How to Really Use the Internet to Market Your Business 9:00 am - 12:00 pm Value Bank Tower, 3649 Leopard Street $35.00 02/04/03 Basic Computer Class 9:00 am - 12:00 pm Del Mar College, Venters Business Bldg. Room TBA 02/06/03 Starting a Home Based Business 02/07/03 Introduction to QuickBooks Pro 2001 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm Del Mar College, Venters $25.00 02/12/03 Learn to Sell to Area School Districts 1:30 pm - 3:30 pm Del Mar College, Venters The Del Mar College s Small Business Development Center is partially funded under Cooperative Agreement No. 3-603001-Z-0049-17-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) 698-1021.

Small Business Seminars for January 1, 2003 - March 31, 2003 Seminars are subject to change, please call Zuzana at (361) 698-2220 in advance DATE SEMINAR TITLE TIME LOCATION COST 02/18/03 Renewal Community Corpus Christi Tax Incentives for Corpus Christi 3:00 pm - 5:00 pm Del Mar College, Venters 02/18/03 Small Business Marketing Seminar sponsored by Caller- Times 02/18/03 Telephone Skills Seminar sponsored by Caller-Times TBA TBA TBA TBA TBA TBA 02/19/03 Employer Tax Workshop 8:30 am - 11:30 am Del Mar College, Venters 02/19/03 Planning and Financing Your Small Business 02/20/03 SBA Contractor Programs for Existing Small Businesses 1:30 pm - 3:30 pm Jim Wells County, Alice Chamber of Commerce Conference Room 612 E. Main, Alice TX 02/21/03 Doing Business with Mexico 2:00 pm - 5:00 pm Del Mar College, Venters 02/25/03 Keeping the Books 03/05/03 Introduction to Microsoft Publisher 1:30 pm - 4:30 pm Del Mar College, Venters Business Bldg. Room TBA 03/06/03 Introduction to Internet and Email 1:30 pm - 4:30 pm Del Mar College, Venters 03/10/03 Planning and Financing Your Small Business 1:30 pm - 3:30 pm Kleberg County, Kingsville Chamber Board Room, 635 E. Ave, Kingsville, TX The Del Mar College s Small Business Development Center is partially funded under Cooperative Agreement No. 3-603001-Z-0049-17-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) 698-1021.

Small Business Seminars for January 1, 2003 - March 31, 2003 Seminars are subject to change, please call Zuzana at (361) 698-2220 in advance DATE SEMINAR TITLE TIME LOCATION COST 03/12/03 10th Annual Government & Business Contracting Opportunities Conference 11:00 am - 5:00 pm Omni Marina, 707 N. Shoreline Blvd. Corpus Christi $25.00 includes lunch 03/25/03 Small Business Tax Workshop 8:30 am - 4:00 pm Del Mar College, Venters 03/27/03 Basic Computer Class - Part II 1:30 pm - 4:30 pm Del Mar College, Venters Business or Procurement Seminar Attend a paid seminar* and bring a Guest of Charge with this Coupon! Del Mar College Small Business Development Center (361) 698-2220 www.delmar.edu/sbdc Expiration Date: 03/31/2003 * Coupon good for any seminar with a fee of or less. The Del Mar College s Small Business Development Center is partially funded under Cooperative Agreement No. 3-603001-Z-0049-17-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) 698-1021.