SBDC

There is no charge for SBDC consulting services. The SBDC is a non-profit organization that is funded on the federal level by the Small Business Administration (SBA) and on the state level by the State of Texas. Each agency, along with the host university, contributes to the financial support of the program. The majority of our seminars and workshops are offered at no charge to our clients, although occasionally there are certain training events where a nominal fee is charged.

2. How can the SBDC help someone whose business has been established for some time?

The SBDC provides one-on-one consulting in business planning, strategic planning, human resources, marketing and promotion, financial analysis and accounting.

Working with a consultant from our center you will learn how to more effectively:

conduct financial analysis and improve profitability
develop competitive strategies
cope with government regulations and taxes
design a marketing plan
hire and manage employees
understand and secure loans and other sources of capital
keep abreast of current technology

In addition, through our network with the North Texas SBDC, we offer assistance in:

implementing ISO 9001:2000 standards
government contract procurement
international trade
obtaining a patent, copyright or trademark
learning how to effectively manage business risk

Our Small Business Development Center is part of a national network of similar centers. Our program is an initiative of the U.S. Small Business Administration and we are funded in part by them, the State of Texas, and this college.

We provide free counseling for individuals seeking to start a business or those already in business. Our help may consist of one-on-one counseling, research services, training or utilization of one of our specialty centers.

Our services are free.

Our counseling is generally one-on-one.
Our centers all have personnel experience in small business issues through education, additional training and usually through small business ownership themselves.
In our initial time together, we will listen to your description of your business situation and your expression of your needs a this point. We will likely ask additional questions in order to firm up our understanding of your request.
Our counseling is confidential and all of our employees are bound by legal restrictions to keep your business information private. Towards the end of that session we will both agree on a course of action generally involving work on your part and work we will be doing.
Often times we will share articles or other information which may aid your work going forward. As soon as practical, we will arrange a second visit, at one of our offices or at your business to continue our work. If necessary, we have several specialty centers in our Dallas headquarters which we may engage if your problem demands it. Those centers include: Technology, Risk, Management, Government Contracting, International Trade, and Manufacturing Assistance. Services through those offices are generally free as well.

As mentioned earlier, our counselors are well trained and experienced in the work of small businesses. Remember that we have access to a variety of specialty centers. Further, we have a variety of research services and once we understand your business and your needs, we often utilize our research services for more in-depth analysis or background.

Budding entrepreneurships often seek our help to examine the feasibility of an existing business and/ or help with a business plan. We have definite ideas that businesses plans shouldn't be overly long and should be written in your own words---not be filling in the blanks of a downloaded form.

We often assist entrepreneurships with financing for their new business. Our staff members have experience in financing small business such that we can help you assemble the documents a lender would need to see to evaluate your loan. We know about a lot if different loan programs and will not assume that an SBA loan is the best direction to proceed.

A great honor---

On May 1, 2008 our former Director, Judy Loden, was honored by the SBA as the Financial Services Champion of 2008. For this honor, she distinguished herself as a tireless advocate for a Small Business Financing, one who worked above and beyond the call of duty to help business achieve their goals. There are banks in East Texas who wouldn't be doing SBA loans today if Judy hadn't explained the importance and , often times, trained the bankers in the process. In reviewing our case files, we determined that since 2000, Judy Loden had been involved directly or indirectly in over $104,000,000 in financing for businesses through the SBDC.

Congratulations, Judy! You're a legend.

Questions you should ask yourself:

Is your idea or need clearly thought out and documented?