ASU-SBDC February Newsletter - Love your business.

SMALL BUSINESS NEWS
ASU-SBDC NEWSLETTER

February 2011

Greetings!

Seminars for February - May are now open for registration. Many new and exciting events are scheduled and of course, we'll be continuing our core seminars monthly.

If you missed QuickBooks It's not too early to register to secure your spot for our May series. We'll also be holding a special repeat of our "Intro to QuickBooks" seminar on February 14th.

Special upcoming events include:

We hope you'll be able to join us at some of our upcoming events. If you would like free one-on-one assistance with your business, set up an appointment with one of our ASU-SBDC advisors today. Just call (325) 942-2098 or visit our website.

Happy Valentines Day!

Sincerely,
Jessica Lambert
ASU-SBDC Training Coordinator
jessica.lambert@angelo.edu

IN THIS ISSUE

TOP SMALL BUSINESS NEWS

Contact Us!
Advising Services: (325) 942-2098
Training Services: (325) 942-2019

Website:
www.sbdc.angelo.edu

Proudly serving the small businesses of San Angelo and the Concho Valley for over 20 years.

TOP SMALL BUSINESS NEWS

SBA.GOV GETS A MAKEOVER

www.sba.gov

Have you visited the SBA (Small Business Administration) website lately? They've recently received a face lift to make the website easier to use and more attractive. Some of the features you can find on the SBA website include a summary of their loan and grant programs, tax credits, information for starting and managing a business, and more. Visit the website today.

TOP 10 REASONS TO RUN YOUR OWN BUSINESS

Source: inc.com

"Ten reasons why 2011 should be the year you finally start your own business." Some of the reasons that Inc. mentions include being able to follow your passion and also reaping the rewards of taking risks. If you're ready to "be the master of your own destiny," maybe 2011 really is the year for you to begin your own venture. Read the article.

HOW SIX COMPANIES FAILED TO SURVIVE 2010

Source: nytimes.com

Eleanor Roosevelt once said, "Learn from the mistakes of others. You can't live long enough to make them all yourself." The New York Times presents the stories of 6 business owners and what ultimately lead them to close their doors in 2010. What can you learn from their mistakes? Read the article.

HAVE A QUESTION? IT MAY BE ONE OF OUR FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Our website features a webpage specifically to address our Frequently Asked Questions such as "Where should I park when I visit the center?" "Does the SBDC loan to potential and existing small businesses?" and "Can I bring a friend or family member to the session?" Visit our FAQs page for the answers to these questions and many more.

FEBRUARY - MAY 2011 POSTCARDS

Postcards can also be picked up in our office or sent by request. E-mail requests to jessica.lambert@angelo.edu with address, contact information, and number of postcards to be sent.

TRAINING UPDATE

View the February - May seminar brochure.

View the entire FEB-MAY schedule HERE (Includes detailed seminar descriptions and online registration)

FEBRUARY SEMINARS:

2/2/2011

QUICKBOOKS FINANCIAL REPORTING

3 p.m. - 5:30 p.m. / MCS 111B / $30

2/8/2011

ESSENTIALS OF STARTING A NEW BUSINESS

6 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. / RASS 100 / FREE

2/9/2011

BUSINESS PLAN BASICS

6 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. / RASS 100 / FREE

2/10/2011

BUSINESS PLAN II: FINANCIAL SECTIONS

6 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. / RASS 100 / FREE

2/14/2011

INTRO TO QUICKBOOKS

3 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. / MCS 111B / $30

2/15/2011

MARKETING 101: STAND OUT - GET NOTICED!

6 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. / RASS 100 / FREE

2/17/2011

ORCHESTRATING EFFECTIVE MEETINGS

6 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. / RASS 100 / $15

2/22/2011

BRANDING YOUR BUSINESS

6 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. / RASS 100 / $10

2/23/2011

FINANCING OPTIONS FOR SMALL BUSINESS

2 p.m. - 4:30 p.m. / RASS 100 / FREE

REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED. SEATING IS LIMITED.

http://utsa.ecenterdirect.com/Conferences.action?CenterID=40
REGISTER BY PHONE: 325-942-2019 OR 325-942-2098
*Payments are collected at the door by CA/CK/CC.

Please make checks payable to "ASU-SBDC"

BUSINESS TIPS ARTICLES

Each week, a member of the ASU-SBDC staff submits a Business Tips article for the San Angelo Standard Times business section. (Articles published Mondays). You can also find them here each month.

BUSINESS OWNERS SHARE KEY ABILITIES

1/31/11 Cindy Hartin

This time of year, we have several people inquiring about starting a new business. At the Angelo State University Small Business Development Center, we continue to discuss what type of person makes a good business owner. I believe some people are born to be entrepreneurs. Read more.

NEVER QUIT MARKETING AS TIMES GET TOUGH

1/24/11 By Jessica Lambert

When finances start to get tight, you may think that marketing is something to cut from your budget; it isn't.

Instead, it is probably one of the last things that should go. Don't worry though; there are many ways to cut your marketing costs and still get the results you want. Read more.

NAME THAT FITS FOSTERS PROSPERITY

1/17/11 By Peggy Hodges

My first experience in naming something was when I selected Samson for the name of a yellow tabby cat I had as a child. Then names for five golden retrievers followed: Chips, Chivas, Goldie, Crystal and now Champ. Selecting names for pets is important practice for selecting names for your children. Read more.

RETAILERS, NOW IS TIME TO ANALYZE YOUR IDEAS

1/10/11 By Pedro Ramirez

As we roll into 2011, potential business owners start implementing their resolutions and begin evaluating their business ideas. During this time it is vital that entrepreneurs analyze the details that may determine whether their business ventures succeed or fail. Here are some useful places in which to look. Read More.

RULES FOR STARTING A SMALL BUSINESS

1/3/11 By Paul Howard

To become an entrepreneur is a dream for many people. It is great to be your own boss and do things to your way of thinking. Studies show people who set up their business successfully are able to earn more than salaried ones in the long run. It is important, however, to understand why one wants to be an entrepreneur. What are the characteristics of successful entrepreneurs? Read More.

FEATURED SUCCESS STORY

ANGELO DONUTS & CAFE, TORO VAUN

By Paul Howard, ASU-SBDC Advisor

Toro was born in Cambodia to parents with a very strong work ethic. He and his brothers and sisters came to the U. S. with one thing in mind, the "American Dream." Several of Toro's siblings are small business owners. After college in Maine, Toro decided to tour the country and found his place of settlement, Ballinger, Texas. Shortly thereafter, he opened a donut shop. It is currently in operation and very successful. Toro visited San Angelo and determined it needed a donut shop, too. He came to the Angelo State University - Small
Business Development Center and met with Advisor Paul Howard to get assistance in opening a local donut store.

Advisor Howard suggested client begin working on a business plan to present to a lender. Toro, along with his brother Tong, met with Paul to begin working on the plan. Toro said, "The SBDC staff was so helpful for our new business. Angelo Donuts & Café may not be possible without your professionalism, support and encouragement." In the meantime, a good friend of Toro's offered to finance the business venture. Toro's business plan was enough to convince him this would be a solid investment. Toro found a building that was perfect for his shop that included a drive through window.

After the remodeling was completed, Angelo Donuts & Café opened for business. It created four new jobs for San Angelo and Toro continues his dream to expand to other areas of Texas.

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"All achievements, all earned riches, have their beginning in an idea." -- Napoleon Hill

Angelo State University SBDC

www.sbdc.angelo.edu - Training: (325) 942-2019 - Advising: (325) 942-2098

Mailing Address: ASU Station #10910, San Angelo, TX 76909
Office Location: Rassman Room 100, 2222 Dena Dr., San Angelo, TX 76909