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Issue 4 January 2010
News You Can Use From Your SBDC
Galveston County - SBDC Newsletter
Welcome to the fourth edition of our online newsletter! We hope that you enjoy reading about our exciting happenings going into the year 2010, and we hope to see you soon!  Have wonderful, safe, and successful new year.
 
 
Success Stories of 2009 
  

Business Success

 

This year has seen a number of SBDC clients reach significant milestones.  You may hear more details of these success stories in future editions...but we will  summarize just a few examples of the success of our clients in 2009 as we close out the old year and look forward to the new one:

        Doreen Hughes of Mainland Testing Center has expanded her business in 2009 and will soon move to bigger offices in a new location.  Doreen is an excellent example of what can be achieved through intelligent marketing, networking, and careful management.

        Janice Witherspoon succeeded in gaining a SBA loan for $50,000 to assist her in expanding her business by opening the new Brighter Day Children's center.  Janice's business exemplifies what can be achieved through careful financial management, prudent savings, and a thorough business plan for growth.

        Leon Kaplan of Speedy's Printing in Galveston succeeded in re-opening his business despite near total destruction during Ike.  Speedy's is only one example of the many, many businesses who suffered loss, fought with insurance companies, experienced a decline in revenues due to the population shifts and business closings in Galveston, and yet, somehow, managed to survive.

        Joyce Calver of Footsie's in Galveston is another example of an Ike ravaged business that has re-opened in a new location and is working closely with her SBDC consultant to prepare the necessary documentation that will position her to inject new capital through acquisition of an SBA or other loan. 

        Carolyn O'Hara of ANEW Cleaning, Repair, and Renovation service is a fine example of a business formed by a person who took advantage of being unemployed and used the time to start a new life for herself as an entrepreneur.   With very little capital, but good planning , hard work,  energetic marketing, and a little help from her SBDC consultant, this business will do very well in 2010 and create jobs for many, many others.

All these businesses and business owners represent the dozens of businesses that have been assisted by the Galveston County Small Business Development Center during the past year.  Whether your need is in marketing, financial record management, profit improvement, leadership development, or risk management, the GCSBDC is here to help you with experienced and capable business consultants.  Our  consultants will work beside you and guide you toward the achievement of your goals in 2010.

 
 

 
 
 
Exciting New Educational Offerings in 2010
 
 Millionaire Mindset

The Galveston County SBDC will offer three exciting new educational programs in 2010:  The Passport to Success; The Millionaire Mindset; and the Covey Leadership Series.

        The "Passport to Success" will feature your choice of up to 12 classes, together with up to 4 focus group sessions, 4 special events, and 6 books, along with the "Start-Run-Grow CD all for discounted package pricing.  There are three levels of participation and the price and offerings differ by participation level.  So, whether you are a "Sight Seer", a "Frequent Flyer", or a "World Traveler" you can chose a little training or a lot and enjoy a significant savings over our single offerings.

        The "Covey Leadership Series" will focus on the call and need of a new era for greatness.  We will tap into the higher reaches of human genius and motivation, requiring leaders to have a new mind-set, a new skill-set, and a new tool-set.  Consultants with the GCSBDC will be certified to facilitate the Steven Covey leadership Modular Series featuring 8 sessions:

The 4 Imperatives of Great Leaders

Inspiring Trust

Clarifying your Team's Purpose and Strategy

Closing the Execution Gap

Building Process Excellence

Unleashing Talent

Leading Across Generations

Winning Customer Loyalty

Each session is rich with materials and includes a 21 Day Challenge implementation handbook so that, not only do you learn, but you actually implement these principals for success in your business.

        The "Million Dollar Mindset" is by application only, for those rare entrepreneurs who have set their sights on growing a company to over a million dollars a year in revenue.  Did you know that only 5% of all privately-held businesses ever achieve sales of over a million dollars per year?  In this unique 12-month program, participants will develop a Million-Dollar business plan, including how to set up systems and procedures that will ensure the business will deliver on its promises when operating at a Million-Dollar capacity. This program will feature a variety of training classes, focus groups, special events, and special counseling sessions that target both the mind-set and the skill-set needed to expand your business to the million dollar level.  Participation is limited to others with the same mindset. 

Call Jodi for additional details and for pricing.  No matter how skilled and experienced you may be, there is always room for additional knowledge and training to lift your performance as a manager to a new level. 


 

AND NOW, A WORD FROM OUR DIRECTOR...
 
The
 Directors Corner 
 

Lately, I have been reflecting on an old truth:  If your business is experiencing any level of exponential growth, whether 1% or 1000%, your business will eventually run out of money.  This principle is true despite all good planning and care on the part of management.  As your business grows, there will inevitably come a time when you will need additional funds for expansion.  Your cash flow will not support your expansion and you will need to borrow money in order to continue your growth. 

To be armed with this knowledge is to be better prepared to meet this challenge.  Here at the GCSBDC, we see clients who need additional capital, but have not maintained the kinds of records required to support a winning loan application.  Sometimes it can take several weeks to get all the records together, and the client will face a critical cash shortage before the loan is secured.  During these times of tight credit, it is especially important to prepare a loan application package that will show your business in its best light and make it easier for your banker to say "yes."   The GCSBDC can help any size business (up to $25 million in gross sales) with any size loan, whether SBA or Commercial.  So, whether you need a $50,000 line of credit or $50 million dollars to buy a new manufacturing plant we are here to help.


 
We welcome any suggestions you may have for our newsletter.  We invite your comments and we look forward to hearing from you soon.
 
Sincerely,
 
Susan Moore
Director 
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UNIVERSITY OF HOUSTON SMALL BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT CENTER NETWORK

The Galveston County SBDC is a business consulting and training center of the University of Houston Small Business Development Center Network.  The UH SBDC Network serves 32 counties in Southeast Texas and is funded in part through a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration. 



In This Issue
Galveston County SBDC Success Stories of 2009
New Educational Offerings in 2010
Director's Corner

Free Consultation
 
The success of your business is our only priority. Call to meet a Senior Consultant in your area today.


 
Quick Links 
 
 
 
Visit our Website
Monthly Safety Hint:
 
Real Christmas trees are wonderful during the holidays.  They are also a major fire hazard.  Be sure to dispose of them properly

Galveston County Small Business Development Center

8419 E.F. Lowry Expressway

Texas City, TX 77591

(409) 933-1414

(409) 933-3365 fax

[email protected]