| Call on Us | | | We want to help your borrowers better understand their market, industry, and financials. ASBTDC offers one-on-one consulting services for current and prospective small business owners at no charge. Training and market research are also available. Our goal is to equip business owners with the information, guidance, and tools they need to make better business decisions.
800.862.2040 501.683.7700 |
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Central Arkansas
Bank Visits
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The ASBTDC is interested in visiting banks in Faulkner, Lonoke, Pulaski, Saline, and White counties to talk with lenders about our Startup Arkansas (STAR) project for entrepreneurs wanting to start a business in the next 6-12 months and other ASBTDC services. If you are interested in having our business consultants visit your bank, please contact Heather Robinette
at 501.683.7700 or hbrobinette@ualr.edu.
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From Our Website
| Do you often find yourself explaining to current or prospective small business owners what they need to do to qualify for a loan?
We do, too. Many people come to the ASBTDC wanting assistance with obtaining financing. The ASBTDC created a page on our website in response to the frequent question, "Can I qualify for a business loan?"
As a lender, you know many factors have to be considered to answer that question. That's why on our website, the ASBTDC poses 10 questions back to the person pursuing a loan. For every question, we offer reasons the information is important to lenders.
To read our response to "Can I qualify for a loan?" click here.
ASBTDC values your feedback. We want to give our small business clients the best and most up-to-date information. To suggest additions to our web content on qualifying for financing, please contact Heather Robinette at hbrobinette@ualr.edu.
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The Arkansas Small Business and Technology Development Center is funded in part through a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration through a partnership with the University of Arkansas at Little Rock College of Business and other institutions of higher education. UALR is committed to the policy of providing equal opportunity for all persons and does not discriminate in employment, admissions, programs, or any other educational functions and services on the basis of sex, age, disability, race, and national origin, color, or religion. |
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Fact: Wal-Mart is saving $25 million a year by installing auxiliary power units in its trucking fleet. Modifications in packaging reduce trash and save the company $3.4 billion a year.
Wal-Mart has demonstrated that sustainability can be profitable. Its commitment to environmental stewardship reaches beyond its own initiatives in consumption to the retail floor. All Wal-Mart suppliers are required to conduct and submit a sustainability assessment that ultimately influences product selection and customer preference.
Why should lenders and small businesses take an interest in what America's largest retailer is doing?
- Any Arkansas company that is or hopes to be a Wal-Mart vendor will need to invest in green initiatives.
- Wal-Mart's leadership in Green IT has already prompted other corporations and small businesses to follow suit.
Small businesses may lack the tools for "carbon accounting," but examples of profitable investments in energy efficiency abound:
- The White Bear Racquet & Swim Club in Minnesota saved $45,000 in annual heating bills by replacing a tennis court bubble with a permanent, super-insulated tennis building with in-court radiant heat.
- The Longfellow Clubs converted flush urinals throughout its eight New England properties to waterless models, saving the company 45,000 gallons a year per urinal. Payback in the investment is projected at just under two years.
Do any of your customers have opportunities to increase profitability through energy-efficiency investments? The ASBTDC can assist with market research, feasibility studies, and business planning to support and substantiate their loan proposals. We welcome your referrals.
Sources: "Force of Nature: The Unlikely Story of Wal-Mart's Green Revolution" (New York: HarperBusiness, 2011) by Edward Humes, www.walmartstores.com/sustainability/9292.aspx and "Sustainable Business: An Executive Primer" (Williston, Vermont: Business Expert Press, 2009).
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 Terra Tots
While most new businesses focus on their own sustainability, Terra Tots Natural Parenting (http://www.terra-tots.com) also wanted to ensure the survival of the planet.
In November 2007, Bernice and Brian Hembree opened Terra Tots on the Fayetteville Square, the only store of its kind in Arkansas selling organic clothing, cloth diapers, environmentally friendly toys, and natural home products. The ASBTDC at the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville assisted the couple with their business plan, market and industry research, financial projections, and marketing and management advice.
Using a resourceful, community-based marketing plan that emphasized classes and events for parents as well as strategic use of Internet marketing and social media, the store has reached several milestones since its opening. In October 2009, Terra Tots moved to a larger location in Fayetteville. The Hembrees continued to focus on Internet marketing to increase online sales to nonlocal customers. Their business enterprise has proven steady consumer demand for environmentally friendly products and services.
Recently, the family decided to move on to other pursuits and sold Terra Tots to new owners Jennifer Creel and Rebekah Woods.
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SBA Lender Training
SBA lending is a critical tool that can expand your bank's ability to offer customized financial solutions to your customers. SBA launched a new lender website in March. Upcoming SBA lender training will look at the website and discuss how to find all the tools needed to use the SBA loan products. Other topics to be covered:
- SOP changes and 2010 Jobs Act provisions that expand eligibility, increased maximum loan amounts, and the new programs that give your bank more opportunities to make SBA loans a win/win for your bank and its customers.
- How the centralized loan processing centers operate and exactly what they look for in your loan applications.
- Streamlined servicing and how to use E-Tran for all of your servicing actions.
The workshop schedule:
- Arkadelphia - July 26, 9 a.m.-noon, HSU Mooney Hall
- Batesville - June 22, 1-4 p.m., Batesville Chamber of Commerce
- Fayetteville - Aug. 3, 9 a.m.-noon, Genesis Technology Incubator
- Jonesboro - June 20, 1-4 p.m., ASU Delta Center for Economic Development
- Little Rock - July 27, 9 a.m.-noon, UALR Reynolds Business Center
- Monticello - June 28, 1-4 p.m., UAM Babin Hall
Registration fee for the workshop is $40 per person. Advance registration is appreciated and available online or by phone. Contact the ASBTDC's Shannon Roberts at (501) 683-7700 or toll-free (800) 862-2040, or e-mail her at sxroberts@ualr.edu.
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