About the ASU Small Business Development Center
A Brief History
The Angelo State University Small Business Development Center was created in 1990 to provide business advising and training services to the ten-county area of the Concho Valley. Since its beginning, the ASU-SBDC has assisted thousands of area small businesses with free and confidential advising and training to better manage their businesses and to help entrepreneurs create new businesses.
From Humble Beginnings
The SBDC has achieved many milestones since its opening 20 years ago. Harlan Bruha, instructor in business administration, became the first SBDC director. The center had only one other employee and relied on the College of Business professors to share their wealth of knowledge and expertise in areas such as finance, accounting and marketing. The center held eight seminars its first year. The first seminar was “How to Successfully Start a Mail Order Business,” which was a hot topic at the time. Currently, the SBDC conducts approximately 80 seminars per year offering a variety of current business topics for small business owners.
SBDC Network and Funding
Angelo State University, in existence since 1928, serves as the SBDC’s host institution. The center is proud of its relationship with Angelo State University, a member of the Texas Tech University System. In addition, the SBDC is part of the South-West Texas Border SBDC Network which is housed at the UTSA Institute for Economic Development in San Antonio. Funding for the center comes mainly from a combination of state and federal funding. Federal funding comes from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) through a partnership program.
An Amazing Staff
The SBDC staff of advisors brings to the table a multitude of expertise gained from their business ownership, business management and education. Some areas of their expertise include: business start-up, business planning, business financing, human resources, marketing, government procurement, and more. In addition the advising staff goes through a series of business certifications that enhance their advising skills. The SBDC staff also includes a training coordinator who creates and coordinates approximately 80 business seminars and workshops every year. A full time administrative assistant rounds out the staff by providing excellent customer service to current and potential clients. The center serves the 10-county area of the Concho Valley with the designation of a dedicated rural business development specialist who travels to those counties in a monthly “circuit ride” to provide advising and training services to these areas.
Valuable Partners
The ASU-SBDC works hand in hand with lenders, government entities and other area economic development organizations to promote economic well being for its service area. Some of those partners include: San Angelo Chamber of Commerce, San Angelo Development Corporation (SADC), Concho Valley Center for Entrepreneurial Development (CVCED), Concho Valley Workforce Development Board/Texas Workforce Solutions, West Texas Training Center, and other area chambers and economic development organizations.
Let Us Help You Take Your Business Global
In 1995, the ASU-SBDC created, through help from the San Angelo Chamber of Commerce, the International Trade Office (ITO). The ITO is staffed by graduate MBA students who are often from other countries. These graduate student advisors assist area businesses with international trade issues and also conduct international trade seminars and workshops.
But Enough About Us!
The ASU-SBDC would love to assist you with your venture, whether you are an entrepreneur with a start-up dream or a seasoned business owner hoping to expand, we want to see you succeed. Contact us today! Meet with an advisor or attend one of our many training events to get started. Your success is our number one priority!
| Email: | Small Business Development Center |
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| Phone: | (325) 942 - 2098 |
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