ASU SBDC 30th Anniversary

Dave Erickson
Director & Certified Business Advisor

We felt the best way to celebrate our anniversary was with our clients by holding an Entrepreneur Showcase to show that the Spirit of the Entrepreneur is alive and well in the San Angelo area. The night of the Entrepreneur Showcase drew close to 100 people, including ASU President Dr. Brian May, ASU Provost Dr. Don Topliff, and Texas State Representative Drew Darby.

We celebrated six outstanding entrepreneurs who were also SBDC clients. Half of them were also ASU alumni. The six entrepreneurs were Bryan Vincent of Principal LED, Michele and Jody Babiash of Old Central Firehouse Bed and Brew, Victoria Enriquez of Stemmed Designs, Cheryl and Chris DeLeon of Fitness: 1440, Jeff Perrine and Royce Pyssen of All-Tex Irrigation and Supply, and Brent Jameson of Onboarding Solutions. All of these and the many others we serve possess characteristics that make them great entrepreneurs. They are all motivated, visionary, innovative, passionate, committed, adaptable, determined, and creative. Demonstrating these characteristics makes them successful.

Helping our small business clients achieve success is why the SBDC program exists.  For thirty years, we have helped thousands of people make their dreams come true by assisting them to start their business or expand their existing business. Many times, we hear client comments such as, “we could not have achieved our success without the SBDC.”

There are many people to thank over the past 30 years.  Foremost is the SBDC staff who are dedicated and hardworking professionals. They focus on serving their clients and their needs by providing valuable business advice and training. The ASU administration has been a great supporter of the program. Being part of the Norris-Vincent College of Business has enabled us to work with business faculty and enabled us to employ many motivated and bright business student workers over the years. These student workers, at the undergrad and graduate level, work under the SBDC business advisors as they assist our small business clients. We would like to thank our elected officials for their support of the SBDC and the local small business community. We also would like to thank our local economic development partners, who work alongside us and provide other valuable resources and expertise that assist small business clients.

To all the people of San Angelo and the Concho Valley who have been our clients, we wish you the absolute best with the success of your small business! Thanks again to all who are or have been involved in the SBDC program as we look forward to another 30 years of service to the small business community. The Spirit of the Entrepreneur is alive and well!

“Business Tips” was written by Mr. Dave Erickson, Director and Certified Business Advisor IV, of Angelo State University’s Small Business Development Center.  For more information on the topic of this article or the services of the ASU · SBDC, contact him at David.Erickson@angelo.edu.