North Texas Small Business Development Center

The 2009 Salute to Small Business Awards

The US Small Business Administration congratulates the following recipients:

Small Business Person of the Year - Ms. Anna "Beth" Fouse, President of Ark-La-Tex Shredding Company, Inc. in Tyler (Tyler SBDC)

Jeffrey Butland Family-owned Business of the Year - Ms. Reginalea "Reggi" Kemp, President of Kemp & Sons (Center for Government Contracting SBDC)

Small Business Journalist of the Year - Mr. Roy Lee Lemons, President/Publisher /Owner (North Central Texas SBDC)

Minority Small Business Champion of the Year - Ms. Marina Bhargava, Director of Business, The Meed Center in Dallas (Dallas SBDC)

Veteran Small Business of the Year - Lt. Colonel Golda T. Eldridge (Retired), Small Business Consultant, McLennan Community College SBDC (McLennan SBDC)

Financial Services Champion of the Year - Mr. David W. Stewart, Owner, D. W. Stewart Companies (Trinity Valley SBDC)

Home-Based Business Champion of the Year - Ms. Jacklyn Tinsley King, Co-Owner, P.O.P. Acres Ranch & Farm (Navarro SBDC)

Torrez Paper Company, Inc.

Read about one of our newest success stories! click here

Lorraine McCord named North Texas State Star

Lorraine McCord was named 2008 North Texas State Star at the ASBDC’s Annual Conference. read more

North Texas SBDC Network’s 2007 Annual Report

Herbert Austin Named District Director for Dallas/Fort Worth District Office read more

Frequently Asked Questions...

I want to start a small business, where do I begin?

First, make an appointment to receive counseling, free of charge, from your local SBDC. Among other talents, our advisors are adept at helping you write a business plan, the "roadmap" for your venture. read more

How much money will I need to start?

You will need two pots of money. One pot will pay for the things you need just to get your new business started. The other pot is to pay your operating costs until your business reaches break-even – that point where you are taking in the same amount of money you are paying out. read more

Can I get a grant?

Contrary to popular belief, grants of cash for business are virtually nonexistent. There are rare instances where a cash grant has been given for some highly specialized type of business or for some unusual situation, but for the great majority of business situations, there are no cash grants. read more

Where can I get help in starting a small business?

Go to the people who know about small business. This includes Small Business Development Centers. There are over 950 in the United States and their counseling services are free. S.C.O.R.E., which is staffed by retired business executives, is another free source of help. read more

Risk Management SBDC

As a small business owner, we realize you might not have the resources to pay an environmental consultant to ensure your business complies with applicable environmental regulations. In fact, most small businesses delegate environmental responsibilities to an individual who is also responsible for several other aspects of operating the business. Keeping track of the complex environmental regulations that apply to the business is time consuming and sometimes overwhelming.

The Risk Management SBDC offers no cost and confidential on-site assistance and one-on-one counseling sessions at our location, and provides the following solutions:

Essential information that can be used by small business owners and managers.
Materials that are plain English and user friendly.
Risk management template for your business plan used as risk prevention planning for startups and improved risk controls for existing businesses.
Development of a risk inventory, used to decide between three options: management of risk, particularly risk that cannot be controlled; risk reduction where control allows; and risk prevention through elimination of the risk wherever possible.

The Risk Management SBDC also offers counseling in these areas:

Business Risk Management

Risk management training
Risk management planning and assessment
Insurance company and coverage selection
Workers’ compensation costs control

Homeland Security

Facility security
IT security and communication

Environment

Property and construction
Notification/registration
Waste handling, storage and reduction
Inspections
Enforcement

Health and Safety

OSHA compliance
Safety plan
Hazard communication
OSHA authorized 10 hour Outreach Training Course for General Industry
No cost consultant during OSHA inspection of your facility

Business Development

Business plan assistance for start-up or businesses in operation
Market research and market plan assistance
Business expansion or product line extension assistance
Financial analysis, planning and resource research

In addition to the services described above, the Risk Management SBDC, in coordination with its host organization, the Bill J. Priest Institute for Economic Development, provides business counseling and training services to the small businesses located in the Business Incubation Center (BIC) at the Institute. For more information on the BIC, including how to become a tenant, call 214-860-5900.

Contact Risk Management SBDC:

Bill Weddle, Director

Bill J. Priest Institute of El Centro College

1402 Corinth Street
Dallas, Texas 75215

Phone: (214) 860-5821
Fax: (214) 860-5867
Email: W.Weddle@dcccd.edu