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




Herbert Austin
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



Technology Assistance
The Technology Assistance SBDC (TA SBDC) is a full service program of the Dallas County Community College District. It serves the 49-county North Texas SBDC region and is a partnership program of the Bill J. Priest Institute for Economic Development and the U.S. Small Business Development Center.


The center offers free counseling and low-cost training on:

Technology Transfer
The center provides clients with access to the NASA database and the Federal Laboratory Consortium (FLC) for new technologies and research information.


Creating a Web Site and Marketing on the Internet
This series of seminars helps small business owners learn how to create web sites and market their services on the Internet. Whether you are new to the Information Superhighway or ready to explore marketing your business on the Web, we have a seminar for you.


Product development and the Patent Process
The center assists clients with all stages of new product development, from the idea stage to the finished product. If they have not done so, clients are encouraged to file a Disclosure Document with the Patent and Trademark Office. We conduct preliminary patent searches on the Internet, and show clients how to conduct their own searches. Additionally, the center has access to fee-based databases for additional patent information.

Through database searches, the center can provide clients with a list of potential manufacturers to build their prototype. The center may also refer clients to the Texas Manufacturing Assistance Center (TMAC) for free or low-cost assistance with the product design, materials and manufacturing.


Licensing
TAC counselors advise clients on the pros and cons of licensing, as well as provide assistance with locating a licensee and negotiating a license agreement. The center maintains various sample license agreements which may be used or adapted by the client. Click here for more information on License & Permits


Trademark, Copyright, and Trade Secret
The center assists clients with intellectual property strategies, including conducting database searches of registered and pending trademarks. TAC counselors will explain the application process, the protection offered, and fees involved.


Other services

Developing a Drug-Free Workplace Program
Statistics show that most adults who abuse alcohol and illegal drugs are employed. Since small businesses employ over half of the U.S. workforce, alcohol and drug abuse is a small business issue. This program will help your company develop a complete drug-free workplace program that includes a written drug policy, drug and alcohol abuse prevention training, drug testing, an employee assistance program and continuing education. Click here for more information on a drug-free workplace.


Market Research
We conduct various types of market research using on line databases. Additionally, we provide clients with a listing of potential customers for their product or service. You can receive training and counseling from an SBDC near you on topics such as: starting your own business, financing a business, business management, legal issues, marketing, business planning, tax compliance, record keeping, business accounting, and other subjects of interest to small businesses.


Pro-bono (FREE) Legal Counseling
We offer our clients a free legal consultation with one of the intellectual property (patents, trademarks, copyrights) attorneys who volunteer time with us. We also maintain a list of intellectual property attorneys in the Dallas area.


Resources
Resources available to our clients include: computers with internet access; application forms, fee schedules, and informational handouts; pro-bono (free) consultation with intellectual property law attorney; customized searches for market research, product development, and marketing purposes; and government/commercial database access.


Training seminars and workshops are available at low cost or no cost.
Workshops and seminars are offered on a variety of intellectual property topics. These are presented by TAC counselors or intellectual property law attorneys.


Counseling sessions are now offered on Saturdays
To better serve you the Technology Assistance Center is offering Saturday counseling. These services are available from 8:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. by appointment only. To make an appointment please call 214.860.5709 or e-mail fks9413@dcccd.edu. Our services are at no cost to you. If it is necessary to cancel your appointment, please do so at least one day in advance.


In addition to the services described above, the Technology Assistance 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 Technology Assistance SBDC:
 

Jim Berish, Director

Bill J. Priest Institute of El Centro College
1402 Corinth Street
Dallas, Texas 75215
Phone: (214) 860-5709
Fax: (214) 860-5882
Email: j.berish@dcccd.edu

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NTSBDC is an Accredited Member of the Association of Small Business Development Centers.
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SBDCs are a program supported by the U.S. Small Business Administration and extended to the public on a non-discriminatory basis. SBA cannot endorse any products, opinions or services of any external parties or services. En Español.
A partnership program of the U.S. Small Business Administration and The Bill J. Priest Institute of El Centro Community College, a division of the Dallas County Community College District.

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