SHSU Small Business Development Center offers No-Cost Resources for Small Business Owners

The Sam Houston State University Small Business Development Center (SHSU SBDC) is committed to helping small businesses start, grow, expand, and succeed. A member of the University of Houston Texas Gulf Coast SBDC Network, SHSU SBDC provides no-cost business advising, education, and training to existing and future small business owners.

The SHSU SBDC has expanded and now offers convenient locations in The Woodlands and Huntsville, serving Montgomery, Walker, San Jacinto, Madison, and Leon counties. The SHSU The Woodlands Center is located at 3380 College Park Dr. Suite 101 in The Woodlands, Texas.

*SHSU The Woodlands Center is located at 3380 College Park Dr. Suite 101 in The Woodlands, Texas; Photo Credit: SHSU*

SHSU SBDC advisors provide advisory services in business planning, operations, finance, accounting, loan proposals, capital access, financial analysis, sales, marketing, strategic planning, market research, government procurement and international trade.

Business owners also have access to in-person training classes and webinars ranging from various topics: SBA Disaster Assistance, Food & Restaurant, Social Media, Marketing, Technology, Loans, and much more. Taught by industry experts, all training provides quick bursts of solutions and tips to help business owners take their business to the next level.

“The SHSU SBDC has been helping aspiring entrepreneurs achieve the American dream of owning their own business for 30 years,” said Rhonda Ellisor, director. “We have enjoyed expanding our services to all of Montgomery County, promoting and strengthening the economic well-being of the county with our vast experience, tools and available resources.”

“The COVID pandemic caused a major disruption for millions of small businesses. The SBDC has helped business owners successfully pivot in these extraordinary situations,” Ellisor said.

To build a more resilient economy post COVID-19, the SHSU SBDC program continues to help small business owners strengthen their infrastructure, improve their business continuity strategy, and develop an emergency preparedness plan. Their no-cost professional advising, and mentoring can make a big difference in success or failure during an unprecedented disruption.

The SHSU SBDC Center advising staff can help business owners in various stages of the business life cycle: pre-venture or early stage, startup, expansion, growth, or exit.

Therisa Massey and Kathy Sanders, partners of Third Coast Organic Foods, shared, “We were in desperate need of expert advice for a website re-design and social media marketing strategies for our new food manufacturing business in Conroe. We could not be more pleased working with our SBDC Business Advisor, who took a real interest in our start-up business and its potential for success in Montgomery County and throughout Texas. Our SBDC Business Advisor has provided sound business advice and referrals to digital marketing and website design experts and guided us in making good business decisions for our growing business. Thank you, SBDC, for being there for us!”

Brian and Jennifer Kempton, owners of Willis Urgent Care, shared, “Before we opened, I took a class on QuickBooks at the SBDC and learned valuable skills that taught me bookkeeping and how to manage payroll. The SBDC also helped immensely in marketing advice and provided an expert in web design who gave great tips on our web page and marketing. At one point, we were having trouble with our bank loan, and the center director worked very hard in getting us in contact with the right people to help us secure a better loan. We opened during the pandemic, and our advisor was always calling to check on us to see if we needed any help – whether it be loan forgiveness, marketing, or employee retention. Thankfully we are approaching our second year as small business owners, and we could not have made it without the guidance of the SHSU SBDC!”

SHSU SBDC advisors can assist small business owners and help schedule a one-on-one session with an SBDC Business Specialist for expertise on a variety of topics such as Loan Services, Marketing, Hospitality, Finance, Retail, Customer Service, Branding, Social Media, Human Resources, QuickBooks Training, SEO Marketing, and more.

Contact the Sam Houston State University Small Business Development Center by calling (936) 294-3737 to connect with an advisor or visit shsu.edu/sbdc.