TAMIU-SBDC Offers August Business Workshops

The Texas A&M International University Small Business Development Center (TAMIU-SBDC) will sponsor several workshops during the month of August.

Wednesday, August 3: Access to Capital: Solution Stop for Small Businesses from 10:00 to 12:00 p.m. at the TAMIU Bob Bullock Hall room 113. Lender Relations Specialists Aixa Leath of the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) in collaboration with the TAMIU-SBDC will hold a free-of-charge financing seminar in Laredo, Texas. Learn how to access capital to start, build or grow your small business through the many SBA loan guaranty programs available tailored to your business needs. SBA resource partner, TAMIU-SBDC can help you manage a successful small business.

Thursday, August 4: Anatomy of a Business Plan Workshop from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. at TAMIU Western Hemispheric Trade Center, room 126. Fee for the seminar is $20, and each participant will receive Linda Pinzon’s “Anatomy of a Business Plan: a Step-by-Step Guide to Building a Business and Securing your Company’s Future,” a $50 value. Instructor Norma Rodríguez explains that planning is the map to success in the business world. One needs to write a business plan when: starting or buying a business; financing or refinancing a business or raising debt or equity capital.

Wednesday, August 10: the Art of Starting a Business: Basic Business Essentials, free of charge workshop from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the TAMIU Western Hemispheric Trade Center, room 125. Instructor Angelo Piccirillo, SBDC certified business advisor, will present this practical workshop that helps businesses to avoid common pitfalls, evaluate strengths and weaknesses, and the skills needed to succeed. Participants will also explore initial paperwork, assessment process, legal structures and importance of the business plan.

Tuesday, August 16: Managing Cash - the Small Business Owner's Guide to Financial Control Workshop is scheduled from 5:00 to 8:30 p.m. at TAMIU Western Hemispheric Trade Center, room 126; a $20 fee includes Workbook. Cash flow is what comes into and goes out of a business. Gaining financial control by understanding cash flow is crucial to business success. Angelo Piccirillo, certified business advisor, will review cash – the fuel that runs your business, maximizing your cash flow, tools for speeding up cash collections, overdue invoices, three tools for helping with accounts receivable, cash flow statements and four short-term financing solutions.

Wednesday, August 24: Getting Started in Federal Contracting will be offered from 10:00 to 1:00 p.m. at Student Center, room 230. Are you winning contracts? Making a profit? Generating positive cash flow? Our expert consultants provide support to your small business in marketing, accounting, finances, and personnel, so you can win contracts, make a profit, and generate cash flow -- all at the same time. Join us for a free informative seminar that will help your small business gain preferential access to federal procurement opportunities. Topics to be discussed include: How the TAMIU-SBDC can help your business; Steps towards becoming a Federal Contractor; Registrations and Certifications; Marketing to the Federal Government; Federal Contracting Opportunities; and Veterans Assistance and Services Program.

Thursday, August 25: The Art of Customer Service: How to Provide Continuous and Improved Customer Satisfaction, will be offered from 9:00 to 11:00 a.m. at Student Center, room 231. Fee is $20. The purpose of the workshop is to learn the Art of Customer Service using the “CIVIL” framework, it will help your business and organizations experience employee empowerment, repeat business, loyal customers, and an overall satisfactory customer service strategy. Join instructor Tina Rodríguez, SBDC certified business advisor for an interactive two-hour presentation.

For more information or to register for any of these workshops, call the TAMIU SBDC office at 956.326.2827 or e-mail: sbdc@tamiu.edu or register online at http://sbdc.tamiu.edu

Journalists who need additional information or help with media requests and interviews should contact the Office of Public Relations, Marketing and Information Services at prmis@tamiu.edu