Looking for Advice on Starting or Growing Your Business?
Floyd Parker launched his business, Parker Pointe Systems, four years ago but everyday new questions surface about how to grow his business and run it more effectively. Even though he’s seen continued growth, Parker still depends on the services offered by the Louisiana Small Business Development Center (LSBDC), housed in Louisiana State University in Shreveport, La.
“They have been incredibly helpful with so many aspects,” he said, “I think we have attended every workshop and lunch that they offer. Elizabeth (his wife and assistant) goes to the lunches every month.”
National Network
The Louisiana SBDC is just one of a national network of more than 1,000 SBDCs operated by the Association of Small Business Development Centers (ASBDC). SBDCs are hosted by leading universities, colleges, and state economic development agencies, and funded in part through a partnership with the U.S. Small Business Administration. Each center provides numerous no- or low-cost services for vetrepreneurs – some specifically tailored to assist soon-to-be vetepreneurs.
According to its Web site at www.asbdc-us.org, the mission of the network is to help new entrepreneurs realize their dream of business ownership, and to assist existing businesses to remain competitive in the complex marketplace of an ever-changing global economy. In short, your success is our business.
Serving Those Who Served
Jane Allison, Project Coordinator at the LSBDC, said she works with many vetrepreneurs due to the university’s close proximity to Barksdale Air Force Base.
“We regularly teach a ‘Starting a Business’ workshop for those transitioning out of the military right at the base.”
Cooper Cochran, the director of the LSBDC and an Army veteran himself, said the main component of the services LSBDC and other SBDC sites provide is the individual, no-cost business consulting.
“We talk about the business plan, cash projection, marketing ideas and sales,” Cochran said. “We also talk about the different financing options available including those geared for veterans. The consulting isn’t a one-shot deal, but usually on-going. Statistically we spend more than five hours just one-on-one with new entrepreneurs.”
An Abundance of Options
In addition to the topics that Parker and Cochran discussed, the Center assists with various topics relevant to entrepreneurs including: Considering Your Strengths and Weaknesses; Plans – Every Business Needs Them; Further Financial Analysis; Marketing Your Business; and Managing Employees, through workshops, classes, lunches and seminars.
The center also has an extensive resource library and helps clients network with other professionals to help develop their businesses. “Maybe you need help with your Web site design. We can help you find someone,” said Cooper.
Bruce Phillips, co-owner of the Green Home Advantage, an energy home inspection business created in 2008, found the resource matching particularly useful. “They helped us with our marketing and matched us with a local company to help us with our logo development.”
Phillips said that he and his partners, Tim Hansen and Raymond Crews, all Air Force veterans, attended as many as 20 classes offered through the center during the early stages of developing their business. “After that, while we were developing the company, they helped us with just about everything,” he said.
Like the Parkers, he also attends many of the Lunch and Learn sessions offered once a month. “As tax time comes, I’ll go to a workshop again just to refresh my mind,” he said.
Get Help from Home
Many soon-to-be entrepreneurs utilize the services right from their own homes said Cochran. Several services are available by Internet, E-mail, telephone and on-client-site visits. There are also various SBDC centers located throughout the country.
“It’s our goal to help our military personnel take their talents and skills and transfer them to civilian life to create a successful business.”
For more information on the Association of Small Business Development Centers visit www.asbdc-us.org.
For more information on the Louisiana Small Business Development Center, visit www.lsbdc.org.
Vetrepreneur Info
Floyd Parker
Owner, Parker Pointe Systems
www.parkerpointe.com
U.S. Army 1972 – 1975
Highest rank held: Specialist (E-4)
Bruce Phillips
Co-owner , The Green Home Advantage
www.thegreenhomeadvantage.com
U.S. Air Force, 1988 – 2008
Highest rank held: Captain (O-3)