• Survival Stats

Two-thirds survive at least 2 years; 44% survive at least 4 years; 31% survive at least 7 years.

• Small Business Facts Represent 99.7% of all employer firms

Employ nearly half of all private sector employees

Pay nearly 45% of total U.S. private payroll

Have generated 60 to 80% of net new jobs annually over the last decade

Are 52% home-based and 2% franchise

Hire 40% of high tech workers

Produce 13 times more patents per employee than large patenting firms

• Survival Factors

Ample supply of capital

Being large enough to have employees

The owner’s education level

The owner’s reason for starting the firm

Source: www.sba.gov/advo

• University of Houston Small Business Development Center Network

Originated in 1984 Economic Development for UH and Bauer College of Business Responsible for 32 counties in lower Gulf Coast area bordered by Lufkin

to the North, Beaumont/Pt. Arthur to the East, Galveston to the South, and Brenham/Bryan/College Station to the West

Fifteen full time service centers in partnership with universities, colleges, and EDCs

Partner with Gulf Coast Regional Center of Innovation and Commercialization

• Four core business lines

Free confidential business consulting

Business workshops and seminars

Business research library with librarian

Facility rental (computers labs, conference rooms, and meeting rooms)

Start-up/Early Stage Companies

FeasibilityDevelop business planMarket & industry researchTechnical support – University resourcesFinancing proposalPresentation skills

Existing small and medium size businesses

Help develop business strategy/business planMarket segmentation and product alignmentSales strategyFinancial analysesNew market evaluationGovernment contracting assistance

• Training Services Wide range of training workshops/seminars

Fundamentals of starting a business Specialty businesses Using technology (software) and websites Financial tools Marketing Special certifications Accessing Government Contracts

Customized training (onsite/offsite)

Full service meeting facility rental

• Robert Goss

• The Veterans’ Attorney

• www.attorneyforveterans.com

– Business plan assistance– Patriot Express Loan– Marketing strategy and materials

• Jared Harrison

• HIT FIT, the Health Solution

• www.myhitfit.com

– Marketing plan– Adding new products/services– Web site development

Business Research Library

•A print, video and electronic business reference library

containing entrepreneurial, economic and demographic materials.

Professional Services Network (PSN)

• A referral service to

provide small businesses with affordable access to professional services.

The Houston Chronicle

• Look in Sunday’s Business Section for calendar listings,

small business Q&A, and feature stories.

Bibliography• Michael Gerber, The E-Myth and The E-Myth Revisited• Howard L. Shenson

– The Complete Guide to Consulting Success– The Contract and Fee-Setting Guide for Consultants and

Professionals– Shenson on Consulting

• Alan Weiss– Getting Started in Consulting– Million Dollar Consulting