Del Mar College Newsletter Small Business Development Center July -Sept 2008 Public Announcement: We've got tons of FRESH workshop topics. So, please take a few minutes to review our seminar schedule (this covers the next 3 months) and register for the classes you want to attend. in this issue Success Story - Quiznos off Nile Is it Time to Incorporate Training Schedule PTAC Service New Pilot Program Success Story- Quiznos Sub Restaurant William Marin has been a entrepreneur for many years. He's been working in sales and restaurants since 1986. He has owned a total of 14 Subway franchises in Corpus Christi and on the Island of Sint Maarten with as many as six at one time. He has purchased failing Subway restaurants and turned them into successful operating restaurants which he has then sold at the right time. He also owns a rental property management company and the Comfort Inn Hotel in Kingsville. This is a very impressive portfolio for such a young entrepreneur. William Marin next turned his entrepreneur skills to owning Quiznos Sub restaurants in Corpus Christi. He purchased his first Quiznos Restaurant in 2007 and then planned to purchase the Quiznos Sub Restaurant at the best location in Corpus Christi at Nile and SPID. He next contacted Larry Ellis at the Del Mar College SBDC to assist him in securing SBA financing to purchase the Quiznos restaurant. Larry Ellis assisted Mr. Marin in putting together a detailed SBA loan package that was presented to a bank and was approved for a combination of a SBA loan at American Bank and owner financing to purchase the restaurant. As the new owner of this Quiznos restaurant, he is taking advantage of the unique freestanding building and its close proximity to businesses, hospitals, and the university. His new Quiznos restaurant is a very popular lunch choice due to the heavy career, medical, and student populations nearby. William has outstanding leadership skills that he is applying to this business which is already a top performing franchise in South Texas. The Quiznos restaurant offers a quick service, Italian-style sub sandwich geared to customers who are looking for a quality, healthy alternative to traditional fast food. He has an upscale dining room which is more comfortable for relaxing dining or business lunches. His restaurant has a more energized atmosphere than other Quiznos restaurants with a complete customer focus! It is great pleasure for the SBDC to work with such a motivated entrepreneur who knows what he wants and will not let anything stand in his way. The business is located at 6829 S. Padre Island Drive. Read on... Is it Time to Incorporate Your Small Business Careful planning and capitalization (money) are perhaps the most critical decisions made by businesses, whether large or small. Poor decisions can result in the failure of the business and personal financial loss. To this end, the selection of your business structure is the cornerstone of the business planning process. Do you want to be a sole proprietorship, a general partnership, or a corporation -- and how will that decision impact you and how you run your business? In a few words, what business structures can you use to:      Protect your personal assets against liability      Enhance your credibility in the business community      Raise business capital by attracting investors      Save on self-employment and other taxes      Create a manner of succession in the event of your passing      Protect your anonymity as a business owner? For more information on this subject, the Small Business Development Center will be hosting a seminar on Incorporating Your Business, presented by Gregory Perkes - Perkes Law Firm, P.C. The seminar is scheduled for Thursday, August 7, 2008 and is free of charge. For more information or to register, please call Lisa Farr at 698-2422 or visit the Texas Secretary of State website and go to the Corporations tab at http://www.sos.state.tx.us. PTAC Service Del Mar College PTAC has a new staff member. We are pleased to announce that Philip A. Young has joined the staff at PTAC. Phil brings outstanding credentials to PTAC and promises to be a real asset to the small businesses of the Coastal Bend as they seek assistance in government contracting from PTAC. Phil is a retired U.S. Marine Corps Lieutenant Colonel. His service with the Marine Corps provided him with a number and variety of acquisition and procurement related experience. After retirement, Phil worked as an analyst for two federal contractors, again providing hands on experience in doing business with the federal government. Phil then spent six years as a Professor of Acquisition and Program Management for the Defense Acquisition University. So how can Phil and the rest of the PTAC staff help you? Are you looking for opportunities to Bid? PTAC has a number of services that are directed at finding bidding opportunities for you and your company. We identify your industry and 'match' federal, state and local bids to you. Are you registered? There are too many registration sites to list here, but all the government registration sites for prospective government vendors are on line and free. Let Phil and the rest of PTAC Staff help you get your name on these important registrations. What about Certifications? There are federal, state and even some local certifications for businesses. You might qualify if you are a small, minority owned, women owned, disadvantaged or veteran owned business. The government looks for these certifications while they seek goods and services. Finally, we want you to remember PTAC after you are awarded a contract as that is when the work really begins. We can offer assistance as you meet the requirements spelled out in the solicitation. The experience and expertise Phil brings to PTAC will be of great value to the small businesses who seek PTAC assistance in contracting with the government. Phil can be reached at 698-1180 or by email at pyoung@delmar.edu. To make an appointment, please call Margie at 698-1025. Get Ready to Move Your Business to the Next Level... FastTrac Growth Venture Do you spend each day 'running' your business? Have you ever asked yourself, Why can't I spend more of my time looking for future opportunities? The SBDC is offering a pilot program, limited to twelve participants, joined together for one night a week over ten weeks, learning how to answer these questions and develop real, applicable solutions that will facilitate growth within your organization, your client base and your market. You will walk away with: ‹ A new business strategy and vision for the future ‹ The ability to maintain competitive advantage in the marketplace ‹ Understand your changing role in managing the business ‹ Identify your organization's readiness for growth and profitability potential ‹ Focus and align all aspects of your business Please contact Bob Beanland at 361-698-2222 or rbeanlan@delmar.edu for additional details and qualifications to apply. Quick links Workshop Schedule FREE Online Training Small Biz Blog Printable Version Newsletter Archive email: lfarr@delmar.edu phone: (361) 698-1021 web: http://www.delmar.edu/sbdc