San Angelo Governor's Small Business Forum
11:00 a.m. Registration
11:30 a.m. Buffet Lunch
12:00 p.m. Opening Session
Breakout Sessions
Lone Star Room
1:45 p.m. Using the SB Eco System to Grow Your Business
Nowhere is the old adage “working together produces better results” more true than in business and community development. Learn how the economic development allies in San Angelo are cooperating and complementing one another’s services to make sure entrepreneurs and business owners find everything they need to grow and meet challenges. Business leaders and Economic developers: hear ideas that you can customize and adopt in your community. Panelists include; Roland Peña, Director of Economic Development for the City of San Angelo; David Erickson, Director of the Angelo State University Small Business Development Center; Mike Buck, Executive Director of the Concho Valley Workforce Development Board; and Phil Neighbors, San Angelo Chamber of Commerce President.
2:45 p.m. Establishing a Veteran Owned Business
Have you ever thought about owning your own business and don’t know where to start? Prevent information overload, by joining the Veteran Entrepreneur Program as they navigate through the essential aspects of owning and operating a small business in Texas. We’ll discuss some of the Veteran-Centric organizations in the San Angelo area who are ready to assist you during your entrepreneurial journey to push your business forward. Military spouse and family members welcome.
Speaker: Robyn S. Provost, Veteran Business Consultants with the Texas Veterans Entrepreneur Program
3:45 p.m. Access to Capital
Overview of various different funding options available to entrepreneurs and small business owners such as start-up funding, alternative financing options, SBA loan guarantees, and tips on what the banker is looking for. Panelists include: Loretta Floyd-President Prosperity Bank, Chris Dawson-Senior Vice President Crockett National Bank, Albert Rodriguez-Tom Green County Revolving Loan Fund
Stars & Stripes Room
1:45 p.m. Social Media Marketing in Today's Business Market Environment
Specializing in economic impact analyses, social media marketing, and with more than 24 years of experience working alongside communities, Sarah understands the challenges faced by small businesses, which include keeping up with the rapidly changing social media environment. Sarah will introduce participants to case studies illustrating creative ways that other communities have overcome limited resources like time, staff and money. Other topics will include measurable analytics and designing effective campaigns that build effective relationships with new and long-term customers. Speaker: Sarah T Page Consulting, LLC
2:45 p.m. How to Create a Loyal Employee: It’s Not About the Money
How to retain loyal employees to decrease the cost of turnover by exploring new concepts in establishing an environment and atmosphere that encourages employee satisfaction.
Speaker: Jody Holland - iWork Zone
3:45 p.m. Incubating Your Innovations
David Terry, executive director of the WT Enterprise Center joins incubator director, Jeff Reid in a conversation to discuss the benefits and value of incubating innovations as part of a vibrant economic development ecosystem. Learn how entrepreneurs overcome risk, barriers to success and how community collaboration helps to facilitate the starting and growing of entrepreneurial companies. Speakers: David Terry, & Jeff Reid, WT Enterprise Center
4:45 p.m. A Conversation with Texas Secretary of State Carlos Cascos
Moderated by: Rick Mantooth, Vice President/General Manager of Foster Communications Co., Inc. Learn about the state of the State, what makes Texas great, and the opportunities in the future for Texas small business owners.
5:30 - 7:00 p.m. Business Networking Reception