Getting Down to Business
An Educational and Mentoring Program to Help Small Business Owners Grow their Businesses

Application Deadline:

Workshop location:

Here is what some of the past graduates said about this program...

GDTB program made me more centered and focused.  My mentor, Mr. Stanley was and is amazing, he has helped me so much and his style of being able to identify business issues and his way of articulating it is priceless... Tongela Clark, Change Agent, LLC.

The GDTB Program helped me CREATE my growth plan! I did not even know about business plans or how critical they are to running a successful business. Now that I have one I am more focused on everything from daily tasks to long-term plans. Not only do I enjoy my work more than before, but I feel ‘in control’ of my company. I have launched a new edition, increased my pricing, increased sales and have hired 2 more Independent Contractors. ... Patricia Prein

My SCORE mentor, Fred DeRoode’s knowledge of new business start-ups and candor on the state of my company in the beginning was a real wake-up call: I was working very hard but had no idea where I was going. I was scared to death and I could tell Fred knew this. He reassured me that I could be successful by taking the time to really think about my goals, building my business plan and focusing on the end result of where I wanted to be and precisely what I wanted to do with Coffee News. He inspired me to build a stronger on-line presence to complement our print, which we worked on the last quarter of 2016, and I am amazed with the results.... Patricia Prein

Every lesson learned during the intense 7-months GDTB program has been a building block that has helped us craft a well thought out business plan focused on future growth. We couldn't have done this without the guidance and advice of all the incredible people, mentors and small business advocates.
Since completing the GDTB program, we branded, launched and expanded our business. We secured a small business loan through LiftFund in cooperation with Capital One that helped us finance our expansion into the Austin Market... Nina and James Youngers, Co-owners, Got Dirty Blinds? (Class of 2015)

GDTB gave me the information and the tools that I needed to take my business to the next level. I am following the business plan I wrote as part of the GDTB program, and I am ahead of schedule in its implementation.... Jelita Green-Dathorne, OD, CEO Gulf Coast Vision Center, Inc. (Class of 2015)

Followed the business plan and signed a 4-year contract with Texas Tech with an option to renew for four more; became a prime with HISD for awards, plaques, trophies and promotional products, and secured a new LiftFund loan to meet growing business and hired an additional full time staff person.... Mary J. Gilmore, President/CEO Amazing Awards, Inc. (Class of 2015)