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Dear Texas Small Business Owners, Entrepreneurs and Resource Providers:
As you know, April 28 through May 4 is Small Business Week in Texas. This week and every week, we are proud to honor and recognize the entrepreneurial spirit that supports our state’s strong economy. Across this entire state, from El Paso to Texarkana, Amarillo to Brownsville, small business owners from a wide range of backgrounds and industries have found success in Texas.
Texas continues to be a top state for women-owned, minority-owned and veteran-owned businesses. We are proud to be home to 1.3 million women business owners as well as 1 in 5 of the nation’s Hispanic business owners and 1 in 10 of the nation’s Black business owners. Not to mention, we are the #1 state for jobs created by Black business owners, Black women business owners, Hispanic women business owners and veteran business owners.
It's clear that when small businesses succeed in Texas, all Texans succeed.
The Governor’s Office of Small Business Assistance remains committed to supporting Texans’ efforts towards achieving their entrepreneurial endeavors. The Governor’s Small Business Snapshot highlights our resources for small businesses and recent activity as well as future opportunities where our team may be able to assist you.
Please be sure to visit our website, follow us on social media and utilize the Governor's Small Business Resource Portal to schedule a call with our team if we can be of any assistance!
— Jarvis Brewer, Small Business Advocate, Texas Economic Development & Tourism
The 3.2 million small businesses across the state are the backbone of our economy. Here in Texas, entrepreneurship is a catalyst for our economic success, and our record-breaking job creation is proof that opportunity abounds in our great state.
We are pleased to share Governor Greg Abbott's Small Business Week in Texas Proclamation and special message as we recognize how critically important small businesses are to our communities and our state as a whole.
Ready to join the celebration? Be sure to follow @TexasEconDev on all platforms for updates and resources as we place a spotlight on Small Business Week in Texas. You can additionally show your support by:
- Downloading the official Small Business Week in Texas badge to use on all promotions.
- Using the hashtag #SmallBizWeekTexas in your social media posts.
- And most importantly, shopping local can supporting your local small businesses in a direct way!
Looking for resources? Our office is focused on ensuring Texas remains the best state to start and run a business in the country. That's why our Small Business Assistance Team offers a wealth of information and resources for small businesses and aspiring entrepreneurs needing assistance during Small Business Week or any week of the year!
Sandra Sanchez recently joined the Small Business Assistance team as a Business Assistance Specialist. She performs consultative services and technical assistance work to provide support to Texas companies and entrepreneurs as they seek to start, grow and sustain their businesses in Texas. Prior to joining the office full-time, she previously served as an intern where she facilitated the revision of the 2024 Texas Business Licenses and Permits Guide and demonstrated a comprehensive understanding of state regulatory compliance. Sandra is a recent graduate from The University of Texas at Austin, where she earned her bachelor’s degree in government with a minor in business and sociology. Reach out to Sandra through our online staff directory.
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Feedback from a Governor's Small Business Summit: "This was my second year in attendance, and I am so glad to discover it. The event led to strong leads, connections and ideas!"
— Deidra Johnson, Founder, Parachute Marketing & Brand Management, Weslaco
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Information on demand: Whether you're an aspiring entrepreneur or established business owner, the Governor’s Small Business Resource Portal is easy to use and offers a customized list of resources to assist you. |
There's no better time than Small Business Week to share best practices and expert tips for starting and running a small business in Texas. We've collected some of the best entrepreneurial advice from our small business success story testimonials to share these words of wisdom from entrepreneurs from across the state:
"My advice is find your village. Find your people. Network...find like-minded people and help each other out to grow organically and successfully as a small business."
— Emlyn Roesler, Founder & Maker of Solid Soaps in Austin, See the full testimonial here
"What I would say to anybody out there who wants to start their own business is...it's not easy, but it's yours. You want to do it because you're passionate about it. And if you're passionate about it, then you're willing to deal with the obstacles...believe in yourself more than anything."
— DeMarco Wren, CEO of JDC Energy Resource in El Paso, See the full testimonial here
"You must have drive, determination, perseverance...because when the challenges come...you have to make a decision that this is what you want to do."
— Shanita Johnson of BKJ Global Management Consulting, LLC in Houston, See the full testimonial here
"My best advice is...don't compare yourself to others. Be original. Be you."
— Julie Albertson, Executive Chef & Owner of Texas Pie Company in Kyle, See the full testimonial here
"It's really important to seek your people and to seek the resources that are out there because there are plenty, but you have to look for them...you've got to get out there."
— Chantal Piet, Owner & Founder of the Stroop Club in Austin, See the full testimonial here
Watch on your schedule. The Governor’s Small Business Webinars provide updates on resources and topics from subject-matter experts. Playbacks are available to watch online.
Small Business Export Assistance Opportunity
Farnborough International Airshow I July 22-26, 2024
Texas companies are invited to apply to join the Texas Pavilion at the Farnborough International Airshow (FIA). FIA is an international aviation and aerospace exhibition located outside of London, England, highlighting the newest technologies of the aerospace industry and related equipment, such as aircraft engines, satellite navigation technology, aircraft cabins, seats, weapons systems and more. As an exhibitor, you will:
- Showcase your product or service to thousands of participants at this industry-leading, global trade show
- Gain visibility among influential decision makers
- Form valuable partnerships with leading aviation and aerospace companies
The Small Business Assistance team travels to communities around the state throughout the year to meet with small businesses and share information on the resources available. We look forward to seeing you at upcoming events and webinars!
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May 6: Travis County Purchasing Department’s Business & Community Statewide Webinar
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May 8: La Grange Area Chamber of Commerce’s National Small Business Conference
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May 30: Governor’s Small Business Summit — Round Rock
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June 13: Governor’s Small Business Summit — Pampa
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June 27: Governor’s Small Business Summit — Lufkin / East Texas
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July 18: Governor’s Small Business Summit — Galveston / Gulf Coast
Did you know?
Did you know that small business owners can check their franchise tax account status and confirm the business's right to transact business in Texas is intact? The Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts has a Taxable Entity Search where a business’s status can be quickly obtained from its Tax ID, Entity Name or Texas Secretary of State File Number. Be sure to check and make sure your business status is active and intact.
See answers to frequently asked questions by viewing our FAQ video playlists in English and Spanish. Also check out the Webinar Resource Library for more information.
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 We kicked off this year's series of events in April with a sold-out Governor's Small Business Summit in Weslaco! The event featured guest speakers and panelists on a multitude of small business topics. The expert list of speakers included Keynote Speaker Mike Hernandez III, CEO of D&M Leasing and Owner & Dealer Principal of Four Stars Automotive Group.
 The Governor's Small Business Summit — Corpus Christi took place April 18 and connected small business owners with state, local and federal resource providers, subject-matter experts and area entrepreneurs. The Governor's Small Business Awards were presented to three local small businesses for their outstanding accomplishments in entrepreneurship and impact on the community: Dowell Pest Control, VNP Gallery and PKK Southern Cuisine.
 Business Assistance Specialist Bryan Roller attended the Entrepreneurship Resource Fair in Houston on March 20, hosted by Texas Southern University's Division of Research and Innovation. Bryan shared information about state resources to aspiring entrepreneurs and small business owners at the event.
Other recent small business meetings and events:
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