BY LYNETTE GEORGE

HERALD DEMOCRAT

"If you are wanting to start your own business, but are unsure of where to start, contact SBDC. If you think you know it all and don't need any help, definitely contact SBDC."

That's what Sherman business owner Aaron Vogel advises and he's not alone. He and many other local business owners have put to use the Small Business Development Center, a free service offered by Grayson County College.

Located on the main GCC campus in Denison, the SBDC was established by the U.S. Small Business Administration specifically to help people who are considering opening their own businesses and those who are already in business. The non-profit center provides free counseling to the small business owners in virtually every aspect of operating a business from start-up plans, market research, and legal requirements to cash flow and finances, inventory, production, taxes, general management, financing and everything needed to start and maintain a successful business. The SBDC also offers special low-cost workshops, conferences and courses for businesses. Courses range from introductory courses for persons planning to start a business to advanced seminars for experienced small business owners. Programs can be adapted to address specific needs of individual business owners.

"This program is a gold mine," Karen D. Stidham, Ph.D, director of the SBDC said.

Asked what the SBDC offers, Stidham said "We do so much that it's actually easier to say what we don't do. We don't have money in the top drawer. We don't make loans, but we can help identify lenders ... A majority of our time is spent helping entrepreneurs start up, help with writing a business plan, do cash flow projections, and paperwork. It's a little like putting a big puzzle together. We generally do one-on-one counseling and our work is very individualized, not a one-size-fits all ... We have counselors with different areas of expertise. For example, we have a Quick Books professional counselor who will, for free, go out and set up your system. That's a valuable tool."

Stidham said another plus to the program is that there is no limit to how much or how long people can use the program. Even after using the program to open a business and seeing that business succeed, many business owners continue to seek advice and help from SBDC.

"Now, lots of people are needing working capitol," Stidham said. "We help them tweak various aspects of their businesses to help them remain profitable. Lots of people also come back to get help with other things such as Facebook and Twitter."

Vogel owns and operates Cackle & Oink Barbecue in Sherman, voted a Best of Texoma winner the last several years in the annual Herald Democrat competition. He credits the SBDC with much of his success.

"I have been in the restaurant business all of my working life. I have been everything from a dishwasher to a multi-unit district manager. It wasn't until 2004 that I decided I wanted a piece of the pie -- to become a business owner," Vogel said. "I knew how to operate/manage a small business, but I had no clue how to open one. I had no idea where to start. Contacting the Small Business Development Center at Grayson County College was the first major business decision I ever made. As a first-time business owner, this was also one of the wisest decisions I've ever made."

Vogel said he heard about Dr. Stidham at the SBDC through the Sherman Economic Development Center (SEDCO). "They explained to me that it was a 'free resource' available to anyone wanting to start a business. I was calling Dr. Stidham before the word 'free' left their mouth," Vogel said.

Vogel met with Stidham who helped him draw up a business plan and an estimated profit/loss statement which is what lenders read before making a decision to lend money for a business. She aided Vogel in finding the funding that would work best with his business and then helped him prepare an entire "road map" to open the doors of his restaurant. The rest has been award-winning history for the young entrepreneur.

"Don't go into business without your road map," Vogel said. "You have absolutely nothing to lose and everything to gain."

Jeff Francis and Pat Miller share Vogel's confidence in the SBDC program. After spending years in sales and management at Reliance Fasteners in Denison, the two men bought the business themselves in 2002 after learning that the corporation was planning to close the location.

"We decided to purchase it and continue operating in Denison, a location that had always been profitable selling various types of hardware and fasteners," Francis said.

Miller and Francis contacted the SBDC in September of 2002. They were provided with one-on-one counseling and training on basic business start-up, and Stidham gave advice on organizational structures, legal registration and tax requirements. She assisted them in preparing a business plan and cash flow projection, reviewing various loan programs, identifying the one they preferred to use, and in preparing a business loan application package.

The men took possession of the business at the end of December 2002 and, in January 2003, the SBDC helped them with the incorporation process. By the end of that year, the business had exceeded projections by more than 30 percent, enabling its owners to repay a large portion of their loan well ahead of schedule. Despite the very difficult economic situation currently affecting their service area, they say their business continues to thrive.

"Without the SBDC, Pat and I wouldn't have known where to start," Francis said. "They helped us put together a solid business plan which allowed us to get our loan. I would highly recommend the SBDC to anyone wanting to start his own business."

Sheryl Robinson is still in her first year as the owner of Patty Cakes Decorating in Sherman. She credits the SBDC with providing the tools and information she needs on a continuing basis.

After working as a professional cake decorator and trainer for years, Robinson decided she wanted to be her own boss. She opened her cake decorating business and then discovered how unprepared she was for the endeavor. After several exhausting weeks of struggling, she contacted the SBDC in May.

"Opening a business is a huge undertaking," Robinson said. "In fact, it has turned out to be much more than I ever dreamed ... There are so many important factors that go into being sole proprietor of a business."

Using information and advice from the SBDC, Robinson says she has actually tripled her business in the past two months.

"I've learned that personal service is something I can offer that larger chain stores cannot compete with, so, thanks to the SBDC, I am working hard to serve my customers with top notch service," Robinson said.. "I've learned how important the financial/record keeping portion of business can be. I now not only keep track of sales each day, but also what the weather was like that day, was there road construction going on that day, or something else of importance that might affect my business. I learned it is important to put in place a store policy that will assure each customer that they will be treated equally and fairly, as well as protect the business assets ... With the guidance of Karen Stidham, I also now know I must take time for me and that time for me will be of benefit to the business and keep me from suffering from burn out. As per Karen's suggestion, I now actually have an appointment with myself each morning and that tad bit of advice has made the beginning of each day so delightful ... I learned how important it is to protect my business from burglary. I called my landlord and requested a security light in my back parking lot, and lo and behold, he had one installed for me. I never would have thought of that without reading one of the leaflets I was given during one of my recent appointments."

Robinson said use of the program is easy. Just make an appointment and take the time to visit the center and discuss special needs with a counselor. She said that she plans to continue using the program as her business grows.

"My first appointment with Karen turned my life around. I was in shock at how much I didn't know," Robinson said. "I was so exhausted from the long hours I was experiencing during my first few weeks in business. I've gone from an overwhelmed, new business owner to a happy and confident sole proprietor. The ideal situation would be to go (to the SBDC) and learn all you can about owning and running a business before opening one."

Robinson said the time she spent at the SBDC has been worthwhile. "I look forward to my bi-weekly appointment and come prepared with any questions I might have in regards to my business," Robinson said. "I am still using the SBDC and will for some time to come. It's continuing to help me learn all aspects of owning a business -- retail, marketing and the financial side of it.

For Stidham, the SBDC motto says it all, "Your success is our business."

"We want to see every small business succeed," Stidham said. "We want to help."

For more information on the SBDC, call 903-463-8787, 903-583-7565 or 800-316-7232.