Larry D. Williams is the Community Liaison for the HUB (Historically Underutilized Business) of the Purchasing Department of Travis County. Travis County and its HUB department are award-winning organizations within the government purchasing arena. He received his BA from Arizona State in Mass Communications and Media Studies with a minor in Public Policy and Public Service. Larry prides himself in bringing professionalism, innovation, and equity to the forefront of every position he has been involved in. Larry has focused his entire career on expanding nonprofits’ and governmental agencies’ community-level work to enhance their effectiveness with their most important stakeholders. It is his passion for seeing professionals and community organizations break through their boundaries and expand their effectiveness in their given communities.
–Larry shares his experience as a volunteer with EGBI.
–Share a fun fact with us.
A fun fact about me is that I am new to Central Texas. I have an ever-growing list on my phone of great and unique places on my phone that I have experienced since I moved here.
“It became more desirable for me to be a small part of seeing that mission available to the community” – Larry D.Williams
-How did you first get involved with EGBI?
When I was hired as the Community Liaison for the Travis County Purchasing HUB program I went through the HUB Resource Guide and connected with external stakeholders listed there. EGBI was one of those organizations.
-Why do you volunteer for EGBI?
I was first impressed by the professionalism of the staff. As I became more aware of the mission and vision of EGBI it became more desirable for me to be a small part of seeing that mission available to the community.
-How has your involvement with EGBI helped you grow professionally and personally?
My time volunteering with EGBI introduced me to the entrepreneurial climate of Austin and Travis County. Being involved with EGBI also made me that much more excited to enhance this community by improving the access that Historically Underutilized Businesses have to the Purchasing process of Travis County.
– What was the most rewarding experience you had while volunteering for EGBI?
Being able to share the HUB process of not only Travis County but also the other governmental agencies in the area.
– Why do you think others should volunteer or support EGBI?
I believe others will find a passion for the entrepreneurial climate of the City of Austin and Travis County and its importance in our community.
EGBI provides training, coaching, and support to aspiring and existing business owners who face barriers to growing a successful business. If you would like to support our efforts, please visit our website https://egbi.org/donate/.
For more than 50 years, the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) has celebrated National Small Business Week, which recognizes the critical contributions of America’s entrepreneurs and small business owners. National Small Business Week is celebrated during the first week of May every year and takes place from April 30 to May 6 this year. As a local partner organization in Central Texas of Small Business Administration (SBA), Economic Growth Business Incubator (EGBI) is looking to close the gap of information from informal business to bankable businesses.
EGBI provides training, coaching, and support to aspiring and existing business owners in central Texas who face barriers to growing a successful business. These barriers can be financial literacy, cultural awareness, education, and capital.
Through out the year, EGBI equips small business owners to a road of success through trainings on building a business plan, automating their business, and 90 days to success. Support services include free legal clinic twice a year and setting up Quickbooks for your business by appointment.
Most importantly, EGBI offers individualized help to central Texas business owners through business coaching to new or growing businesses. This may include bookkeeping support, marketing assistance, techinical training on apps to save a business time, or helping to reach business goals. Read more and register today for business coaching services in English and Spanish by clicking HERE.
Por más de 50 años la Agencia Federal de Pequeños Negocios (SBA por sus siglas en inglés) ha celebrado la Semana Nacional de la Pequeña Empresa. La cual reconoce las contribuciones fundamentales de emprendedores y propietarios de pequeñas empresas estadounidenses. La Semana Nacional de la Pequeña Empresa se celebra durante la primera semana de mayo cada año y este año se lleva a cabo desde el 30 de abril hasta el 6 de mayo. Como organización local asociada del centro de Texas a la Agencia Federal de Pequeños Negocios (SBA por sus siglas en inglés), la Incubadora de Empresas para el Crecimiento Económico (EGBI por sus siglas en inglés) busca reducir la brecha de información de negocios informales a empresas financiables.
EGBI proporciona entrenamiento, asesoramiento y apoyo a aspirantes y a propietarios de negocios existentes en el centro de Texas que se enfrentan a barreras para hacer crecer una empresa exitosa. Estas barreras pueden ser la educación financiera, la conciencia cultural, la educación y el capital.
Durante todo el año, EGBI equipa a propietarios de pequeñas empresas en el camino del éxito por medio de la formación sobre la elaboración de un plan de negocios, la automatización de su negocio y los 90 días hacia el éxito. Los servicios de apoyo incluyen una clínica legal gratuita dos veces al año y una configuración de Quickbooks para tu empresa con cita previa.
Lo más importante aún, EGBI ofrece ayuda individualizada a los propietarios de empresas del centro de Texas a través de asesoramiento comercial para empresas nuevas o en desarrollo. Esto puede incluir apoyo de contabilidad, asistencia de mercadeo, capacitación técnica en aplicaciones para ahorrar tiempo o ayudar a alcanzar objetivos comerciales. Lee más y registrate hoy para los servicios de asesoramiento comercial en inglés y en español al dar click AQUÍ.
Traducido al español por Daniela Ariza. Para leer el artículo en inglés, haga clic aquí.
Meet Pilar Sanchez. In 2000, she was responsible for starting another Housing Authority City of Austin (HACA) subsidiary, SHCC, from the ground up. SHCC now generates the revenue to fund the social services provided by Austin Pathways, the non-profit she currently leads at HACA.
Sanchez’s entrepreneurial spirit was instrumental in co-founding a business incubator in East Austin in 2008. Sanchez brokered a three-tiered partnership between her employer, the Housing Authority (HACA), the Greater Austin Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (GAHCC), and the Hispanic Technology Institute of Austin (HTIA) to start an incubator that would help small to medium business thrive and create new jobs during the recession. This became the Economic Growth Business Incubator (EGBI), which spun off as its own independent non-profit in 2010. HACA still supports EGBI in many ways; they provide the space at Eastland Plaza, and have provided over $1 Million in funding for operations since 2010.
As a co-founder and lifelong EGBI volunteer, Pilar hopes that EGBI can encourage others to not only support themselves but to also support their families, friends, and community through the value of philanthropy.
Pilar shares a quick fun fact about herself. “While my mother taught me to be a strong, independent, and caring person, she never taught me to bake. My daughter asked me to make her a castle made of cupcakes for her 4th birthday. John, my husband, knew we were in trouble when I could not find a box of cupcake mix in the cake-mix aisle. Don’t ask me to bake for you; you might regret it. ” Although we may not ask her to bake for EGBI, her unwaivering commitment to EGBI and the local community is evident through all the areas she has volunteered for the organization. She has served on the board, various committees, and different projects throughout the years.
In 2020, EGBI volunteers put in more than 130 hours to help EGBI support and serve over 400 small businesses. Volunteers like Pilar make this possible and continue to help EGBI pursue their mission of training ,coaching, and supporting aspiring and existing business owners who face barriers to growing a successful business.
Want to get involved too? Contact us to find out how you can get involved.
Meet Mike Lancaster. Mike was born and raised in San Antonio, TX, but later moved to Round Rock with his wife and kids. He attended the University of Texas at San Antonio and earned a degree in Business Management. Mike is a 25-years veteran in the banking industry. He is currently a Middle Market Business Banker at Wells Fargo Bank. Mike has held many leadership positions in the consumer and business lending division of Wells Fargo across Texas, New Mexico, and Louisiana. Mike also is a mentor to many junior bankers.
He is on the board of EGBI and a Board Member of the Round Rock Chamber of Commerce.
Mike shares his experience as a volunteer with EGBI and how you can get involved too.
Hi Mike! To get started tell us a fun fact about yourself.
I am a graduate of Leadership Round Rock class of 2014. In my free time I Coach YMCA Soccer, and love to travel around trying out new restaurants.
How have you volunteered for EGBI?
I have taught classes, attended events and have been an active board member for the past 7 years. I just love to hear the stories from our clients of what inspired them to start a small business and how they went about accomplishing their goals.
Why do you think it is important to support and volunteer with EGBI?
EGBI helps individuals fulfill their dream of starting and running a small business. EGBI provides clients the coaching and support they need to accomplish their goals.
“You should support EGBI because they provide the coaching and support to small businesses to help them succeed financially.” Mike Lancaster
Why is it important for EGBI to help small businesses in Central Texas?
EGBI helps build the foundation and provide ongoing coaching support for business owners to help them be successful. So many businesses fail because they don’t have the support or knowledge about how to run a small business. EGBI helps bridge those gaps and provide a support network to help clients to be more successful.
In 2020, volunteers put in more than 130 hours to help EGBI support and serve over 400 small businesses. Volunteers like Mike make this possible and continue to help EGBI pursue their mission of training ,coaching, and supporting aspiring and existing business owners who face barriers to growing a successful business.
Want to get involved too? Contact us to find out how to get involved.
Meet Mary Lou Lugo, an Austinite unicorn (someone born and raised in Austin, Texas). For the last 10 years Mary Lou has dedicated her life to the Greater Austin Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, graduated in their Hispanic Leadership class of 2020, and has volunteered at EGBI.
Mary Lou shares her experience as a volunteer at EGBI, and how you can get involved too.
Hi Mary Lou! To get started tell us a fun fact about yourself that many people may not know.
I was a HUB certified business owner; the name of my company was 4D Printing. My biggest customer was the Texas Lottery where I printed for them for 20 years.
How have you volunteered for EGBI?
I have volunteered as a committee member for Celebrating Success.
Why do you think it is important to support and volunteer with EGBI?
EGBI is a tremendous advocate of helping people become entrepreneurs. Supporting EGBI in turn supports new small businesses.
“EGBI is a strong advocate of helping small businesses which helps stimulate the local economy and create and sustain jobs.”Mary Lou, Volunteer
Why is it important for EGBI to help small businesses in Central Texas?
Small businesses are the heart of Central Texas and need our support.
In 2020, volunteers put in more than 130 hours to help EGBI support and serve over 400 small businesses. Volunteers like Mary Lou make this possible and continue to help EGBI pursue their mission of training ,coaching, and supporting aspiring and existing business owners who face barriers to growing a successful business.
Want to get involved too? Contact us to find out how to get involved.
A business plan is the foundation of your business. Develop a useful plan to open your business. Build your financial projections and your marketing plan so that you will know
Event Details
A business plan is the foundation of your business. Develop a useful plan to open your business. Build your financial projections and your marketing plan so that you will know how to launch your business. Use your business plan as a roadmap to structure, administer, and grow your new business. Local subject matter experts assist you to develop your strategy for your business.
The cost for BUILD Your Business Plan for all 8 classes is only $25 due to the generousity of City of Austin .
Time
August 22 (Tuesday) 6:00 pm - October 10 (Tuesday) 8:00 pm
Desarrolla un plan útil para abrir tu negocio. Construye tus proyecciones financieras y tu plan de marketing para saber cómo lanzar tu negocio. Los expertos locales en la materia te
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Event Details
Desarrolla un plan útil para abrir tu negocio. Construye tus proyecciones financieras y tu plan de marketing para saber cómo lanzar tu negocio. Los expertos locales en la materia te ayudarán a desarrollar la estrategia para tu negocio.
Desarrolla el plan para tu negocio es una serie de 8 talleres.. En 2023, los talleres se realizan en las siguientes fechas:
Del 24 de agusto al 12 de octubre de 6:00 p.m. a 8:00 p.m. los jueves
El costo del curso Desarrolla el plan para tu negocio para las 8 clases es solo $25 debido a la generosidad de la ciudad de Austin.
Time
August 24 (Thursday) 6:00 pm - October 12 (Thursday) 8:00 pm
Let’s come together again to celebrate the accomplishments of EGBI and its clients. Celebrating Success luncheon will be held on October 19th, 2023, at the Norris Conference Center 2525 W
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Event Details
Let’s come together again to celebrate the accomplishments of EGBI and its clients. Celebrating Success luncheon will be held on October 19th, 2023, at the Norris Conference Center 2525 W Anderson Ln. Austin, TX 78757 in the Red Oak Ballroom. In keeping with tradition, we will showcase products and services with our EGBI small business expo, where you and other attendees will be able to purchase different items and services from local small businesses.
We hope you will consider supporting EGBI’s Celebrating Success. The success of our programs and services is dependent upon the support of our investors. Thank you in advance for your willingness to support EGBI and our local small businesses.
Sponsorship opportunities are available throughout the year. Your support helps us connect individuals to the resources and education they need to make them successful business owners. As you may know, although Austin is an awesome city for small businesses, not everyone has equal access to great resources. We hope you view this as an opportunity that needs to be addressed, and that you join our efforts and help us create, grow and sustain successful grassroots businesses, contributing to Austin’s economy and the prosperity of their families.
Please click here to view our Sponsorship levels, fill out the form and contact Monica Peña, monica@egbi.org (512-928-2594) with any questions or comments.
If you are an EGBI client and would like to participate in this year’s event, please contact Monica Peña (monica@egbi.org).
Únase a nosotros para una serie de cinco talleres que lo ayudarán a establecer las bases de su negocio. Tendrá la oportunidad de hacer preguntas, obtener guías paso a paso
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Event Details
Únase a nosotros para una serie de cinco talleres que lo ayudarán a establecer las bases de su negocio. Tendrá la oportunidad de hacer preguntas, obtener guías paso a paso y conocer a expertos en negocios y otras personas que comienzan su viaje de negocios pequeños. Los temas incluyen:
Configuración de su presencia en línea
Mantenimiento de Registros Financieros
Cómo Manejar el Riesgo y Proteger tu Negocio
Tácticas de marketing para principiantes
Resumen de Impuestos Comerciales
Endeudarse: lo que debe saber sobre los préstamos comerciales
El costo del curso ADMINISTRA TU NEGOCIO para las 6 clases es solo $25 debido a la generosidad de la ciudad de Austin.
Time
October 24 (Tuesday) 6:00 pm - December 5 (Tuesday) 8:00 pm
Join us for a series of five workshops that will help you set up the foundation of your business. You will have a chance to ask questions, get step by
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Event Details
Join us for a series of five workshops that will help you set up the foundation of your business. You will have a chance to ask questions, get step by step guides and meet biz experts and others starting out in their small business journey. Topics include:
Setting Up your Online Presence
Financial Record Keeping
Managing Risk/Protecting Your Business
Marketing Tactics for Beginners
Business Taxes Overview
Getting into Debt: What you should know about business loans.
The cost for Manage Your Business for all 6 classes is only $25 due to the generousity of City of Austin.
Time
October 26 (Thursday) 6:00 pm - December 7 (Thursday) 8:00 pm
