Small Biz Connect

Small Business Development Center

Welcome to the Small Biz Connect Podcast where we talk all about Small Business. This podcast is designed to empower small business owners and entrepreneurs. Each episode features insightful conversations with industry professionals, business advisors, and successful entrepreneurs who share practical tips, expert advice, and real-world strategies to help you grow and strengthen your business. Whether you’re just getting started or looking to scale, the Small Biz Connect Podcast is your go-to resource for navigating challenges, seizing opportunities, and connecting with the experts who can help your business thrive. The Galveston County SBDC is a business advising and training center of the University of Houston Texas Gulf Coast SBDC Network serving 32 counties in Southeast Texas. The SBDC program is funded in part through a Cooperative Agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration. All opinions, conclusions or recommendations expressed are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the SBA.

  1. 23h ago

    How a Texas Coffee Shop Owner Knew It Was Time to Expand

    Thinking about expanding your business? Start by understanding your numbers, strengthening your operations, and preparing your team. ▶ REQUEST NO-COST GALVESTON COUNTY SBDC ADVISING: https://www.sbdc.uh.edu/sbdc/Galveston_County_SBDC_Advising.asp ▶ EXPLORE WORKSHOPS & REGISTER: https://www.sbdc.uh.edu/sbdc/In-Person_Events.asp?Cal_Calendar=30&caCal_Cat=-1 How do you know when your business is ready for its next location? In this episode of Small Biz Connect, Culture Coffee’s owner shares her journey from a coffee trailer in Surfside Beach to a storefront in Oyster Creek—and the lessons she learned about finances, customer loyalty, delegation, and growth. Host Amy Reid joins Jennifer Finney, Director of the Brazosport College SBDC, for an honest conversation about moving beyond survival mode and building the structure needed to expand. IN THIS EPISODE: • Recognizing when your numbers and operations support expansion. • Understanding the differences between running a trailer and a storefront. • Building customer relationships that support long-term growth. • Using local crowdfunding to help open a second location. • Learning to delegate, train employees, and lead a growing team. • Adapting to seasonal demand and Gulf Coast weather. • Connecting with customers through authentic social media. Hear how no-cost SBDC advising and educational resources helped this business owner better understand her margins, organize her finances, and prepare for her next steps. CONNECT WITH CULTURE COFFEE Website: https://www.culturecoffeetx.co/ Email: info@culturecoffeetx.co Facebook: Search Culture Coffee TX Locations discussed: Surfside Beach and Oyster Creek, Texas CONNECT WITH BRAZOSPORT COLLEGE SBDC https://www.brazosport.edu/sbdc/ ABOUT GALVESTON COUNTY SBDC We help entrepreneurs and small business owners throughout Galveston County start, grow, and strengthen their businesses through no-cost, confidential advising and training resources. We are part of the University of Houston Texas Gulf Coast SBDC Network. Subscribe to Small Biz Connect for practical insights, local business stories, and resources to support your next stage of growth. The SBDC receives partial funding through a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration. Views expressed belong to the speakers and do not necessarily represent the SBA. Programs are available without discrimination, including to individuals with disabilities. #GalvestonCountySBDC #SmallBusinessGrowth #BusinessExpansion

  2. Sep 25

    Small Biz Connect Podcast EP 18- Connecting Education, Entrepreneurship & Community

    Welcome to Small Biz Connect, where we talk all about small business. Today, we are at Brazosport College with Anne Bartlett, Vice President of Enhancement and External Affairs. In this episode, Anne shares the mission of Brazosport College and its role in supporting students and the surrounding community. She discusses the value of the Small Business Development Center (SBDC) as a resource for both the college and local entrepreneurs. You’ll also hear about the importance of preparing students with the skills, knowledge, and resources to pursue entrepreneurship if they choose that path. Anne highlights the value of utilizing community resources and building strong partnerships that connect education, entrepreneurship, and economic development. Tune in to learn how Brazosport College and the SBDC are working together to support future entrepreneurs and strengthen the local business community. Learn more about Brazosport College: Website: https://www.brazosport.edu/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BrazosportCollege Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bcgators/ Brazosport College SBDC Information: Website: https://www.sbdc.uh.edu/sbdc/Brazosport_College_SBDC.asp Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BrazosportCollegeSBDC Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brazosportcollege_sbdc/ #SmallBizConnect #SBDC #BrazosportCollegeSBDC #education #BrazosportCollege #lakejacksontx#businessgrowth

  3. May 28

    Small Biz Connect Podcast - Galveston Island Entrepreneurs support with Vision Galveston

    Welcome to Small Biz Connect where we talk all about Small Business. Today we have Candy Hattingh, Director of Incubate with Vision Galveston. In this episode, we dive into what Vision Galveston is and the impact it has on the local business community. Candy shares her role within the organization and how economic development plays a key part in supporting and growing entrepreneurs in the region. We also discuss the MOTAR program, how it works, and the ways it helps entrepreneurs turn their ideas into successful businesses. You’ll hear real success stories that have come out of the program, along with insights on how you can get involved with Vision Galveston and take advantage of the resources available to help your business thrive. Learn more about Vision Galveston:  Website: https://www.visiongalveston.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/visiongalveston/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/visiongalveston LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/visiongalveston/ #SmallBizConnect #SBDC #Visiongalveston #Entrepreneurs  The Galveston County SBDC is a business advising and training center of the University of Houston Texas Gulf Coast SBDC Network serving 32 counties in Southeast Texas. The SBDC program is funded in part through a Cooperative Agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration. All opinions, conclusions or recommendations expressed are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the SBA.

  4. Mar 27

    Small Biz Connect Podcast- How the SBA supports Small Businesses

    Welcome to Small Biz Connect where we talk all about Small Business. Today we have Winston Labeé, the Deputy District Director of the Small Business Administration. In this episode, we discuss the role of the Small Business Administration (SBA) and how they support small businesses. The conversation covers the agency’s key programs and services, how it adapts to changes in the lending environment, and the ways it helps expand access to capital for entrepreneurs. It also highlights the SBA’s collaboration with Small Business Development Centers (SBDCs) and other resource partners to provide guidance, training, and support that help small businesses start, grow, and succeed. Learn more about the Small Business Administration:  Website: https://www.sba.gov/district/houston Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sbagov Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SBAgov LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/us-small-business-administration/ X: https://x.com/sbagov YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/sbagov #SmallBizConnect #SBA #SBDC #SmallBusinessAdministration #Lenders #Eupreprenuers The Galveston County SBDC is a business advising and training center of the University of Houston Texas Gulf Coast SBDC Network serving 32 counties in Southeast Texas. The SBDC program is funded in part through a Cooperative Agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration. All opinions, conclusions or recommendations expressed are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the SBA.

About

Welcome to the Small Biz Connect Podcast where we talk all about Small Business. This podcast is designed to empower small business owners and entrepreneurs. Each episode features insightful conversations with industry professionals, business advisors, and successful entrepreneurs who share practical tips, expert advice, and real-world strategies to help you grow and strengthen your business. Whether you’re just getting started or looking to scale, the Small Biz Connect Podcast is your go-to resource for navigating challenges, seizing opportunities, and connecting with the experts who can help your business thrive. The Galveston County SBDC is a business advising and training center of the University of Houston Texas Gulf Coast SBDC Network serving 32 counties in Southeast Texas. The SBDC program is funded in part through a Cooperative Agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration. All opinions, conclusions or recommendations expressed are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the SBA.