CERTIFY . DEVELOP . CONNECT . ADVOCATE |
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Involvement for Growth
I’m sure over the last few months you have participated in some conversation around what “pivoting” your company may mean for you during these uncertain times. I know myself, I have been a part of multiple conversations and even written here about it. Having that conversation and giving it the thought it deserves could mean the difference between getting by during these times or providing your company an opportunity for growth.
I have owned my company for over 38 years, and like most businesses have had my ups and downs. I entered March of this year with my own fears and questions of how Covid would impact my business. I had to start to rethink how I would “pivot” my business to find the new opportunities that would smartly fit within my business and industry and be of value to my clients, current and potential.
I took those fears and questions from March and focused them on the learnings and relationships the SMSDC and NMSDC had to offer. I realized that despite the changes that were happening on what involvement and participation looks like and the changes to how we network, now was not the time to be less active but the time to be more active. It was my conversations with other MBEs and SMSDC/NMSDC members, that I was able to work through my business thoughts and establish my plan.
The opportunities for learning, conversations and discussions through the SMSDC/NMSDC are invaluable to me. The SMSDC/NMSDC provided a platform to help me organize my thoughts, get feedback and challenged my thinking. Because of the plan I was finally able to development, my company over the last few months is seeing growth, our cash flows have been improving and we have moved into a new segment that in the past I would have never considered.
Growth is possible this year, so now is not the time to take a backseat to your SMSDC/NMSDC membership. The SMSDC and NMSDC are a key resource to us all, so don’t let the new methods for involvement or current challenges deter you. Instead, use the opportunity this resource is to your business and its future growth to the fullest.
Stay safe & healthy!
Your SMSDC MBEIC Chair,
Deborah Treviño
President, Treco Services
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SAGE BUSINESS ADVISORS
The Nexus Between Businesses and Tribes
Have you considered selling your business to a Tribal Nation? There are many compelling reasons, and benefits to you, in pursuing this business strategy. We urge you to contact Sage Business Advisors (“Sage”) today to learn more about the promising opportunities of tribal ownership. Please reach out to www.sbatribalpartners.com.
Sage is the nexus between small and medium-sized businesses and Tribal Nations. The primary focus of Sage is to provide merger and acquisition consulting services to Main Street and Middle Market enterprises that wish to be acquired by Tribal Nations. Sage is laser focused on helping tribes create non-gaming income.
During the acquisition process, Sage is often called on by both the seller and the buyer to facilitate the creation of a post-acquisition business plan that leverages the unique competitive advantages of tribal ownership. We thus provide robust post-acquisition consulting services to the newly acquired entity with respect to implementing the new business plan.
When most people think of tribes, they envision gaming. It is true that many tribes across the nation operate successful gaming enterprises. However, even the most successful gaming tribes are striving to diversify their income streams away from casinos. They do not wish to have all of their eggs in one basket and thus be overly reliant upon one source of income.
Sage has been instrumental in assisting tribes in establishing a strategic imperative of non-gaming business income exceeding gaming revenues. Tribes are aggressively moving forward to create a portfolio of companies across a wide range of industries. Tribes are actively looking to acquire businesses to build out their portfolio of non-gaming companies.
Now is the time for business owners to consider selling their company to a Tribal Nation.
As a business owner there are numerous reasons why you should consider selling your company to a Tribal Nation. With our specialized knowledge of tribes and our extensive network of contacts, Sage is uniquely positioned to help you sell your business to a tribe.
Let’s say you are a business owner and you are frustrated that you are having great difficulty in expanding into new markets and lack of capital. Further, let’s say that you are at a point in life where you’d like to cash out your ownership but you wish to remain onboard as management. You desire to continue to manage the company and take the enterprise to new heights predicated upon the expanded markets and unique competitive advantages accruing to tribal ownership.
Many tribes will find this scenario very appealing. Tribes not only wish to acquire a wide variety of businesses but they generally look to retain experienced and successful management.
We at Sage can assist both management and the tribe to establish realistic and achieve enterprise performance goals, key performance indicators and compensation with equity-like compensation for management.
As noted above, tribal ownership of your business brings with it a host of benefits and unique opportunities. One of the most prominent benefits is the Small Business Administration’s 8(a) program and in particular the “Super 8(a)” status of tribes. The tribal status is especially appealing for those business owners who are currently in the 8(a) program but are about to graduate. Selling your business to a tribe opens up the opportunity to continue in the 8(a) program only under the benefits of the tribal flag.
Another major benefit of tribal ownership is exemption from federal and state income taxes. This benefit comes part and parcel with tribal ownership. As such, many businesses have been able to increase their net income by fifty percent (50%) simply by virtue of the tribal ownership. It is important to note that this benefit accrues to the business regardless of where it is located and regardless of who it does business with.
To successfully sell a business and meet the goals of the owners involves a myriad of considerations. Selling to a tribe entails specialized expertise and experience. Sage is uniquely qualified to guide you through the complex legal, regulatory, cultural and business maze related to a tribal purchase.
Contact Sage today to discuss the unique opportunities and benefits of selling your business to a Tribal Nation. You may reach Sage via e-mail or by visiting their website at www.sbatribalpartners.com.
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SMSDC Named NMSDC's Regional
COUNCIL OF THE YEAR
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The National Minority Supplier Development Council (NMSDC) recently announced the Southwest Minority Supplier Development Council (SMSDC), one of its 23 affiliated regional councils as the Regional Council of the Year.
SMSDC is very proud of all our accomplishments in 2019! We, at SMSDC, continue to remain focused on certifying, developing, connecting and advocating for our minority-owned businesses. The SMSDC is positioned to reflect the needs of our Corporate Members and assist them diversify their supply chain, enabling our certified minority business enterprises to grow through positive business relationships.
It is an honor to receive such a prestigious award.
We hope you can join at the celebration during the awards ceremony at the 2020 NMSDC Conference and Business Opportunity Exchange.
Details coming soon!
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10 Small Business Grants for Minorities in 2020
Posted by NMSDC.
There are many grants available for minority-owned businesses. Find out how you can take advantage of these grant programs to start or grow your business.
Minority-owned small businesses face many unique challenges, particularly when it comes to securing capital to start or grow a business. While loans are always an option, many small business owners prefer to forego adding debt to their balance sheet, and others cannot qualify for loans with good repayment terms.
Minority small business grants can be a valuable alternative because they offer funding that does not need to be repaid.
What is a grant?
A grant is a source of funding that does not require repayment; however, it is usually associated with a lengthy and specific application process. A business owner seeking a grant must first check to make sure they meet the eligibility requirements before applying to the grant program.
Once the application is submitted in accordance with the grant program rules, recipients are selected from the many applicants seeking funding.
Filling out a grant application is typically an in-depth process, leading many business owners to hire a professional grant writer to complete the process properly.
Grant funding can help businesses avoid or reduce their reliance on business loans or other sources of funding, such as accepting venture capital. While grants often are considered “free money,” they require a significant investment of time and effort, and the funding is never guaranteed.
There are government grant programs available for economic development as well as grant programs created by private organizations and nonprofit organizations.
If you’re looking for grant money to fund your small business, keep an eye out for the many grant opportunities available to you.
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NEW CERTIFIED MBEs
JULY 2020
Amilynn Staffing - Oklahoma City, OK
Entreepreneurs Enterprises - Plugerville, TX
G-3 Resources, LLC - McAllen, TX
Gracen Engineering & Construction, Inc - El Paso, TX
NEO Services, LLC - San Antonio, TX
Nitro-Lift Fabrications, LLC - Tishomingo, OK
Orbital Mark, LLXC - Boerne, TX
Slumber Bliss Seat Covers - Georgetown, TX
The Cintman Group - Round Rock, TX
The Garage, LLC - Albuquerque, NM
Vision Semiconductor Solutions, LLC - Temple, TX
JUNE 2020
Affinity FM Ops Consultants - San Antonio, TX
Diversity Personnel Services, LLC - Oklahoma City, OK
J Azteca Express Inc - Eagle Pass, TX
Nitro-Lift Technologies, LLC - Mill Creek, OK
Pony Logistics - El Paso, TX
The W2 Group, LLC - Austin, TX
MAY 2020
Allegiant Med Supply, LLC - San Antonio, TX
Cacheaux, Cavazos & Newton, LLP - San Antonio, TX
Dutech Systems, Inc - Leander, TX
Kala Incorporated dba Cianfrani Coffee Co - Round Rock, TX
Mencar, LLC - San Antonio, TX
OL Service Professionals Inc. dba Service Professionals, Inc - Edmond, OK
Prosperitus Solutions, LLC - San Antonio, TX
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RE-CERTIFIED MBEs
JULY 2020
3LI, LLC
AeroLinked, LLC
ira Enterprises, Inc.
Austin Tele-Services, LP
Avanzar Interior Products, LLC
Azteca Transfer LLC
B2Z Engineering, LLC
Beltran's Printing, Inc
BEPC Incorporated
Business Assets Enterprises LP
Central Bolt & Industrial Supplies Inc.
Cherokee Nation Industries, LLC.
Complete Tablet Solutions LLP
EL REY HOLDINGS, LLC
eMetric, LLC.
Fox Mechanical LLC
Genesis Networks Enterprises, LLC
Genesis Networks Global Services, LLC
House of Webster, Inc.
I Do Promos
InGenesis, Inc.
Innovative Gateway Talent, LLC
Isidore PLLC
JAMCO International, Inc.
Kanand Corporation
L & L Brown, Inc.
Labeltech, Inc.
Laredo BSL, Inc.
Mexico Trade Consulting, Inc.
Mirsa Manufacturing, LLC
Moondance, inc.
Night Eyes Protective Services Inc.
NPMI Management, Inc.
Ohman Enterprise, LLC
Parrish Enterprises, Ltd.
Pescador Public Strategies
PetroOps,LLC
Pristine Building Maintenanace
Pristine Services Group LLC
Purchase Power Exchange, LLC
QHE Logistics, Inc.
R.T.C. Inc.
Robinson Innovations of Oklahoma LLC
ROI Insight Group LLC
Rookie #31 LLC
Seamless Advanced Solutions, LLC
Seed & Grain Exporters
Service Express Oklahoma, LLC
SHIPZO Co.
Silt Leasing & Transportation Services, Inc.
Slow Life Games, LLC
South Texas Erectors, Inc
The Alamo Travel Group, LP
The Ross Group Construction Corp.
TLI & Environmental Services, Inc
TRE & Associates, LLC
Utility Services Associates Construction Co., Inc.
Verde Logistics, LLC
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Effective immediately, due to the current pandemic, the SMSDC will extend all MBE recertification dates and waive late fees if your company expired or will expire in 2020.
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REQUIREMENT FOR ALL NEW & INTERESTED APPLICANTS FOR MINORITY BUSINESS ENTERPRISE (MBE) CERTIFICATION:
You must participate in the session prior to the Certification Committee reviews your application.
All new MBE's must attend a Pre-Certification & Post-Certification session. The sessions will be held by conference call several times a month. Please make sure to attend one pre-certification & one post-certification session in order to complete the certification process. Please contact Alana Ortega, Certification Manager, at alana@smsdc.org to register.
The following are dates available for August:
Wednesday, August 5th
Wednesday, August 12th
Wednesday, August 19th
Wednesday, August 26th
Trainings are available from 10am – 12pm CST on the dates listed above for the month of June. Training may take about 30 minutes however please allow additional time depending on your company structure and questions you may have.
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MBE2MBE
SMSDC encourages MBEs to do business with each other. If you are looking to BUY goods and services from other MBEs or if you have an opportunity and are looking for an MBE to team/partner with you to increase your capacity and seek larger opportunities take advantage of the MBE2MBE search tool. To gain access and utilize this dynamic aid available to you log-on to your online MBE account with the username and password created for you MBE Application.
TAKE THE FIRST STEP…
Make sure you “OPT-IN”
The first step to being able to take advantage of this opportunity begins with making sure you have “Opted-In” on your account home page. Make sure you click on the box and add the check mark
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Now you are ready to start using the “MBE2MBE Search” tool in the following box.
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IMPORTANT INFORMATION for all MBEs:
If this is a New Application, and you are having trouble uploading your documents, please contact Alana Ortega at 512.297.6478 during regular business hours or send an e-mail to alana@smsdc.org.
If this is a ReCertification, and you are having trouble uploading your documents, please contact Gabrielle Ramirez at 512.386.8766 during regular business hours or send an e-mail to gabrielle@smsdc.org.
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To obtain a copy of your MBE logo, please follow the steps below:
- Login with email/password associated with your SMSDC Certification
- You will see options such as applying for recertification or viewing/printing current certificate
- To obtain logo select “NMSDC Logo Pack” from the bottom right-hand corner and press the download button
The MBE logo is available for use on your company’s marketing print and electronic material. The MBE logo will only be available for your use as long as your company has a current & active MBE certification.
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In alignment of SMSDC’s four pillars, Certify. Develop. Connect. Advocate., education continues to be fundamental. Launched in 2012, SMSDC continues to offer the PLUS+ Platform classes: Benchmarking Plus & Capacity Plus. These signature programs are a mix of in person & online courses presented by supplier diversity expert Reginald K. Layton, Vice President, Supplier Diversity & Supply Chain Sustainability for Johnson Controls’ Inc and Ralph G. Moore, CPA, president of Ralph G. Moore & Associates (RGMA). Moore is recognized as one of the world’s foremost thought-leaders in the area of supplier diversity and minority business development.
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For CORPORATE MEMBERS ONLY is a process to accelerate supplier diversity initiatives based on real world experimentation. Benchmarking Plus delivers the tools and management perspective to help your corporation strengthen your supplier diversity processes.
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For CERTIFIED MBEs is a process to enhance sales and marketing processes and build their capacity to work with Fortune 500 corporations.
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Benchmarking Plus & Capacity Plus are led by Johnson Controls Inc, a world leader in supplier diversity, with more than 600 diverse suppliers and $1.8 billion in diverse spend.
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Corporate Members: The annual cost for Benchmarking Plus is $999. The registration fee includes access to all webinars, featured courses, online & onsite classes. If you are interested in signing up, please register for the BENCHMARKING PLUS PLATFORM here.
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Certified MBEs: The annual cost for Capacity Plus is $499. The registration fee includes access to all webinars, featured courses, online & onsite classes. If you are interested in signing up, please register for the CAPACITY PLUS PLATFORM here.
If you have any questions or need additional information, please contact Mayra Pena at mayra@smsdc.org or call 915.433.0612.
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All Regional Task Force (RTF) in-person activities have been cancelled until further notice.
Virtual RTF events are listed below.
The 2020 Premier Face Time event will be a virtual expo.
Stay tuned for final date coming soon!
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SMSDC UPCOMING VIRTUAL EVENTS |
August 20th @ 3 p.m.
United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement: Operating under the New Trilateral Framework Webinar
TBD
Premier Face Time Virtual Event
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SMSDC PAST VIRTUAL EVENTS
For access to SMSDC's past virtual events, please click on the link below or visit www.smsdc.org, click on events and scroll to the bottom of the webpage.
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COMMUNITY EVENTS
*Dear Community Partners,
If you would like to submit an event to post on our monthly newsletter, please submit all of the event details to Mayra Pena via email at mayra@smsdc.org. Events will be reviewed to make sure the information & content will be beneficial to our Certified MBEs and/or corporate members before posting on our newsletter and/or website.
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WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU!
Have a recent achievement or new development in your organization? We'd love to share your story too! Click the "SHARE YOUR STORY"link below to leave your name and contact information and we'll reach out to you.
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SMSDC affiliate council of NMSDC
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