The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley SBDC

Monthly Newsletter

February 2025

Dear Small Business Owner:

Love is in the air! What does that mean for small businesses?


Valentine's Day presents a fantastic opportunity for small businesses to deepen their connections with customers. Consider incorporating themed promotions, heartfelt marketing strategies, and personalized experiences to boost loyalty and engagement! You might explore ideas such as offering special deals for couples, hosting love-themed events, and collaborating with local businesses to create unique gift packages. This strategy is sure to foster a warm and inviting atmosphere that attracts new customers while strengthening existing relationships.


The UTRGV SBDC wishes you and your family a joyful Valentine’s Day!


Warmest regards,

UTRGV Small Business Development Center

Celebrating over 35 years of service!

Proud Member of the Texas South-West SBDC Network

& Unit of the UTRGV Office of Workforce & Economic Development

PS: A friendly reminder...


The UTRGV SBDC is here to support you! To sign up for a training session, please visit eCenter Direct or simply click on the session links below. If you're unable to access eCenter Direct online, please call our office at (956) 665-7535 for further assistance.


The UTRGV SBDC is also available to offer one-on-one assistance, as you plan and implement operational and growth strategies in your business. Confidential business advisement is available virtually, by appointment, and at no cost. Contact your advisor today to schedule a follow-up appointment. If you are new to the UTRGV SBDC, please visit eCenter Direct to register and set up your first appointment.


Stay connected with us! Follow us on Facebook for the latest information and resources for your small business.

News & Information

The UTRGV SBDC is collaborating with Prairie View A&M (PVAMU) Extension to provide business financial literacy sessions for participants of the "BID Academy," a recurring program by PVAMU to assist new and existing businesses interested in government contracting. The next session will be held in Mission. For further details about this program or registration details, please contact Prairie View A&M.


The SBA Lower Rio Grande Valley District Office (LRGVDO) is again hosting its "Let's Talk Business Series", a 12-part program that connects entrepreneurs with federal, state, and local small business resources. The UTRGV SBDC is invited to present a business plan session in part three of the series. See session registration details below. For more information on the series, please contact the SBA LRGVDO.


The UTRGV SBDC is again partnering with the South Padre Island Economic Development Corporation (SPI EDC) to offer the "SBDC Business Boost", a business training for participants in the "Sand Dollars for Success" grant program. This initiative focuses on startups and established businesses on SPI, providing them with capital funds aimed at boosting sales and creating or retaining jobs to enhance the local economy. For more information on this program or participation, please visit their program web page.


The UTRGV SBDC is pleased to participate in another round of the "Boots to Business Reboot," an entrepreneurial education and training program for Veterans and military spouses. This full-day event, organized by the SBA Lower Rio Grande Valley District Office (LRGVDO) in Harlingen, covers a range of topics, including business planning, which will be presented by the UTRGV SBDC. See event registration details below. For more information on this program, please visit the program web page.



Business Training Opportunities

Service Area Sessions

2/6/25 SBDC Smart Start 2:00 PM-3:00 PM | Live Webinar | No Fee

2/7/25 The Importance of a Business Plan 9:00 AM-11:00 AM | In-Person | No Fee

2/12/25 Get Your Business on Google Search and Maps 11:00 AM-12:00 PM | Live Webinar | No Fee

2/12/25 Building a Solid Business Plan: Your Comprehensive Guide to Launching Success 2:00 PM-3:00 PM | Live Webinar | No Fee

2/19/25 Show Me The Money! Small Business Financing Options 10:00 AM-12:00 PM | In-Person | No Fee

2/19/25 Coach Your Team To Success 11:00 AM-12:00 PM | Live Webinar | No Fee

2/20/25 Boots to Business Reboot 8:15 AM-5:00 PM | In-Person | No Fee *Veterans/Military Spouses

2/26/25 Thriving at Remote E-Commerce: Nail It Before You Scale It 11:00 AM-12:00 PM | Live Webinar | No Fee

2/27/25 SBDC Smart Start 10:00 AM-12:00 PM | In-Person | No Fee

2/27/25 From Logos to Colors: Designing a Comprehensive Style Guide for Small Businesses 2:00 PM-3:00 PM | Live Webinar | No Fee


Plus, coming up in March...

3/5/25 Get Customers - Market in Moments 11:00 AM-12:00 PM | Live Webinar | No Fee

3/19/25 Use YouTube to Grow Your Business 11:00 AM-12:00 PM | Live Webinar | No Fee

Network Area Sessions

2/3/25 New to Taking Money Online? 10:00 AM-11:00 AM | Live Webinar | SRSU SBDC

2/4/25 Doing Business with TXDOT 10:00 AM-11:00 AM | Live Webinar | TAMIU SBDC

2/6/25 How to Write a Business Plan Part 1 9:00 AM-10:30 AM | Live Webinar | ASU SBDC

2/18/25 How Smart Business Owners Can Leverage Credit Cards 10:00 AM-11:00 AM | Live Webinar | TXST SBDC

2/18/25 Make Your Website Work for You 2:00 PM-3:00 PM | Live Webinar | UHV SBDC


*Additional sessions found on eCenter.

Additional Partner Services

Texas South-West SBDC Network

The Texas South-West SBDC Network has 10 field offices (including the UTRGV SBDC) that provide services to a 79-county region. Check out additional center training events at the TXSW SBDC Network.

U.S. Small Business Administration in the Lower Rio Grande Valley District

The UTRGV SBDC is partially funded by the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA). Locally, the SBA Lower Rio Grande Valley District Office services 14 counties in southern Texas. The SBA office in Harlingen can be reached at (956) 427-8533. SBA also offers a variety of online courses to help you start and run your business. Visit the SBA Learning Center for a list of courses to help you along your entrepreneurial journey.

UTRGV Office of Workforce & Economic Development

The UTRGV Office of Workforce & Economic Development (OWED) supports economic development in the Rio Grande Valley through services by the UTRGV SBDC and the following centers. For more information on these services, visit UTRGV OWED or any of the centers below.


UTRGV APEX Accelerator (APEX)

UTRGV Data and Information Systems Center (DISC

UTRGV Entrepreneurship and Commercialization Center (ECC)

UTRGV Professional Education & Workforce Development (PEWD)

UTRGV Small Business Development Center (SBDC)

UTRGV Veterans Business Outreach Center (VBOC)

UTRGV SMALL BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT CENTER

BUILDING THE TEXAS ECONOMY ONE BUSINESS AT A TIME

Office Locations

UTRGV CESS Bldg. | 1407 E. Freddy Gonzalez Dr. | Suite 1.200 | Edinburg, Texas 78539

eBridge Center for Business & Commercialization | 1304 E. Adams St. | Brownsville, TX 78520

(956) 665-7535 | sbdc@utrgv.edu | www.utrgv.edu/sbdc

Funded in part through the State of Texas and a Cooperative Agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration. Reasonable accommodations for persons with disabilities or limited English proficiency will be made if requested at least two weeks in advance. Contact the UTRGV SBDC at (956) 665-7535.


At The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, the UTRGV SBDC is a center of the Office of Workforce and Economic Development (OWED), under the UTRGV Division of Governmental & Community Relations. OWED aims to address issues that impact the long-term welfare of the community through private/public partnership efforts. For more information on these efforts, please call (956) 665-3361 or email vpgcr@utrgv.edu.

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