A RESOURCE GUIDE FOR SMALL BUSINESSES & ENTREPRENEURS

---

A Small Business Plan is often required when applying for loans at the Federal, State and/or Local Level.  The business advisors listed below are available to help with the preparation of the Small Business Plan and their services are free of charge:

UTRGV Small Business Development Center

Website: https://www.utrgv.edu/sbdc/ | Phone: (956) 665-7535

UTRGV Entrepreneurship and Commercialization Center
Website: https://www.utrgv.edu/ecc/ | Phone: (956) 882-4119

Women’s Business Center of Rio Grande Valley
Website: https://joinwbc.com/ |  Phone: (956) 542-5322

Below you will find some useful Small Business Plan Links/Resources that may guide you as you start working on your Small Business Plan:

Law Depot, free small business plan https://www.lawdepot.com/contracts/business-plan/?loc=US&pid=msnppc-buspln_US-generic_ep1-msnkey_small%20business%20plan%20samples%20free&utm_source=bing&utm_medium=cpc&MSCLKID=9956fdaa1a951c2e0b85a1478b80915e#.XO2RJo-cGGA

A standard business plan outline

https://articles.bplans.com/a-standard-business-plan-outline/

Small Business Administration Write your business plan

https://www.sba.gov/business-guide/plan-your-business/write-your-business-plan

Thought Co. Sample Business Plan

https://www.thoughtco.com/sample-business-plan-4083327

Officially registering your business is a best practice and will be often required in order to be considered for loans, grants, and/or to open a business bank account.

You shall register your business with the County Clerk, Secretary of State & Internal Revenue Service (IRS)

Cameron County County Clerk’s Office

http://www.co.cameron.tx.us/administration/county_clerk/assumes_name_certi_ficate-dba.php

San Benito County Office

Joe Rivera & Aurora De La Garza Bldg (San Benito Annex)

1390 W. Expressway 83, San Benito, TX 78586

Phone: (956) 247-3509

Texas Secretary of State 

https://www.sos.state.tx.us/corp/forms_boc.shtml

Internal Revenue Service (IRS)

http://www.irs.gov/bsinesses/small-businesses-self-employed-apply-for-an-employer-identification-number-ein-online

Note that it is recommended to register for an EIN number only after registering with County Clerk & Secretary of State. For the main reason that you need to ensure that the name that you have chosen for your business is available at the County and State level.  This will about having to make changes with the IRS later.

Texas State Comptroller & Public Accounts

As a business you will be required to collect sales tax on products or services.  You will also need to submit sales tax payments to the state and submit sales tax reports periodically.  Please contact the Texas State Comptroller & Public Accounts for guidance as to what requirements may apply for your business. 

Contact them at:

1655 Ruben Torres Sr. Blvd, Suite 104, Brownsville, TX 78521, (956) 542-8426

www.window.state.tx.us

Before signing a lease or purchasing a property, please make sure that you contact the local building permitting and health department to ensure that the space that is feasible for your business plan.

The planning and health department may guide you with information such as the following:

·  Is that space/location zoned for what the type of business you want to open?

·  Building Inspection Requirements

·  Any building limitations

·  Historical designations

·  Signage Requirements

·  Health and Sanitation Requirement

·  Feasibility of building being able to be used for food service.

As you are ready to negotiate make sure that the lease meets your needs.  May sure that the lease document states the square footage of the space you are going to lease.  As you discuss the lease agreement terms, you can negotiate for certain things, such as:

·  For the landlord to make certain improvements to the space as part of the lease agreement;

·  Include in the lease the responsibilities of the landlord during the life of the lease agreement, such as parking lot maintenance, pest control, a/c repairs, etc;

·  For a set lease rate, some landlords tend to provide a lower lease rent for the first year and then increase it drastically for the 2nd year;

·  Consider if a month to month is the best option for you.  Some landlords may provide the month to month option, yet you may encounter that after a few months your landlord will no longer want to lease the space or decides to sell.  You will find yourself in a situation, where you will have to start again in a different space and would have wasted time and money on a space from where you are no longer able to operate from.

·  Find out from banks, economic development corporations, or other entities that may offer funding, what is the lease term requirement for their loans and grants;

·  It is recommended to have an attorney review and provide guidance as to the terms of the lease. If not possible make sure to read the agreement thoroughly (including the small print).