Governor’s Small Business Webinar Resource Library
The Governor’s Office of Small Business Assistance delivers webinars focused on small business needs. Click on a category of interest below to be directed to relevant webinar topics:
Most Recent
Challenges that Businesses Face
Presented on December 13, 2023
There are many challenges that small businesses face throughout their daily operations and stages of growth. We surveyed thousands of Texas entrepreneurs to discover what were the most common business challenges in 2023. During this webinar, the Governor's Small Business Assistance Team addressed these challenges with strategies of how businesses may overcome them. Subject-matter experts from the U.S. Small Business Administration's Houston District Office, Tarrant County College's Small Business Development Center, Texas A&M University - Central Texas, and the Texas State University's Small Business Development Center shared their expertise and answered questions during a live Q&A session.
- Presentation Slides for Challenges that Businesses Face
- Transcript for Challenges that Businesses Face
Business Strategy
"Food Trucks 101: Taking Your Restaurant on the Road"
Presented on March 16, 2023
With a diversity of delicious and convenient food offerings, it’s no wonder food trucks have been growing in popularity. In this Governor’s Small Business Webinar, learn from experts on the process of developing and creating a successful food truck business. This includes finding the right location, choosing a truck, working through the permit process, creating an engaging customer experience and brand and everything else leading up to opening day!
Take the STEP: A Guide to the State Trade Expansion Program
Presented on December 28, 2022
The State Trade Expansion Program (STEP), administered by the Texas Department of Agriculture (TDA), aims to increase the number of small businesses that are exporting and increase value for those that are already exporting. STEP allows eligible businesses and business owners to create or expand their export capacity by providing reimbursements for specific export-related expenses. This webinar provided an overview of this program and other helpful resources from the TDA.
What’s Hot, What’s Not: Marketing Tools for Small Business
Presented on December 20, 2022
An ever-shifting economic landscape has created numerous challenges for Texas small businesses. Yet, supply chain issues and workforce concerns are not the only areas of focus for small business owners. While much has changed over the last couple years, including an expanded marketing toolkit, core marketing concepts remain the same. This webinar answered a burning question for most business owners: "Do I need to rethink marketing tools, tactics and techniques in a post-pandemic economy?"
- Presentation Slides for What’s Hot, What’s Not: Marketing Tools for Small Business
- Transcript for What's Hot, What's Not: Marketing Tools for Small Business
“Just the Facts!” a Texas Small Business Credit Initiative Webinar
Presented on December 13, 2022
This webinar provided small business owners and financial institutions the latest information about the Texas Small Business Credit Initiative (TSBCI) program and its expected rollout. The TSBCI will provide resources to assist small business growth, helping create new jobs through increased access to small business funding. Enacted as part of the American Rescue Plan Act and administered by the U.S. Department of Treasury, the programs under TSBCI are expected to be allocated more than $472 million.
- Presentation Slides for Just the Facts! A Texas Small Business Credit Initiative Webinar
- Transcript for "Just the Facts!" a Texas Small Business Credit Initative Webinar
Scaling Your Business
Presented on March 10, 2022
There are many factors that affect a business’ ability to grow. This Governor's Small Business Webinar addressed the challenges and options that businesses have when growing at scale. It included information about programs such as H-E-B’s “Quest for Texas Best” and Texas State University’s SCALEUP program. Also, the founders of George & Rubie's Favorites discussed how they successfully grew their Texas-based small business.
Utilizing the Skills for Small Business Program
Presented on December 16, 2021
This Governor's Small Business Webinar focused on the Skills for Small Business program. Matt Sniadecki, Program Manager for the Skills for Small Business program highlighted the program's benefits and how small businesses may apply. Through the Texas Workforce Commission (TWC), this program helps small businesses train workers to meet their current needs. Small businesses can apply to TWC for training offered by their local community or technical college, or the Texas A&M Engineering Extension Service (TEEX).
- Presentation Slides for Utilizing the Skills for Small Business Program
- Transcript for Utilizing the Skills for Small Business Program
Utilizing the GO TEXAN Program
Presented on December 14, 2021
This Governor's Small Business Webinar highlighted the GO TEXAN program through the Texas Department of Agriculture (TDA). Lindsay Baerwald, Director of Marketing & Outreach for the GO TEXAN program, presented on this great opportunity for small businesses and entrepreneurs. For more than twenty years, this program has been dedicated to showcasing products and businesses made right here in the Lone Star State.
- Presentation Slides for Utilizing the GO TEXAN Program
- Transcript for Utilizing the GO TEXAN Program
The Importance of Business Planning
Presented on December 9, 2021
This Governor's Small Business Webinar introduced the components of a business plan and various aspects of business development. Danny Brewer, Business Coach and Trainer with the City of Austin Small Business Division, presented on this crucial component for business success. The webinar highlighted key resources for aspiring entrepreneurs to help small businesses start with a purpose.
- Presentation Slides for The Importance of Business Planning
- Transcript for The Importance of Business Planning
Funding Your New Business
Presented on October 21, 2021
One of the first and most important steps in starting a new business is determining access to financing and capital. In this Governor's Small Business Webinar, a panel of subject-matter experts discussed challenges and solutions for funding a new business. The webinar highlighted key sources of financing for aspiring entrepreneurs and funding resources to help small businesses grow.
Identifying Your Target Market
Presented on October 10, 2021
Who is most likely to use your product or service? This Governor's Small Business Webinar explained how to effectively identify your target market. A panel of subject-matter experts discussed the importance of determining your customer base and provided key resources to help small businesses succeed.
- Presentation Slides for Identifying Your Target Market
- Transcript for Identifying Your Target Market
Workforce in Texas
Presented on September 1, 2021
Texas remains the best state in the U.S. to start and run a business. In this webinar, the Governor's Small Business Team and a panel of subject-matter experts discussed workforce challenges faced by small businesses across the state. The webinar highlighted key sources of information for entrepreneurs and resources to help small businesses succeed.
Optimizing Online Marketing & Selling
Presented on October 28, 2020
This Governor’s Small Business Webinar provided small business owners and entrepreneurs a useful resource to optimize online presence. The webinar included social media strategies to reach customers more effectively and ideas to develop strong ecommerce capabilities to assist new businesses online.
- Presentation Slides for Optimizing Online Marketing & Selling Webinar
- Transcript of Optimizing Online Marketing & Selling Webinar
Dynamic Financial Planning
Presented on October 7, 2020
This Governor’s Small Business Webinar provided small businesses and entrepreneurs with information and resources to create a sustainable vision for their business. The webinar offered information to help small businesses enhance their business planning and cash flow management strategy to increase resiliency and maintain a competitive edge.
- Presentation Slides for Dynamic Financial Planning Webinar
- Transcript of Dynamic Financial Planning Webinar
Starting a Business
Basics of Business Licensing
Presented on July 28, 2022
This Governor's Small Business Webinar highlighted the basics of the business registration, licensing and permitting processes. Panelists from the Governor's Small Business Team, the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation, the Office of the Texas Secretary of State, and a business law attorney all shared their expertise, and provided information and resources to small business owners and aspiring entrepreneurs on how to license their businesses in Texas.
Starting a Business in Texas
Presented on May 13, 2021
The Governor's Small Business Team and a panel of subject-matter experts as they discussed the initial steps for starting and operating a business in the state. The webinar highlighted key sources of information for entrepreneurs and resources to help small businesses succeed. The event provided information and timely, actionable advice on choosing a business structure, registering a business or business name, registering for tax payments, permitting/licensing in Texas and where to get free help and advice.
Veterans Resources
Resources for Veteran-Owned Small Businesses & Entrepreneurs
Presented on September 23, 2020
This Governor’s Small Business Webinar provided resources for veteran-owned businesses and aspiring entrepreneurs. This webinar addressed a variety of key business topics and challenges, with a focus on connecting veterans with the people and resources they need to be successful.
- Presentation Slides for Resources for Veteran-Owned Businesses Webinar
- Transcript of Resources for Veteran-Owned Businesses Webinar
Public Procurement Tips
How Public Procurement Can Grow Your Business
Presented on April 28, 2021
This Governor’s Small Business Webinar focused on how businesses can prepare to compete for public procurement contracts and the importance of business certifications in this process. It is essential for business owners to understand how to develop an effective business development strategy to win public procurement contracts. Procurement experts from across the state answered questions live.
- Presentation Slides for How Public Procurement Can Grow Your Business
- Transcript of How Public Procurement Can Grow Your Business
Exporting
Governor's Small Business Webinar: "Ready, Set, Export!"
Presented on February 14, 2023
Is your business export ready? Exporting is a valuable step in the lifecycle of a business that can lead to great opportunities. But how and when do you take the first step?
In partnership with the International Trade Center at the University of Texas at San Antonio, this Governor’s Small Business Webinar helped businesses and business owners identify steps to take to get export ready and learn how to expand products into international markets.