1. Overview of the James E. Guinn Entrepreneurial Campus Robert Sturns Economic Development March 29, 2016

2. What is the BAC? The Fort Worth Business Assistance Center (BAC) opened in 1995 Comprised of 8 service providers, the BAC provides: – free start-up counseling – assistance with your business plan – free or low-cost workshops on taxes – Counseling and support for your small business – SBA 504 and other loan assistance The BAC hosts a Business Information Center (BIC) which serves as a computer lab that allows our clients to complete business plans, prepare documents, and scan images along with a well-stocked library of small business guides and reference materials for just about every area of small business

3. To promote a strong economy and enhance the quality of life by providing training, technical assistance and business support services to established, start-up small businesses and micro-enterprises BAC Mission

4. James E. Guinn Complex 8 support organizations 2 service providers 1 government entity 1 university represented 20+ events per month

5. Business Workshops Step One: Starting a Business Topics include: Choosing the name of your business, business banking, business structure, financing and insurance Business Planning- The “Basic” Overview Explain the reasons to write a business plan. Reinforces the importance of accurate financial projections and market research Business Planning: The “Full” Story At the end of the class, you will leave with the full structure and information for a business plan

6. Business Series Workshops Business Planning: “Market Research” In this workshop you will learn how to: Locate your industry NAICS and SIC Codes, Research and define your target market, Identify your direct and indirect competitors Business Planning: “Realistic Projections” The focus of this session is on creating realistic financial projections. The class will cover financial statements, cash flow, pricing and sales

7. Project New Beginnings Project NEW Beginnings program offers business education, training and counseling to individuals in an educational curriculum designed to encourage the development of start-up businesses The 8-week Project NEW Beginnings program covers topics such as: How to overcome obstacles Time management Marketing tips Researching your business Creating a useful business plan Determining cash flow needs Identifying financing options

8. Breakfast at the BAC Monthly breakfast series that covers a wide array of topics Recent presentations include exit strategies for your business, employment law, municipal procurement, presentation skills, funding for small business, and social media in the workplace

9. Specialty Workshops Agenda For Building Capacity Understanding MWBE Certifications Using Linked-In Culture Index Mapping QuickBooks

10. BAC Signature Events Business Plan Competition – Launched in 2011, the business plan competition provides entrepreneurs with one-on-one business counseling, professional development workshops, and coaching from industry experts Golf Tournament – Annual event held to raise funding for the BAC Education Foundation

11. FY15 Impact Clients Counseled1,506 Jobs Created607 Jobs Retained1069 New Business Starts33 Loans Provided$17.6 M

12. "Our revenues went from $44,000 to $550,000 in one year. We owe our success to the BAC.“ -Technology Team “What an incredible experience and a real blessing to win the Fort Worth Business Plan Competition. I was inspired by my amazing finals competitors, Alchemy Pops and Kingdem Tax Consulting. I would encourage every small business in the area to participate next year. It's amazing what you learn about your business and the opportunities the competition creates for everybody involved.” -ZOOMEEZ