Elizabeth Peña, the assistant vice president of Operations and Economic Development at Sul Ross State University, presented two virtual trainings in April to Small Business Development (SBDC) leadership groups in Kenya and Brazil on behalf of the University of Texas San Antonio International Trade Center.
Peña explained how the strong relationship with UTSA enables SRSU’s centers to be so effective in the communities they serve. She discussed SRSU SBDC’s methodology for effective women’s outreach and their women’s empowerment sessions.
Mónica Alcoz, the senior international project manager of the UTSA SBDC International Trade Center, thanked Peña, and said, “On behalf of the UTSA Center for Global Development and the UTSA International Trade Center, I would like to thank you for sharing your knowledge and experience with SEBRAE Brazil and the Kenya SBDCs as they implement the SBDC model. Your presentations provided insight and perspective on how to provide impact services to women-owned businesses that will be veryuseful as they continue to adapt and implement the SBDC Model.”
Peña also discussed SRSU from its inception as a university to its status as a supportive SBDC host to two very strong centers in the UTSA network. As a part of UTSA’s South-West Texas Border SBDC Network, SRSU’s team serves small businesses in the Middle Rio Grande region with offices in Alpine, Carrizo Springs, Del Rio, Eagle Pass and Uvalde. SBDC advisers assist established and new business owners and owners-to-be with services such as procuring licenses and permits, marketing, human resources, business plans, loan proposals, accounting and many of the other details involved in running a business.
In addition to helping new firms get started, the SBDC builds and maintains long-term relationships with area small businesses. The team can help them manage their growth, plan for expansion, and identify strategies to achieve lasting success. Call 830.758.5022 or visit the RGC SBDC website at https://sbdc.sulross.edu/ for more information.