Fifty-nine hopeful entrepreneurs got one step closer to their dreams through the third annual industry-specific conference hosted by the City of Austin Small Business Development Program. The conference, “Open for Business – A Retail Business Start-Up Conference” was held on March 8, 2005 at the Omni Austin Hotel Downtown. The focus of this year’s conference was on opening a retail business in the Austin area. Participants spent the entire day hearing from content experts on such areas as business structure basics, the value of research, business personality, advertising and marketing, financing a business, legal issues, permits and zoning, lease negotiations, working with wholesalers, state sales tax information and alternative store front ideas.

The day was kicked off with a welcome from Assistant City Manager Laura Huffman who shared information about the value of small businesses to Austin. Fourteen speakers shared their insights and expertise with the audience throughout the day. These speakers included several successful retail business owners, including Traci Hiller, Owner of Wardrobe Boutique, Tom Terkel, President of Cencor Urban Realty, Mike Borrero, Owner of Mike’s Formal Wear, Nancy Wharton, Owner of Casa Verde Florist, Paul Carrozza, Owner of RunTex, Kelli Bullington, Owner of Bull Tactical Outfitters and Pamela Picard, Owner of i-Picard. The audience was joined at lunch by Council Members Betty Dunkerley and Raul Alvarez who shared a Proclamation from Mayor Will Wynn naming March 8 “SBDP’s Retail Business Start-Up Conference Day”.

Fifteen exhibitors were also present for the day to share information with small business owners. Exhibitors ranged from non-profit small business service providers to for-profit enterprises such as banks, insurance companies, commercial cleaning services and payroll specialists.

Evaluations by the participants proved once again to be quite positive, including an average 4.8 on a 5.0 scale when asked if they were satisfied with the quality of the conference, and 4.7 on a 5.0 scale when asked if they would recommend this type of conference to others.

One participant noted in their evaluation “Excellent agenda combining practical advice with real life experience. Materials are professionally done and full of information. I will keep it and use it as I make my plan. The speakers were very generous with their time and good and bad experiences. I had no idea all these resources were available-we are very fortunate.” Another added “This was extremely good information and inspirational. The speakers gave a very well rounded and realistic look at doing business and the participants were interesting and interested in talking and sharing helpful tips, information and support. Thank you!”

Conference notebooks, videotapes of the conference and two different Retail Business books are available for sale through the Small Business Development Program. Please call 512.974.7800 for more information, or contact Michelle Bledsoe at michelle.bledsoe@ci.austin.tx.us. ■