Angelina College’s Small Business Development Center (SBDC) helped start 20 new business during the 2015-2016 year. According to the center’s director Larry Cain, nearly 160 new jobs were created through the SBDC’s efforts.
Best Friends Community Services serves adults and children diagnosed with intellectual and developmental disabilities in Houston County and the surrounding area. Nikki Steinsbo and her staff train family members to care for the needs of the disabled person and that family member becomes an employee of Best Friends.
By working with the SBDC, Steinsbo has obtained a contract with the State of Texas, leased additional office space, purchased a new van for transporting clients, hired 47 full-time and 16 part-time employees, and renovated a separate building to train employees and assist those with disabilities in improving their life skills. She recently purchased and remodeled a house to use as a group home. Steinsbo is researching options to provide health insurance to her employees, many of whom have not been able to afford coverage in the past.
“Nikki’s business is particularly special due to the great work she is doing in a low-income area (Grapeland) that did not offer these services prior to her opening the business,” Cain said.
The SBDC at Angelina College provides training, counseling, advising and start‐up services for individuals starting a business. The center also assists business owners with business valuations, financing, accounting, marketing and real estate. The center’s staff helped clients acquire more than $14 million in capital totaling during the last year.
Cain and Richard Hughes, Angelina College SBDC adviser, have both earned their Certified Global Business Professional designations to better assist any clients with any exporting issues.
For more information about the Small Business Development Center at Angelina College, contact Larry Cain at lcain@angelina.edu or 936-633-5400
