Success Stories

Glasco Landscaping

Brenham, Texas

Tammy and Troy Glasco, owners

"Our goal was to be more cost efficient. The SBDC organized and walked the entire organization though strategic planning. The consultants at the SBDC at Blinn College were able to help us increase profits even through sales did not increase through the recommendations that came from the planning."

Glasco Landscaping has experienced growth due to a strong real estate market creating a demand for its products and services. Their business growth has allowed for expansion— good for the business but uncomfortable for the owners, Tammy and Troy. They felt as if they were not in control of the growth.

The SBDC at Blinn College led all of the Glasco employees through two strategic planning sessions. The sessions enabled all strata of opeation to participate in open discussions. The openness of the discussions began to pinpoint specific internal difficulties that could be corrected quickly and efficiently. These discussions prevented the organization from making marketing decisions on a hit-or-miss basis.

Through these strategic planning sessions, internal problems were identified. Due to the implementation of changes to correct those problems, the Glascos increased their net profit even though sales did not increase. A major part of the success of the strategic planning process was the development and implementation of a strategic marketing plan.

Outcomes

Profits Increased
divorceandchildren.com

Bellville, Texas

Christina McGhee, owner

"The SBDC was a great help in guiding me through the 'business end' of the project. My consultant helped me focus my ideas and translate them into marketing tactics I could act on."

The SBDC at Blinn College helped Christina with the issues of legal structures, distribution of earnings, decision-making processes, accounting, trademark and copyright protections.

Most recently, the SBDC has been helping her develop strategic and tactical marketing plans. Those plans include: promotional materials, a media kit, press releases, DVD reviews from influential people, radio and television appearances, trade shows, direct mail sales letters, customer referrals and promotion of the company's online website.

This is expected to be just the beginning of divorceandchildren.com's success. The SBDC at Blinn College continues to work with this client in developing her business, which is sure to help many children facing divorce.
Texana Trails & Lodge, LLC

La Grange, Texas

Lennie Brown, owner

"The SBDC at Blinn College has been exceptionally helpful to our business needs. We have discussed with them various projects, which included finding sources of funding and marketing options. The folks at the SBDC are easy to talk to, and they always seem to have a positive impact on our business."

Lennie Brown’s relationship with the Blinn College SBDC is a long-standing one. Before starting her Texana Trails Lodge, Lennie enjoyed success as an economic development specialist working in the community helping small businesses grow and prosper. It was in this capacity that she first worked with the Blinn College SBDC.

A number of years ago, she decided that she, too, wanted to be a small business owner. Lennie and her family owned a historic home on land that has been in the family since the early 1800s. She wanted to use it for a hospitality business. She approached the SBDC for a referral to an attorney, assistance in planning her business and a review of her business plan and financials.

A few years later she opened her bed and breakfast, but business was somewhat slow and funding was needed to improve the facilities before she could operate at full capacity. With the help of the SBDC, a loan was obtained from a commercial bank. Those funds, combined with her own savings, allowed her to build a 4000 square foot log building and expand from a traditional B&B, to include event center catering for corporations and families.

Outcomes

Opened business

Created jobs

Obtained financing

Expanded business
TFE Company, Inc.

Brenham, Texas

C.H. Harvey, owner

"We might not even be here today but for John Tatum of the SBDC office in Brenham. John has helped us through some very difficult times. It is impossible to express just what he has meant to this process. We look forward to working with John in the future."

TFE is a 50-year-old manufacturing firm in Brenham, Texas. It machines customized high performance plastic parts for use in valves and sealing devices. After the founder died in 1999, C.H. Harvey was hired to manage operations. He began addressing the company's many problems, ultimately spearheading an investment group to purchase the company and save it from financial ruin.

When C.H. approached the SBDC for help with the turnaround, consultant John Tatum assisted in analyzing the cost structure of the firm. By implementing a job-costing system, the company was able to set pricing and manage its costs more effectively. Its financial situation steadily improved and the company began to expand, hiring additional employees.

In 2004 TFE was presented with the opportunity of purchasing B&R Industries, a manufacturer of precision wear and components for equipment manufacturers in the pump industry. As with TFE, its owner had died, leaving the company adrift and about to go out of business. Once again, John Tatum at the SBDC helped analyze the cost structure and implement a job-costing system.

Profitability improved, but due to unexpected obligations related to B&R both companies struggled with cash flow problems. Members of the financial group that had purchased the companies were ready to cash-out.

In 2006, John prepared financial projections and helped facilitate the process of financing the buy-out of the companies by C.H. Harvey. It was a complex transaction and required a tough sell to financers. TFE's and B&R's operations and real estate were owned by five separate companies owned by three individuals. The entire process took almost a year to complete.

The financing package involved multiple loans with several financial institutions and a certified development corporation. The result has been improved cash flow, allowing the companies to pay suppliers more quickly while taking advantage of volume pricing. 0verall liquidity and profitability have increased providing a greater ability to compete. TFE and B&R Industries retained 27 jobs and created 14 new ones as a result of the work done in 2007.

Outcomes

Financing Obtained

Business Purchased

New & Retained Jobs

Business Expansions
Town & Country Waste Disposal

Brenham, Texas

Robert Winkler, owner

"I never would have been able to do this without the help of the SBDC."

Town & Country Waste Disposal almost didn't happen for Robert Winkler. There were many challenges to face before his purchase of the existing, 18-year-old business became a dream come true.

It was not the lack of ability that shortstopped the purchase for over a year; it was the lack of investment, and inexperience in owning a business. Robert was committed to doing whatever it would take. He sought the consulting services of the Blinn College SBDC to help him structure the deal, and through the SBDC's business education classes he obtained the business knowlege that he needed. Robert's SBDC consultant guided him in evaluating the business's potential and negotiating a fair price. Recommendations for structuring the loan were also offered by the SBDC.

Since closing on the loan and becoming the owner, Robert has added services and taken on new customers.

Outcomes

Financing Obtained

Business Purchased