SBDC alumna named finalist in Make Mine a Million $ Business program

Posted by Jayme Blaschke
University News Service
November 20, 2007

Cynthia Rubio

Rubio is one of the five state finalists for the program, sponsored by Count Me In for Women’s Economic Independence and founding partner, OPEN from American Express. 

The idea behind Make Mine a Million $ Business is to provide a combination of money, mentoring, marketing, and technology tools that women entrepreneurs need to help grow their business past the million dollar mark.  Started in 2005, the goal is to help at least one million women achieve at least $1 million in sales by 2010.  This is no small task as currently less than 3 percent of the 10.4 million women-owned businesses in the U.S. have revenues in excess of $1 million (274,052).  [Source: Center for Women’s Business Research 2006 Data]

Rubio started her radio frequency identification technology business three years ago and quickly learned to access available resources to help her succeed.  To that end, she attended a business plan course sponsored by Texas State Small Business Development Center (SBDC) and followed through by receiving one-on-one assistance to complete the plan for a business loan. 

“(The SBDC) has been a great resource for our company,” Rubio said. “I would have had a more difficult time beginning my business if the SBDC had not been available.” 

She continues to utilize the program as necessary and received personal support for her Make Mine a Million $ Business presentation.

The Small Business Development Center program began in 1980 and is partially funded by the U.S. Small Business Administration.  Hosted by leading universities, colleges, and state economic development agencies, there are approximately 1,000 centers nationwide making the organization the country’s largest provider of managerial and technical assistance to businesses.  Texas State hosts the local SBDC program which provides services to 12 counties in Central Texas.

“As part of a regional and national program, the Texas State SBDC achieves significant annual economic development goals through comprehensive, confidential business consulting services that are provided at no ‘out of pocket’ cost to the client.  Small businesses are the driving force of this economy,” said Texas State SBDC Director Larry Lucero. “Our program’s job is to assist business owners like Cynthia Rubio reach their potential”

For more information, contact Todd D. Guilbeaux at (512) 716-4800 or via email at sbdc@txstate.edu.