Lone Star College gives aspiring business owners place to start

When Richard and Gina Taeuber began their business in 2004, they maintained a small operation specializing in products for children's swing-sets and toys. With the help of the Lone Star College Small Business Development Center, they have secured a permanent headquarters in Cypress and expanded their vision.

The company, D & R Personalized Services, has taken on a new persona as the only exclusive dealer of PlayNation Play Systems in Houston, focusing on state-of-the-art play sets and play systems, trampolines and accessories.

"We went from [operating] in someone's front yard to all of this," said Gina Taeuber, vice-president and co-owner. "The SBDC helped us receive a loan and gave us the means to purchase this property."

As the credit crisis hit Houston, the Taeubers struggled with obtaining the financial means to grow their business. However, through consultations and professional assessments, the couple found the assistance they needed.

The LSC–CyFair SBDC provides small business owners at various stages of development with business primers, lessons in franchising and marketing and a guide to accounting and finance, said Karen Cavallaro, senior consultant with the University of Houston SBDC Network.

"Generally, people are looking for finance and marketing [assistance],"Cavallaro said. "[This] seem to be one of the largest problems small businesses face. We help put business plans together for clients and communicate their message."

Through its affiliation with UH SBDC, the LSC system offers programs for small business- related seminars, consultations, and affordable training and workshops, said Salvatore Mira, the LSC system SBDC director.

SBDCs can work as a large referral source and help with business consulting issues.

LSC Cy-Fair, 9191 Barker Cypress Road, Cypress, TX, 77433, (281) 290-3200

Lone Star College System, 20515 Hwy. 249, Houston, TX, 77070, (281) 290-2600