West Texas business owners gather for inaugural small business summit

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LUBBOCK, Texas (KCBD) – The South Plains and Caprock Business Finance and Government Association held its inaugural Small Business Summit with businesses from the Lubbock community and across West Texas on Wednesday.

Kelly Davila of Caprock Business Finance Corporation said the event is a way to share resources and education for our small business owners in the community. You can define a small business by the number of employees, the market it serves, or even annual revenue, but most small businesses start with just an idea.

“I think really the idea is for it to be owned by an individual or a partnership, really just an entrepreneur who has had an idea,” said Kelly Davila, regional director for Caprock Business Finance Corporation.

But starting a small business can lead to a million questions and a lot of fear.

This summit offers panels built to answer those tough questions, because sometimes the best option is to talk to a fellow business owner who’s already done it.

“Put together a business plan, run the numbers, is this business going to work, is the time right?”

“If you do the research, do the legwork that minimizes that fear, so you don’t go into something that’s not sustainable within the community that you’re in,” said small-business owner Carl Hartman.

Hartman is a business owner currently looking to open a few new businesses in Lockney County; He said that starting a new business comes with challenges and as the owner, it’s all up to you.

“When you’re starting a business and you don’t have it yet, it’s up to you. It’s what your credit score is, what your financial stability is,” Hartman said.

But the most important thing is to know the needs of your community and how your company will meet them.

“In a smaller city, when there are needs, people recognize those needs and can be very supportive,” Hartman said.

But Hartman said that as a business owner, be prepared to outsource some resources out of your own pocket if they’re not already available in your community.

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